The Real Daughter's Checkmate

Summary

I lay in a hospital bed covered in blood after a car accident.

My father muttered, "Money loser, we're broke..."

Then he picked up his phone, excitedly praising my brother: "Great job, son! First place in the class gaming tournament? Dad's coming home to celebrate!"

When he left me alone in the hospital, I wasn't surprised.

I even laughed at myself for the flicker of hope I felt when I first saw him, thinking he might actually be worried about me.

Under the angry yet sympathetic gazes of the medical staff, I didn't feel helpless or sad.