Chapter 7

Emily was even worse.

She took out her phone and started recording.

"Helen, you've really gone too far."

Her voice was gentle, but her face was full of smug delight.

"How could you say things like that to Mom and Dad?"

Smack.

Mom slapped me again.

Smack.

Dad added one more.

Six slaps.

My face had gone numb, and I could taste blood at the corner of my mouth.

Instinctively, I covered my lower belly.

And in that exact moment, my pregnancy suddenly felt real.

Not because of the two lines on a test strip.

But because of pure instinct.

This baby had come too hard-won.

I had always been weak. I drank endless herbal medicine and got stuck with endless needles before I finally got pregnant.

My mother-in-law said this child was heaven's gift.

Michael said this baby was our treasure.

They treated me like I mattered.

And my own parents? They wanted me dead. They wished I'd never existed at all.

If that was the case, why should I care about them anymore?

It was nothing but blood.

And what was that blood really worth?

I had my own child now. I had people who truly loved me.

Why should I still care about these so-called relatives?

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and lifted my head.

"Satisfied now?"

Dad was breathing hard.

"You still dare talk back?"

I spoke calmly.

"I just want to say this. Since you all hate me so much, then let's cut ties."

"From now on, I'm not your daughter, and you're not my parents."

Mom froze.

"What did you just say?"

"I said we're done."

I repeated each word slowly.

"Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

"Without me around, wouldn't you all be happier?"

"Emily can have all the love to herself, James won't have to look at the sister he hates anymore, and none of you have to worry about me coming back and ruining the mood. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?"

Dad ground his teeth.

"Good. Very good. Since you're the one asking to cut ties, then don't blame us for being ruthless!"

"From today on, you're no longer part of the Carter family! Whether you live or die has nothing to do with us!"

Mom nodded too.

"Go then. Don't ever come back. We'll just pretend we never had a daughter like you."

James let out a cold laugh.

"Should've happened a long time ago. At least she won't keep making this family miserable anymore."

Emily was the happiest of all.

She walked over, stopped in front of me, and said in a low voice,

"Helen, you're finally leaving. That's great. From now on, this whole family is mine alone."

After saying that, she even flashed a little victory sign on purpose.

I looked at her, at that young pretty face that illness was about to ruin.

And she still had no idea.

"Fine. Then that's that."

I took the lab report out of my bag and pressed it onto the cabinet.

Then I turned and walked out that door without looking back.

Behind me came Emily's laughter and Mom's screaming curses.

"Ungrateful brat!"

"Heartless little snake!"

"You're going to die a horrible death!"

I listened to all their curses.

And instead of feeling sad, I actually felt relieved.

At last, I didn't have to keep lying to myself that they loved me.

At last, I was finally free.

The elevator reached the first floor. The doors opened, and someone was standing outside.

It was Mrs. Lewis from the neighborhood.

When she saw me, she froze for a second and then gasped.

"Helen? What happened to your face?"

I touched it. It was swollen. It hurt like hell.

"I'm fine. I fell," I said with a smile.

Mrs. Lewis obviously didn't believe me, but she didn't press. She only sighed.

"Your family..."

She stopped herself halfway, and in the end only said,

"Take care of yourself."

I nodded and walked out of the elevator.

As I left the gate of the complex, I looked back once. The window on the twelfth floor was still lit.

Through the curtains, I could see shadows moving around.

They were probably celebrating.

Celebrating that they'd finally gotten rid of me.

I looked away and got into my car.

I started the engine, but I had no idea where to go.

Back to the Stone family home?

But looking like this, I'd only make my mother-in-law worry.

So in the end, I just drove around the city with no destination.

Before I knew it, I'd ended up by the river.

There was a park here. At night there weren't many people, and it was quiet.

I pulled over, got out, and sat down on a bench.

I just sat there, my mind in complete chaos.

I didn't know when they would figure it out.

Figure out that the one who was sick wasn't me.

It was Emily, their precious daughter.

When that happened, how would they react?

Would they regret what they said?

Would they regret those six slaps across my face? Or would they act like nothing had happened and still come asking me to donate bone marrow?