My consciousness faded as I drifted through a series of shallow dreams, with countless memories swirling in my mind.

When I finally opened my eyes again, it was the next morning.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently spilling onto the bed.

I blinked and looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling. A sense of disorientation washed over me.

"If death is like this, it doesn't seem that hard to accept," I murmured with a bitter smile.

When Tyree arrived, he brought both good and bad news. "The abortion surgery went smoothly, but..."

He hesitated. I shifted slightly, signaling him to continue.

"But the cancer cells have already spread. Now, we can only try to buy some time."

I instinctively nodded, without much emotional reaction.

Leaving it to Tyree was the best outcome I could secure for myself.

During my hospital stay, I often sat in the chair by the window, watching the ebb and flow of people outside. Through that, I felt a sense of peace as though I were disconnected from the world.

Throughout this time, no one from the Sainsbury family came to visit, just as I had expected.

After completing the radiation therapy, I was discharged from the hospital. I felt as light as a feather. In truth, I had lost 24 pounds.

As I was preparing to leave, Tyree reminded me, "The radiation's done. Next, you need to start chemotherapy. Stay positive."

I smiled bitterly and nodded. I knew full well that time, for me, was just a form of empty comfort.

Just as I was adjusting my emotions and getting ready to leave, I received a call from Eden.

"If you're going to leave the Sainsbury family, then do it decisively." Her voice was sharp, impatient, and laced with a hint of deliberate authority.

She asked to meet me at a café to return my belongings.

20 minutes later, I walked into the café. Eden had clearly been waiting for a while, as her impatience was evident.

She sat by the window, tapping away on her phone with a frown. Her face was a picture of frustration.

When I sat across from her, she glanced up and looked at me coldly. "Everything's here." She handed me a bag. Her tone was flat and devoid of emotion.

I took the bag without a word. For some reason, the things that had once belonged to me now felt so unfamiliar.

"Thanks," I said, unsure of what else to say.

Eden scoffed, "Thanks? I should be the one thanking you for giving me the space to survive all these years by leaving the family."

She was skilled at using gentle cruelty; she often switched between angelic and demonic personas.

I sighed softly but didn't argue. The past felt heavy, and a simple "thank you" couldn't undo it.

Eden and I had endured the same hardships. We had been abducted together. She had even told the abductors that I was the true heiress.

Her moods, shifting between good and evil, were always unpredictable. I used to long to imitate her, hoping to win the family's affection.

But now, her barbed words couldn't wound me because I had finally escaped from that family I had been forced to love and fight for.

In some ways, life had finally returned to my hands.

Not wanting to get tangled in further conversation, I stood up to leave. But just as I was about to walk out of the café, I saw Craig enter.

Eden's expression immediately turned to panic, perhaps worried that Craig would see the ugly side of her.

"Craig, w-what are you doing here?"

"Did you clear out Cindy's room?" Craig asked.

"Oh… I-I was worried she didn't have any undergarments with her, so I..."

The deception behind her and the act of playing the good person made me sick, so I turned and walked toward the door.

I never expected Craig to suddenly step forward and block my way as I prepared to leave the café.

Frowning, I stared at him in confusion.

"You're leaving just like this? You're truly heartless. You don't even care about your parents." His voice was hoarse, and a displeased expression spread across his face. "Look at you now. How can you compare to Eden? You're really embarrassing us."

His words were like a hammer, cruelly striking at my heart.

In the four years I had spent with the Sainsbury family, I had always tried to please Craig, even going to great lengths to win his approval.

Yet, he had never tried to understand my inner suffering.

If explanations could help, I wouldn't have needed to leave the family.

I fell silent, no longer trying to explain. Any defense at this point seemed futile.

With the bag of belongings in my hand, I walked directly toward the door.

Craig's lips twitched, as if something had triggered him. "I'm not done yet. Who said you can leave?"

I had constantly tried to please him for four years. Naturally, he wasn't accustomed to me giving him the cold shoulder.

As I opened the glass door, it seemed like Craig finally hit some kind of breaking point.

He reached out to grab me, but instead of catching my arm, he accidentally pulled my long hair.

With a soft snap, my brown, curly hair fell to the ground, revealing the bald scalp beneath.

Everyone in the café froze, and Craig and Eden were both in shock.

"Why did you shave your head?" Craig, unsure of how to handle the unexpected scene, paused before asking. "Are you crazy? Don't you care about your appearance anymore?"

His voice was filled with confusion and anger, and his words echoed loudly in the café. The other customers looked on, stunned by the sudden outburst.

Eden, standing beside him, had a look of triumph in her eyes. Her tone dripped with disdain as she sneered. "What's your game this time, Cindy Larson? Are you trying to make a statement like those who shave their heads for charity?"

I looked at her and Craig calmly, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "Don't you know what it means to start over from scratch?"

I reached out and pointed directly at Craig. "Give me my wig back."

Craig remained silent. The wig he held in his hand felt like a scorching piece of iron, leaving him unsure of what to do.

Seeing the situation, Eden stepped forward and snatched the wig from his hand. As she tossed it into my arms, her eyes were filled with unrelenting hostility.

I calmly put the wig on. After all, a frail woman wandering the streets with a shaved head would definitely stand out.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Eden, you really don't have to be so scared. I won't be returning to the Sainsbury family."

I smiled as I spoke, but my tone was firm. "Not in this life, and certainly not in the next."

"I-I'm not scared! Mom, Dad, and Craig only love me." Eden's voice was tinged with panic. Though she screamed forcefully, I could hear the unease beneath it.

"Is that so?"

Noticing her internal unease, I smiled faintly at her. All the lingering obsession I once had dissipated at that moment.

In those four years, I came to the clearest realization—I didn't belong to the Sainsbury family.

At that moment, I didn't feel angry, nor did I feel sadness. Instead, I walked out of the café with the confidence of a winner.

I had spent 17 years with my adoptive parents. Before I was lost, I was the apple of the Sainsbury family's eye. Even after I came here, I remained as the Larson family's precious daughter.

The Larsons had treated me as their own, and I had spent my childhood in peace. That was where love and warmth truly resided.

Four years ago, Craig found me, and the Larson family thought that being in the Sainsbury family would give me a better life, so they agreed to let him bring me back.

Two years ago, my adoptive father, Peter Larson, passed away. A year ago, Lila passed away, leaving me an orphan with parents.

Since then, I'd never returned to the small, humble house.

This life was too painful. In the next life, I only wanted the life I had before I turned 17.

…

"Never thought I'd run into you here."

I sat on the couch in the cemetery management center. Across from me was a handsome young man.

He turned out to be Kevin Graham, a neighbor from Lila's hometown. I used to call him "Kev" when we were younger. Now, he was actually a cemetery sales advisor here.

Once a person knew the time of their death, it was inevitable that they would start making arrangements for what came after.

I had come to choose my plot, right next to where Peter and Lila were buried. I wanted to be their real daughter in the next life.

"We haven't seen each other since you left four years ago. What are you…?" Kevin seemed a little nervous, fiddling with his fingers. I was the first client he'd ever served here.

"Brain cancer. It's terminal. I want to be buried next to Lila," I said bluntly. Only numbness could shield me from the deep pain in my heart.

During my childhood, I was a spoiled little princess, always calling for Kev and riding on his back like he was a horse.

The good old days felt like they were long gone. How tragic that my once-beautiful self would now be seen by my childhood friend in such a decayed form.

He had seen me at my best, and now, he would see me at my worst.

"Cindy, I-I'm really sorry." Kevin's voice was low and full of sadness.

"It's alright. Everything will pass," I said with a forced smile. My gaze returned to the boy I had once relied on so much.

Kevin didn't say anything else, nor did he try to comfort me. He probably had seen enough death to be numb to it by now.

The shock, perhaps, was only because it was the first time he had encountered someone buying the plot for themselves.

"This urn's quality is good, and the price is reasonable." Kevin was very serious as he explained the details. He even picked out a practical, affordable urn for me.

"Thank you. I'll go with your arrangements." I thanked him. It was oddly comforting to meet an old friend at the end of my life.

"Could you come with me to see... my parents?" I asked.

"Sure." Kevin hesitated for a moment, then suddenly grasped my cold hand tightly in his. He seemed both nervous and pained, as if some emotion was about to spill over.

But a person on the brink of death shouldn't burden anyone else. I struggled, pulling my hand away from his.

We suddenly felt the refreshing air, just like the times when we used to run through the fields while laughing in the warm breeze of sunset.

Back then, I was carefree. But now, it seemed like that person had long been buried in some forgotten corner of the world.

As we walked toward Peter and Lila's grave, I whispered their names, "Dad, Mom..." Tears welled up in my eyes.

Their tombstone was stained with blood.

The sight before me struck so hard that everything went black.

The once simple and humble tombstone was now defiled with disgusting, bloody graffiti. I rushed toward the grave.

The blood-stained words read, "Cindy Larson is a shameless woman, and the parents who raised her are animals!"

What kind of hatred or grudge could make someone deface Peter and Lila's grave with such vicious words?

My vision went black. I collapsed to my knees, desperately trying to wipe the words off.

"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. I've failed you. You can't even rest in peace. It's my fault. How could this happen? I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry!"

Peter and Lila had never wronged anyone and never made enemies. Everything had its cause and effect. It could only be my actions.

The rage and sorrow surged within me. My mind was a blur, and my body involuntarily shrank back. I felt like I could see the whole world mocking my helplessness.

"Cindy, be careful!"

Kevin's voice snapped me out of my shock. He rushed over and caught me just before I collapsed.

"Water… I need water... Why?" My voice trembled as I spoke. I struggled to keep my sanity.

Kevin quickly turned around and ran back to the office to fetch a water bucket and cloth. He then helped me clean the bloodstains.

My hands were scratched, and my pale clothes were stained red.

The rain fell heavier, soaking me through. Kevin desperately tried to carry me down the hill.

A cup of fragrant jasmine tea was placed in front of me, but I was still lost in thought.

I kept wondering what I did wrong. Not only did I end up hollowed out, but I also dragged my adoptive parents into this mess.

I was the real heiress of the Sainsbury family. But when I returned at 17, they already had another "daughter" my age, Eden.

Eden Sainsbury—what a lovely name. The Sainsbury family was just like a paradise for her.

Before I got lost, my name was Amy Sainsbury. I was the beloved of my parents.

But after four years of being back, no one seemed to remember to change my name back to Sainsbury. I had kept the name Peter and Lila gave me—Cindy Larson.

Peter and Lila were so good to me. They couldn't have children, so when they found me, they thought it was a gift from heaven. They promised they would always cherish me like their treasure.

But when I donated blood at school, my DNA was submitted online and was found by Craig after 13 years of separation.

Peter and Lila had me go back. They thought I would have better access to educational resources with the Sainsbury family, and at least I wouldn't have to work my way through school anymore.

But now, just four years after coming back, I was dying. I had been diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer.

Peter and Lila probably never imagined this. Their intention was for me to live a life of success. Instead, my life had turned chaotic, and I had even dragged them into this humiliation.

There was no greater suffering in life than this. I felt as if my insides were being ruthlessly squeezed and twisted in someone's hand.

I sat by the window, looking at the soft rain tapping on the glass, as if trying to awaken my frozen thoughts.

The jasmine tea had long gone cold, but I still didn't feel like touching it.

The indescribable sadness inside me was like rain in the air, impossible to shake off.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open. Kevin stepped in cautiously, holding a bowl of steaming soup.

He carefully placed the bowl in front of me before saying softly, "You need to eat something, Cindy. Your body can't handle it if you don't."

I looked up at him, but my eyes were empty.

He was the only person I could talk to now, the only friend who hadn't abandoned me during this time.

Kevin's care brought a little warmth, but the pain in my chest still couldn't be soothed.

"Kev." My voice was hoarse. "Sometimes, I really don't know if all this is worth it. If I hadn't been found back then, maybe everything would've been better."

Kevin frowned slightly, then sighed softly as he sat across from me. "It's not your fault, Cindy. Those people will get what they deserve, and all you need to do is stay strong and live."

"But how much longer can I live?" I laughed bitterly, reaching up to touch my forehead.

"Your doctor wouldn't want you to think like that." Kevin took my hand, as if trying to give me strength by sharing his warmth.

"No matter how little time you have left, I'll be with you. Also, the Sainsbury family should know about your condition."

I understood what Kevin meant. He wanted the Sainsbury family to pay for my treatment.

But their money would only be another set of chains, leaving me nowhere to escape.

The Sainsburys kept performing their perfect, ugly little drama in front of me, and I was just an unnecessary bystander.

Even if I die, I wouldn't beg them for help.

Kevin seemed to sense the shift in my mood and gently patted my hand. "Let's visit your parents' graves again once you're feeling better, okay?"

I nodded softly, replying, "Okay."

The room fell silent again, with only the sound of rain softly filling the air, accompanied by blurry memories and that indelible past.

…

In the middle of the night, I was jolted awake by the vibration of my phone. It was a call from Eden.

I had been planning to block her number for a long time, but every time, I'd hesitate just before doing so.

I was always curious how she could switch between a sweet young lady and a scheming woman so flawlessly.

Like a master of disguise, she never showed a flaw. Her actions only widened the gap between me and the Sainsburys until it became an insurmountable divide.

After a moment of hesitation, I answered the call.

"You're so despicable, Cindy Larson. Why did you get someone to hurt Craig?" Eden was panting, clearly furious.

I was a little confused, but I could guess the reason behind it.

"Do you love him?" I asked suddenly, in the midst of her storm of insults.

There was silence on the other end of the line.

I continued, "If you don't want Craig to see your true colors, come to my adoptive parent's graves and wipe away the graffiti. I don't want any trace left."

With that, I hung up. As expected, she didn't call back.

It was probably the most direct retaliation I'd ever given, and it felt a little satisfying.

The next morning, I went to find Kevin. I noticed a bruise on his brow and the corner of his mouth.

"Where did you go yesterday?" I gently turned his face to get a better look.

"Nowhere. The rain made the roads slippery," he said.

I knew Kevin was lying. He'd probably gone to find Craig and had a confrontation.

I remembered when Craig came to pick me up, Kevin had found out and had chased the car on his bike. He had shouted desperately, and his eyes were bloodshot and filled with hatred.

It was Craig who had taken the girl he loved.

"Let's go visit your parents again," Kevin said.

I didn't call him out on the lie, but we went together to visit Peter and Lila's grave.

The site was clean and tidy, perhaps because we had wiped it down, or maybe due to the heavy rain from the night before, or perhaps Eden had come, filled with guilt, to clean up the mess.

It didn't matter. I didn't want to see Peter and Lila, the parents who loved me, being disrespected at the end of my life.

It was better this way.

"Cindy, are you really the lost daughter of the Sainsbury family?"

Kevin's question caught me off guard. I didn't even know how to answer it.