My Parents Faked Their Deaths to Punish Me

"Think carefully. Once you sign the contract, we won't be responsible for anything that happens."That was what the pharmaceutical company staff told me during the clinical trial. He had repeated it many times: the contract we signed was legally binding.After drinking the medicine, I'd be observed for five hours. If nothing went wrong, even if I died afterward, I couldn't hold them accountable.At the time, all I wanted was to celebrate the New Year with my brother, so I signed without hesitation.But now… looking at the cash in my hand, a wave of irony hit me. I raised a hand and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth with my sleeve, then pushed the door open and stepped inside.My brother hurriedly ended his phone call. When he turned, his eyes immediately caught the blood on my clothes."What happened?"His expression shifted, and in a few quick steps, he was by my side, pressing my shoulders to check for injuries.I gently pushed his hands away, keeping my tone casual

"Great," Shane said, his tone flat as if stating the most ordinary fact. "Only by suffering will Lily understand that money isn't so easy to earn."As a reward, I'll make sure your family's business gets extra attention. But Lily mustn't know this yet. After the New Year, when our parents return, I'll tell them myself."My breath caught. My heart nearly stopped.A waiter came by to take my order. I couldn't speak—I only trembled, pointing randomly at the menu. Then I signaled him to leave quickly, hoping my brother wouldn't notice me.Charlene's voice came from the other side, soft and attentive."Shane, you told Lily you were testing haunted houses, but you were sneaking home every day. Aren't you tired? Why didn't you just go abroad with your parents back then?"My chest heaved. A tidal wave of realization crashed over me.So the haunted-house story my brother told me—it was a lie. He had been coming home the whole time, while I suffered alone. For five years, had I been the o

My parents returned quickly—early the next morning, they were home.Shane, still irritated from their scolding, forced me to sit on the sofa all night. I hadn't slept, my stomach ached, and cold sweat drenched me. I felt utterly drained.Yet, when my parents arrived, I rose to my feet like a reflex.In my mind, they had died five years ago. Now, seeing them alive and well at home felt like a dream."Lily, do you understand what you did wrong?"My father's cold words yanked me back to reality.I froze, my voice hoarse."Wrong? What did I do wrong?"His expression darkened slightly."Five years, and you still don't understand how hard it is to earn money? When we faked our deaths and went abroad, it was to teach you—money always runs out, one day there's no more to earn, one day there's nothing left to spend. Now you understand. Good—so we can return home."A cold shiver ran through me. I spoke with growing emotion, "So in the end, you think I'm dragging you all down? I don't u

Guilt flooded Shane's eyes."Lily… don't be angry. It really was our fault back then. We'll change. From now on, spend money however you want. "Yes, yes—whatever you've ever wanted, we'll get it for you now!"My mother, as if reminded, grabbed my father and hustled him out of the room without another word.My brother sat down beside my bed, his gaze falling on my pale face. His voice was soft, full of concern, "Lily, I know you've suffered. From now on, Mom, Dad, and I won't be stubborn anymore."Don't worry about your illness—we have money. I'll find the best doctors and the best medicine for you."I smiled, indifferent."Where were you all before? What if I hadn't gotten sick? How long were you planning to punish me?"His voice cracked, hoarse with emotion."We never expected you to do so much for the family… these past five years, everything we did was for your future. We were afraid you'd grow up spoiled and vain, unprepared for hard times.""But you know… our family cou

I went home.After my simple retaliation against Charlene, I didn't feel the satisfaction I had imagined. Instead, an emptiness settled in.It was as if I suddenly realized that everything I had done meant nothing—that it couldn't make up for the suffering I'd endured.If anything, it only reminded me how miserable the past five years had been.So I grew quiet. Withdrawn. I stopped talking.Sometimes I stared out the window. Sometimes I replayed videos of myself acting as a corpse.It was… pitiful.There was one scene filmed in a hailstorm. I wore only a thin dress, lying on the ground as the actors ran over me, trampling without restraint. The pain… it felt worse than the illness in my blood.I still remembered the stone pressing beneath my back, but I didn't dare say a word. If the director got upset, not only would my pay be cut that day, I'd be targeted afterward.I endured it out of habit. After the scene, I even had to flatter the actors and say things like, "Great perfo