Thankfully, Mom and Sarah were still somewhat kind to me.

I turned my gaze toward Mom. She was already in tears.

I looked at her, hoping this might be the moment we finally broke through the distance between us. Maybe she'd come over and hug me like she always did with Sarah since I was sick.

Yet, with tears in her eyes, she uttered even harsher words, "Jessica, life and death are in fate's hands. No matter how unwilling you are, you have to accept it."

She clutched her chest, her tone mournful as she continued, "You get sick, and now you want to drag Sarah down with you? If I lose both my daughters, how am I supposed to live?"

At that moment, I finally understood that Mom wasn't afraid of losing two daughters. She was just afraid of losing Sarah.

I lost interest in the conversation and turned my attention to Sarah, the one directly involved.

Since I'd been brought home, she had always been somewhat kind to me.

She often said some pretentious things, but I figured that was just because she had been raised in a sheltered environment.

At least she would scold Samuel when he used to bully me. So, I still held on to a sliver of hope.

But now, Sarah completely abandoned her usual gentle demeanor and glared at me with pure rage. "You're definitely doing this on purpose, Jessica!"

She stood up, her emotions spilling over, as if she had been holding it in for a long time.

"There are things I've wanted to say for a while now. You always act like you were mistreated because Mom and Dad sent you away. Since you came back, you've been nothing but a dark cloud, always finding trouble with everyone.

"You act like you suffered so much outside, but we all know the truth. You just want Mom and Dad to feel guilty!"

Her chest was heaving with anger, as if she had been wronged beyond measure.

After a brief pause, she managed to suppress the tears and continued, "But there has to be a limit to everything. We've let little things slide, but now you're talking about donating bone marrow as if it's nothing. You're putting Mom and Dad in an impossible situation!

"If they refuse to donate, you'll turn it around and make them seem cold-hearted. If they agree, they risk losing both daughters. How can you be so cruel, Jessica? Why can't you just let us be happy?"

As Sarah said that, she walked over and hugged Mom.

Mom, having heard those words, finally broke down.

"Stop it, Sarah. It's all your dad's fault. He insisted on having both a son and a daughter. If it wasn't for him..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but everyone knew what she meant.

She was about to say that if it weren't for Dad's wish, I wouldn't have been born.

Samuel also stood up. They stood on either side of Mom, both looking at me with the same bitterness in their eyes.

Sarah lifted her head, looking all righteous.

"Jessica, I won't let you hurt Mom and Dad. Listen carefully. I will not donate bone marrow."

She stood her ground protectively in front of Mom.

"This has nothing to do with Mom and Dad. Don't go spreading rumors that they're heartless. This is my selfish decision. I can't bear the thought of Mom losing two daughters. It's my choice, and I'll bear the blame for it."

Sarah's face was set, as if she were prepared to take on the world.

As I fiddled with the lab report in my pocket, I couldn't help but chuckle.

After a while, I fixed my gaze on Sarah and asked, each word deliberate, "Are you sure you won't donate, no matter what?"

Sarah gently wiped Mom's tears. Her expression was even more determined.

"I will never donate," she said firmly.

"If you want to blame someone, blame me. Don't take it out on Mom and Dad. I'm preparing for a pregnancy. I can't give up my child's life just to save yours."

I laughed through my tears, pityingly glancing at her before whispering, "Yeah, you're right. I can't kill my child to save you."

Sarah was confused, but she lowered her head to comfort Mom.

Meanwhile, Mom had already been crying so hard she could barely catch her breath.

She leaned into the arms of Sarah and Samuel, as if it were she who had leukemia and no one cared.

Weakly, she soothed her chest with her hand.

"It's all your fault, Eric. Why must you insist on having both a son and a daughter?"

Dad, clearly fed up with the accusations, slammed his hand down on the table and stood up. He walked over to me and pulled an envelope from his pocket.

Dad tossed the envelope in front of me with a loud slap as though he were dismissing a beggar.

"Whether you're really sick or just faking it, take the money and get out. If you cause your mom to collapse, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"

The envelope was beautifully wrapped. It was obviously prepared with care.

When I picked it up, I noticed the elegant handwriting on it.

"My dear daughter, wishing you success in your performance. Have a great time."

I chuckled bitterly. Lifting my gaze, I asked, "You're giving me this money to save my life? Won't it ruin your dear daughter's overseas trip?"

Dad looked at me with disgust. His voice was cold as ice as he said, "Don't try to be sarcastic. You don't know your place, insisting on fairness. If that's how it is, I'm more than willing to have a fallout with you.

"I never wanted to have you, but I still had your mom's sister raise you. You've never lacked food or clothing. You should be grateful and not come here looking for trouble."

He turned his face away, as if he'd made up his mind.

"I've always listened to your mom and put up with you. But it's you who started this today. Don't blame me for cutting ties with you."

He had finally thrown me out of the family.

The room fell silent again.

They all made way for me to leave. Everyone quietly watched. They were waiting for me, this disgrace, to quickly take my leave with the pity money.

At that moment, everything became clear.

No matter how low I sank, I would never truly belong to this family. And honestly, I didn't want to.

So when I looked up again, the careful, cautious woman I once was was gone.

I weighed the envelope in my hands and slowly stood up.

In my high heels, I was now as tall as Dad.

I was no longer the little girl who once eagerly looked forward to seeing him every month.

I looked him in the eye and calmly asked, "If you never wanted me, why was I born? Was it because you couldn't control your dick, or am I someone else's child?"

Dad's pupils contracted. He was too shocked to say a word. His lips trembled for a moment. Only after realizing what was happening did he raise his hand to slap me.

I sidestepped, causing him to stagger.

Then I pointed toward Mom with my chin.

"And you, stop pretending to cry here. It's too late to play the blame game now. Why didn't you show some resolve when you didn't want me? Was I conceived because Dad forced you? Couldn't you fight back with your 140-pound body?"

Mom finally stopped sobbing.

Her usual guilty expression faltered. Her hands shook as she pointed at me.

"You wretched thing! How can you be so different from Sarah and Samuel?"

Sarah, seeing her beloved mom insulted, dove into Mom's arms and cried hysterically.

Samuel seemed to want to hit me. He lunged forward to grab my wrist.

Their partners joined in, trying to separate us.

The room was in chaos.

I was yanked around, and Dad landed a solid slap across my face.

My head turned from the impact, and warm blood began to flow from my nose.

"Get out!" Dad yelled. "From now on, we're cutting all ties. I don't have a daughter like you!"

My hand instinctively reached to my abdomen, relieved to find it safe.

At that moment, I fully realized that I had formed an irreplaceable bond with the life growing inside me.

Since this was what I wanted, I couldn't let it go.

I lifted my face and locked my eyes on Dad. "Fine. You said it yourself. I'm no longer your daughter, no longer part of the Robinson family."

Dad gave me a look of pure disgust and stiffened his face. "That's right. I said it. I, Eric Robinson, would never go back on my words!"

I wiped my face with force. "Fine! From now on, we live our own lives. Whoever asks for help first is the loser!"

Dad clenched his jaw, remaining silent.

Sarah chimed in while crying, "Yeah! Whoever asks for help first is a coward, and may they be struck down by lightning! Why aren't you leaving yet? Do you want to drive Mom to her grave?"

Smiling with satisfaction, I pulled the lab report from my pocket and tossed it on top of the envelope.

"Great. Remember your words today, Sarah."