When the doctor asked if I had any family with me, I remained silent. Yet, seeing Jasper at the entrance of the operating room brought me some comfort–I wasn’t entirely alone.
The solitude was unbearable; I needed someone with me for this final journey, someone to help lay me to
rest.
The chemotherapy made it impossible for me to eat.
Iretched every day. Even though Jasper brought me light and nourishing meals, I just couldn’t eat. “Try to eat a bit more, or else there won’t be enough ashes left for the urn after cremation, Jasper joked, trying to lighten the mood.
After meals, Jasper would take me for a walk in the hospital’s garden. Sunnyvale was deep in winter, with snow covering everything, and the sun couldn’t chase away the chill.
“Let’s head back to the ward; it’s too cold,” I said, looking up at the gray sky.
I asked Jasper, “When I returned to the Beckett family, why couldn’t I reach you?” Jasper’s eyes reddened, but he didn’t answer.
I sighed deeply–had I touched a nerve? Why were Jasper’s tears falling so freely?
12:16 PM
ぐ
Back in the ward, I lay on the bed, reading. Adeline called me.
”
“Cora, where are you?” Her voice was frantic and urgent.”
Can you come home? Our brother is about to be punished severely by Mom and Dad.
Before I could respond, Adeline cried, “It’s all your fault. Mom and Dad blame him for what happened to you. He’s being punished because of you.”
I was speechless. “Why should I go back?” I asked.
“Why won’t you come back? Isn’t he the person you love most? Can you really bear to let him face this kind of family punishment?” Adeline pleaded.
“Miss Beckett, I’ve already left the Beckett family. Didn’t you always want to be their only heiress? Why call me now?” I couldn’t understand why Adeline had the audacity to contact me.
I hung up and blocked everyone from the Beckett family. I didn’t expect Asher to show up at the hospital. I was in the lobby, enjoying the rare good weather by the large windows. Asher stood in the shadows and asked, “Why didn’t you tell the family you were sick?”
“Mr. Beckett, your family is truly something else. Why do you always forget that we’ve severed ties? My last name is Liu; yours is Beckett. What is there to discuss between us?” The sunlight made me squint.
Hearing me say my last name is Liu, Asher’s face flushed slightly, but he still asked patiently, “What illness do you have?”
I pointed to the sign on the wall. “Oncology department.
mat else could it be?”
“Cora, are you planning to fake your death to gain sympathy from Mom and Dad?”
“Leave!” I shouted at Asher. I was exhed with
the Beckett family. My only wish before I died was never to see any of them again. Was that
too much to ask?
Jasper wheeled me back to the ward and blocked Asher. “What right do you have to stop me? I’m her brother. I told you back then you weren’t good enough for Cora. Why do you dare show up now?” Asher shoved Jasper.
I need the specific Chinese text to translate it for you.
So that’s how it happened. That’s why Jasper and I drifted apart.
The following day, Asher visited again. My hospital room was now filled with white lilies, their overpowering scent making me frown. I’ve always despised white, much like the sticky, sickly ice cream of my childhood.
“Asher, I’ve reached out to a top European hospital. Their medical technology is much more advanced,” he stated, as if bestowing a favor upon
- me.
“Mr. Beckett, have you actually read my report? Do you even understand what stage 4
cancer means?” I asked with a bitter smile.
“I promise I won’t trouble your family anymore, nor will I interfere with Adeline’s status as the heiress. Could you let me be, and not force me to encounter your family again?” I said, sitting up with effort and pointing at him
