Chapter 3

Vivian took a deep breath, smoothed her dress, and walked up to Ethan, taking his hand.

"Ethan..."

Ethan smiled, kissing Vivian’s forehead gently.

"Valerie, your dress is different today. It’s beautiful."

My heart felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand needles.

He didn't recognize me. He thought Vivian was me.

Mom was all smiles.

"Ethan, Valerie made your favorite clam chowder today!"

She turned to me, her voice suddenly warm and performative.

"Vivian, dear, go open a bottle of Cabernet."

I didn't expose the lie. I just smiled and did what I was told.

It wasn't just because I was utterly disappointed in Ethan.

It was because I had terminal brain cancer. This time, I couldn't win against anyone.

At the dinner table, Ethan tenderly cut the steak for my sister, even blowing on the soup to cool it down before handing it to her.

Mom clapped her hands in delight.

"Ethan, their dad passed away early. Raising twin girls all by myself wasn't easy."

"Since you’ve chosen our Valerie, you two should get married soon."

Ethan stared at Vivian, his eyes filled with deep affection.

"Don't worry, Eleanor. It was love at first sight for me."

Vivian and Mom both froze for a fraction of a second.

My fork clattered to the floor. I stared blankly at Ethan.

Ethan was a year ahead of me in college. I chased him for an entire year before he finally agreed to go out with me.

What "love at first sight"?

Under the table, Mom pinched my thigh hard. The sharp pain made me bolt upright.

Ethan instantly looked over.

"What's wrong?"

Mom smoothly pushed me back down into my seat, laughing it off.

"Nothing, nothing. This girl is just clumsy. Ignore her."

I sat back down, staring at Ethan.

He used to say the same thing to me:

"Are you hyperactive or something? Why are you always so restless?"

But even now, he still didn't realize who I was.

Mom leaned over to put some food on Vivian’s plate.

"Eat up, Valerie. You look so thin."

She stared at Vivian's face, then suddenly said, "Actually, the name Valerie doesn't suit you well. I'll take you to get it legally changed to something prettier soon."

I let out a bitter, silent laugh. They had already thought of a way to erase me completely.

By taking away my very name.

Tears splashed onto my plate, one by one.

I stuffed the food into my mouth, swallowing fast. My throat felt like it was blocked by burning coal.

Suddenly, a violent cough tore through my chest.

I coughed up a mouthful of blood, splashing bright, shocking red across the white tiled floor.