Lahat ng Kabanata ng Nine Ungrateful Sisters: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

For a while, neither of them spoke.Oscar studied Rebecca's soft yet stubborn expression and saw his former self in it.When he learned that Amara would take over the company, he threw himself into finance and management without hesitation. When Bella entered the police academy, he immediately bought books on criminal investigation and forensics. When Clara signed up for painting classes, he joined her without a second thought.Now Rebecca had learned about his brain cancer, and her first reaction was neither despair nor surrender. She chose medicine.So what if he only had two years left? Oscar was not someone who gave in to the universe's musings. Now he had someone who truly cared about him."Becca, you don't have to do this." Oscar's voice softened. "I know my condition better than anyone. If there were a real treatment, I'd take it right away. You're still young. You should chase what you actually love. You shouldn't choose a path you don't even want just because of me. It is

Amara frowned at the pile Polly had carried into the living room. "That's everything?"'These are all Oscar's things? Nothing looks remarkable,' she thought.She began sorting through what he had left behind: a bicycle, several potted plants, some clothes, and pieces of jewelry, likely gifts he had bought for the sisters, all in women's styles. There were also odds and ends that looked nearly worthless: an old-fashioned butterfly hair clip, a worn schoolbag, and a battered picture book with frayed corners.As Amara continued, her fingers suddenly stilled. "What's this?"She picked up a yellowed bracelet. Only one thing was strung onto it: a tooth.Without thinking, she touched one of her front teeth.Very few people knew one of them was fake. Many years ago, while playing, she had fallen from the parallel bars and smashed her mouth against the metal rail. There had been so much blood that she had frozen in terror.Oscar had run home to get their parents. He had helped get her to

"Jason, you really are the Chamberlains' lucky star." Amara gathered the paintings and put them away. After a moment's thought, she placed one portrait of her parents among Oscar's belongings. "Polly, take these things back to Oscar. If he leaves our family with nothing at all, people will think we're cruel and heartless.""Yes, Miss." Polly took Oscar's things and left the villa.At last, Amara felt that everything had fallen into place. She had been troubled over how Oscar could have become Remi, but Jason's reminder made it clear.'This is the so-called Mr. Stone from the Northspire Gang stirring trouble. Oscar is just a pawn he pushed to the front. It seems we've run into a challenge unlike any before,' Amara thought. 'In that case, Oscar, you will attend Jason's renaming banquet.'Amara dialed Oscar’s number."Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently on another call."She tried repeatedly, but the same mechanical voice answered every time."Damn it," Amara muttered at

Rebecca pedaled hard toward school. Maybe because she was in such a rush, the bike felt absurdly fast beneath her, much faster than the shared bikes she usually rode.She hurried the entire way and dropped into her seat just before the bell rang.'Three minutes left before class,' she thought.Rebecca's deskmate, Melanie Greene, spoke. "Becca, why are you so late today?"She was one of the few real friends Rebecca had at school. Usually, Rebecca was already seated and studying by the time Melanie arrived."We just moved, so I misjudged the timing," Rebecca answered softly. She then took out the painting Oscar had done for her and carefully slipped it from her bag.She still did not believe Oscar was Remi, but she treasured the painting all the same. Even if he had drawn her as a silly little chicken pecking at rice, she would have treated it like treasure, let alone a painting of her back.Earlier, she had only managed a quick glance and thought it looked nice. She had not taken

When Oscar received Rebecca's call, he was still deciding how to spend the day.Once a life came with a countdown, it became difficult to live as others did.Even simple moments like sitting quietly in the sun and sipping coffee at ease began to feel constrained, bound by an invisible limit. That limit was time.Then Rebecca's call gave him an idea."Oscar? I'm Rebecca's classmate. She's not coming home today. She's going to a concert with me. Okay, that's it. Bye."Before Oscar could respond, the line went dead. He did not doubt the call was genuine. He had heard Rebecca complaining in the background."Hey, why did you tell him like that? I was going to say it myself."But Melanie had already hung up.Oscar smiled faintly. He did not call back.He cherished Rebecca. At the same time, he understood something clearly. He could not stay by her side forever. She needed a life of her own.He was sick, but not so much that he could not go out. In fact, the call made him realize so