Chapter 1

I was diagnosed with cancer the day I was assaulted.

I was left battered and bruised.

The police told me to call my family.

My parents, frantic, said they were visiting friends out of town but would rush back.

My older brothers, Mark and David, said they were on their way.

But I waited at the station all day, and only Mark showed up.

He put his coat around me, his eyes full of concern.

“Sarah, I’m so sorry. If it weren't for Lisa being sick, I wouldn’t have let you go to that meeting alone. This wouldn't have happened. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

His phone rang, and he rushed outside.

I followed.

“Mom, this is insane. Just to keep Sarah away from Jessica’s adoption party? This is too much.”

At the same time, a photo flashed in our family group chat, quickly deleted, but I saw it.

Jessica, in a beautiful dress, posing with my family, her arm linked with my fiancé, Michael’s.

I froze. My own family had set me up.

All because I objected to them adopting Jessica.

I laughed, a hollow sound.

I'm dying anyway. What's the point of fighting?

Mark hung up and dialed another number, his voice laced with anger.

“Who told you to actually hurt her? You’re not getting the rest of your money!”

“What? You want more? You’ve got to be kidding me! I’ll have you all arrested!”

He slammed his fist against the doorframe after hanging up.

Seeing his red-rimmed eyes, I turned and walked back inside.

He followed me in, asking the officer, “Are there any security cameras where it happened?”

The officer looked up, confused.

“Your sister just dropped the charges. Do you want to reopen the case?”

Mark whipped around to look at me.

All he saw was my faint smile.

“It’s okay, Mark. I don’t want this to get out. I’m not even married yet.”

His eyes welled up, and he hugged me.

“Sarah, I’m so sorry.”

I didn’t care about my reputation.

I just didn't want Mark to get in trouble if those guys were caught.

He was the only one who had ever truly cared for me.

Before Jessica, Mark, David, and even Dad had treated me like a princess.

They’d always defended me against Mom’s harsh words.

But everything changed when Jessica arrived.

Mark drove me home.

Everyone was waiting in the living room, their fancy clothes replaced by casual wear.

Mom rushed to me, crying.

If it weren't for her usual coldness, I might have believed she actually cared.

“Sarah, honey, I feel so terrible.”

David chimed in, “Sarah, I heard you dropped the charges. Are you sure you don’t want to press charges?”

His tone was probing. They all knew.

I nodded.

Dad emerged from behind Mom, his voice hesitant.

“Sarah, you must be hungry after all this. I’ll make you some noodles.”

I hadn't cried until that moment.

His genuine concern broke me.