After the words left my mouth, silence fell between Mom and me.

Moments later, a scoff pierced the quiet. "If you want to die, then do it already. Stop holding me back. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be trapped in this small town."

Mom turned toward the window, refusing to spare me another glance. Yet, her fingers trembled ever so slightly.

I wiped my tears away before she could see me crying.

I didn't let her take me back to the prep academy. Instead, I stared at her defiantly and declared, "Give me three more days. I'll become the perfect daughter you've always wanted."

This time, it was my turn to walk away without looking back.

Back at the academy, I pushed through the discomfort and memorized every line of the handbook until I knew it by heart.

…

Three days before the end, I scored a perfect grade on the latest exam. Mom texted me to say she was proud of me and promised that once the program was over, she'd take me abroad for vacation.

I didn't believe her. Besides, I was running out of time.

With two days left, I gave a speech at the ceremony as the program's top student.

Mom called me afterward and cried the entire night. She said I was the reason she kept going and the reason she worked so hard to survive.

I thought to myself, "But Mom… I was already dying. How could I possibly be that for you?"

…

On the final day, I received the "Perfect Daughter" trophy. It was heavy in my hands.

I was the only one in the program who got it.

Looking at the trophy, I smiled. Then, my vision blurred again.

I grew up without a father, so I always wanted to make Mom proud. But no matter what I did, it was never enough for her. Now, she should be satisfied, right?

Just then, my phone rang. It was Mom, yet I didn't answer.

After ignoring the call, I went straight to the orphanage and donated every dollar I had saved to help the sick kids.

On my way out, I ran into my attending physician.

I had already lost over 30 pounds because of my illness. My doctor adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and looked at me with serious concern.

"Why aren't you in the hospital? Why aren't you getting treatment?" he asked.

The truth was, we both knew the treatment could only delay the inevitable. But I had already stopped wanting to live in this world.

…

When I returned to the academy, Ms. Turner told me the graduation ceremony would be at 3:00 pm. Mom would be there too, as the parent of the program's top student.

Ms. Turner held my hand tightly, her voice thick with admiration as she said, "Natalie, you've improved more than anyone in the program.

"You went from scoring zero on the placement test to earning the title of 'Perfect Daughter' in just seven days. Who would've believed it? Your mother isn't the only one who's proud of you. I am too."

I nodded with a smile.

Suddenly, a metallic taste rose in my throat. And by the time Ms. Turner left my dorm, I could barely see clearly anymore.

Then, I lost control of my bladder. I stared at the liquid beneath me, hating myself for not having the courage to end things sooner. But I was a coward.

Outside, the music grew louder. A voice over the loudspeaker called my name, urging me to get to the field immediately.

Yet, I wouldn't make it.

The past flashed before my eyes—Dad leaving without hesitation, and Mom holding me as she sobbed.

At that moment, the dorm door burst open.

Mom stood in the doorway, her face pale with shock. Despite her obsession with cleanliness, she pulled me tightly into her arms.

"Nat… what happened to you? Don't scare me, please…"

I reached out with what little strength I had left and held the trophy toward her. "Mom… am I your perfect daughter now?"