Chapter 3

I held my cheek and remained silent, feeling completely numb inside, as if something had been torn open inside me.

I silently mused to myself, "I guess I really am nothing but a burden in your eyes, Mom. You have nothing to worry about, though, as your burden will go away soon. You have to take good care of yourself once I'm gone, Mom."

Dr. Warner smiled as she stepped in to ease the tension. "You can just leave the report here, Mrs. Lester."

Mom refrained from saying anything further since someone else was present. She led me out by the hand and had me sit on the back of her electric bike.

I rested my head against her back, feeling surprisingly at ease for once.

"Your father and I talked it over earlier. Jolene might not be able to attend Briarlune Dance Academy because of the surgery, but we'll still throw her a celebration for getting into a prestigious academy and to let everyone know that the Lesters have produced a prodigy."

Mom's eyes lit up when she brought up Jolene, but when it came to me, her tone instantly turned irritated. "Jolene is giving up so much to donate a kidney to you, so please—for her sake—behave yourself and stop causing trouble at the celebration banquet, Natalie."

I suddenly felt a throbbing, dull ache spread across my lower back. I forced myself to smile through my tears and said, "I-I won't cause any trouble…"

It wasn't long before Mom pulled up outside the restaurant. She kept reminding me, saying, "Those dishes served today are too oily and salty. You can't have any of them, so I've made you some plain steamed cabbage, Natalie."

She then took the insulated food container from the basket of the electric bike and walked into the restaurant.

I was in so much pain that I could barely straighten my back, but remembering that this was Jolene's admission celebration made me happy. I couldn't get in her way and ruin everything for her again.

I noticed that Mom was already gone by the time I managed to get off the electric bike.

In the meantime, the restaurant hostess crouched beside me after seeing how much pain I was in. "Where's your family? You look really unwell. Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

I shook my head. Mom and Dad were hosting Jolene's admission celebration inside, so I couldn't possibly get in their way with my problems. I merely asked, "May I know where the admission celebration is being held?"

"It is being held at The Rosewood Suite."

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to straighten my posture. I then thanked the hostess. I didn't want to bother anyone anymore before I died, so I held onto the wall and slowly made my way to The Rosewood Suite without asking anyone's help.

I noticed that everyone in the family, including relatives, was seated together in the private dining room.

It was then that one of our relatives boasted proudly. "We must have been blessed to produce such a prodigious talent in the Lester family!"

Dad had a few drinks and was in high spirits. "Jolene has been zero hassle ever since she was a kid. She excelled in her studies, and she's just as talented when it comes to the arts!"

He knew nothing about dancing, but he still remembered how proud he'd felt whenever her teachers came to their home and told him how gifted Jolene was.

Mom beamed, smiling as she kept piling food onto Jolene's plate.

"Hey…" I said as I pushed open the door. Their smiles instantly vanished.

Jolene's eyes welled up. "I had to give Briarlune Dance Academy up because of you! Why do you still have to show up and ruin the celebration Mom and Dad threw for me, Natalie?"

The smiles on the relatives' faces froze as well.

"How could you guys be so partial? You're actually ruining a perfectly healthy child's life just to save the sick one?"

"It's Briarlune Dance Academy we're talking about here! They only have ten spots available a year! Jolene is actually passing it up so easily?"

Mom managed a strained smile. "Natalie is my daughter too, so I can't just ignore her…"

I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. I didn't mean to spoil Jolene's celebration party, but my brief appearance had still upset her.

Jolene shoved me away and ran out of the room in tears.

"Why didn't you just stay home? Why did you have to come here, Natalie?" Dominic snapped before chasing after Jolene.

Mom stomped her foot in frustration. "If I had known, I never would have brought her here! I should've just sent her home. It was supposed to be Jolene's special day…"

Dad forced a smile and raised his glass. "Dig in, everyone…"

Sensing the awkward atmosphere in the private dining room, the relatives were unwilling to stay any longer and began taking their leave one after another.

In a matter of moments, only a table of leftover food remained in the private dining room.

I caught the flicker of resentment on Mom's face, but she still went ahead and opened the insulated food container and served me some steamed cabbage.

"Your health isn't that good, so eat some of these first. I'll talk to Jolene. She'll be fine once I comfort her. We have to proceed with the surgery, no matter what."