5
After my head was shaved, I officially started chemotherapy.
For Chloe, I would send her money every week.
I also contacted a funeral planner.
Two months ago, I had already discussed with him to help arrange my funeral after I died.
I’ve always loved Piggy since I was little, so I asked him to fill my funeral with Piggy standees.
I called him to say: “I’m dying soon. Don’t mess anything up on your end
“Sis, don’t worry. I’ve got everything arranged perfectly for you,” he replied.
“But are you really dying? I suddenly feel a bit reluctant to let you go.”
“What’s there to be reluctant about? People die all the time in this world.”
As I was saying this, Lucas and my mom suddenly opened the door and came in.
I quickly hung up the phone.
Fortunately, I was wearing a wig today.
“Ruby, you don’t come home and just pretend to be sick in the hospital, huh?” my mom said as she walked over, looking at me angrily.
Lucas also stood beside her, scolding me.
“Ruby, there’s a limit to throwing tantrums. Everyone is waiting for you to come home.”
“I’m not going back,” I said softly, my voice calm and emotionless.
“That house hasn’t had a place for me for a long time.”
Tiffany had sent me a Snapchat yesterday, telling me she had moved into my room.
She also told me how well my family was treating her.
“You’re 26 years old. How can you still not understand?” my mom said.
“Hurry up and go home. Keep streaming for me. I’m still waiting for you to make money.”
My mom’s words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over me.
So she just wanted me to earn money for her.
“I’m not going back,” I repeated.
My brother came in at this moment, looking furious.
“Ruby, it’s been over a week. Haven’t you had enough of this act?”
“All of you get out. I hate you,” I said, closing my eyes. I didn’t want to look at them anymore.
“You really think we’ll believe you’re sick? You even have time to curl your hair-” my brother’s voice cut off abruptly as he pulled off my wig.
I felt a chill on my scalp. I opened my eyes and looked at them coldly.
“I said get out!”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with shock.
Lucas’s voice trembled: “Ruby, what happened to you?”
My brother was surprised for a second, then sneered at me: “To make us believe you’re sick, you even shaved your head. Ruby, you’re really too scheming.”
“Ruby, I’m so disappointed in you,” my mom said before turning to leave.
I wanted to say I was disappointed in them too.
“Everyone out. The patient needs to rest,” Dr. Sean came in and shouted at them.
Lucas and my brother finally left. Before leaving, they both gave me cold looks.
They always found reasons to say I was lying to them.
They never wanted to believe what I said.
<
Because in their eyes, only Tiffany mattered.
After they left, Dr. Sean handed me an apple.
It was red and gave off a rich apple fragrance.
“It’s Christmas Eve tonight. This is an early gift for you. I hope you’ll always be safe and sound in the future.”
I held the apple, my nose stinging as I almost cried.
I hoped I could always be safe and sound too.
“Thank you, Dr. Sean.”
“Dr. Sean, are you free tonight? Come to my place. I’ll cook for you.”
He hesitated. “But your health…”
“It’s fine. You’ll be there, won’t you?”
That night, Dr. Sean drove me to Chloe’s place.
On the way, I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw Tiffany’s post.
She had posted a photo of three apples, each with a blessing written on it.
The caption read: [Surrounded by love.]
All that love used to belong to me.
But it was all taken away by them.
But it’s okay. At least I still have someone who cares about me.
When we got home, Chloe threw herself into my arms.
Because I had put on makeup and wore a wig beforehand, she didn’t notice anything unusual.
While I was cooking, Dr. Sean played
Gedeo games with Chloe in the living room.
I had never seen Chloe so happy before
When I first adopted her, she was always quiet and withdrawn.
Suddenly, an idea formed in my mind.
During dinner, Chloe ate a lot, and so did Dr. Sean. He said my cooking was delicious.
But just smelling the food made me want to throw up. I knew my days were truly numbered.
But I still hadn’t earned enough money.
After dinner, Chloe fell asleep.
“Dr. Sean, this is all the money I have. Can you please take care of Chloe for me in the future?” I said, handing the card to Dr. Sean as he sat on the couch.
His pupils constricted.
“You…”
“I don’t have much time left. This is my adopted sister. I don’t have any other friends. I’m only close to you
“I can’t promise you that,” he said, not taking the card.
“Take care of your own sister yourself.”
His voice choked up as he said this.
Then he got up and ran out the door.
