Chapter 3

That day, they were having fun with Zack. When I threw myself at them, weeping, their faces had turned grim. Mom had pushed me away in a panic and said I had the wrong people.

But how could I have gotten their faces wrong?

How could I mistake my own parents?

I cried and shouted, "You're my parents! I know I didn't get it wrong! Haven't I behaved enough? If I did something wrong, you can hit me or scold me! But why don't you want me anymore?!"

Mom's face went pale, and when I tried to hug her again, she brushed my hand away. "Rena, just wait a few more years. When you turn eighteen, we'll come home. So… Just behave."

I felt a chill down my spine as I became hysterical, and I screamed, "Why? Is it just because I'm healthier than Zack?!"

No one answered as they just stood there and watched me break down. That chill that I felt did not just make me angry—it made me panic.

I dropped to my knees and crawled to them as I cried, "Please come home! I was wrong! It's my entire fault! You're my family. Please come back!"

My knees were bloodied, and still no one paid any attention to me. I even started to think that this was all a dream, and everything in front of me was a fake scenario I had conjured up in my head because I missed them too much.

Then, Zack coughed twice.

Mom and Dad grabbed his hands at once.

"Zack, are you alright? Are you feeling sick again?"

"We told you not to come out today. Let's go home!"

Then, all three of them started to leave.

Lost and helpless, I asked, "Where are you going? Are you really abandoning me?"

Dad stopped. When he turned back, his face was full of sorrow. "Rena, go home for now. You'll forget all about this tomorrow."

I stared at them leaving in disbelief, my face pale.

Sure enough, it was not long before a hypnotist came to see me. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated how alert I was.

The hypnosis failed.

I only pretended to forget.

For the next two years, I never brought it up again, and I never went looking for them either. Even after I was diagnosed with stomach cancer last year, I told no one. I kept it buried inside me.

Only after my inheritance landed in my account did I make a post online to hire a family.

I knew they would see it.

If they did not come, then I would die quietly.

If they came, then I would consider it as life's last little surprise for me.

"Rena, let's have barbecue ribs today." Mom's voice pulled me out of my thoughts as she smiled at me gently. "You haven't had them in a long time. I'll make them for you in a little while."

I almost started crying again as my eyes turned red. "I'll have something soupy. Meat makes my stomach hurt."

"Why would your stomach hurt?" Mom frowned right away. Dad and Zack, who were both in the room, looked over as well.

I gave them a gentle smile and said, "I've just got a little stomach problem. It's nothing."

The three of them let out quiet sighs of relief as I quickly returned to my bedroom. The moment I shut the door behind me, I covered my face with my hand.

That was close.

My tears had almost fallen just now.

Mom, Dad, you lied to me for three years.

Today, let me lie to you, too.

Just this once...