On the day I'm found to be a compatible donor for my mom, who's suffering from late-stage leukemia, I run away from home.

Dad keeps looking everywhere for me. But in the end, he has to watch Mom die in despair.

Later on, Dad focuses on his research in leukemia, which brings him huge success. On top of that, he even adopts an understanding and capable young man as his own son.

When we eventually meet again, it's at a research meeting about leukemia that's hosted by Dad.

As he stares at my body on the table, he can't help but chuckle icily.

"Julian Rivers, this isn't a place where you can screw around. Get up and get lost right now!"

The host just stares at Dad, completely stunned.

"You know the identity of this corpse, Dr. Rivers?"

Dad flashes him a mocking smile.

"How much did Julian pay you just to go along with the act, huh?"

The poor host doesn't know what to do.

"But Dr. Rivers, Mr. Julian Rivers already died three days ago…"

Dad furrowed his brows.

"This is a medical conference, not some prank show, right? The special effects makeup on Julian looks quite realistic. I almost fell for it."

As he spoke, his gaze swept imperceptibly across my face, and a flash of panic crossed his features. Finally, he forced out a stiff smile.

"So is this joke supposed to be a pleasant surprise or a nasty shock?"

The host cast a pleading look toward a nearby reporter. The reporter stepped onto the stage and took the microphone from the host's hand.

"Dr. Rivers, I'll answer your question shortly."

She turned to face the audience. "Hello everyone, I'm Tara Mitchell, a reporter and one of the organizers of this event. Next, we'll be playing a message left by our body donor."

The large screen on stage began to display footage. In the video, I sat on a beach, looking toward the camera.

"Hello everyone, I'm Julian Rivers. I love sunshine, the sky, and the ocean, so as you can see, isn't the sea behind me beautiful? Actually, I wanted to visit the beach with my parents for a vacation.

"But that can never happen now. Still, it's okay. I brought a photo of my parents, so I can pretend they're here with me."

I carefully pulled out a photograph from my bag and held it up to the camera. "By the way, my father is a truly remarkable man, and also—"

Before I could finish speaking, I suddenly tilted my head back and collapsed. The camera began shaking violently, and panicked voices erupted off-screen.

"He's passed out! Quick! Get him to a hospital!"

"I told you not to let him come here, but you indulged him anyway!"

The next instant, my face appeared on camera, pulling a silly expression. "Ha! Fooled you all."

My laughter froze mid-smile, my expression stiffening. "Dad, if we have the chance... Could we drink together again?"

The video froze on the image of my reddened eyes. Dad's face remained expressionless.

"Ms. Mitchell, this is an academic symposium, not some family reunion show."

Immediately, murmurs rippled through the audience.

"Isn't that Dr. Rivers' son? I heard Julian was a bone marrow match for his mother. If he'd just done the transplant, his mother wouldn't have died at all."

"He's nothing but an ungrateful wretch who wouldn't even save his own biological mother."

"What's he doing showing up at an academic symposium to put on this performance?"

"He probably saw how Dr. Rivers is famous now and wants money."

"Could that body donor really be Julian Rivers?"

"Even if he's dead, he deserved it. What did he expect for refusing to save his own mother? Karma, that's what."

But I wasn't unwilling to donate bone marrow to Mom. I simply wasn't qualified to. If I could have, I would have traded my own life for her health.

But I couldn't even save myself.

Listening to the murmurs below, Dad's expression shifted. He reached out as if to touch my body, but Tara suddenly interrupted his movement.

"Dr. Rivers, please finish watching the documentary first. We hope that through Mr. Rivers' cancer documentary, everyone can truly enter the world of leukemia patients."

The screen changed, and suddenly chaotic music blared. It was a rowdy bar.

I carried a tray laden with drinks, weaving through the dancing crowd. Even wearing a mask couldn't hide my deathly pale complexion. The next second, I grabbed a drink and splashed it toward the camera, my eyes full of impatience.

"Can you please stop interfering with my work?"

"You're Julian Rivers, right? Hello, I'm Tara Mitchell, a reporter with the Cancer Awareness Organization. I'm currently filming a documentary about leukemia patients.

"If you're willing to let us film you, we can cover all your treatment costs."

The woman's voice was gentle and sincere. I stared at the camera and asked, "If I cooperate with your filming, can you give me the treatment money in cash instead?"

Silence fell on the other side of the camera. I gave a wry smile and picked up my tray to continue working. It wasn't until 2:00 am that I dragged my exhausted body out through the bar's front door.

The woman approached me again. "Julian, do you need the money because you're in some kind of trouble? I might be able to help you."

The moment I looked up, blood suddenly gushed from my nose. A cry of alarm came from behind the camera.

"Julian!"

Filming Log: June 2, 2024

"Julian, are you working yourself to death to pay for your mother's medical bills?"

I had a popsicle stuck in my mouth, my face full of displeasure. "You've been investigating me behind my back?"

Tara answered patiently. "You're our documentary subject. We obviously need to understand your basic situation beforehand.

"But are you sure you don't want to tell your parents about your illness?"

I shook my head firmly. "No."

"Why not?"

Tara's gaze flickered with hesitation. I opened the notes app on my phone and held it in front of her.

"4:00-7:30 am: Breakfast diner helper

"8:00-5:00 pm: Sales company

"5:30-8:00 pm: Tutoring center instructor

"8:20-9:30 pm: Private tutor

"10:00 pm-2:00 am: Delivery driver"

I swallowed the bitter feeling rising in my chest. "This is my father's schedule. He has five jobs a day, all to earn money for my mother's treatment. If he found out I was sick too, what would he do?"

Tara's eyes reddened slightly.

My voice trembled. "Those two hours of sleep he gets each day would disappear completely. If things keep going like this, he'll die."

When I mentioned Dad, I gripped the phone tighter. "My father should have been a doctor saving lives, but he gave up his dreams to support our entire family.

"Mom was diagnosed with leukemia during my senior year of high school. She didn't want to drag Dad and me down, so she snuck out in the middle of the night to drown herself in the river. Dad and I begged her through our tears until she finally gave up."

Tara's eyes glistened. "Julian..."

I waved her off and continued. "So tell me, if Mom found out I was sick too, what choice do you think she'd make?

"One cancer patient in the family is already too many. We can't have a second."

Tara patted my shoulder, trying to comfort me. I shook my head.

"The day the compatibility results came back, I was at another hospital getting diagnosed with leukemia. I was terrified Mom would find out about it, so I just ran.

"Mom thought I didn't want to save her. Not only did she not blame me, but she cried and begged me to stay. She said it was okay, that as long as I was happy, she'd be satisfied.

"All my previous checkups came back clean, but that one day changed everything. I was so close to being able to save her."

A trace of self-mockery flashed in my eyes, and my head dropped helplessly.

…

Filming Log: June 10, 2024

I rode my electric scooter frantically making deliveries, the camera following behind me the whole time. After finishing my last order, I sighed at the camera.

"I already told you I don't have time for filming."

"Julian, wait."

Tara blocked my scooter and opened her phone screen, holding it in front of me. "Look, we contacted a charitable organization. They've already raised the medical fees and donated them to your mother.

"Julian, please trust us. We genuinely want to help you. So don't give up on yourself. Come with us to the hospital for treatment, okay?"

The scene fell into silence. When I looked up again, my voice carried a mix of bitterness and gratitude.

"I'll agree to the filming. Call it payback for saving my mom."

…

Filming Log: June 11, 2024

Looking at the words "Body Donation" on the contract, I suddenly turned to the camera.

"Where will these videos be shown? I don't want my parents to see them. They can never find out, not for their entire lives."

Tara immediately cut me off. "Julian, you're not going to die. The videos will only be used as internal materials. Don't worry. They won't know."

For the first time on camera, I showed a relaxed smile. "Thank you, Tara."

…

Filming Log: July 1, 2024

I looked gaunt, my cheeks hollow, the hospital gown hanging off my frame. Looking at the camera, I struggled to sit up.

"Can I stop doing chemotherapy?"

Tara gripped my hand and shook her head firmly. "Julian, I know the chemo process is painful, but you have to believe you can beat this disease. Let's try a little harder, okay?"

The repeated high fevers and vomiting pushed me to my breaking point. That night, I lost control of my emotions, threw my food on the floor, and drove everyone away with harsh words.

Afterward, I lay in bed, my voice hoarse with guilt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

Tara sat beside me, comforting me gently. "It's okay, Julian."

My eyes dimmed, filled with pain. "I never realized how agonizing chemotherapy was. But Mom endured all of this for us the whole time.

"Tara, I don't know if the choice I'm making right now is right or wrong."

Filming Log: September 1, 2024

"Julian, today's your birthday. Do you have any birthday wishes?"

The camera focused on the hospital room door.

The next moment, I pulled it open and walked out. I wore a gray tracksuit and a black baseball cap. "Tara, let's go to the arcade today."

Before leaving, I secretly took painkillers. Tara saw but didn't stop me. She just turned away and quietly wiped her tears.

I sat on the racing motorcycle simulator, smiling at the camera. Tara held up her phone to take pictures of me.

"Julian, look here. Smile."

When I got off the simulator, my legs suddenly gave out, and I dropped to my knees. The painkillers had worn off.

After returning to the hospital, the doctor immediately gave me an injection. That evening, I posted the photos Tara took to social media.

The camera focused on my phone screen. A minute later, Mom liked it and commented.

"Happy birthday, son. You look thinner. Make sure you eat well."

Two minutes later, Dad transferred 3,000 dollars to my account. It was twice as much as last month.

A lump formed in my throat. After a long while, I blew out the candles on my cake and made a wish.

"May Mom and Dad always be healthy and happy."

…

Filming Log: October 6, 2024

"Julian!"

Tara rushed into the hospital room, her voice urgent. I sat frozen on the bed, face pale, eyelids drooping, completely silent.

Tara crouched in front of me and spoke gently. "Julian, are you okay?"

After a long moment, I slowly lifted my head to look at her, my eyes bloodshot. "Tara, my mom passed away."

Tara looked at me with concern. "Julian..."

My hands trembled as I pushed myself up and climbed down from the bed with difficulty. "Tara, I want to see Mom one last time."

The scene shifted to the funeral home. Tara had someone help distract Dad while I carried a bouquet of white roses to Mom's memorial hall.

I placed the bouquet on the casket and stood there for a long moment. Up to that point, no one had noticed me. But as I walked out of the hall and was about to get in the car, Dad suddenly called out my name.

"Julian?"

I didn't dare turn around. I told the driver to go, and we sped away.

I looked at the right side mirror. Dad jogged after the car for a few steps, then froze in place. His eyes filled with disappointment as he watched me leave.

Then my phone rang with a call from Dad. My hand trembled as I pressed the decline button.

Guilt and reluctance filled my eyes as I murmured, "Dad, I'm sorry."

…

Filming Log: December 10, 2024

After the third round of chemotherapy ended, my condition worsened. Tara sat beside me, reading through the hospital's list of leukemia survivors.

I interrupted her. "Tara, take my photo."

Tara froze. "What?"

"While I still look somewhat human, let's get my funeral photo done."

Tara's voice caught. "Don't talk like that."

I smiled faintly. "Just make sure I look handsome."

I got up, put on a wig, and changed into fresh clothes. Something so simple took me a full hour.

Sitting in front of a white wall, I forced myself to smile at the camera. Tara's eyes reddened, her hand shaking as she held the camera. Ten photos in a row came out blurry.

I shook my head in mock disapproval. "Tara, you're making me look terrible."

Tara sniffled. "Promise me you'll fight to stay alive, or I'll use these ugly photos for real."

I laughed. "Fine. Just promise you'll make me look handsome."

Just then, a flock of birds flew past the window, chirping noisily. Tara raised the camera toward my face.

There was a click, and my smile was frozen forever in the camera.

"Doctor!

"Someone help!"

Panicked shouts erupted around me. Tara dropped the camera and rushed toward me.

The ceiling spun above me, and I slowly closed my eyes.

"Dad, I'm sorry.

"Mom, I'm coming to find you."