The mother only allowed her son to eat while her daughter, a 13-year-old girl, was starved. All for a shocking reason. But when the worst happens and the woman realizes what she has done, no one could imagine what would come next. Mom, I’m so hungry, feeling so weak. I need to eat something. Please, anything.

 

 

 A tiny piece of banana, please. Mom, let me eat. Please. The 13-year-old girl pleaded with her mother, but the woman just shook her head in denial. Linda appeared in the kitchen doorway with a plate piled high with food. Perfectly fluffy rice, freshlymade beans, golden brown potatoes, medium rare meat, and a colorful salad that gave off a delicious aroma.

 The scent invaded the dining room, crossing the silent space and going straight to little Sharon’s nostrils, who sat in the corner of the table, her eyes fixed on nothing. The girl’s eyes lit up. A shy smile, far too rare on that pale and tired face, formed on her lips.

 She took a deep breath, absorbing the aroma that awakened pleasant memories, and asked hopefully, “Is it for me?” she said, already slowly reaching her thin arms towards the plate. But before her hand could reach the food, a sharp, firm slap struck her fingers. She recoiled, startled. Linda, her own mother, with a harsh expression on her face, immediately scolded, “Have you gone mad, Sharon? Have you already forgotten that today is not a day for food? Today is a day of fasting.

 Total fasting.” The girl’s joy vanished instantly. The smile disappeared, replaced by a sad and defeated look. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she still tried to protest with a weak voice. “But I’m so hungry, Mom. My stomach is rumbling. I need to eat something, even if it’s just a tiny piece of banana.” Linda ignored the appeal.

 She placed the plate of food on the table beside her, pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, and without any warning, pointed the camera at her daughter, and took a picture. Then she brought the phone close to Sharon’s face and said with a cutting calmness, “Look at yourself, my darling. You’re still fat.

 How do you expect to be a successful model looking like that? You’re way overweight. Way too much.” Sharon stared at her own image on the screen. What she saw was not what her mother said. Her eyes traced every visible bone, every non-existent curve in her 13-year-old body. She saw only thin skin, a rickety and fragile body, sunken eyes, and an almost sickly palar.

 But even so, Linda insisted, “You still have a round face, thick legs. You can’t show up at the fashion show like that.” The girl once again tried to argue. Her voice was now choked with emotion. “But I’m hungry. I can’t even stand up properly. If I don’t eat, I’m going to faint, Mom.” The woman approached, crouched down beside her daughter, and stroked her dry belly where there was nothing left to draw from. With a strange smile, she murmured, “You have fat reserves.

 Your body will use them as energy. You won’t faint. You’ll look dazzling on the catwalk, my darling.” Then she pulled a small bottle of water from her bag and handed it to her daughter. Here, today and tomorrow, it’s just water.

 After the show, maybe I’ll let you have a liquid supplement, but solid food only when you have the ideal body. Sharon looked at the bottle with trembling hands. Was this all she would get? Another whole day without eating anything but water. Her head was spinning. It had been a long time since she felt strong enough to run, play, laugh, and now she couldn’t even walk without stumbling properly. But there was no use in begging.

Meanwhile, Jason, Sharon’s twin brother, watched everything in silence. He was sitting next to his sister and saw when his mother took the same plate of tasty food and extended it to him with a smile full of pride. Eat everything, my athlete. You need energy to swim and win. This body needs muscles.

 The boy took the plate but didn’t take the first bite. His eyes immediately turned to his sister. That skinny, almost transparent girl used to be full of life and energy. She was the one he played with in the backyard until nightfall. She was the one he shared secrets with. But now Sharon was just a ghost of that girl. Jason sighed and said in a low but firm voice, “Mom, are you sure Sharon can’t eat even a little bit? I can share. I don’t mind.

” The answer came faster than a lion’s pounce on its prey. “Of course not,” exclaimed Linda, turning around with irritation. “You need those calories, Jason. Do you want to be a champion or not? You need to be strong, and she needs to be thin, each to their own objective. Today, you eat, and your sister drinks only water.

” The boy stared at his mother for a few seconds, then looked back at his sister. There was confusion in his eyes, but also courage. He took a breath and retorted, “But you keep saying she’s fat. But look at her, Mom. She’s too thin. She even looks sick. This can’t be right.” Sharon, hearing this, felt a small relief in her chest. Her brother was there for her.

Maybe if he insisted, her mother would give in. Perhaps for the first time, someone might have managed to breach that wall of control Linda had erected around her children’s lives. But this hope was short-lived. Linda took a step back, huffing with rage. She pointed her finger at them both and unleashed, her voice brimming with authority, “You two know nothing.

 I am your mother. I know what’s best. Sharon is going to be a stunning model, and you, Jason, will be a swimmer laden with medals. But for that to happen, you must follow my rules. I only want what’s best for you, my darlings.” The ensuing silence was heavy. Sharon lowered her eyes, defeated.

 Jason remained quiet, not touching his food, while the aroma still permeated the entire room, cruel and taunting. and the small bottle of water remained there, stationary, sentencing the poor girl’s fate. “Now enough talk. Jason, eat your food. Sharon, drink your water.” Linda’s command sounded firm and definitive. There was no room for discussion.

 The children merely nodded, as if they already knew that any resistance would be futile. Jason plunged his fork into the still warm rice while his sister, her eyes fixed on her brother’s plate, held the small bottle of water with both hands. Each spoonful he took was a torment for the little model.

 Her eyes followed every movement of the food going from the platter to his mouth while her own stomach churned with hunger. She didn’t say a word, but her mouth watered, her stomach rumbled loudly, and her soul silently begged for even a crumb. Jason, on the other hand, tried to appear indifferent, but inside he was falling apart. With each bite, his gaze would dart quickly to his sister. It was as if chewing that food was an act of betrayal.

 He wished from the bottom of his heart that he could grab a small piece of meat, perhaps a potato, and give it to her secretly. But he couldn’t. In front of them, vigilant, was Linda. Her mother’s gaze was sharp, controlling, and they both knew they couldn’t step out of line, not without consequences.

 So, Jason continued eating. Sharon continued watching, and the room remained silent, except for the subtle sounds of cutlery and the heavy breathing of the girl, who more than hunger felt sadness. When the plate was finally empty, the silence was broken by a sharp and unexpected sound. The house phone started ringing.

 Linda, quick and attentive, walked to the device and brought it to her ear. Hello. On the other end of the line, a man’s voice resonated with familiarity. It was Brian, Linda’s husband, the twin’s father. He lived in another country because of his job, and always called whenever he could find some free time. Hi, Linda.

 How are things going over there? And the kids, are they doing well? Linda smiled, but not sincerely. It was that smile she wore whenever she wanted to appear the perfect mother. Oh honey, everything’s great here. They’re both doing wonderfully in school. Jason is excelling more and more in swimming. And Sharon, oh my, Sharon is just killing it.

 She’s participating in a very important fashion show tomorrow. They’re looking for a new teen model to star in a commercial. And listen, I’m sure she’s going to be chosen. On the other end, Brian gave a restrained smile. He didn’t seem as excited as his wife.

 Although he was happy about his children’s achievements, he carried a nagging doubt in his heart that refused to disappear. He knew that Jason really enjoyed swimming. It was something that came from him, a passion he had shown since he was little. But regarding Sharon, Brian was never so sure. She said she wanted to be a model, but was she saying it for herself, or was she just repeating what her mother wanted to hear? Linda, excited on the other end of the line, continued speaking enthusiastically without even noticing her husband’s pensive silence.

 Then Brian took a deep breath and said, “I wanted to talk to them for a bit. We is that okay?” Of course, replied Linda, still in the same sweet tone. But as she turned to Jason, her expression changed. She handed the phone to her son with an expression laden with expectation, as if saying without words that he already knew what he should say. Jason held the device, but didn’t put it to his ear yet.

 He just held it firmly while Linda sat back down and kept a close eye on him. And here the story changes pace. It wasn’t said at that moment, but it was clear. Brian and Linda never thought alike about raising their children. He believed that children should play, enjoy their childhood, go to school, make friends, the future, the career, the obligations. All of that could wait.

 He wanted his children to have freedom, to experience life with ease. Linda, on the other hand, saw everything differently. For her success required sacrifice from an early age, from the first step. She thought that to succeed in life, one had to start striving as soon as possible. That’s why she imposed a rigorous routine on her children. There was no time for rest. There was no room for play.

 Sharon spent her days training for pageantss, practicing expressions and posture. She had to know how to behave, smile at the right moment, and keep her head held high. But more than that, she had to lose weight. Linda was obsessed with it. She repeated every day that the ideal body was essential. And for that, her daughter needed to be thin. Extremely thin.

 Jason had more freedom to eat. Yes. But even so, his routine was also grueling. He had a specific diet balanced down to the smallest detail and intense training. If he wasn’t at the swimming club, he was in the pool at home. The order was clear. He had to swim better and faster each time. Nothing less than the podium interested his mother. In the midst of all this was Brian.

 He worked in another country far from his family, hoping to guarantee a better future for his children. He had a stable job, a high salary, and believed he was doing the right thing. He believed that even from afar, his children were well cared for, supported, loved.

 But what he didn’t know, what he couldn’t imagine was that his absence was exactly what Linda needed to maintain absolute control. She said that it was the best place for the children to study, grow, and develop. But deep down, what she really wanted was the power to mold them both in her own way without interference, without questions. Brian missed his wife and children.

 He called whenever he could. He made plans to return. But with each call, he heard that everything was going well, that the children were happy, that there was nothing to worry about. And he believed it. He trusted that Linda knew what she was doing. He trusted that she, as a mother, was acting for the good of her children, but he didn’t know about the obsession that had grown inside her. He didn’t know that the pursuit of success was becoming a prison for the two children.

 And the stark truth was this. Linda loved them. Yes, but her love came at a high price. A price that Jason and especially Sharon were already beginning to pay. Jason picked up the phone. His heart raced when he heard his father’s cheerful voice on the other end of the line. It was a familiar voice, warm, full of life.

 It was the voice he hadn’t heard in weeks. Hey there, champ. Is everything okay there? Have you been having fun playing with your friends and with your sister? Huh? The longing hit him hard. Jason felt a tightness in his chest. And for a moment, he was silent. He so desperately wanted to tell the truth, saying she wasn’t having fun, that there was no time for anything.

 His routine was just training, diet, demands. He wanted to say that Sharon was weak, that she could barely walk straight, let alone play. But if he said anything more than he should, he would have to face the consequences, and they would come harsh, immediate from his mother.

 So he took a deep breath and replied in a rehearsed voice, “I’m fine, Dad. Everything’s okay here.” “And the training? Nothing too strenuous, right?” Everything’s fine, too, Brian insisted, worried. You know, you don’t have to overdo it. I want you to train, yes, but I also want to see you happy, enjoying life. Jason smiled slightly, but only replied, “I’m really okay.” Across the room, Linda was watching.

 When she realized that her son was about to hand back the phone, she approached, took the device from his hands, and with the same forced smile as before, took it to Sharon. Now it’s your turn, honey. Talk to your dad. Sharon took the phone. Her fingers were trembling. As soon as she put the device to her ear, she heard Brian’s sweet voice. My princess, I miss you so much.

 How are you doing? Huh? That question coming from her father with so much affection, it was like a trigger. Sharon started to cry. Not a discrete cry, but an intense, painful cry laden with emotion. She couldn’t hold back. The lump she had been holding in her throat for days, dissolved all at once. The sobs came uncontrollably, and she couldn’t even answer. Brian was alarmed.

Sharon, what is it? Why are you crying like that, my love? Did something happen? Linda approached immediately. She lowered her tone and spoke quickly in a whisper that only Sharon could hear. Missing him? Say you miss him. The girl understood. She read her mother’s lips and even crying forced an explanation.

It’s just missing you, Dad. That’s all. I miss you so much. Brian was silent for a moment. It didn’t make sense. Sharon didn’t usually cry like that, especially from missing someone. Something was out of place. Are you sure that’s all, sweetheart? Do you swear there’s nothing wrong there? The girl swallowed her cry for a moment.

The desire to tell everything was enormous. She wanted to ask for help. She wanted to shout that she was hungry, that her stomach hurt day and night, that she couldn’t stand on her feet anymore, let alone parade. But she also knew that she couldn’t defy her mother. So, she took a deep breath and replied in a choked voice, “It’s just missing you, Dad. I was moved when I heard your voice.

” Brian tried to compose himself, but he remained worried. He tried to change the course of the conversation. And how is the routine there? Have you been playing with your friends, going out a bit, distracting yourself? Sharon knew exactly what she needed to say. I’m fine, Dad. I’ve been going to Laura’s house, and Amy’s, too.

 From a distance, Linda spoke softly again. Tell him you’re excited about the fashion show. Sharon obeyed. And I’m excited about the fashion show, too. It’s going to be really cool. I’m preparing to be a real model. On the other end, Brian listened attentively, but something in his daughter’s voice bothered him. There was no enthusiasm.

 She spoke as if she were repeating something she had been taught, as if she were saying what they expected to hear. Honey, look, you’re still very young. You don’t need to worry about this now. There’s time for everything in life. The important thing now is for you to be happy, study, play.

 “Okay, Dad,” she replied with a low voice. Brian still hesitated, but ended up accepting. He ended the call with sweet words, saying that he loved her very much. Sharon said that she loved him, too, even with her voice almost fading away. After the conversation, Brian spoke to Linda again. His voice was now more serious.

 Linda, I don’t know, but I felt they were both strange, especially Sharon. Her voice, it was weak, tired. I have a feeling that something’s wrong there. If there’s anything wrong, tell me, and I’ll drop everything here and come home immediately. You know that my children and you are the most important things in this world to me.

 On the other end, Linda quickly reacted with firmness and sweetness blended together. Brian, honey, there’s nothing wrong. They’re great, healthier than ever. Sharon just got emotional because she misses you, but you can’t abandon this job. Not at all. You know how important it is for their future. Brian sighed. Doubt still lingered in his thoughts, but Linda words as always seemed convincing. Okay, I trust you.

 But please take good care of them. And if anything happens, let me know. You can count on it, honey. I’m taking care of them. You know that. The call ended. As soon as she hung up the phone, Linda turned immediately to Sharon. Her gaze was now harsh, impatient. “What was that spectacle all about? Huh? Don’t you know the rules? You have to say that everything is fine.

No mentioning diets, hunger, anything.” Sharon lowered her head, but started to cry again. Her voice came out trembling, weak. “Sorry, Mom, but my tummy hurts so much. I just want to eat. If daddy were here, he wouldn’t let me go hungry like this.” The mother approached more slowly this time.

 With a delicate gesture, she brushed away her daughter’s tears, drying them. My darling, I know it’s hard. I know your stomach hurts, but this is only at the beginning. It will pass soon. All of this is for your own good. Mommy just wants to see you shine. She touched her daughter’s face affectionately, gently lifting her chin so that their eyes met.

 You know I love you, right? Sharon hesitated. She took a deep breath and with difficulty replied. I know. I love you too, Mom. But I wish you were more like dad. He’s more flexible. I don’t want to do this diet anymore. Linda took a deep breath and maintained her calm tone, but her eyes hardened. Your father doesn’t understand how the world works. He wants to live in a fairy tale. I don’t.

 I know how to make you a star. You will be a successful model thanks to me. And when that happens, you’ll thank me. She paused, tucked her daughter’s hair behind her ear, and concluded with a cold tone. To achieve your goals, my daughter, sometimes you have to suffer a little. Sharon said nothing. She just gripped her water bottle tighter as if it were the only thing she could still control, drinking water.

Linda turned to her son with that proud look she so loved to display, “You’re going to make me proud, too, Jason, a great swimmer, a champion.” She took a deep breath, as firm as ever, and added, “Next time your father calls, I want you both to be more cheerful.

” Understand? Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “Now that you’ve eaten, Jason, and Sharon has had her water, you can go up to your room. Rest for a bit because we have practice soon. You’re going swimming, and your sister is going to rehearse her walk.” The two got up. Jason seemed fine, full of energy. His trained, nourished body responded to her command.

 Sharon, on the other hand, the girl could barely keep her balance. Her skeletal, fragile body seemed to have lost any sign of strength. Each step was a challenge, but she, as always, preferred silence. She avoided confrontation. She swallowed the pain and did what her mother told her to do. She began to walk with difficulty. Her legs were trembling.

 When she reached the stairs, she looked at the steps as if they were an impossible mountain to climb. The same stairs that she used to skip up, laughing two or three steps at a time, now seemed like a punishment. Lifting her leg required immense effort. Jason noticed and approached. Come on, Sharon. I’ll help you, he said, holding his sister’s hand carefully and supporting her body against his.

Together, they began to climb. But right on the first step, Linda cutting voice echoed through the room. What do you think you’re doing, Jason? The boy turned around surprised. His sister was already breathing with difficulty. I’m just helping Sharon up the stairs, Mom. She’s having trouble. Before he could even finish the sentence, Linda interrupted with a harsh tone. Leave her alone right now.

 She has to learn to climb stairs by herself. A model can’t live relying on others. Jason tried to argue. But mom, she’s out of strength. She’s hungry. Her stomach is empty. That’s why she’s having trouble. Linda approached without changing her tone. And that’s exactly the intention. Models often can’t eat before a show, otherwise their stomach swells, and it shows in the photos. Sharon needs to learn to draw strength even without eating.

That’s what makes a true professional. She needs to remain firm, unshakable, even in the most difficult situations. She then turned directly to her daughter and said firmly, “You can do it, my love. Go. I believe in you.” Sharon took a deep breath. She was exhausted, dizzy, weak, but she gathered what remained of her energy and began to climb. One step, then another. Her legs trembled.

 Her body begged her to give up, but she continued alone. Jason watched everything from below, helpless. When she finally reached the hallway and entered her room, Linda, with a smile on her face, said as if it were a great accomplishment. See, I told you it was easy. Sharon didn’t respond. She simply walked to the bed and threw herself onto the mattress. Her whole body achd.

 The tears came quickly, silently. She didn’t know how much longer she could live like that. Everything was so difficult, so heavy. For a moment, she thought about picking up her cell phone and calling her father just to hear his voice, maybe to ask for help, but she hesitated.

 She knew that her phone was being tracked by her mother. Linda knew exactly what she did, who she spoke to, what messages she received. Nothing went unnoticed, so she put the phone aside and stayed there, trying to rest for a few minutes, trying to gain strength to endure the modeling class that would come later. Suddenly, she heard soft knocks on the door. Her heart raced.

 For a moment, she thought it was her mother arriving early. She sat up slowly, frightened. But when the door opened and revealed Jason’s face, she sighed in relief. He entered slowly, walked to the bed, and sat down beside her. “Are you okay, Char?” She looked at herself, her thin arms, her protruding knees, her pale skin. Then she looked into her brother’s eyes and replied in a broken voice, “I’m not okay, Jason. I feel terrible.

 I’m too thin. I’ve never been like this. And my stomach, it’s screaming for food.” The tears returned. They flowed uncontrollably. She squeezed her stomach as if she wanted to silence the pain. Her breathing was irregular. I don’t know how much longer I can take it. Really? I don’t know. Jason lowered his head, his chest tight.

 Mom is going too far, he said. She says you’re fat, but look at you. Anyone can see that you’re thin. Too thin. Sharon cried even more. Her eyes were red, tired. Her whole body seemed to be begging for help. It was then that Jason took something out of his pocket. Look what I got from the kitchen. In the palm of his hand, he held a red shiny apple.

 I told Mom I was still hungry, that it was for me, but it’s yours. Sharon’s eyes widened, her mouth immediately filled with saliva. But along with the desire to eat came fear. What if she finds out, Jason? What if mom finds out? She won’t, he said firmly. I promise it’ll be all right. Sharon accepted the apple with trembling hands. She gazed at the fruit as if it were a precious gem.

 And then, without further contemplation, she took her first bite. The flavor exploded in her mouth. It was sweet, refreshing, succulent. The sensation was indescribable. After so long, without eating anything real, it seemed magical. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring each and every second. Jason watched in silence. A gentle smile graced his lips as he observed his sister eating.

 Then he affectionately held her hand. “I promise, Char, I won’t let you starve.” She looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. For the first time in days, she felt something akin to hope. Sharon devoured the entire apple, every single morsel. She didn’t even leave the stem. It was as if each bite was a breath of life.

 When she finished, she closed her eyes for a brief instant and felt something she hadn’t felt in days. A slight warmth in her body, a minimum amount of energy, but enough to not feel faint. It was almost magical. That fruit seemed to have rekindled a spark of what she used to be. Jason watched his sister with tenderness.

 He sat next to her, still holding the girl’s slender hand, and said in a low voice, “We’re going to figure all of this out, Sophie. At least until dad gets back. I know that when he comes back for good, he’ll put an end to mom’s obsession with dieting. He’ll fix everything.” Sharon didn’t reply, but the way he held his brother’s hand tightly said a lot.

 Jason then stood up, looked at his sister, and added, “Now I’m going to my room before mom gets suspicious.” Minutes later, Linda appeared, knocking firmly on the doors of her children’s rooms. Her voice was soft, but with her usual curt command. Time for training. Let’s go. No slacking. Jason headed straight for the pool while Sharon walked to the outside area of the house where she would begin another session of forced pageantss.

 The area where the two trained was close by so that Linda could observe them simultaneously. On one side, Jason plunged into the pool. On the other, Sharon paraded back and forth across the garden. Thanks to the apple she had eaten minutes earlier, Sharon was able to take slightly firmer steps. She was still weak, but that minimal dose of energy made all the difference.

 It wasn’t much, but it was enough to ensure that this lesson was no longer a complete torture. Linda, for her part, watched with satisfaction. She crossed her arms and smiled. “That’s it, my princess. You’re improving. You just need to lose a little more weight and get some of the steps right. Then you’ll be perfect.” And the day passed.

 Night fell and that obsessive mother followed her usual ritual, controlling every second of her children’s routine. But that day was different. Jason little by little began to find small loopholes. Every chance he got, he grabbed a piece of fruit, a cracker, a little piece of meat.

 He hid them in his pockets, in his cuffs, in his clothes, and always surreptitiously he gave some to Sharon to eat. It was his little secret plan, a silent rebellion against his mother’s rules. And Linda, until then, didn’t notice. The next day, Linda took Sharon to the long- aaited fashion show. It was the moment she had been preparing for months. And as always, the girl had no choice.

When the organizers called her name, Sharon walked onto the runway. But as soon as she took her first steps, what followed was not enchantment, but astonishment. The judge’s gazes were filled with shock. The girl was too thin, her body seemed malnourished, her skin pale, her eyes sunken, her silhouette was too slender.

 And despite trying to walk gracefully, it was visible that her movements were heavy, unbalanced. Sharon was still walking with difficulty. Those small portions that her brother had taken the day before had not been enough to reverse weeks of deprivation. Nicholas, one of the event organizers and an experienced modeling agent, was among those in charge of the fashion show. He had known Linda for years since the time when she was a model, and he knew the ex-model’s strong and controlling personality well.

After the fashion show, he went to her with a serious expression. Linda, seeing him approach, gave an enthusiastic smile. Nicholas, I knew you were going to like my daughter. She’s perfect, isn’t she? She walked beautifully, a true star. Linda smiled and her excitement was almost blinding.

 She spoke with a gleam in her eyes, certain that she had impressed her old colleague from her runway days. She was convinced that her daughter would be praised, applauded, and taken directly to the next stage of the competition. Nicholas, however, maintained a contained expression. He took a deep breath before answering. He chose his words carefully but decided to be direct.

 Linda, your daughter didn’t qualify for the next stage. Immediately, the woman’s smile vanished. Her eyes widened and her mouth hung half open as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. What do you mean she wasn’t selected? That’s absurd. She’s perfect. The best of them all. You saw her walk, Nicholas. It was art.

 She was the most memorable one of the night. Nicholas tried to remain calm. I know this is hard to hear, but the judges were unanimous, Linda. Your daughter doesn’t fit the profile we’re looking for. But that makes no sense. Are you all blind? She’s beautiful, disciplined, she has presence. What other profile do you want? The man hesitated, but answered honestly.

 Her body isn’t suitable for what we’re looking for. The moment he started to form the sentence, Linda interrupted him sharply. I know. She still needs to lose a little more weight. I’m taking care of it. I swear she’ll be perfect in the next stage. No, Linda, that’s not what I’m saying. Her face is still a little full. I know, but that will change. She’ll be impeccable in the next stage. I promise.

 You know me, I have never failed.” Nicholas sighed. He wanted to insist to explain the real problem, but he saw that Linda wasn’t willing to listen. She wasn’t hearing him. She was just talking, trying to force reality to conform to what she believed. Look, for everything we’ve been through, for our friendship, let her try again.

 Just one more chance, Nicholas. I know you made a mistake in the evaluation. I know that if she does one more walk, you’ll see her talent. Trust me. Nicholas ran a hand through his hair and looked around as if trying to find a way out. He knew Linda well. He knew her intensity, the way she mixed passion with control. He also knew that arguing would be useless.

After a few seconds of silence, he nodded slowly. All right, for our history, I’ll find a way to squeeze Sharon in among those selected. The second stage of the competition is in 2 weeks. Linda’s eyes lit up again. But before she could say anything, he made a point of concluding. But listen carefully.

 For Sharon to have any chance, she needs to gain a little weight. Her condition today worried the jury. It’s not healthy. Linda. She froze for a second. The phrase hammered in her mind. Gain a little weight. But soon her eyes shifted and confusion gave way to denial. She smiled as if it were a slip of the tongue on her friend’s part.

 Gain a little weight, she repeated in thought. Then she shook her head slightly and murmured to herself as if reaffirming an absolute truth. No, he meant to lose a little more weight. Of course, that’s all it could be. She repeated it again like a distorted mantra, confirming to herself what she wanted to believe. Lose a little more weight. That’s what Sharon needs.

 Nicholas walked away, unaware that his words had been completely misinterpreted. A few minutes later, when she found his daughter in the dressing room, Linda was smiling again. As if nothing had happened, Sharon was sitting down, her shoulders slumped, her gaze blank.

 The exertion of the fashion show had drained what little strength she had recovered, but her mother didn’t seem to notice or simply chose to ignore it. Linda knelt in front of her daughter and held her cold hands. “You were perfect, my darling. Perfect. You shone on the catwalk. Everything’s on track.” Sharon just looked at her uncomprehending. She thought she had done badly. She felt ashamed.

 She felt the heavy gazes on her. Linda, with the same smile on her face, added, “In 2 weeks, you’ll dazzle again in the second stage. But until then, we have a lot of work ahead of us.” And without saying anything more, she took her daughter’s hand and left the room, determined, resolute, with the image of the ideal daughter projected in her mind. An image she would try to achieve at any cost.

 But before we continue, tell me, do you think it’s right for parents to want to choose their children’s professions? Yes or no? Also, tell me, what city and country are you watching this video from? I’ll leave a heart on each of the comments. Now, back to our story.

 As soon as she left the fashion show behind, Linda stopped by the club to pick up Jason, who was finishing another training session. The boy came out of the pool with his shoulders slumped, his face dejected, and his breathing labored. He was exhausted. She looked at the stopwatch and shook her head in disapproval. The coldness in her voice was immediate. Those were the worst times in the last few days. Jason, you need to improve.

He didn’t answer. He just nodded, trying to disguise his exhaustion. Without prolonging the conversation, Linda put her two children in the car and drove back home. On the way, as if announcing a sentence, she said, “These next two weeks will be for intense training for both of you. I want you two in line.

” Sharon and Jason exchanged glances in the back seat. The girl’s gaze was filled with fear, a suffocating dread. She knew the following days would be brutal. But Jason squeezed her hand discreetly as if to say without words, “It’s going to be all right. I’m with you.” And so it went. As in the days before, Jason continued his small secret operation.

 Every chance he got, he would take a piece of fruit, a bit of cake, even a sliver of meat. He did it all in secret, taking it from his own diet, and he would give it to Sharon. It was his way of protecting her, even if it cost him his own performance. But with time, it began to take its toll. Jason no longer trained with the same energy.

 The fatigue increased. His times worsened. He was practically splitting his meal with his sister. Sharon, although still weak, began to walk more firmly. Her body, even debilitated, responded better when it received food. Still, her body absorbed every calorie as if it were gold, storing everything to survive.

 Linda, on the other hand, watched everything without understanding. She began to notice that her daughter’s weight was increasing even though she was supposedly following the strict water only diet. She suspected it was water retention. She increased the control. She gave the girl a diuretic, but nothing changed. The weight continued to rise. The irritation grew with each passing day.

 Even seeing Sharon parade better with more lightness and confidence, Linda became increasingly aggressive with what she saw on the scale. She shouted that the girl was fat, obese, that she would never make it past the next stage that way. And with Jason, the situation also worsened. She said that he was eating too much but still getting worse, that the diet was correct, but he was weak, unable to maintain his performance.

Enraged, she decided to do something about it. After another grueling workout, she placed an immense plate of food on the table for Jason, almost double the normal amount. There was rice, meat, potatoes. Beside it, a huge glass of mango juice. For Sharon, she placed only half a glass of water. Linda looked at Jason and said firmly, “You need more calories.

 You’re losing muscle, getting too thin. This is unacceptable. You’re going to eat everything down to the last bite. Then she turned to Sharon. And you, you’re going to have to reduce your water intake even more. Your body is retaining fluid. You’re getting fatter and fatter. This needs to be controlled. Their silence surprised her.

 Neither of them complained. Neither of them retorted. Everything I do is for your own good. only for your own good,” she said before turning towards the bathroom. As soon as she disappeared from the room, Jason wasted no time. He grabbed a chicken drumstick from his own plate along with the glass of juice and urgently handed them to his sister. Eat this quickly, Char. Drink, too. Hurry.

 Sharon took the items with trembling hands. But before she could take the first bite, something unexpected happened. Linda reappeared. She had remembered she left her cell phone on the table. It was her habit to take the device with her to the bathroom. And when she noticed its absence, she returned. The scene she encountered paralyzed her for a second.

There was Sharon with the chicken drumstick in her hand about to eat and Jason with the smaller plate watching her with complicity. Linda’s eyes widened. In an instant, the woman exploded. What is this? What are you doing? Her voice grew louder, furious, distraught. A veritable fit of rage seized the atmosphere. You’re ruining everything.

That’s why everything’s going wrong. You disobeyed. You broke the rules. Sharon dropped the food instantly. Jason stepped in front of his sister, trying to protect her. Mom, don’t yell like that. We just How long has this been going on? Linda bellowed. Jason hesitated but answered truthfully. Since the day before Sharon’s show, I I gave Char an apple.

Mom, she was so weak. You weren’t seeing it. She still is, but she’s getting better with the little she’s eating. The boy tried to explain himself while Linda put her hand to her forehead, moving away in circles, trying to process what she heard. That’s why. That’s why Nicholas said that. That’s why Sharon was called fat.

 That’s why your performance in training is terrible, Jason, because you ruined everything. Sharon tried to speak. Her voice came out low, trembling. Mom, I’m performing better now. I can’t stand not eating anymore. You are not better. Linda shouted, interrupting. You’re obese. Completely fat. She turned to her son, her eyes blazing.

 And you look at you, you’re just skin and bones, weak. Because you didn’t eat enough to perform in training, you’ve ruined everything. That was the distorted vision of that mother. A woman consumed by a blind obsession, unable to see the fragility of her children. In the midst of all the shouting, a new interruption arose. The house phone rang.

 As soon as the phone rang, Linda glanced at the screen and instantly recognized the number. It was an international call. It had to be Brian. Her heart quickened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. She turned to her children, her face already contorted with the fury she was trying to conceal.

 You two are going to be quiet. Don’t open your mouths. Do you hear me? If you say anything to your father, it’ll be worse. much worse. She took a deep breath, forcing a calm tone. She answered the call, holding the cell phone to her ear with the same old, sweet, but artificial tone. Hi, honey. Is everything all right over there? On the other end, Brian asked the same questions he always did.

 He wanted to know how the children were, how things were at home, if everything was going well. But unlike other times, something unexpected happened. Before Linda could give any response, the two siblings began to shout almost in unison, desperate, “Dad, help me, please. We’re not okay. She’s making us suffer. Dad, listen to me.” Linda froze for a second. Then, in an abrupt motion, she hung up the phone.

 The call was terminated instantly, leaving Brian in complete shock on the other end of the line. With wide eyes and a flushed face, she turned to her children. “Are you out of your minds?” Jason and Sharon began to speak almost at the same time, saying that they couldn’t take it anymore, that this was too much, that they needed help.

 But Linda shouted even louder, “Enough! Your father is going to call again.” And when he calls, if I see any funny business again, you two are going to regret it bitterly. Either you follow the rules or you’ll have a punishment like you’ve never seen before. The phone started ringing again. Linda looked at the display but didn’t answer immediately. She fixed her eyes on her children, breathing heavily.

 Do you understand? Understand? They both nodded, terrified. Only then did she bring the cell phone to her ear and answer forcing the sweet voice again. Hi honey. Sorry the call dropped. Brian wasted no time. Dropped. The children started screaming. Linda, what’s going on there? Why were they desperate? What did you do to them? She took a deep breath, trying to sound calm. Honey, please calm down.

 They were just playing a game. You know how they are. Naughty games. Nothing serious. Isn’t that right, kids? She put the cell phone on speakerphone, looking directly at the twins as if forcing them with her eyes to repeat what she was saying. Even though they were afraid, Jason and Sharon said, almost whispering. “Yes, it was just a joke,” Jason said.

 “Just kidding, Dad,” Sharon repeated. Brian persisted, attempting to discern something behind those words, striving to sense the truth. “Are you sure? Are you both really okay? You know you can confide in me, don’t you?” They both hesitated, but Linda’s gaze was like a blade. So once more, they said, “Everything’s fine.” Their voices sounded hollow, automatic.

But Brian on the other side of the world could do nothing at that moment. and Linda with complete control of the situation ended the call asserting that everything was great and that they would talk again soon. After hanging up, she turned slowly toward her children.

 I’ve never been harsh with you, but I think it’s time to change that. You need to learn how life works.” And the change began immediately. Linda instituted a new diet, even more restrictive for Sharon. The girl was only allowed 500 ml of water per day. Nothing else. No food, no fruit, no grains. Jason, on the other hand, was now being forced to overeat.

 He received enormous portions of food and was compelled to swim for kilometers every day. The situation was completely untenable. Even seeing her children exhausted, Linda continued to believe that she was doing what was best. She insisted that she was preparing them for success.

 And as if that weren’t enough, she registered Jason for a swimming championship on the same day as Sharon’s fashion show. The children were devastated. Sharon had already gone 4 days without eating absolutely anything. Her fragile body could barely remain upright. Her head was spinning, her eyes were burning, and each step was a struggle against fainting. Jason, in turn, suffered from the opposite extreme. He ate more than he could bear.

 His stomach was constantly bloated. He felt nauseous and constantly fatigued. And yet he was forced to train incessantly. They looked at each other in silence, increasingly desperate. There was no one to turn to. It was the school holiday season. There were no teachers, coordinators, or any adults attentive to the signs.

 They were alone, hostages to a mother, completely unhinged. And finally, the day arrived. The day of the fashion show and the championship, Linda put Sharon on the scale, the girl could barely stand, but she still managed to stand erect with difficulty, clutching her own knees. Her body was nothing but skin and bones. Her breath was short, her eyelids heavy.

 But the mother, faced with that terrifying sight, smiled with delight. There you go, my daughter. Now you’re perfect. thin, just the way a model should be. The most beautiful of them all. Then she turned to Jason, who was pressing his stomach with both hands, visibly in pain. His belly was visibly swollen.

 But Linda saw no problem whatsoever. To her, he had the ideal body, strong, defined, like an athlete. You’re ready, too. Your times have improved. That’s what matters. She looked at them both and with her eyes brimming with emotion said, “My two loves, today is the beginning of everything.” And it truly would be, but not in the way she imagined. She put them both in the car. Sharon couldn’t even complain anymore.

 She didn’t have the energy even to open her mouth. She rested her head against the window and just breathed slowly, weakly. Jason in the seat next to her kept bringing his hand to his stomach, which achd more than ever. Meanwhile, Linda drove with the expression of someone who believed she was leading her children to glory.

Unaware that in reality, she was leading them to the bottom of the abyss. By one of those ironies of fate that seem handwritten by suffering itself, the fashion show and the swimming championship would take place in the same location, a large stadium in the city. And a few minutes after leaving home, there was Linda driving firmly, her eyes fixed ahead while her children remained silent in the back seat. Upon arriving, she turned off the car and took a deep breath.

 She opened the door, got out, and ordered, “Come on, kids. The time has come. Get out of the car.” But at the exact moment Sharon tried to get up, her body didn’t react. Her legs buckled and without being able to maintain her balance, she fell hard to the ground. Jason, who was also trying to get out, staggered and fell next to his sister, groaning loudly, one hand clutching his stomach. The pain was intense. “Get up!” Linda shouted impatiently.

 “Come on, get up now.” She still didn’t comprehend the gravity of the situation. She thought it was just nervousness, momentary weakness. It was then that she heard a strong familiar voice calling her name. Linda. She turned, startled, and there he was, Brian.

 The man was running towards her, his eyes wide, his face a mixture of relief and despair. Upon reaching her, Linda barely managed to ask, “What are you doing here?” I felt like something was wrong. I took leave from work and came back. I came back to United States. But before continuing any conversation, Brian looked at the ground.

 His gaze, until then fixed on his wife, now met the reality his heart had so feared, and he stopped. Time for a moment froze. Sharon was lying on the floor, barely able to lift her head. Her eyes were half closed, her breathing shallow. Jason, beside her, was crying in pain, his face contorted, and his stomach distended. My god,” Brian whispered, bringing his hands to his head.

 “What happened to our children?” Linda, still lost in denial, tried to smile even as her face trembled. “They’re fine. Ready to start a successful career, honey. They’re just a little tired.” Brian heard nothing more. He acted on instinct. He ran to Sharon. carefully picked her up in his arms as if holding something about to break. He felt the weight, too light, frighteningly light.

He looked at his son again, and his despair increased. Are you out of your mind? They need help. They need a doctor now. They have to go to the hospital. Brian, please don’t exaggerate. They’re fine. Shut up, Linda. The fury in his voice ripped through the air. Without listening to any more excuses, he put both children back in the car and started the engine.

 Linda sat in the passenger seat, still trying to say that he was rushing things, that he was exaggerating, but he didn’t answer. He kept his eyes fixed on the road, driving fast with his heart pounding like never before. Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctor’s initial glances were enough to grasp the situation.

 They wasted no time. They took Sharon and Jason straight to the ICU. The parents followed desperate. They stayed outside the room waiting. Brian crouched down, his fists clenched. Linda approached, but he exploded. What have you done? What have you done to our children? She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She just looked as if beginning to wake up.

It was then that her eyes turned to the glass of the ICU. There were her two children connected to machines, breathing with difficulty. She looked at Sharon and for a moment saw another image. A smiling girl with a face full of life, her hair loose, a healthy body.

 But when she blinked, that was not what she saw. Before her was a rickety girl, colorless, without strength, a girl who hadn’t eaten for days, on the verge of death. She turned to Jason. She saw a strong, happy boy with well-defined muscles, as she had always imagined. Blink of an eye, and there was her real son, lying down, bloated and pale-faced, utterly drained. The distorted vision she had nurtured for so long was beginning to crumble.

 Linda’s head throbbed. She pressed her hands to her forehead. Brian’s words echoed in her mind, “What have you done?” And as if opening an album of horrors, it all came flooding back. Images invaded her mind. Flashbacks from previous weeks. Sharon crying from hunger. Jason begging for rest. The absurd diets. The rules. The shouting. The harshness. The coldness.

 The way she treated her own children as if they were projects, not people. Tears began to fall. Slowly, then with more intensity. Her shoulders trembled. and without strength, she fell to her knees on the floor. “Forgive me,” she said, barely audible. “I I was out of my mind.” Brian did not respond. He merely stepped back a little, his eyes fixed on his children, his lips moved in silent prayer.

 The following minutes were filled with agony, until a doctor appeared. Linda jumped up. She wiped her face, her hands still trembling. Doctor, my children, how are they? The doctor sighed. Your son is fine. He had a case of exhaustion and overeating, but he’s stabilizing now. It was just a scare.

 She sighed in relief. But the doctor’s expression soon changed. “But your daughter, the situation is more serious.” Linda held her breath. She developed a severe cardiac arhythmia caused by the long period of fasting and malnutrition. Her heart is extremely fragile.

 If we don’t find a donor urgently, she may not make it. At that moment, Linda world collapsed. How could she have done that to her own daughter? How could she not see what was before her eyes? For so long, she saw an overweight girl where in reality there was a gaunt, fragile child on the verge of death. Brian couldn’t utter a word. His tears fell silently, stifled by shock.

 And that’s when Linda ran as if there was still time to turn back. She burst into the ICU room where Sharon was. A nurse tried to stop her, saying she couldn’t enter, but she ignored her, determined, desperate. As soon as she approached her daughter, she fell to her knees beside the bed, held the girl’s cold hand tightly, and between sobs said, “My darling, I only wanted what was best for you. Forgive me. Please forgive me.

” Pain engulfed her entire body, and when the doctor entered the room, that mother clutched her chest. Her eyes widened. A profound and inexplicable pain shot through her heart. In mere seconds, she collapsed to the floor. The doctor reacted immediately. Quickly, I need help here. They tried to resuscitate her. They did everything, but the heart attack was devastating.

 Linda didn’t make it. However, something extraordinary happened. Despite the infuction, her heart was still beating. The tests confirmed brain death. She was gone, but her heart remained alive. At that very instant, Sharon’s condition worsened drastically. The monitor beeped. The doctors rushed in. And then the doctor, looking at Linda in the other bed, understood what destiny had prepared.

And so time passed. Sharon, now healthy with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, paraded under the spotlight. She wore a pink dress that fluttered in the wind. She walked lightly, serenely, as if she had finally found peace.

 When she was announced as the winner, she smiled, placed her hand on her chest, and said emotionally, “This is for you, Mom.” There, beat the heart of Linda, now in her chest, giving her life. The truth is that Linda was never a cruel mother. She always cared for her children with zeal, but when they began to grow, she felt they needed to be what she couldn’t be.

 She created a distorted, rigid, demanding vision. She wanted Sharon to be a successful model. She wanted Jason to become the best athlete. And in trying to realize her own dreams and her children, she ended up losing herself. But the moment she saw what she was doing, it was too late. And yet in the end she passed away so that her daughter could live.

Sharon paraded a few more times, always in homage to her mother. But her true vocation led her to medicine. Even with painful memories, she forgave Linda, keeping her forever in her heart. Jason in turn became a great athlete, an Olympic medalist. He pursued his career with a healthy diet and always before each competition he offered a silent prayer for his mother.

 Brian consumed by guilt for not having realized the gravity of the situation quit his job and returned permanently to United States where he raised his children with affection and presence. and Linda on the other side of paradise seeing her family reunited in peace and happiness found at last finally peace comment enjoy life.