Chapter 3

Benedict excitedly announced, "We've just received word from the upper management that Shaw Group is funding treatment for stomach cancer patients. Each doctor gets one slot to nominate a patient, and I've decided to submit your application!

"There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Even God thinks you're too young and refuses to let you die!"

For the first time in what felt like forever, my grim expression finally broke into a genuine smile. I left the hospital humming a quiet tune and headed back home.

On my way, I spotted a stray kitten and gently scooped it up, cradling it in my arms. "You're so cute, little kitty. I'm going to be saved now, and so are you."

But the moment I stepped through the front door, a slap landed on my face and sent me crashing to the floor. "

Dad pointed at my bedroom and furiously roared, "Where is it? Where did you put Clover's camera? Who gave you permission to touch his belongings?"

Clover stood there with his hands on his hips and spat right in my face. "You pathetic thief! How dare you steal from me! You're disgusting!"

I stared at Dad in disbelief. "Wasn't it the birthday present you gave me after he didn't want it anymore? That was my camera!"

Mom frowned at my words. "What do you mean, your camera? Everything in this house belongs to Clover, and we've just let you borrow it. Did you really think you own it?"

That was when I broke down and snapped, "On what grounds? What's mine is mine!

"For all these years, I've lived on scraps and saved every penny just to give it back to this family. Meanwhile, Clover never contributed a single thing, so why should he—"

I stopped mid-sentence. My eyes widened in horror as tears of despair spilled down my face.

Mom clutched the tiny kitten I had just brought home and dangled it out over the balcony railing.

"Do you get it now? Everything in this house belongs to Clover, and that includes this cat. Don't you ever try to compete with him for anything."

Desperate tears streamed down my face as I nodded mechanically as hard as I could.

"I get it now. I won't take anything from him…

"Plese just spare my… No… Please just spare his cat…"

Seeing my compliance, Mom reached into her bag and pulled out an asset waiver agreement. I panically pressed my thumbprint onto the paper, and only then did she give a satisfied nod.

Carefully stepping forward, I reached out to take the kitten back.

The next second, Mom suddenly let go.

My kitten plummeted from the 26th floor, her agonizing, piercing shriek echoing in my ears.

Mom whispered like a devil, "Oh, I forgot to mention that Clover is allergic to cat fur. That thing had to die anyway."

"Ah!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and violently shoved her away.

It was all my fault… I thought if I just behaved and obeyed, Mom and Clover would let the kitten go. I never realized that to them, the kitten's life was nothing but a pledge of loyalty to ensure that I would never pose a threat to Clover.

Mom looked at me with deep disgust. "Enough. Stop crying over some stupid cat.

"Your and Clover's birthdays are next month, and we have some amazing news to tell you. When the time comes, you can buy as many cats as you want, okay?"

I cried through the entire night. Mom and Dad tried to pacify me at first, but when I wouldn't stop, they simply gave up.

At last, when Dad walked out of my room, he turned to Mom and proudly said, "He may be crying right now, but when he hears the great news next month, he'll be smiling from ear to ear. Just watch."

A few days later, I was woken up by a phone call from Benedict. After throwing on a jacket, I sprinted straight to the hospital, only for him to shoot me with a barrage of curses and insults.

"What the hell is wrong with you? I did everything I could to help you, but it turns out you're here to sabotage me!

"I can't believe your stomach cancer is fake, and to think I genuinely tried to save your life!

"You're young and healthy, and instead of doing something useful with your life, you pull such a stunt. Now they're accusing me of falsifying medical records to scam for money.

"The hospital fired me, and my critically ill wife is still counting on me. Are you happy now?"