I stared at my mom for a long time.
"You can't be serious," I said quietly.
She didn't smile. She didn't laugh.
She just stood there, looking at me like she had already made up her mind.
"Our company needs a male heir," she said again.
"That's stupid," I replied.
"I know."
"Then tell them that."
"It's not that simple."
I ran my hands through my hair, trying to understand what she was saying.
"You want me to pretend to be a boy… just for some company?"
"Not pretend," she said calmly. "You'll actually live as a boy. And it's not just a company. It's everything your father worked for."
I looked down at the floor
The room suddenly felt very quiet.
"So what happens to me?" I asked.
"You'll live as Andrew," she said.
"Andrew?"
"Yes."
I shook my head.
"Mum, come on. I know you're joking. Please be honest."
She looked at me for a moment.
"I am, sweetie."
Her words made my stomach drop.
For a few seconds neither of us said anything.
Then she slowly turned and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she looked back at me. Her eyes were glossy, like she was trying not to cry.
"Sweetie… I'm sorry," she said softly.
She stepped outside and closed the door behind her.
For a moment I heard her lean against it.
"Let's talk tomorrow," she said quietly from the other side.
Then the door opened again and she walked away.
The hallway became silent.
I sat on my bed, staring at the floor.
Andrew.
The name kept repeating in my head.
Yesterday I was Andrea.
And now my mom expected me to become someone else.
Someone I wasn't even sure I could be.
I slowly looked up at the mirror across my room.
For a moment I just stared at my reflection.
Andrea was still there
But somehow…
it already felt like she was disappearing.