Anna wiped away her tears with a smile. "Yes, for sure."

I was sorry, I lied to you.

Deep down, I silently regretted my words.

I had lied to the one person who knew how little time I had left.

At most, I only had a month to live.

……

When I dragged myself back to my room, utterly exhausted, someone who should not have been there was waiting for me.

The room was filled with the nauseating smell of cigarette smoke.

Having barely eaten all day, I instinctively ran to the bathroom and vomited until I was dizzy.

I did not even hear Zac's footsteps approaching.

I was half-kneeling on the floor, reaching up to flush the toilet, when I suddenly felt a warm grip on my wrist.

"Are you pregnant? When did you sneak off behind my back? Planning to bring some bastard into the family to steal my inheritance?"

He pinned my hand against the wall, leaning over me, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at my stomach.

"Emma, if you want to stay in the Xander family, you’d better get rid of that bastard this week! Otherwise, you and your mom can pack your bags and leave next month!"

After those words, he threw my hand aside in disgust. "You're nothing but skin and bones. I can't imagine who’d have a taste for that!"

My mind was sluggish from the vomiting, and it took me a while to grasp what he was saying.

So, Zac thought I was pregnant and that was why I went to the gynecology department?

And what about him?

He was probably overjoyed that Evelyn was carrying the symbol of their love.

But Zac's words made it painfully clear how right I had been all those years ago to end the pregnancy.

He hadn’t loved me, so how could he have cared about the child inside me?

Just as love extended to what you cherished, hatred spread to everything you despised.

A child who was never wanted would have only faced endless suffering in this world.

I touched my flat stomach and whispered softly, "I’m sorry, baby. Six years ago, that was my mistake.

"Take care of yourself on the road to the afterlife. Mommy will be joining you soon, so you won’t have to be lonely anymore."

I steadied myself against the wall, staring at the blood I had just thrown up, unsure what to do.

Had Zac seen it?

I pressed the flush and wiped the blood from my lips before slowly walking out of the bathroom.

But I did not expect Zac to still be there.

He was standing silently by my bed, staring at an old photo of the two of us on the nightstand.

Realizing my mistake, I quickly grabbed the photo and tossed it into the trash.

"Sorry, I just... But I threw it away, so please don’t be mad, okay?"

I was terrified of Zac’s anger.

When he got angry, he wasn’t at all like the boy I had once loved.

"Good, you threw it away. I was worried Evelyn might get jealous when she moves in."

"What do you mean?"

I was stunned. What did he mean by Evelyn moving in?

"Didn’t my dad tell you? Once I’m married, this villa will be mine. As for where you’ll live, that’s entirely up to me."

He smiled darkly, completely different from the vibrant person he was during the day.

"Oh, and by the way, my engagement party is next week. Make sure you dress up. I don’t want people thinking the Xander family mistreats their stepdaughter."

I found myself once again watching Zac’s back as he walked away, leaving me behind.

The moment I heard the door shut, I rushed to retrieve the photo from the trash.

The glass frame, once carefully sealed, shattered and cut my palm, blood flowing freely.

But this pain was nothing. It did not compare to even a fraction of what liver cancer felt like.

I sat on the floor, clutching the photo tightly in my hand.

This was the only photo I had left of us.

I would have to burn it for my afterlife self.

After all, if the baby on the road to the afterlife ever wanted to know what her father looked like, I would be able to show her this picture.

I would tell her that she had parents who loved her very much, so she could grow up bathed in love.

……

The next time I saw Zac, he was back to his usual polished and dignified self.

He effortlessly mingled with the guests, occasionally handing Evelyn some snacks to keep her satisfied.

She looked annoyed by the whole event, her face showing clear signs of impatience.

Then Zac leaned down and whispered something in her ear. And just like that, her mood flipped and she looked delighted.

I thought she would go back to rest, but to my surprise, she walked straight toward me.

"Are you Emma?" she asked with a bright smile, looking effortlessly perfect, like someone without a care in the world. "Zac thought I’d be bored, so he asked me to come find you."

Her smile was radiant, but my eyes were involuntarily drawn to the slight swell of her belly.

"Miss Gibson, congratulations to you and Zac. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and a healthy baby soon."

I thought it was a polite remark, but her cheerful expression immediately darkened.

"How do you know I’m pregnant? Did Zac tell you? He even told you that?"

She looked furious and quickly lifted her dress, storming off back toward Zac.

Feeling embarrassed, I mumbled a quiet apology.

I did not mean any harm.

I was just thinking that Zac could finally have the warm, loving family he had always dreamed of.

I should have been happy for him.

I was not sure what Evelyn had said to Zac, but soon enough, the two of them were arguing heatedly on the balcony.

Before long, Zac walked over to me, grabbed my hand, and dragged me to a secluded spot.

"Emma, are you that desperate to embarrass me?"

I looked at him, confused.

What had I done wrong this time?

"I specifically told you to dress nicely, and this is how you repay me?"

His disgusted gaze swept over me. "Did the Xander family ever starve you or deprive you of clothes?"

Guilt washed over me, and I lowered my head.

But I had tried my best.

What girl didn’t want to look pretty?

But late-stage liver cancer was like a relentless monster.

It had drained all my energy, leaving my once-lively body frail and thin.

I had grown sensitive to the cold. Even thick down jackets did not feel warm, let alone wearing a sleeveless evening gown.

"And stay away from Evelyn! Even if you try to please her, I’ll never like you!"

I knew.

I knew you did not like me.

I knew you were in love with someone else, but why did you have to keep reminding me over and over again?

I felt like I was trapped in an endless storm, the sharp blades of pain slicing through me repeatedly, making it hard to breathe.

"Okay.

"I won’t bother you and Evelyn anymore.

"I’ll do as you say. I’ll move out of the Xander house and won’t show up in front of you again."

I was not even sure what I was saying anymore, just mindlessly making promises and apologizing.

"You’d better follow through. Every time I see you, I feel..."

He stopped mid-sentence, his brows furrowing. "Emma, why is your nose bleeding?"