“Excuse me, has my family visited?” I asked.

“The family is scheduled to come tomorrow morning. You’ll be on your own tonight,” the nurse replied.

This confirmed that my parents and sister had not yet returned from the basketball trip.

“Even when I’m taken away by an ambulance, nobody’s worried about me. It’s like I’m not family, just a nuisance,” I thought to myself.

Tears welled up and blurred my vision. I covered my head with a blanket and cried silently.

After being taken away by an ambulance, my parents, facing criticism from the neighbors, started leaving me at my aunt’s house, who is my father’s sister.

My aunt and uncle work at a game development company, and as they had no children of their own, they were always happy to have me over every week.

“It’s fun having Sonia around. It’s like having our own child,” my aunt would always say.

They loved games and would teach me about their favorite ones, which made me look forward to visiting.

One notable game was one they developed together. Set in a fictional world, it was incredibly engaging, and I would play it for hours.

They always served me the same meals they ate themselves. My aunt’s cooking was exceptional, and I often asked for seconds.

“I’ve always wanted to pick out children’s clothes,” my aunt said as she joyfully chose clothes for me.

Visits to my aunt’s house became my emotional support, making me feel cherished and providing a place of solace.

As the first term of my first year in junior high came to an end, and summer vacation was approaching, my father took me to my aunt’s house.

The car was packed with luggage, and I was excited about the prospect of spending the summer vacation there.

After arriving and unloading my things, my father unusually came inside, appearing to be in a good mood. But my aunt looked concerned.

Feeling the unusual atmosphere, I began to feel anxious. However, since my relationship with my father was not very good, I couldn’t ask him directly about my concerns.

While I was trying to gauge the situation, my father spread his arms wide and cheerfully said,

I was shocked, and my father’s voice was jovial.

Even though my aunt and other relatives were angry, it seemed my parents were not listening. Their minds were completely occupied with my sister’s basketball scholarship abroad.

“To cover the costs of your sister’s study abroad, we won’t pay for your medical expenses.”

No matter how much my aunt and uncle tried to persuade them, their efforts did not reach my parents.

“If you stop the treatment for her illness, I will take Sonia in,” my aunt declared resolutely.

My parents readily accepted the proposal.

That’s how I learned that my parents had let go of me.

Speechless and shocked, my aunt gently spoke to me.

“Your father said you wanted to leave home too. That’s why I agreed. But seeing your reaction now, it seems you weren’t told anything. There’s still time to fix this. You should have a proper talk with your parents and reach a conclusion.”

“Is it still possible now? We might be able to talk, but repairing my relationship with my parents feels too late. I can’t think of them as family anymore.”

I shook my head vigorously as I met my aunt’s gaze.

“If it’s okay with you, Auntie, I want to stay here. Sonia, I promise I won’t be a burden. I’ll help out around the house actively, so please let me stay here.”

I stood up slowly and begged her.

“If I were driven out of this house, I would have nowhere else to go. I want to live in your house, Auntie, please,” I pleaded, my voice quivering.

A sense of confusion hung between my aunt and uncle. I was anxious about how they would react, unable to stop my body from shaking.

Then my aunt gently stroked my head.

“Sonia, won’t you become our child?”

I looked up to see my aunt and uncle smiling warmly at me.

“Yes, please,” I answered, tears of relief flowing.

My aunt, tears in her eyes, hugged me tightly. My uncle, wiping away his tears, watched over us.

From that day, I became the child of my aunt and uncle.