After My Cancer Diagnosis, I Feel Empowered Defying Everyone

Her voice was soft but enough to shatter my last bit of hope.

"Alexander still needs 30,000 dollars for the car. If we don't give her something sweet, she might not want to borrow money for her brother," I heard Dora's voice, deliberately hushed but still audible since she was close to Alexander.

"Does she dare not help Alexander?" Dad's deep voice came through clearly, "What's she saving her money for? To make life easier for her in-laws? Girls these days are just so selfish and ungrateful."

Then I heard footsteps, indicating that the person with the phone had left the room, and Dad's voice became faint.

In the past, I'd occasionally heard such background noises during phone calls. But back then, I still held out hope. I kept believing that if I worked hard and did well, I'd gain my family's approval and love. It wasn't that I was particularly naive.

What child could easily accept that their parents didn't love them?

I always found excuses for them, helping them deceive themselves. Now that I was dying, I refused to be a pitiful soul unloved until the end. If they didn't love me, I would love myself.

"Ahem," Alexander cleared his throat, noticing my silence. "Is the signal bad, Lily?"

Lily again.

I'd always disliked that name. Before I died, I needed to change it. Otherwise, I feared I would never find peace, even in death.

I checked the calendar to see how much time I had left. There was not much time. Sorting out the money and changing my name needed to be top priorities.

"Well, I'm coming over now," I said.