The Ugly Truth

"Whose illegitimate child are you pregnant with?" My parents demand to know, looking crazed. They want to know whose child I'm carrying. I look at them and laugh. "One of the kidnappers, of course." My parents and brother are stunned, and they turn ashen. I continue softly, "Don't you guys remember? The kidnappers asked for a ransom, but you guys were only willing to save your other daughter. You wanted to teach me a lesson." Mom collapses on the couch. "That can't be. We wanted to teach you a lesson so you would stop bullying Eden. I didn't… We didn't…" I crouch before her. "You guys never expected the kidnappers to violate me, right?" I don't wait for an answer. "Do you think a few kidnappers would have morals and ethics?" She parts her lips to speak, but I don't give her the chance. "I was covered in injuries when I got home. Why didn't any of you ask me about them? "You guys took Eden away without bothering to save me. You didn't return for a day, for two days, for a month… Did you think the kidnappers would think that they could still receive the ransom?" They should be happy now—I'm about to die. Chapter 1 "I need you to come in, Ms. Larson. There's something I must discuss with you in person." My doctor, Tyree Cameron, sounded unusually anxious on the phone. "This treatment plan is unacceptable! I've told you. The child is innocent!" I shouted angrily. Lately, I'd been dealing with constant, unexplained headaches, and stress only made me more irritable. "It's not... about the child," Tyree stammered, clearly flustered. After a brief pause, he finally said, "Ms. Larson, you have a tumor in your brain." As I ended the call, my legs felt like they would give out beneath me. I swayed, as fragile as the last leaf drifting off a tree in the dead of winter. "Have some shame, Cindy! Who's the father of this illegitimate child? Go get an abortion already!" "Don't you have any self-respect? You're no longer some country bumpkin. You're a Sainsbury now!" "Dad, Mom, calm down. Maybe Cindy has her reasons." "Stop defending her, Eden! A leopard can't change its spots. She's always been like this. Otherwise, how else would she have gotten abducted back then?" Outside the door, my parents' endless chatter echoed, mixed with my sister, Eden Sainsbury's snarky remarks and my elder brother, Craig Sainsbury's sarcasm. Yes, they were the real family. The prestigious Sainsbury family. I pulled a slightly yellowed old photograph from my pocket. It showed a bare-faced rural woman in her 50s. When I saw her face, a faint glimmer of warmth lit up my expression. The woman in the photo was Lila Hemsworth, my adoptive mother who had raised me for 16 years. She was the last light in my life. Time would fly. There was no way anyone could turn back the clock. All my happiness froze on the day Lila passed away. When the glittering facade of life faded, all that remained was pain. An empty shell—that was all I was now. I continued wandering through the world until my expiration date arrived. I gently ran my fingers over the photo as silent tears slipped down my face. Life was so good back then, but there was no going back. Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang. A gust of cold wind swept in, making my skin crawl. Craig crossed his arms over his chest, his scrutinizing eyes fixed on me. The Sainsbury family were multimillionaires. They lived in a mansion spanning over ten thousand square feet. Yet, I deliberately chose the storage room as my bedroom. Why? Because it was tucked away, out of sight. I wanted the entire Sainsbury family to forget I even existed. But of course, Craig wasn't about to let me have my peace. "Still daydreaming, princess? You've humiliated us enough with this illegitimate pregnancy. You're going for an abortion today. No discussion." His oppressive tone was suffocating. "And who do you think you are to order me around?" I spoke calmly without any expression. For weeks, the whole family had been pressuring me to get rid of the baby. But something primal and protective within me wouldn't let go of this tiny life—even if they all called it a illegitimate child. Craig's eyes widened in anger. "Who am I? I'm your brother, that's who!" "My brother?" I let out a snort. "You mean the same brother who dumped me at the amusement park 16 years ago?" "How dare you?" Craig raised his hand as if to hit me. But before he could, a young lady dressed like a princess rushed over and clung to his arm. Her affection was unmistakable. "How can you talk to Craig like that, Cindy? He's spent 16 years searching for you. He has done everything he could to bring you back." This was Eden, my so-called sister. My parents adopted her after I went missing. She did resemble me in some ways. I had heard that when I went missing, the whole family was devastated, nearly unable to go on. Paula picked a little girl from the orphanage, around my age and resembling me, to offer some solace. For 16 years, Eden had basked in their love, slept in my room, played with my toys, and taken everything that should have been mine. Everyone adored her. She was charming and perfect to the world, but I knew better. I knew how vicious and manipulative she could be, how much she hated me, and how many traps she'd laid for me. "Eden, don't waste your breath reasoning with such a shameless woman," Craig said coldly. I looked at them and suddenly started laughing. "A shameless woman? Me? "Don't you all remember? When the abductors demanded a ransom, you only wanted to save your other precious daughter. You decided to let me 'learn a lesson.' You called it an illegitimate child. But it's not. It's the abductor's baby!" My parents and Craig stared at me, their faces drained of color. Paula collapsed onto the couch, mumbling, "It can't be. We just wanted to teach you a lesson, so you'd stop bullying Eden. I didn't… We didn't know…" I fixed my eyes on Paula. "You didn't know that the abductors would violate me, did you?" Without waiting for her reply, I continued, "Let me ask you this. Do you think a few kidnappers would have morals and ethics?" Chapter 2 Paula opened her mouth to say something, but I interrupted her, "When I came home, covered in bruises, why didn't any of you ask about me? "You didn't come to save me. You just took Eden away. You didn't show up after one day, or two, or even after a whole month. Did you really think the abductors would still believe they could get a ransom?" The more I spoke, the more hurt I felt, and the tears began to fall uncontrollably. This was the surprise that awaited me upon my return to the Sainsbury family. "If that's the case, then get rid of the child!" My birth father, Dale Sainsbury, slammed his foot down in frustration, and in his rage, he shattered a cup. "Get rid of it. It has to be done!" No matter whose child this was, they had been asking me to go for an abortion long enough. Every time, I'd resisted with all my strength. But this time, I changed my mind. Seeing them still furiously blaming me for embarrassing the Sainsbury family, I spoke coldly, "Fine, I'll go. We'll go to the hospital today." The room fell into stunned silence at my words. They all stared at me, wide-eyed. After a long pause, Craig said, "Alright, I'll contact the best doctor right now." His gaze was a little scattered. "Ouch, my stomach hurts so much!" Eden screamed all of a sudden. Instantly, everyone rushed to her side. … I sat alone in the hospital corridor, waiting for Tyree's diagnosis. "The results are in, Ms. Larson. Where are your family members?" Tyree asked. "It's fine. I came alone. My parents are getting old. You can just tell me, Dr. Cameron." "Alright then." Tyree hesitated for a moment before handing me the diagnosis. "You have a grade four brain tumor. The child can't be saved, no matter what. We'll have to…" I felt a ringing in my ears, as though I had entered another world. I couldn't hear Tyree's further explanations. Was I going to die? At 20 years old? I sat there, my grip tightening on the diagnosis, as if holding onto the last thread of my crumbling world. The entire hospital was filled with the smell of disinfectant. Amid the flowing crowd, anxious or exhausted faces became the backdrop of the moment. But my eyes were fixed on the paper in my hands. The words on it exuded an undeniable coldness. Just then, a burst of chaos broke the silence in the hallway. I turned my gaze toward the sound and saw Craig forcefully push open the double doors before rushing down the corridor. Eden, pale and clutching her abdomen, was walking slowly behind him. Dale and Paula stood by her side, with Paula supporting her shoulder and Dale anxiously making a call, seemingly contacting a doctor. The loving parents were helping their precious daughter. They were the ones who truly loved each other. They were a family supporting one another. This scene struck me deeply. Some things just couldn't be forced. I was Cindy Larson, and I didn't belong to the Sainsbury family. I reaffirmed this in my heart. I shifted slightly, trying to stay out of sight, but it was impossible to avoid their attention. Especially Craig, whose gaze felt like a blade, cutting right through me. Did he want to eat me alive? At that instant, it felt like countless unsaid words collided between us, and it all came out as his sharp question. "What are you doing here? Eden didn't eat or drink because of you, and now her stomach problems flared up. What do you want now?" I stared at him blankly, as though he were a stranger. Behind him came Eden's quiet sobs, almost emphasizing each word he had spoken. "Please, Cindy. Stop hurting Eden. Please!" Paula's voice, tinged with resentment, crushed my already fragile nerves. "You're all mistaken." I shook my head, almost as if bidding farewell to the family I once belonged to. "I'm not so free that I'd come here to see you." Perhaps, after everything, the Sainsbury family had become a gradually fading silhouette to me. After saying that, I walked toward Tyree's office without another word. The biopsy results came back, confirming a grade four brain tumor. Surgery wouldn't make a difference anymore. Tyree's voice echoed in that sterile white room. At that moment, I felt less fear than before. My mind was unusually calm. It was quite different from what I had expected. First, I would go for an abortion, and then I would start the chemotherapy and follow-up treatments. In that decisive moment, I felt strangely relieved. I tucked the diagnosis back into my bag, preparing to admit myself to the hospital. Just then, Craig appeared again. His accusatory gaze was harsh under the cold hospital lights. "What are you really here for? I won't let you hurt Eden!" "Move!" I had already made up my mind. Since I was no longer part of the Sainsbury family, I would sever all ties with them completely—just like they had done to me. Maybe, deep down, I shared the same cold blood they did. I shrugged off Craig's hand and turned to leave. The anxiety, helplessness, and fear of the uncertain future turned into a complex emotion I couldn't fully describe, but I knew it was real. I had to fight this battle alone. I no longer expected help from those who never intended to protect me. Before, I had envied the way my parents and Craig treated Eden, but now I no longer cared. The noise of the hospital faded away, and all I could hear was the steady beat of my own heart. Three days later, the abortion procedure took place as scheduled. That day, the hospital corridor was eerily quiet. There were no relatives filling the space with their endless advice—just the occasional sound of a cart rolling by and soft whispers. The operating room lights were on. As I lay on the table, I felt the cold sting of the needle and the rapid numbness spreading throughout my body. Chapter 3 My consciousness faded as I drifted through a series of shallow dreams, with countless memories swirling in my mind. When I finally opened my eyes again, it was the next morning. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently spilling onto the bed. I blinked and looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling. A sense of disorientation washed over me. "If death is like this, it doesn't seem that hard to accept," I murmured with a bitter smile. When Tyree arrived, he brought both good and bad news. "The abortion surgery went smoothly, but..." He hesitated. I shifted slightly, signaling him to continue. "But the cancer cells have already spread. Now, we can only try to buy some time." I instinctively nodded, without much emotional reaction. Leaving it to Tyree was the best outcome I could secure for myself. During my hospital stay, I often sat in the chair by the window, watching the ebb and flow of people outside. Through that, I felt a sense of peace as though I were disconnected from the world. Throughout this time, no one from the Sainsbury family came to visit, just as I had expected. After completing the radiation therapy, I was discharged from the hospital. I felt as light as a feather. In truth, I had lost 24 pounds. As I was preparing to leave, Tyree reminded me, "The radiation's done. Next, you need to start chemotherapy. Stay positive." I smiled bitterly and nodded. I knew full well that time, for me, was just a form of empty comfort. Just as I was adjusting my emotions and getting ready to leave, I received a call from Eden. "If you're going to leave the Sainsbury family, then do it decisively." Her voice was sharp, impatient, and laced with a hint of deliberate authority. She asked to meet me at a café to return my belongings. 20 minutes later, I walked into the café. Eden had clearly been waiting for a while, as her impatience was evident. She sat by the window, tapping away on her phone with a frown. Her face was a picture of frustration. When I sat across from her, she glanced up and looked at me coldly. "Everything's here." She handed me a bag. Her tone was flat and devoid of emotion. I took the bag without a word. For some reason, the things that had once belonged to me now felt so unfamiliar. "Thanks," I said, unsure of what else to say. Eden scoffed, "Thanks? I should be the one thanking you for giving me the space to survive all these years by leaving the family." She was skilled at using gentle cruelty; she often switched between angelic and demonic personas. I sighed softly but didn't argue. The past felt heavy, and a simple "thank you" couldn't undo it. Eden and I had endured the same hardships. We had been abducted together. She had even told the abductors that I was the true heiress. Her moods, shifting between good and evil, were always unpredictable. I used to long to imitate her, hoping to win the family's affection. But now, her barbed words couldn't wound me because I had finally escaped from that family I had been forced to love and fight for. In some ways, life had finally returned to my hands. Not wanting to get tangled in further conversation, I stood up to leave. But just as I was about to walk out of the café, I saw Craig enter. Eden's expression immediately turned to panic, perhaps worried that Craig would see the ugly side of her. "Craig, w-what are you doing here?" "Did you clear out Cindy's room?" Craig asked. "Oh… I-I was worried she didn't have any undergarments with her, so I..." The deception behind her and the act of playing the good person made me sick, so I turned and walked toward the door. I never expected Craig to suddenly step forward and block my way as I prepared to leave the café. Frowning, I stared at him in confusion. "You're leaving just like this? You're truly heartless. You don't even care about your parents." His voice was hoarse, and a displeased expression spread across his face. "Look at you now. How can you compare to Eden? You're really embarrassing us." His words were like a hammer, cruelly striking at my heart. In the four years I had spent with the Sainsbury family, I had always tried to please Craig, even going to great lengths to win his approval. Yet, he had never tried to understand my inner suffering. If explanations could help, I wouldn't have needed to leave the family. I fell silent, no longer trying to explain. Any defense at this point seemed futile. With the bag of belongings in my hand, I walked directly toward the door. Craig's lips twitched, as if something had triggered him. "I'm not done yet. Who said you can leave?" I had constantly tried to please him for four years. Naturally, he wasn't accustomed to me giving him the cold shoulder. As I opened the glass door, it seemed like Craig finally hit some kind of breaking point. He reached out to grab me, but instead of catching my arm, he accidentally pulled my long hair. With a soft snap, my brown, curly hair fell to the ground, revealing the bald scalp beneath. Everyone in the café froze, and Craig and Eden were both in shock. "Why did you shave your head?" Craig, unsure of how to handle the unexpected scene, paused before asking. "Are you crazy? Don't you care about your appearance anymore?" His voice was filled with confusion and anger, and his words echoed loudly in the café. The other customers looked on, stunned by the sudden outburst. Eden, standing beside him, had a look of triumph in her eyes. Her tone dripped with disdain as she sneered. "What's your game this time, Cindy Larson? Are you trying to make a statement like those who shave their heads for charity?" I looked at her and Craig calmly, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "Don't you know what it means to start over from scratch?" I reached out and pointed directly at Craig. "Give me my wig back." Chapter 4 Craig remained silent. The wig he held in his hand felt like a scorching piece of iron, leaving him unsure of what to do. Seeing the situation, Eden stepped forward and snatched the wig from his hand. As she tossed it into my arms, her eyes were filled with unrelenting hostility. I calmly put the wig on. After all, a frail woman wandering the streets with a shaved head would definitely stand out. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Eden, you really don't have to be so scared. I won't be returning to the Sainsbury family." I smiled as I spoke, but my tone was firm. "Not in this life, and certainly not in the next." "I-I'm not scared! Mom, Dad, and Craig only love me." Eden's voice was tinged with panic. Though she screamed forcefully, I could hear the unease beneath it. "Is that so?" Noticing her internal unease, I smiled faintly at her. All the lingering obsession I once had dissipated at that moment. In those four years, I came to the clearest realization—I didn't belong to the Sainsbury family. At that moment, I didn't feel angry, nor did I feel sadness. Instead, I walked out of the café with the confidence of a winner. I had spent 17 years with my adoptive parents. Before I was lost, I was the apple of the Sainsbury family's eye. Even after I came here, I remained as the Larson family's precious daughter. The Larsons had treated me as their own, and I had spent my childhood in peace. That was where love and warmth truly resided. Four years ago, Craig found me, and the Larson family thought that being in the Sainsbury family would give me a better life, so they agreed to let him bring me back. Two years ago, my adoptive father, Peter Larson, passed away. A year ago, Lila passed away, leaving me an orphan with parents. Since then, I'd never returned to the small, humble house. This life was too painful. In the next life, I only wanted the life I had before I turned 17. … "Never thought I'd run into you here." I sat on the couch in the cemetery management center. Across from me was a handsome young man. He turned out to be Kevin Graham, a neighbor from Lila's hometown. I used to call him "Kev" when we were younger. Now, he was actually a cemetery sales advisor here. Once a person knew the time of their death, it was inevitable that they would start making arrangements for what came after. I had come to choose my plot, right next to where Peter and Lila were buried. I wanted to be their real daughter in the next life. "We haven't seen each other since you left four years ago. What are you…?" Kevin seemed a little nervous, fiddling with his fingers. I was the first client he'd ever served here. "Brain cancer. It's terminal. I want to be buried next to Lila," I said bluntly. Only numbness could shield me from the deep pain in my heart. During my childhood, I was a spoiled little princess, always calling for Kev and riding on his back like he was a horse. The good old days felt like they were long gone. How tragic that my once-beautiful self would now be seen by my childhood friend in such a decayed form. He had seen me at my best, and now, he would see me at my worst. "Cindy, I-I'm really sorry." Kevin's voice was low and full of sadness. "It's alright. Everything will pass," I said with a forced smile. My gaze returned to the boy I had once relied on so much. Kevin didn't say anything else, nor did he try to comfort me. He probably had seen enough death to be numb to it by now. The shock, perhaps, was only because it was the first time he had encountered someone buying the plot for themselves. "This urn's quality is good, and the price is reasonable." Kevin was very serious as he explained the details. He even picked out a practical, affordable urn for me. "Thank you. I'll go with your arrangements." I thanked him. It was oddly comforting to meet an old friend at the end of my life. "Could you come with me to see... my parents?" I asked. "Sure." Kevin hesitated for a moment, then suddenly grasped my cold hand tightly in his. He seemed both nervous and pained, as if some emotion was about to spill over. But a person on the brink of death shouldn't burden anyone else. I struggled, pulling my hand away from his. We suddenly felt the refreshing air, just like the times when we used to run through the fields while laughing in the warm breeze of sunset. Back then, I was carefree. But now, it seemed like that person had long been buried in some forgotten corner of the world. As we walked toward Peter and Lila's grave, I whispered their names, "Dad, Mom..." Tears welled up in my eyes. Their tombstone was stained with blood. The sight before me struck so hard that everything went black. The once simple and humble tombstone was now defiled with disgusting, bloody graffiti. I rushed toward the grave. The blood-stained words read, "Cindy Larson is a shameless woman, and the parents who raised her are animals!" What kind of hatred or grudge could make someone deface Peter and Lila's grave with such vicious words? My vision went black. I collapsed to my knees, desperately trying to wipe the words off. "Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. I've failed you. You can't even rest in peace. It's my fault. How could this happen? I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry!" Peter and Lila had never wronged anyone and never made enemies. Everything had its cause and effect. It could only be my actions. The rage and sorrow surged within me. My mind was a blur, and my body involuntarily shrank back. I felt like I could see the whole world mocking my helplessness. "Cindy, be careful!" Kevin's voice snapped me out of my shock. He rushed over and caught me just before I collapsed. "Water… I need water... Why?" My voice trembled as I spoke. I struggled to keep my sanity. Kevin quickly turned around and ran back to the office to fetch a water bucket and cloth. He then helped me clean the bloodstains. My hands were scratched, and my pale clothes were stained red. The rain fell heavier, soaking me through. Kevin desperately tried to carry me down the hill. Chapter 5 A cup of fragrant jasmine tea was placed in front of me, but I was still lost in thought. I kept wondering what I did wrong. Not only did I end up hollowed out, but I also dragged my adoptive parents into this mess. I was the real heiress of the Sainsbury family. But when I returned at 17, they already had another "daughter" my age, Eden. Eden Sainsbury—what a lovely name. The Sainsbury family was just like a paradise for her. Before I got lost, my name was Amy Sainsbury. I was the beloved of my parents. But after four years of being back, no one seemed to remember to change my name back to Sainsbury. I had kept the name Peter and Lila gave me—Cindy Larson. Peter and Lila were so good to me. They couldn't have children, so when they found me, they thought it was a gift from heaven. They promised they would always cherish me like their treasure. But when I donated blood at school, my DNA was submitted online and was found by Craig after 13 years of separation. Peter and Lila had me go back. They thought I would have better access to educational resources with the Sainsbury family, and at least I wouldn't have to work my way through school anymore. But now, just four years after coming back, I was dying. I had been diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer. Peter and Lila probably never imagined this. Their intention was for me to live a life of success. Instead, my life had turned chaotic, and I had even dragged them into this humiliation. There was no greater suffering in life than this. I felt as if my insides were being ruthlessly squeezed and twisted in someone's hand. I sat by the window, looking at the soft rain tapping on the glass, as if trying to awaken my frozen thoughts. The jasmine tea had long gone cold, but I still didn't feel like touching it. The indescribable sadness inside me was like rain in the air, impossible to shake off. Just then, the door was gently pushed open. Kevin stepped in cautiously, holding a bowl of steaming soup. He carefully placed the bowl in front of me before saying softly, "You need to eat something, Cindy. Your body can't handle it if you don't." I looked up at him, but my eyes were empty. He was the only person I could talk to now, the only friend who hadn't abandoned me during this time. Kevin's care brought a little warmth, but the pain in my chest still couldn't be soothed. "Kev." My voice was hoarse. "Sometimes, I really don't know if all this is worth it. If I hadn't been found back then, maybe everything would've been better." Kevin frowned slightly, then sighed softly as he sat across from me. "It's not your fault, Cindy. Those people will get what they deserve, and all you need to do is stay strong and live." "But how much longer can I live?" I laughed bitterly, reaching up to touch my forehead. "Your doctor wouldn't want you to think like that." Kevin took my hand, as if trying to give me strength by sharing his warmth. "No matter how little time you have left, I'll be with you. Also, the Sainsbury family should know about your condition." I understood what Kevin meant. He wanted the Sainsbury family to pay for my treatment. But their money would only be another set of chains, leaving me nowhere to escape. The Sainsburys kept performing their perfect, ugly little drama in front of me, and I was just an unnecessary bystander. Even if I die, I wouldn't beg them for help. Kevin seemed to sense the shift in my mood and gently patted my hand. "Let's visit your parents' graves again once you're feeling better, okay?" I nodded softly, replying, "Okay." The room fell silent again, with only the sound of rain softly filling the air, accompanied by blurry memories and that indelible past. … In the middle of the night, I was jolted awake by the vibration of my phone. It was a call from Eden. I had been planning to block her number for a long time, but every time, I'd hesitate just before doing so. I was always curious how she could switch between a sweet young lady and a scheming woman so flawlessly. Like a master of disguise, she never showed a flaw. Her actions only widened the gap between me and the Sainsburys until it became an insurmountable divide. After a moment of hesitation, I answered the call. "You're so despicable, Cindy Larson. Why did you get someone to hurt Craig?" Eden was panting, clearly furious. I was a little confused, but I could guess the reason behind it. "Do you love him?" I asked suddenly, in the midst of her storm of insults. There was silence on the other end of the line. I continued, "If you don't want Craig to see your true colors, come to my adoptive parent's graves and wipe away the graffiti. I don't want any trace left." With that, I hung up. As expected, she didn't call back. It was probably the most direct retaliation I'd ever given, and it felt a little satisfying. The next morning, I went to find Kevin. I noticed a bruise on his brow and the corner of his mouth. "Where did you go yesterday?" I gently turned his face to get a better look. "Nowhere. The rain made the roads slippery," he said. I knew Kevin was lying. He'd probably gone to find Craig and had a confrontation. I remembered when Craig came to pick me up, Kevin had found out and had chased the car on his bike. He had shouted desperately, and his eyes were bloodshot and filled with hatred. It was Craig who had taken the girl he loved. "Let's go visit your parents again," Kevin said. I didn't call him out on the lie, but we went together to visit Peter and Lila's grave. The site was clean and tidy, perhaps because we had wiped it down, or maybe due to the heavy rain from the night before, or perhaps Eden had come, filled with guilt, to clean up the mess. It didn't matter. I didn't want to see Peter and Lila, the parents who loved me, being disrespected at the end of my life. It was better this way. "Cindy, are you really the lost daughter of the Sainsbury family?" Kevin's question caught me off guard. I didn't even know how to answer it. Chapter 6 My memories of Dale and Paula from when I was a child were vague. I only remembered that Craig, who was five years older than me, once took me to an amusement park. He told me to wait at the fountain square while he went to buy me some ice cream. I waited from morning till evening, but Craig never came back. In the end, it was the janitor at the amusement park, Lila, who found me and took me home. That was all I recalled. When Craig found me with the DNA test result, I was filled with curiosity. From him, I learned that my parents were rich, and I began to look forward to a bright future. I was 17 at the time and already knew a thing or two about the rules of the world. I wasn't some naive kid anymore, and I wanted to become part of the Sainsbury family. On the first day I returned to the Sainsbury residence, Eden cried and said to me, "I don't want anything. I know I've taken Cindy's place all these years, but now I just want to be with all of you. Please, Cindy, don't make me leave." At that moment, I felt a small sense of superiority. Eden was conceding, and I felt the bloodline advantage I had. What happened next, though, was something I'd never forget. Craig, the older brother who lost me and then found me, pushed me aside and pulled Eden into a hug. "No one will ever make you leave, Eden. No one would dare. You're my sister. My only sister," he said, glaring at me as if I were some kind of villain trying to tear their family apart. Paula's eyes were red as she looked at Eden and choked out to me, "Cindy, I went crazy after you went missing, so your dad brought Eden back. Eden was the one who stayed with me through all those nights without you." When I turned to look at Eden, she smirked at me in a provocative way. "Mom, let's not talk about this now. Let Cindy stay in my room. The guest room isn't ready." She emphasized the word "guest room". "No, Eden, you're picky about your bed. You won't sleep well if you switch rooms," Paula rushed to say, but then she seemed to remember I was still there, and she quickly stopped. For the next four years, I lived in the guest room next to the maid's room on the first floor, and I never moved again. I should stop thinking about them. They didn't love me, and I didn't want to love them anymore. I just wanted to live for myself in the last moments of my life. "Mom, Dad, I'm going for chemotherapy tomorrow. I won't be able to visit you for a while." I lovingly caressed their tombstones. Perhaps the biggest mistake I made in this life was going back to the Sainsbury family. Standing beside me, Kevin was stunned by my words and felt a pang of sympathy. He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'll… go with you." I looked up at Kevin. He had sharp eyebrows and deep-set eyes. What a hot guy. A few months ago, I might have been a match for him, but now, I didn't want to drag him down. Yet I couldn't bring myself to refuse. I remembered how painful the radiation was. The pain made cold sweat cling to my face, and they dripped down drop by drop. It was excruciating. When Tyree asked if I had any family with me, I didn't answer. If Kevin could be there with me, I would feel thankful. At least I wasn't alone. It was hard not to be selfish at the end of life. Being alone was unbearable, and I needed someone with me. I didn't know when my life would end. At least for this last stretch, I needed someone to help me be laid to rest. "And what about your wife and kids?" Kevin was 20 when I left, and now he was 24. In the countryside, people at this age were already getting married and having kids. He smiled, showing two small dimples on his face. He had a dignified look, his eyes bright yet tinged with sadness. His straight nose, defined lips, and strong features gave him the charm of a man. "I'm still single. Free as a bird," he said. I smiled slightly. As I looked down at the ground, I saw an ant crawling past. I quickly lifted my foot and let it go. Maybe there was always a ray of sunlight when life's challenges hit. The radiation made my hair fall out, and the chemotherapy killed my appetite. I couldn't eat anything, only gagging every day. Even when Kevin brought me simple, light meals, I still couldn't get anything down. "Eat a bit more, or when you're reduced to ashes, there won't be enough to fill the urn. It's not worth the cost," Kevin joked. His joke made me laugh. With him around, there was a glimmer of light in my life again. After every meal, Kevin would take me for a walk in the hospital garden downstairs. Winter was settling in, and the weather had turned chilly. He gently took my hand. His grip was soft but firm, as though afraid I might disappear at any moment. Looking at the gray sky, I asked Kevin, "Why couldn't I reach you when I first returned to the Sainsbury family?" Kevin's eyes reddened, and he didn't respond right away. Once the question left my mouth, I was surprised by myself. After all these years, I thought I'd let it go, but some things never fade. They left permanent marks in my heart. At 17 or 18, first love might have been naive, but it carried a purity that was both simple and profound. I thought every woman would have someone from those days tucked away in their heart—a memory too cherished to let go and too delicate to revisit. "I did try to contact you." Kevin paused before saying softly, "When you were taken by the Sainsbury family, I didn't make it in time when I came back from school. After that, I felt like I wasn't worthy, so..." He sighed, and his eyes turned red-rimmed. "Cindy, I know this isn't fair to you, but remember this. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you. Whenever you need me." After he said this, I noticed that tears were falling down his face, big drops of them. When he cried, my heart started racing. Did I say something wrong? "What's wrong, Kevin?" Chapter 7 I reached out to wipe away Kevin's tears, but his bony hand caught mine. The grief surged uncontrollably. He sobbed even harder, like a river bursting its banks, impossible to hold back. After I comforted Kevin, we returned to my ward, and he left for work shortly after. I said goodbye to him with a mix of reluctance and resignation. I straightened his clothes, fixed his hair, and made sure he looked every bit the professional. Over the years with the Sainsbury family, I had grown used to seeing their constant obsession with maintaining a spotless image. But doing this for Kevin felt different—meaningful, even. I cherished the moment because winter's chill was creeping closer. Back in bed, I picked up a book to pass the time. That was when my phone rang again. To my surprise, it wasn't Kevin—it was Eden. The last time we spoke, she backed off after I put her in her place. Why was she calling me now? I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Where are you, Cindy?" Eden's voice was heavy with emotion—part panic, part fury. "What's wrong?" I asked, unease already bubbling beneath my calm tone. "Can you come home? Craig's about to get beaten to death by Mom and Dad." Her voice cracked into a mix of urgency and tears. "This is all your fault! Mom and Dad are blaming him for suggesting you needed a lesson back then. He's getting punished because of you." "Why should I go back?" I asked, exasperated but also caught in a whirlwind of conflicting feelings. "Why shouldn't you? You love Craig the most, don't you? Can you really stand by and watch him suffer?" Eden's tone wavered between accusation and desperation. She was trying to find that soft spot in me she could exploit. She had some nerve. I took a deep breath. My voice turned icy as I asked, "Are you begging me to come home?" As I mentioned the word "beg", Eden suddenly fell silent. I let out a bitter laugh and continued, "Ms. Sainsbury, I already left the family. You've always wanted to be the sole heiress, haven't you? So, why drag me back now?" There was a hint of sarcasm in my tone. It was the very tactic she had used on me countless times before. After a brief pause, I heard her reluctant sniffle. "I'm not saving Craig," I said coolly. "Even if you beg me on your knees." Without waiting for a response, I ended the call. Looking at the screen, I finally made up my mind. I blocked every contact from the Sainsbury family. As I did, it felt like a weight I'd been carrying for years had finally lifted. The sunlight poured through the curtains, spilling across the pages of my book. It was bright, but it couldn't chase away the darkness lingering in my heart. The Sainsburys were nothing more than a past I had no desire to revisit. My life didn't need those people constantly ripping at my wounds. … I didn't expect Craig to show up at the hospital. That insufferable man always appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as suddenly, like a ghost haunting me. I'd been sitting by the large windows in the lobby, enjoying the rare good weather. "Cindy." That familiar yet grating voice made me look up. Craig's figure emerged from the shadows as if he'd been part of them all along. "Why didn't you tell the family you were sick?" His tone carried its usual detached coldness, along with that typical Craig-brand judgment. His sudden appearance shattered the fragile peace I'd built around myself. I had long since stopped interfering with the Sainsbury family, and Craig's questioning only stirred up frustration inside me. "I don't have a family," I replied flatly. Craig frowned, clearly displeased by my attitude. "No matter what's happened, you'll always be part of the family." "Family?" I let out a laugh so sharp it hurt. "Mr. Sainsbury, you people are ridiculous. Why do you keep forgetting that I cut ties with you? My last name is Larson. Yours is Sainsbury. What's there to talk about between us?" My emotions boiled over, and my voice quickened with anger. The air grew heavy with tension, and even the scattered sunlight couldn't break through the oppressive atmosphere. "It's not what you think," he said in a low voice. "Mom and Dad miss you. I came here to bring you home." "Mr. Sainsbury, what punishment did they dish out to make you come crawling back to me?" I figured that perhaps Paula's and Dale's guilty conscience must've tipped in my favor yesterday, and they had directed their resentment toward Craig. But so what? Whenever Eden and I stood side by side, their eyes never left her. Whatever guilt they felt now was just another layer of their carefully constructed hypocrisy. "It's not that," Craig said quietly. "I lost you. It's my responsibility as your brother to bring you home." I chuckled at those words. "Craig, can't you come up with something new? That line will only work on me once." My heart ached. Four years ago, he had appeared before me with the same demeanor, saying the same words with a large sum of money as compensation. All of this led me to make the most regretful decision of my life—to return to the Sainsbury family. What kind of brother was he? Was I just a toy he could buy back when he wanted and discard when he didn't? And now, he had the nerve to ask for my help? I bit down hard on my lip, and my eyes burned with hatred. Craig didn't respond. He just stared at me, his gaze heavy with something that felt like a silent sigh. Realizing words were pointless, he sighed softly and turned to light a cigarette. The smell hit me like a punch, making my chest tighten as I coughed uncontrollably. Cancer patients shouldn't be anywhere near this stuff. Craig's face reddened slightly. He glanced at the cigarette and then back at me. "What are you diagnosed with?" I pointed to the sign on the wall. "You're in oncology. What do you think it is? Indigestion?" Craig finally dropped the act. His anger flared. "Cindy Larson, are you going to fake your death just to get sympathy from Mom and Dad?"