Chapter 1

The fake heiress, Winnie Dawson, insisted she had late-stage brain cancer.

I had been lost from my family for twenty years, enduring everything life could throw at me, before finally being brought back by the Dawson family, the wealthiest family in Solsticeville.

At the family reunion party, Winnie showed up on stage, clinging to my biological parents and even my fiancé.

"Natalia," she said softly, "I've been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The doctors say I only have three months left.

"Everyone knows how kind and generous you are, so I'm sure you won't mind letting me borrow your parents and your fiancé for those three months. I just want to leave without regrets."

A notification chimed in my mind: [Winnie confirmed with terminal malignant glioblastoma. Tumor mass is now compressing the brainstem.]

*****

The spotlight landed on Winnie at the family reunion party.

She was wearing a designer gown, her eyes red and watery, looking heartbreakingly fragile as she leaned into Charlie Marshall's arms.

The guests below started whispering to each other.

Eduard Dawson shot me a stern look, his voice full of authority. "Natalia, Winnie's had a rough life. You just got back. Let her have her way for now."

Louisa Dawson stormed over, grabbed my wrist, her nails digging painfully into my skin.

"Why are you so heartless? Winnie's about to die. Letting her have your fiancé for three months—what's the harm? It's not like it'll hurt you," she snapped.

Charlie wrapped his arm around Winnie's waist, his eyes full of obvious concern for her. But when he looked at me, there was nothing but disgust.

"Natalia, I never thought you could be so heartless. You're even refusing Winnie's last wish. I'll stay with her for these three months, so don't bother us," he said coldly.

I stared at the three people who were supposed to be closest to me, but I didn't feel a thing.

I'd always been a pushover. Back with my adoptive parents, I took their beatings and insults without ever fighting back. Even after returning to the Dawson family, all I wanted was to please them.

But now, I wasn't going to take it anymore.

The System's notification chime was still echoing in my mind. [The System has been activated. Winnie's lies are now real.]

I looked up at Winnie on stage and smiled.

"Alright, you can have them," I said.

Winnie froze. She clearly hadn't expected me to agree so quickly.

Based on what she knew about me, she probably thought I'd make a scene on stage, scream that she was faking her illness, and end up getting laughed at by everyone—making myself look like a complete joke.

"Natalia, are you really going to do it?" Winnie bit her lip, her gaze wary.

"Of course," I said, stepping onto the stage and grabbing the microphone from the host.

I said, "Since my little sister has terminal brain cancer and only three months left, as her big sister, it's only right I let her have what she wants."

I looked out at the guests, my voice loud and clear. "Everyone, please witness this.

"Starting today, my parents and my fiancé are all Winnie's for the next three months. I hope you can help her make the most of her final days."

Eduard's face darkened instantly.

"Natalia, what are you talking about? What do you mean by 'use'?" he snapped.

I blinked innocently.

"Dad, isn't that exactly what Winnie wanted? If I'm letting her borrow them, doesn't that mean she gets to use them?" I replied.

Louisa was shaking with rage, jabbing her finger right in my face.

"You rebellious daughter. Winnie's seriously ill, and you're still twisting words? Go to your room and reflect on yourself." she snapped.

Charlie shot me a cold warning.

"Natalia, don't go too far. Winnie's weak. She can't take any more drama," he said.

Winnie leaned into Charlie's arms, a self-satisfied smirk playing at her lips.

"Natalia, thank you. As long as I can get through these three months peacefully, I'm willing to give you anything," she said.

I nodded, my gaze settling on the diamond necklace around her neck.

"Since you're willing to give me anything, hand over that necklace. It's the Dawson family keepsake for the true heiress. You're not the one who should be wearing it," I said.

Winnie's face froze, and her hand shot up to protect the necklace around her neck.

"Natalia, Mom gave me this necklace for my eighteenth birthday. It's really important to me. And I've worn it for so long, if I take it off, I'll get really dizzy," she said.

The System chimed in again. [Winnie's lie has become reality. Taking off the necklace will cause intense dizziness.]

I smiled. "Is that so? I don't believe you. Go ahead, take it off and prove it."

Louisa immediately moved protectively in front of Winnie, glaring daggers at me.

"Natalia. Do you have any decency left? It's just a necklace. Are you seriously going to snatch it from someone who's about to die?" she snapped.

Eduard snorted dismissively.

"You're so clueless. The Dawson family doesn't need a single necklace. Tomorrow, I'll have my assistant take you out to pick ten more for yourself." he said.

Charlie stepped in front of Winnie, shielding her, shooting me a look like I was his worst enemy.

"Natalia, you're unbelievable. Winnie said taking it off would make her dizzy. Do you really want to kill her?" Charlie snapped.

Seeing the three of them ganging up on me like that, I just found it hilarious.