Chapter 3

The living room fell into dead silence.

Richard and Eleanor stared at the paper in utter disbelief.

Lucas stood frozen in place, his face turning paper-white.

"No... that's impossible. You must have paid someone to forge this."

Lucas stumbled backward, shaking his head frantically.

"Forge it?"

"Why would I lie about dying?"

"Haven't you always wanted me dead so Chloe could have everything to herself?"

"Congratulations. You're about to get your wish."

Holding my lifeless right arm, I spoke each word with chilling clarity.

Chloe hastily grabbed Eleanor's hand.

"Mom, she's lying! How could someone with late-stage stomach cancer still be standing and talking?"

Eleanor, however, couldn't utter a single syllable, her eyes glued to the medical report.

Richard's trembling hands picked up the paper, examining the official hospital seal.

"Summer... are you really..."

His voice cracked with tears.

I let out a cold scoff.

"Don't call me Summer. It disgusts me."

"Over the past five years, I begged you countless times, telling you I was in pain."

"Every single time, you said I was just lazy. You said I was faking it."

"Now I'm really dying. Are you satisfied?"

I turned, ready to walk away from this living hell.

"Summer!"

Lucas suddenly lunged forward, trying to pull me into a hug.

I stepped aside, looking at him with utter disgust.

"Don't touch me. You're filthy."

Lucas's hands froze in mid-air, tears finally spilling from his eyes.

"I'm sorry... Summer, I didn't know you were this sick..."

"We'll go to the hospital. Right now. I have money, I'll hire the best doctors, we'll cure you!"

He pleaded incoherently.

Watching his pathetic display of remorse, a wave of vindication washed over me.

"It can't be cured."

"The doctor said I have two weeks left at most."

"Lucas, this is the punishment you all gave me. I've had enough, and I've paid my debt in full."

I walked toward the front door, step by step.

Richard and Eleanor fell to their knees, weeping loudly.

"Summer, Mom and Dad were wrong! Please forgive us!"

"We shouldn't have favored Chloe, we shouldn't have put you through so much!"

I didn't look back. I opened the door and walked straight into the pouring rain.

Their desperate wails were swallowed by the thunder.

I didn't know how far I walked until my strength gave out completely, and I collapsed in an empty alley.

Cold rain lashed at my face as my consciousness drifted away.

Just as I thought I was about to slip into death, a pair of warm arms wrapped tightly around me.

"Summer! Hold on, wake up!"

It was Martha's voice.

She had actually searched for me all the way here.

Struggling to crack my eyes open, I saw her tear-streaked face and offered a faint smile.

"Martha... thank you..."

"I'm finally... free..."