Chapter 5 Everyone else stood to leave .
Were heading out , Zoey .
Their whispered comments carried clearly to my ears .
Who does she think she is , challenging Sara ? As if she didnt steal someone elses man .
Just jealous .
Look at Sara beautiful , accomplished .
Whats she got ? Picks a fight with Sara , and her own husband runs after her .
Pathetic ! Their mocking laughter faded down the hallway , leaving the private room in eerie silence .
Alone , I let out a bitter laugh and poured another drink , downing it in one go .
Truth be told , Sara wasnt entirely wrong I hadnt been to those places .
But I knew she was lying .
Because of my mother .
I wasnt always parentless .

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My mother served with Doctors Without Borders in conflict zones .
Back then , a woman working abroad while her husband raised their child was unthinkable .
Neighbors would sneer : Your mother abandoned you ! Id fight back with my tiny fists , defending what little pride I had , only to face crueler mockery .
Mother sent letters with exotic stamps , describing her work in vivid detail , always including photographs .
When Father read them to me , Id picture her my hero in a white coat .
She once wrote : Zoey , most people live in small worlds , but the real world is vast .
See it for yourself .
Only by broadening your horizons will you discover what you truly want .
But when I was five , she died serving in the Kosovo War .
Her colleagues recovered only her ID badge .
Inside , among the patient records she died protecting , was a photo of me from who knows when .
I was too young to understand killed in action , but I remember the neighbors cruel words : See ? Women who step out of line never end well .
I lost my mother , but her words stayed with me : Go see for yourself .
Document everything .
Only then will you know what you truly want .
Yesterday , finding that old camera , its worn body still seemed to hold her warmth .
Her legacy , my childhood guide .
Burying my face in my hands , tears slipping through my fingers , I whispered : Mom , I miss you so much … 17:42 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 18.8 % Chapter 5 The next morning , a splitting headache jolted me awake .
Opening my eyes to a familiar ceiling home .
But how did I get here ? After gulping water to soothe my throat , I noticed Jackson in the living room , face dark with anger .
Is this how a proper wife behaves ? Ignoring him , I headed for the study .
The desk was empty .
Wheres my camera ? My voice cracked .
Jackson smiled coldly .
I gave it to Sara .
My breath stopped .
What did you say ? Arms crossed , he smirked .
Didnt you tell her to take more pictures ? A roar filled my head .
He gave my mothers legacy to Sara ? The glass slipped from my hand , shattering .
I lunged , grabbing his collar : How dare you touch my camera ?! How dare you ?! Jackson flinched , startled by my fury .
Sara … shes at theSanta CloudHotel .
Room number ! 1103.
I shoved him aside and ran .
Speeding to the hotel , I burst onto the eleventh floor and kicked open 1103.
Sara appeared , livid .
What the hell do you think youre doing ? Ignoring her , I stormed in .
There it was the camera sitting quietly on the TV stand .
I grabbed it and turned to leave .
Stop ! Sara yanked me back , voice shrill .
Jackson gave that to me ! You have no right ! I turned and slapped her hard .
This is mine .
My mothers legacy .
You have no right .
She stood stunned , then screamed : How dare you hit me , you bitch ! She lunged , clawing and shrieking as we struggled .
In the chaos , I heard the camera strap snap .
Then Sara , in blind rage , grabbed the camera and smashed it to the floor .
A sharp crack echoed .
I stood frozen , watching my mothers last remnant shatter before my eyes .
1 .
17:42