The Test That Cost Everything

After my sister Mary and I were adopted, our adoptive parents gave us a test.

They each gave us ten thousand dollars in spending money.

Mary couldn't bear to spend a single cent and returned it all.

But I pocketed all the money and blew through it in one night.

From then on, I was labeled a gold digger.

"You don't deserve to be our child. Get back to where you belong!"

I was thrown out of the house and died in an accident while working odd jobs.

It wasn't until the orphanage director realized he couldn't reach me and hurriedly came to explain:

"Georgina used all that money to pay for my medical treatment!"

After hearing the director's words, my adoptive parents froze in place with no reaction.

It took them a long while to come to their senses, and they laughed dismissively:

"Quite the performance, working together like that."

"Even in death, she can't rest in peace. Still trying to deceive us?"

My adoptive mother, Lauren, couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"That child is deeply scheming. Ten thousand dollarsshe spent it just like that. Now she's found some old man to make up stories, thinking we'll fall for it?"

The director was at a loss, his eyes red-rimmed as he explained:

"Georgina isn't that kind of child. At the orphanage, she never fought with anyone over anything. Whatever good things she had, she always gave to Mary first."

"She was so frugal. She'd use her pencils until she could barely hold them before she'd throw them away..."

"Shut up!" Lauren irritably cut him off.

She didn't want to hear any more of this nonsense. She strode into the living room and came out carrying a garbage bag.

"You're just in time to take the clothes she didn't get to take with her and throw them out. Having them in the house is bad luck!"

The garbage bag couldn't handle the weight and tore open with a big gash.

The clothes inside spilled all over the floor, dirty and patched.

The director opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end only let out a deep sigh.

He realized that no matter what he explained, they wouldn't believe it.

He could only gather up my old clothes and stagger toward the elevator.

My soul floated in the air, watching everything in silence.

Tears silently streamed down my face.

Although I had known all along that they showed undisguised care and favoritism toward Mary.

But until this moment, feeling so directly that they didn't even care that I was missing, that they misunderstood me so deeply.

I still couldn't control the pain in my heart.

Only then did Mary unhurriedly step forward, taking Lauren's arm:

"Don't be too upset. The director is probably just so grief-stricken that he's talking nonsense."

"Maybe Georgina really did have her reasons. I just hope she's okay."

Lauren affectionately stroked her hair:

"It's all right, Mary. Don't think about it anymore. She's just bad by nature. We won't think about her anymore."

"From now on, you're our only child."

"Okay!" Mary's lips curved up as she nodded triumphantly.

The adoptive parents took her hand and went to eat. The table was covered with dishes she loved.

Mary contentedly enjoyed her parents' doting, glancing toward my empty room.

"What a shame," she said thoughtfully.

"One test ended up dragging out so many things and even hurt Georgina..."

Mary and I were abandoned in a hospital bathroom right after birth, placed in an old cardboard box.

A kind-hearted janitor found us and took us to the nearest orphanage.

We depended on each other to survive, and I did everything I could to take care of Mary.

Whatever good food or new clothes came our way, I gave them all to her.

When other kids bullied us, I always rushed to the front, getting beaten black and blue without making a sound.

Mary relied on me completely, always following behind me, sweetly calling me "sister."

Back then, I thought that even though we didn't have parents, we had each other and the director. That was enough.

My biggest wish was to grow up quickly and earn money.

To give the director a good life and buy Mary lots of pretty dresses.

Until we were fifteen, when we met our adoptive parents.

Lauren was frail and sickly, unable to have children, and wanted to adopt one.

They looked around the orphanage for a long time before their eyes finally landed on Mary and me.

The director was overjoyed and pulled us aside, holding our hands:

"You're going to have a new home. You must be obedient and well-behaved from now on!"

Mary and I were both nervous but full of anticipation.

This was the home with a mom and dad that we had longed for.

The adoptive parents took us out for a meal, bought us new clothes, and asked about our life at the orphanage.

But I could sense they liked Mary a bit more.

Mary was sweet-tongued and knew how to act cute, while I was reserved and could only clumsily say "thank you."

Not long after bringing us home, the adoptive parents each gave Mary and me a thick envelope.

"There's ten thousand dollars inside."

"You can spend it however you want, but you must tell us how you used it."

Ten thousand dollars was an astronomical sum to me.

It was an amount the director would have to work hard for a long time to save up.

I clutched that heavy envelope, my palms sweating.

On the way back to the orphanage after leaving their house, Mary excitedly planned what she would buy.

"I'm going to buy gifts for Mom and Dad, then save the rest and return it to them!"

"That way they'll know I don't want to live with them just for the money!"

I nodded, but my heart was in turmoil.

Because just the day before, the director had collapsed again.

I rushed to get him to the hospital, and the doctor told me with a grave expression:

"Your director's condition can't be delayed any longer."

"His heart is severely damaged. He must have surgery as soon as possible. The cost will be about a hundred thousand dollars."

My mind went completely blank.

The orphanage usually had to rely on charitable donations to get by. Where would we find that much money?

After the director woke up, he gripped my hand and said:

"Georgina, don't listen to the doctor. This is just my old ailment. I don't need surgery."

His smile was forced, his face deathly pale.

I looked at the ten thousand dollars in my hand, silently watching the director.

A desperate idea emerged.

I knew it was wrong.

This money wasn't mine, and I knew it was all a test.

But... the director's life couldn't wait.

I couldn't worry about all that anymore.

I would work hard in the future and pay the adoptive parents back.

"Georgina, have you decided how to use it?" Mary asked me.

"I... haven't decided yet," I said, trembling.

Back at the orphanage, I shut myself in my room.

That ten thousand dollars felt like fire burning my palm.

Early the next morning, while Mary was still asleep, I rushed to the hospital with the money.

The staff counted the money and issued a receipt.

Holding that thin piece of paper, my tense nerves finally relaxed.

I waited outside the director's hospital room, watching as he was wheeled into the operating room.

The red light reflected on my face, and I suddenly rememberedI needed to go back to the White family's house.

It was time to report the test results.

I dragged my heavy feet, rehearsing explanations in my mind countless times.

Thinking about how to apologize, how to promise I'd pay the money back.

As soon as I pushed open the front door, I saw my adoptive parents sitting on the sofa.

Staring at me with unkind expressions.

"You're back?" My adoptive father Andrew's voice carried a chill.

"Where's the money? How did you spend it? Let's hear it."

I stood still, my entire body left with only a hospital payment slip.

I had crumpled it into a ball, clutching it tightly in my sweaty palm.

"I spent it all," I said, lowering my head, not daring to look them in the eye.

"What did you spend it on?!" Andrew roared in disbelief.

My lips trembled as I struggled to form coherent words.

I didn't dare tell the truth. I was afraid they'd make me get the money back.

"I just spent it," I stammered, trying to explain.

Just then, Mary, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke up.

"Mom, Dad, don't be angry," she said slowly.

"I think I know where Georgina's money went."

The living room fell silent.

Lauren took a deep breath and softened her tone: "Mary, what did you see? Don't be afraid. Tell me."

Mary hesitated for a long time before finally speaking:

"Yesterday afternoon, I saw Georgina go to the mall carrying an LV bag."

Andrew's expression darkened instantly.

I didn't understand why Mary would say such a thing and hastily denied it: "I didn't!"

Mary pretended to look troubled as she continued:

"Stop lying. You didn't just buy a bagyou also went to an upscale restaurant. One meal there costs over a thousand dollars!"

She pulled out her phone and showed it to the adoptive parents.

"Look, my friend took this photo. It's a bit blurry, but you can tell it's Georgina."

The moment I saw the photo, I felt all the blood in my body turn cold.

The "me" in the photo was actually sitting in an upscale restaurant eating.

On the table sat elegant dishes and steak.

I rushed over, wanting to see the photo clearly: "That's not me! Yesterday I..."

"Enough!" Andrew roared, slamming the phone down hard on the table.

"Georgina, the evidence is right here. What else do you have to say?"

He pointed at me and cursed:

"You took that ten thousand dollars to buy luxury goods and treat people to expensive meals! Do you think we're idiots?"

"This is your true character! Greedy, vain, and a pathological liar!"

"It's not like that..."

I shook my head grievously, tears flowing uncontrollably.

I looked at Mary. She met my gaze and actually smiled thoughtfully.

In that moment, it was like a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head.

A disturbing suspicion suddenly formed in my heart.

"You won't admit it, will you?" Lauren trembled with rage.

"Fine! I'll see where you hid everything!"

They rushed into my room.

I stood frozen in place, chilled to the bone, listening to the sounds of them ransacking the room.

Before long, Lauren emerged holding an LV shopping bag.

"Tell me what this is!" She shrieked, violently throwing the bag on the floor.

I stared blankly at the unfamiliar bag on the ground, my mind completely blank.

"That's not mine..." I murmured.

"Not yours? Did it grow legs and walk into your closet by itself?" Andrew laughed bitterly in his fury.

"It was at the very bottom of your clothing drawer, covered with clothes!"

"Georgina, you've really opened my eyes!"

I looked at Mary in disbelief.

Belatedly realizing that she had done all of this.

My heart felt like a knife had been plunged into it, twisting viciously, leaving the wound mangled and bloody.

"You put it there... didn't you?" I asked Mary, trembling.

Mary's eyes immediately reddened, and she looked at the adoptive parents with an aggrieved expression.

"How can you say that about me? I tried to help you, and you're accusing me..."

"Georgina!"

Lauren completely exploded. She rushed up to me and slapped me across the face.

My cheek burned with pain, my ears ringing.

I covered my face, utterly heartbroken.

"Get out!"

Lauren pointed at the door, her voice full of disgust:

"Take your filthy things and get out of my house! From now on, we only recognize Mary as our child!"

I staggered as they shoved me toward the door.

The door slammed shut.

I had been completely abandoned by them.

I had nowhere to go and could only return to the orphanage.

The director had already completed his surgery and was still unconscious.

I sat by his bedside, holding his aged hand and crying my heart out.

I knew I couldn't stop. I didn't have time to grieve.

Follow-up treatment and recovery all required money.

I rented a cheap basement partition and started desperately looking for work.

But I had such little education and wasn't even an adult yet. No legitimate place would hire me.

I could only do odd jobswashing dishes, handing out flyers, helping vendors clean up.

I earned very little, nowhere near enough to fill the hospital's bottomless pit. The overdue payment notices piled up one after another.

The director's condition also kept fluctuating.

At my wit's end, I saw a job advertisement:

[High-altitude glass cleaning, daily pay, $2000-3000 per day.]

I was tempted.

I knew it was dangerous, but I had no choice.

The contact person hesitated when he saw how small and thin I was.

But I begged him, saying I desperately needed money and could do anything.

He finally agreed, gave me an old safety harness, briefly explained a few things, and brought me to the construction site.

I was suspended dozens of meters in the air, tightly gripping a brush and bucket.

Bit by bit, I wiped the massive glass windows.

At first, I was so scared my whole body trembled.

But thinking of the director lying in the hospital bed, I gritted my teeth and endured.

The first day passed safely. After getting paid, I felt for the first time that life had a glimmer of hope.

I went back the second day.

Just as I was almost finished cleaning the top floor windows, thinking about how I could get paid today and buy some good medicine for the director

I suddenly heard a faint cracking sound from overhead.

Before I could look up

The next second, the safety rope tied around my waist snapped without warning!

I fell.

The wind howled, whipping my hair upward.

Glass, steel beams, sky...

Everything became hazy, rapidly receding upward.

Time moved both slowly and quickly.

I thought of the director's warm hands.

I thought of the drafty windows at the orphanage in winter.

I thought of Mary following behind me when we were little, saying she wanted to be with me forever.

"BANG"

After the tremendous sound of impact came boundless silence.

My soul floated free.

I saw the crowd gathering below, heard terrified screams and shouts.

These events from the recent past already felt like they happened in a previous life.

I was finally free.

I no longer had to fear being hated by others or live alone in loneliness.

Until this moment, the only one I couldn't let go of was the director.

Lauren watched the director stumble away, then sat in her chair for a long time without speaking.

Her complexion was terrible, inexplicably anxious.

Andrew also frowned and walked to the window to smoke a cigarette.

"Where did she run off to? She won't get into trouble, will she?"

Lauren sighed, her voice irritated.

The next moment, her phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID showed my name.

Lauren's tense body instantly relaxed. She quickly answered:

"You finally know to call back? And you got the director to put on this act with you?"

"Such deep scheming! I'm warning you to stop playing these games with me!"

She was about to say more when a voice from the other end interrupted her.

It wasn't my voice. It was a man's voice.

"Hello, this is the police department. Are you Georgina's family?"

"She had an accident at work and fell from a height. She died on impact."

"Please come identify the body as soon as possible."