The Daughter They Abandoned Is The Doctor They Can’t Reach Chapter 17
Before the awards ceremony, I was in the guest lounge with Ms. Alvarez and my bookstore manager.
He was laughing about how the staff at the store had replayed the local news segment three times when the door suddenly opened. A staff member looked at me.
“Miss Hale, there are three visitors at the entrance claiming to be your family, but they’re not on the guest list.”
I followed her out.
My parents and Tessa were standing at the security checkpoint in formal clothes, each holding flowers.
The moment my mother saw me, she opened her arms. “Nora!”
I stepped aside.
My father’s expression darkened. “Nora, that’s enough. Let us in. Don’t make a scene out here.”
Tessa clutched the flowers and said gently, “Uncle and Auntie drove six hours to get here. They really want to witness your moment.”
I didn’t answer her. I turned to the staff member and the security guard instead.
“I don’t know them. They aren’t my guests.”
My father lunged forward. “I’m her father!”
The guard put up a hand to stop him, polite but firm.
The staff member checked the list again and said to my mother, “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but your name is not on the guest list. We can’t allow you inside.”
My mother called after me in disbelief. My father, his voice shaking with anger, demanded to know if they had any idea who they were stopping.
I didn’t turn around.
When I got back to the lounge, Ms. Alvarez and my manager exchanged a look. She reached over and patted my shoulder lightly.
The doors to the auditorium closed behind me.