My Parents Starved Me in the Name of Purity

Ever since I was little, my mom and dad told me I was an angel sent from heaven. Because of that, I wasn’t allowed to eat meat. I wasn't allowed to drink milk.

I wasn't allowed to eat anything with even a drop of oil. "Real food is too filthy, Chloe.

If you eat it, your angel wings will wither, your beautiful dress will turn black, and your face will rot.

Leave all that greasy, toxic garbage for your little brother to eat." Every day, I watched my brother, Leo, stuff his face with juicy fried chicken, grease dripping down his chin.

In my heart, I felt nothing but pity for him. My parents loved me the most. They were keeping me pure and clean.

Until I was six years old, and they sent me to a livestreamed reality show called Wilderness Feast.

After starving in the wild for three days, the show’s host brought over a plate of golden, crispy roasted lamb. I covered my nose and hid behind a tree. "I won't eat that!

I'm an angel. If I eat it, I'll turn ugly!" While trying to run away from the host, I tripped and fell. My sleeves pulled back, revealing my bonethin wrists and ankles.

That day, millions of viewers watching the live stream realized I was severely, dangerously malnourished. The live stream was immediately cut off.

The host carried me into the medical tent. The onsite doctor lifted my thin shirt, his face growing darker by the second. "This child is severely malnourished.

Her ribs are completely visible, and she has almost zero body fat." "If this keeps up, her organs will start failing from starvation." I was still chewing on the piece of lamb the host had gently forced into my mouth earlier.

Grease coated my lips. I had never tasted anything so delicious in my entire life. For a moment, I had completely forgotten my parents' warnings.

But hearing the word "failing," I immediately raised my head and protested: "Doctor, don't scare me! My dad said angels are supposed to be like this.

The skinnier we are, the more beautiful we look." The doctor’s hand froze, holding the stethoscope in midair. He turned to look at the man standing beside him.

His name was Alex Vance. He was the main investor of the show, and the one who had just forced me to take a bite of the lamb. He was very tall, wearing a black tactical jacket.

His brows were knit tight. He looked so scary. Alex walked over, knelt down in front of me, and forced his voice to soften. "Chloe, tell me.

What do you usually eat at home?" I swallowed the last bit of lamb and puffed out my chest proudly. "I eat angel meals!" "Every morning, Mom boils a single organic cabbage leaf with a drop of morning dew for me.

For lunch, I get a tiny bowl of brown rice. And for dinner, I only drink a glass of warm water to cleanse my stomach." "Mom says girls must stay pure.

We can’t have any filthy toxins in our bodies. My brother Leo is a boy, so he doesn't need to be an angel.

That's why he has to force himself to eat all the meat and seafood at home." "Leo is so pitiful. He has to eat that greasy garbage every day, and now he’s too fat to even run.

I’m definitely the lucky one." The medical tent went dead silent. I looked around and noticed everyone was staring at me with the strangest expressions. What was wrong?

Were they jealous of how blessed I was? The doctor turned his back to me and quietly wiped his eyes. Alex stared at me for a long time.

Finally, he reached out and handed me a wet wipe. "Clean your mouth." I quickly took it, my heart pounding with fear. Did Uncle Alex also think I was dirty now because I ate meat?

Suddenly, the show's director rushed in, sweating profusely, holding a phone. "Mr. Vance! We have a crisis! The backup feed wasn't cut!

Everything she just said was broadcasted live!" The director was practically pacing in circles. "The internet is in an absolute uproar! People are accusing us of child abuse!

Chloe's parents are on the phone right now, crying and threatening to sue us!" Alex stood up, his expression unchanged.

He held out his hand. "Give me the phone." The director scrambled to hand it over. The speakerphone was on, and my mom’s voice immediately echoed through the tent. "Chloe!

My sweet baby, Chloe! Can you hear me?" Hearing her voice, I shivered. I quickly hid my hands behind my back, trying to conceal the grease on my fingers. I whispered, "Mom...

I can hear you." "Chloe, I saw you eat meat on the screen." My mom’s voice sounded incredibly heartbroken and disappointed. " Didn't you promise me you would be our purest little angel?

How could you touch that filthy food? Is your angel dress ruined now? Do you have any idea how much you're hurting me right now?" Tears welled up in my eyes instantly.

I was terrified of making my mom sad. Every time she spoke to me in that sweet, disappointed voice, I knew I had been a bad girl. "I'm sorry, Mom!

I'm so sorry!" I sobbed into the phone. "The mean uncle made me eat it! I didn't want to! I didn't want to get dirty!

Please don't hate me, Mom!" A soft sigh came from the other end of the line. "How could I ever hate you, sweetie? I love you the most." "Be good and wait there.

Your dad and I are coming to pick you up right now." "Once we get home, I'll make you some herbal detox tea to flush out all those toxins.

Our Chloe will be a clean, pure angel again." I nodded desperately, finally feeling a wave of relief. But then, Alex spoke. "Mrs. Miller, this is Alex Vance.

Your daughter is currently in a state of severe, lifethreatening malnutrition. I will not allow you to take her.

I am taking her to the hospital immediately." My eyes widened, and I looked up in confusion. That was when I saw Alex’s eyes. They were cold enough to freeze water.

The phone went silent for a few seconds. Then, my mom's voice returned, slow and defensive. "Mr. Vance, you’ve misunderstood. Chloe has had a weak stomach since she was born.

She is severely allergic to animal protein.

If she eats even a bite of meat, she breaks out in hives and gets a high fever." "We are using a natural, holistic therapy to heal her body." "You're a wealthy businessman, Mr.

Vance. You don't understand the heart of a parent.

We spend thousands of dollars buying the highestquality organic vegetables just to keep her alive." "By forcing her to eat meat, you are practically killing her!

If anything happens to Chloe, our family is ruined!" Another voice joined in. It was my dad. "Mr. Vance, we signed a contract.

Chloe is our daughter, and we have the right to terminate the filming right now.

Please do not interfere with our family matters." I gently tugged at Alex’s sleeve, whispering, "Uncle Alex, Mom is right. I can't eat meat. I'll die." "Please let me go home.

I want my detox tea." Alex looked down at me, his gaze landing on my bare arm. He reached down and rolled up my sleeve, revealing a wrist so thin it looked like a twig.

The skin was completely smooth. Not a single red bump. "You just ate a lamb chop. Do you feel itchy? Do you feel hot?" I froze. I touched my stomach. It felt warm and full.

No hives, no fever, and even the dull stomach ache I usually had every single day was gone. How was this possible? Mom had always told me that if I touched meat, my skin would rot.

I didn't know what to say. Alex spoke back into the phone. "Mr. and Mrs.

Miller, the contract clearly states that the production crew bears primary responsibility for the safety of the children on set." "Right now, I have strong reasons to suspect child abuse.

Until I have a legally binding medical evaluation, nobody is taking her." Without waiting for a reply, he hung up. The director’s knees looked like they were about to buckle. "Mr.

Vance! This is illegal detention! The public is already siding with the parents!

They're accusing us of exploiting a vegetarian child for views and restricting her freedom!" Alex tossed the phone back to him. "Then let them talk.

Tell the PR department to redirect the live stream to my car.” “Keep the cameras rolling.

I want the whole country to see who's going to be ruined when the medical report comes out." Alex bent down and wrapped his oversized black jacket around my tiny body.

His movements were swift, but surprisingly gentle.

As he lifted me into his arms, I caught the faint, refreshing scent of mint on his jacket. "Uncle Alex, where are we going?" Alex carried me out of the tent with long, steady strides. "To the real world." The wind outside was howling.

He placed me into the back seat of a sleek, black SUV. The heater was running, and an assistant in the passenger seat handed me a warm cup of strawberry milk.

I stared at the pink liquid, swallowing hard, but I didn't dare to take it. "This is trash too.

If an angel drinks this, her wings won't grow." Alex sat down next to me and let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Who told you drinking milk stops wings from growing?" "Dad did." Alex popped the straw into the cup and placed it directly in my hand. "Your dad lied to you.

Angels need milk to make their bones strong. That's the only way they can fly high." The strawberry milk smelled so sweet, and the cup was so warm against my cold hands.

I couldn't help myself. I took a sip. The sugary, creamy strawberry flavor slid down my throat. Before I knew it, I had gulped down half the cup.

But as soon as I stopped, reality hit me. Lamb and milk... these were the exact things my parents had forbidden me from touching. I was a bad girl. I had broken the rules again.

Would Mom ever forgive me? I wanted to go home, but looking at Alex’s serious face, I bit my lip and lowered my head.

The car moved incredibly fast. Thirty minutes later, we pulled up to a massive private hospital. The building was huge, entirely white, and blindingly bright.

I stood at the entrance, trembling. "Dad said hospitals are for dirty mortals who eat garbage food." "Angels don't go to hospitals.

We just sit under the moonlight, and we get better." Alex didn't argue. Seeing that I wouldn't budge, he simply scooped me up and carried me inside.

He took me into a large, quiet examination room. The doctor there wore a pristine white coat, his face incredibly grave. From their conversation, I realized he was Alex's friend.

Alex called him Dr. Chris Evans. For the next two hours, they drew my blood, took Xrays, and slid me into a giant, glowing tube. I shook with fear during every single test.

But Alex stayed by my side the entire time. Every time I turned around, he was right there. When the results finally came back, Dr.

Evans’s hands were shaking as he held the stack of papers. "Alex, where on earth did you find this kid?" "I have never seen a child from a seemingly normal family this severely malnourished!" Dr.

Evans pointed to the Xray on the screen. "She is six years old, but her bone development is that of a fouryearold!

She has severe osteoporosis and her stomach has partially shrunken." "It's highly likely she has never eaten meat or dairy in her life, and she is getting almost zero essential carbs and fats." "Allergic to protein?

Her immune system is practically nonexistent! It has nothing to do with allergies!" I couldn't understand most of the medical jargon. But I could tell they were angry at my parents.

I panicked, jumping off the chair and shouting, "Doctor, stop saying that! My mom is the best! She wakes up before the sun is even up to collect morning dew for me!

It's so hard for her!" "My dad says you have to raise a boy humble but raise a girl rich!

Leo only gets cheap takeout, but I get to eat organic cabbage!" I turned around and pointed at my own back. "And my wings are about to grow!

Dad said these two bones sticking out of my back are my angel wings trying to break out!" The room fell into a suffocating silence. Dr.

Evans stared at my back, his eyes filled with a painful mixture of pity and horror.

My shoulder blades were protruding sharply through my skin, solely because there was no meat on my bones. Alex's hands clenched into tight fists, the veins on his knuckles bulging.

The assistant, who had been waiting outside, stepped into the room. His face was pale. "Mr. Vance, we ran a background check. The parents own a construction materials company.

Their annual income is around $400,000." "They spend over $4,000 a month on their son, Leo's, lifestyle and education.

But Chloe..." The assistant glanced at me, finding it hard to continue. "Chloe's clothes are all cheap synthetic polyester ordered off Wish for $5. She has never been to preschool.

The parents told neighbors that public schools would 'pollute her angelic spirit.'" "In reality, they took the tuition money they saved and put it all into Leo's private tutoring and extracurriculars." Wish? $5?

I didn't understand what those words meant. Every time Leo tried to touch my dress, Dad would push him away.

He said Leo’s hands were too dirty to touch an angel's clothes. "Uncle Alex, he's wrong," I whimpered. "Dad said my dress is woven from the clouds in heaven.

It's very expensive." Alex looked at me. There was something in his eyes I couldn't comprehend. It looked like rage, but also like deep, profound sorrow.

He walked toward me, but before he could speak, the door to the examination room was violently pushed open. A wave of expensive perfume filled the air. My mom rushed in.

My dad followed close behind, carrying my fiveyearold brother, Leo, in his arms. Leo was holding a halfeaten HäagenDazs ice cream bar, chocolate smudged all over his mouth.

My mom sobbed and threw herself at me, locking me in a tight embrace. "Chloe!" She squeezed me so hard her arms pressed against my bruised ribs. I gasped in pain.

Instinctively, I flinched and tried to pull back. My mom noticed my resistance immediately. She stiffened, and her tears flowed even faster. "Sweetie, what's wrong?

Is the dirty air in this hospital making you feel sick? Mom is taking you home. We're going home right now." My dad stepped forward, shielding my mom and me. "Mr.

Vance, thank you for bringing Chloe to the hospital. But I just spoke with Dr. Evans, and it seems Chloe doesn't have any major issues, correct?" "She’s just a bit slender.

That’s perfectly normal. Our family practices mindfulness and clean eating. A light diet naturally keeps a child slim." "But taking our child away without our permission?

That crosses a line, don't you think?" My dad always spoke like this—calm, rational, never raising his voice. Because of this, I had always believed he was right.

I peeked out from behind my mom's waist, looking at Alex. Alex didn't say a word. He just stared coldly at my father. But Dr. Evans couldn't hold back anymore. "A bit slender? Mr.

Miller, your daughter's stomach has shrunken! She can't even digest meat properly because you've starved her!

This is slowmotion murder!" Confronted by the doctor, my mom turned and shielded me protectively. "Doctor, you're only looking at numbers on a page. You don't know our family.

How could we ever abuse our own flesh and blood?" "Chloe has had a weak constitution since birth. She vomits up almost everything.

We took her to countless holistic healers, and they all said she has a pure soul that can only handle a raw, vegan diet." "We spend hundreds of dollars every week on special pesticidefree vegetables just for her.

I wouldn't even let her brother touch them." Mom sighed, stroking Leo's head. "Leo is a tough boy. He can eat leftovers and still grow strong.

We gave all the best, purest things to Chloe, and now we're being accused of abuse by strangers." She covered her face, weeping softly.

I panicked, grabbing her hand. "Mom, don't cry! I know you love me!

I told Uncle Alex that Leo only eats trash, and I get the best angel meals!" I turned to Alex and said loudly, "Uncle Alex, stop bullying my parents!" My dad offered a relieved smile, patting my head.

Alex’s face remained a mask of ice.

He looked down at Leo, who was happily licking his ice cream, and suddenly spoke. "How old are you, buddy?" Leo didn't even look up, his mouth covered in chocolate. "Five!" "You're very strong for a fiveyearold." Alex's voice was completely flat. "Does your dad buy you lots of delicious food?" My dad stiffened, desperately shooting warning looks at Leo.

But Leo didn't notice. He proudly patted his round belly. "Of course! Dad buys me fried chicken, burgers, and ice cream every single day!

Yesterday he bought me a giant dinosaur toy, this big!" He stretched his arms wide to show the size. Alex nodded. "And what about your sister?

What does she eat?" My mom panicked. "Leo!" Leo rolled his eyes and blurted out, "She eats rotten cabbage leaves!" "Really? But isn't she an angel?

Shouldn't angels eat better food?" Alex asked, his tone laced with mock curiosity. Desperate to prove he wasn't lying, Leo raised his voice. "She's not an angel!

Grandma goes to the cheap farmer's market and collects the discarded cabbage leaves from the floor.

Dad said we just need to boil them for her so we can save money to buy my giant dinosaur!" "She's just a useless moneysink.

Dad says she only deserves pig feed!" The entire room went dead silent.

Leo shook his head proudly, and seeing that no one was praising him, he added, "I even saw her drinking dishwater yesterday.

She's a total dummy, always talking about her 'angel dress.' It's hilarious!" I stood frozen. Rotten cabbage. Dishwater. Pig feed.

But Mom had told me she woke up before dawn to harvest those precious organic greens from the mountains.

I looked down at my hands, then at the sleeve of my dress, which had chocolate smudged on it from Leo. Woven from clouds? I slowly looked up at my mother.

Her face was as white as a sheet. She lunged forward, covering Leo's mouth, laughing nervously at Alex. "Mr. Vance, he's just a child. He watches too much TV and makes things up.

Please don't take a fiveyearold seriously..." "Just a child?" Alex repeated the words slowly.

He pointed to the security camera in the corner of the ceiling. "From the moment you stepped into this room, everything has been recorded. Mr.

Miller, your son isn't making anything up. He was incredibly specific." Beads of sweat rolled down my dad's forehead. He stepped forward to grab Leo.

But Leo kicked my dad's shin. "Let me go! I want my dinosaur! You promised me another toy today!" I took a step forward, standing right in front of Leo. "The cabbage leaves...

Grandma picked them from the trash?" Leo nodded triumphantly. "Yeah! You ate them like they were treasure.

The whole family thinks you're an idiot!" "And the dishwater?" I asked. "You said you were hungry at night, so Mom poured your leftover brown rice into the sink with tap water and told you to drink it!

Don't you remember? You dummy!" I slowly turned around, looking at my mother. "Mom... am I a pig?"