The Ugly Truth

My memories of Dale and Paula from when I was a child were vague. I only remembered that Craig, who was five years older than me, once took me to an amusement park.

He told me to wait at the fountain square while he went to buy me some ice cream.

I waited from morning till evening, but Craig never came back. In the end, it was the janitor at the amusement park, Lila, who found me and took me home.

That was all I recalled. When Craig found me with the DNA test result, I was filled with curiosity.

From him, I learned that my parents were rich, and I began to look forward to a bright future.

I was 17 at the time and already knew a thing or two about the rules of the world. I wasn't some naive kid anymore, and I wanted to become part of the Sainsbury family.

On the first day I returned to the Sainsbury residence, Eden cried and said to me, "I don't want anything. I know I've taken Cindy's place all these years, but now I just want to be with all of you. Please, Cindy, don't make me leave."

At that moment, I felt a small sense of superiority. Eden was conceding, and I felt the bloodline advantage I had.

What happened next, though, was something I'd never forget.

Craig, the older brother who lost me and then found me, pushed me aside and pulled Eden into a hug.

"No one will ever make you leave, Eden. No one would dare. You're my sister. My only sister," he said, glaring at me as if I were some kind of villain trying to tear their family apart.

Paula's eyes were red as she looked at Eden and choked out to me, "Cindy, I went crazy after you went missing, so your dad brought Eden back. Eden was the one who stayed with me through all those nights without you."

When I turned to look at Eden, she smirked at me in a provocative way. "Mom, let's not talk about this now. Let Cindy stay in my room. The guest room isn't ready."

She emphasized the word "guest room".

"No, Eden, you're picky about your bed. You won't sleep well if you switch rooms," Paula rushed to say, but then she seemed to remember I was still there, and she quickly stopped.

For the next four years, I lived in the guest room next to the maid's room on the first floor, and I never moved again.

I should stop thinking about them. They didn't love me, and I didn't want to love them anymore.

I just wanted to live for myself in the last moments of my life.

"Mom, Dad, I'm going for chemotherapy tomorrow. I won't be able to visit you for a while."

I lovingly caressed their tombstones. Perhaps the biggest mistake I made in this life was going back to the Sainsbury family.

Standing beside me, Kevin was stunned by my words and felt a pang of sympathy. He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'll… go with you."

I looked up at Kevin. He had sharp eyebrows and deep-set eyes. What a hot guy.

A few months ago, I might have been a match for him, but now, I didn't want to drag him down. Yet I couldn't bring myself to refuse.

I remembered how painful the radiation was. The pain made cold sweat cling to my face, and they dripped down drop by drop.

It was excruciating. When Tyree asked if I had any family with me, I didn't answer.

If Kevin could be there with me, I would feel thankful. At least I wasn't alone.

It was hard not to be selfish at the end of life. Being alone was unbearable, and I needed someone with me.

I didn't know when my life would end. At least for this last stretch, I needed someone to help me be laid to rest.

"And what about your wife and kids?"

Kevin was 20 when I left, and now he was 24. In the countryside, people at this age were already getting married and having kids.

He smiled, showing two small dimples on his face.

He had a dignified look, his eyes bright yet tinged with sadness. His straight nose, defined lips, and strong features gave him the charm of a man.

"I'm still single. Free as a bird," he said.

I smiled slightly. As I looked down at the ground, I saw an ant crawling past. I quickly lifted my foot and let it go. Maybe there was always a ray of sunlight when life's challenges hit.

The radiation made my hair fall out, and the chemotherapy killed my appetite. I couldn't eat anything, only gagging every day. Even when Kevin brought me simple, light meals, I still couldn't get anything down.

"Eat a bit more, or when you're reduced to ashes, there won't be enough to fill the urn. It's not worth the cost," Kevin joked.

His joke made me laugh. With him around, there was a glimmer of light in my life again.

After every meal, Kevin would take me for a walk in the hospital garden downstairs. Winter was settling in, and the weather had turned chilly.

He gently took my hand. His grip was soft but firm, as though afraid I might disappear at any moment.

Looking at the gray sky, I asked Kevin, "Why couldn't I reach you when I first returned to the Sainsbury family?"

Kevin's eyes reddened, and he didn't respond right away.

Once the question left my mouth, I was surprised by myself. After all these years, I thought I'd let it go, but some things never fade. They left permanent marks in my heart.

At 17 or 18, first love might have been naive, but it carried a purity that was both simple and profound.

I thought every woman would have someone from those days tucked away in their heart—a memory too cherished to let go and too delicate to revisit.

"I did try to contact you." Kevin paused before saying softly, "When you were taken by the Sainsbury family, I didn't make it in time when I came back from school. After that, I felt like I wasn't worthy, so..."

He sighed, and his eyes turned red-rimmed.

"Cindy, I know this isn't fair to you, but remember this. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you. Whenever you need me."

After he said this, I noticed that tears were falling down his face, big drops of them.

When he cried, my heart started racing. Did I say something wrong?

"What's wrong, Kevin?"