His voice choked a bit.

“Do you know what kind of life she was living here? Surviving on a pack of instant noodles a day, so thin she was skin and bones, her face swollen like a balloon. What kind of parents are you?”

He seemed resigned. “Forget it. Just find her and treat her well.”

Mom and Dad covered their faces, unable to control their emotions as tears streamed down Mom’s cheeks.

“Stella, she's gone!”

“What?”

Their shouting almost filled the entire internet café, and the parents were unceremoniously kicked out.

They exchanged a look of regret, quickening their pace, eager to know what happened to me before I...