Chapter 4

Ethan bolted upright, knocking his chair back as he rushed to my side.

He grabbed my shoulders, panic written all over his face.

"What's wrong? Why are you coughing up blood?"

He reached out, his thumb gently wiping the blood from the corner of my lips.

"I’m taking you to the hospital."

Ethan tried to pull me up.

I pushed his hands away, shrinking back into my chair.

"No, I’m fine."

"My gums are just bleeding."

He stared down at me, his eyes searching mine.

"Gums bleeding? This much?"

I forced a small smile.

"Really. I know my own body. No hospital."

He stared at me for a few long seconds before slowly letting go.

Vivian and Mom were staring at him, their expressions identical in their shock.

Vivian recovered first. She smiled, wrapping her arms around Ethan’s and pulling him back to his seat.

"Ethan is just too kind."

"He stops to feed every stray cat and dog he sees on the street."

"He just can't stand seeing anyone suffer."

Mom joined in, putting more food on my plate.

"And you, what's wrong with you? Eating like a starving ghost."

"Slow down. No one is stealing your food."

I kept my head down, silent.

Vivian leaned her head on Ethan’s shoulder, her voice sweet.

"Ethan, we've been together for so long. When are we getting married?"

Ethan looked down at her, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Whenever you want. Anytime."

Vivian playfully nudged him with her finger.

Then, she looked at me with a sweet smile.

"Vivian, you’ll be my maid of honor, right?"

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, forcing myself to nod.

"Sure."

I had asked him about marriage so many times.

On our first Valentine's Day after graduation, I asked him when we would tie the knot.

He said there was no rush, we had just graduated, and we should wait two years.

The next year, I asked again.

He said his career wasn't stable yet.

The third year, I stopped asking.

This was the fourth year. I had brought Ethan home to meet my family just because I wanted him to see where I grew up before I left this world.

The doctor told me that once I started coughing up blood, it meant the tumor was already pressing against my vital organs.

It could be three days, or maybe a week.

And this was the third day since I started coughing up blood.

I knew my time was running out.

Vivian dragged Ethan into her room, saying they needed to look at wedding venues online.

I sat alone at the dining table, picking at the remaining rice in my bowl.

Mom glanced at me, a flicker of guilt crossing her face.

She went into the kitchen and brought out a bowl of hot soup, placing it in front of me.

"Drink something warm."

I took a sip, the warmth spreading from my throat straight to my eyes, making them sting.

Mom’s voice softened, a rare occurrence.

"Are you still feeling bad?"

"Do you want me to take you to the clinic tomorrow?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile.

"I’m fine, Mom."

It felt so nice.

To finally have a bowl of soup made just for me.

Mom was quiet for a moment before she spoke softly.

"Stop hurting yourself just to get attention from now on."

"There are plenty of guys out there. Since you promised to let your sister have Ethan, don't try to win him back."

"Vivian isn't as tough as you. She never fights you for anything. If she asked for Ethan, it means she truly loves him."

I held the warm bowl, but the warmth inside me died instantly.

Right. Vivian never fought me for anything.

Because the winner doesn't need to fight.

Vivian just had to stand there, and everyone would love her, offering her the world on a silver platter.

And the things I spent my entire life fighting for were just the scraps that fell through her fingers.