They Forgot My Name, They Forgot My Ticket, They Forgot Me Chapter 09

They Forgot My Name, They Forgot My Ticket, They Forgot Me Chapter 09

Shirt collar loose, hair mussed, exhaustion written all over his face.

His eyes met mine. He froze.

“Jocelyn!”

Cedric rushed over, eyes glistening. “You’re finally back! I’ve looked everywhere for you-I couldn’t find you anywhere. I’ve missed you so much.”

“Cedric. I changed my name. I’m Aurora now.’

His expression shattered. “Is it because I told you to change it? I’m sorry-I never wanted to hurt

you-”

“It’s not because of you.” I waved the waiter over and poured him a drink. “Every time someone said ‘Jocelyn Vance,’ I felt like they were calling out to someone else. So I gave myself a new name. I’m just me–I’m not living anyone else’s life.” –

He held the glass with trembling hands. “Jocelyn… I saw the words you carved in the attic floor. I haven’t forgotten what I promised you. The home I promised-I can give it to you now. Will you be

the lady of this house?”

“No.”

I held up my ring finger. “I’m already married. He’s good to me. I already have my own home.”

He stared at the ring, and all the light went out of his face. His eyes

I stood, grabbed my bag, and walked out.

reddened.

Vincent caught up, whispering. “Jocelyn, I didn’t know you were married.”

I smiled. “I lied to him. And you’d better keep that secret.”

The next morning, I carried my gifts to their door.

Mom was already waiting, looking out anxiously. The moment she saw me, she came running out in her slippers.

“Jocelyn!”

Dad came running from the kitchen, spatula in hand. “Jocelyn-you’re back.”

Another figure appeared behind them. She moved her lips, finally forcing out: “Jocelyn… long time

no see.”

It was Yasmin. Her waist-length hair was now a short bob, her pale skin tanned wheat-brown.

As I stepped inside, she dropped to her knees.

“I’m sorry. I was the one who pushed you out. I stole Mom and Dad’s love. It was all my fault.”

Mom wiped her eyes. Dad’s hands trembled.

I reached down and helped her up. “It’s in the past.”

She clung to my hand. “Please come home. They miss you so much.”

I didn’t answer.

The table was set with six dishes and a soup-all my favorites. Dad picked up a drumstick and put it in my bowl. “It’s been years since you tasted my cooking-let’s see if I’ve lost my touch.”

I took a bite and nodded. “It’s good.”

Over dinner, I told them about my eight years at the institute-from team member to director. I told them I’d changed my name to Aurora Vance.

Mom smiled through tears. “Aurora is beautiful too. If it’s a name you chose for yourself, your father and I are happy for you.”

We ate slowly, four of us chatting casually.

But this warmth was only an illusion.

After the meal, I took a card out of my bag and put it on the table.

“There’s eight hundred thousand dollars in here-my savings from eight years of work. It’s to cover the cost of raising me for twenty-two years.”

Mom’s hand stopped mid-wash. A plate shattered on the floor.

She rushed out. “Are you cutting ties with us? I know I was wrong-look, this house has three bedrooms. The biggest one is yours. Please don’t do this.”

Dad paced nearby. “Jocelyn, your mother and I admit we were wrong. Can you forgive us just this

once?”

Yasmin opened her mouth-then realized she had no right to speak.

I shook my head. “You raised me from childhood. Even without blood, you’ll always be my parents. But I’m not your real daughter. I have to pay this debt.”

I looked at Yasmin. “I probably won’t be back often. Take good care of them.”

I picked up my bag and left. Their crying followed me.

I didn’t stop.

At the boarding gate, my phone buzzed-messages from the research institute group.

[Jocelyn, what time’s your flight? We’re coming to pick you up!]

[Chef Lewis made your favorite barbecue ribs! Hurry back for New Year’s Eve dinner!]

[Tonight-no one goes home sober!]

I boarded the plane.

The sunset fell on me.

Warm.

The radiant light that belonged to me-I’d already found it.