I was going to die.

Late-stage stomach cancer, the time I endured the pain and went alone to the photo studio to take my portrait.

My mom came with a full body smell of gunpowder.

"Your cousin has a fever of 38 degrees, and you still have the mood to take photos and show off. How did I give birth to such a cold-blooded creature like you?"

A fever of 38 degrees, indeed a serious illness.

I told her not to be angry, in less than a month, she wouldn't have to see me anymore.

The life she gave me, I was about to return to her.

——

The day after the college entrance exam ended, I was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.

The doctor shook his head regretfully and asked me to notify my parents to arrange for hospitalization.

"If you actively cooperate with treatment, you should be able to live for another two years, otherwise, you only have a maximum of three months left."

I smiled and refused the doctor's kindness, three months is already a bit too much for me.

My mom said that my life was given by her.

Now, I could finally return this life to her.

I threw the inspection report into the hospital's trash can and bought a large bottle of painkillers to go home.

As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a large bunch of keys.

I didn't dodge, it hit directly on my mouth.

A bloody taste immediately filled my mouth.

My mom's face was full of grimaces. "You're only eighteen, and your desires are so big? If I don't let you have a boyfriend, you buy these disgusting things at home."

"You've read so many years of books, but all went into the dog's stomach, aren't you ashamed, you really have no face."

On the ground was the delivery I bought, which had already been opened.

It was a fascia gun I bought for my neck pain.

"It's not what you think..."

Before I could finish, another slap came over, the sound of the slap echoing in the living room.

I only felt a buzzing in my ears, and a burning pain on my face.

The bloody taste in my mouth became stronger.

Her eyes were full of disgust. "Don't argue, I know what kind of person you are."

"Do you want me to tell you all the disgusting things you've done?"

"You really have no shame, in the old society, people like you would have been thrown into a pig cage."

"If I had known you would become like this, I should have strangled you when you were born."

"Look at Nicole, then look at you, I'm embarrassed to say you're cousins."

Look at Nicole Brooks, then look at me...

I had heard this sentence for eight years, and my heart had gone from initial anger and sadness to numbness.

This cousin, who was related to me by blood in the secular sense, devoured my short life like a nightmare.

Not only my uncle and aunt died in that car accident, but also me.

When a person no longer has expectations of others, they no longer allow themselves to be wronged.

If she didn't want to hear an explanation, then I didn't explain anymore.

I picked up the fascia gun from the ground. "You seem to know this thing very well, you want to use it too, then take it and try it, I heard it's super cool."

Whether it was shame or anger, my mom's face turned red.

When she tried to hit me again, I avoided it.

I went back to my room and closed the door, blocking out all the unbearable scolding.

When my dad came home at night, he brought dinner in to persuade me.

"Talia, no matter what, you can't talk to your mom like that, she's so proud, how can she stand those words."

"Your mom was so angry that she didn't eat dinner, you go apologize to your mom, let her scold you a few times to vent her anger."

I refused, turned my back to him and said, "No."

My dad sighed. "Your mom is right, you really are not as sensible as Nicole."

Then, let Nicole be their daughter.

I was leaving soon, leaving forever.

I couldn't stand the stomach pain at night, I took painkillers three times, and only then managed to sleep for a while.

Sure enough, I woke up with two dark circles under my eyes in the morning.

My complexion had gotten worse.

As I went out to wash up, I saw my mom sitting on the sofa, eating breakfast and making a video call.

"Nicole, I checked the weather forecast, it's going to rain there today. Remember to take an umbrella and a coat when you go out. If you catch a cold, your aunt will be worried."

So it was Nicole, no wonder she was smiling so happily.

After the college entrance exam, my mom gave Nicole twenty thousand dollar to go out and relax for a few days.

Nicole saw me through the video and greeted me with a raised voice, "Cousin, the scenery here is great, there are durians everywhere, your favorite. Next time, our whole family should come and play together."

"I'm not your cousin, and I don't like durian."

My mom gave me a glare, turned her phone away. "Nicole, don't mind her. People like her don't deserve to be with you, don't let her infect you with her filth."

My mom chatted with Nicole for more than ten minutes, during which time, she was almost blind with laughter.

After it ended, she still seemed unsatisfied, her face full of pride.

"With someone as terrible as you at home, Nicole can still be so outstanding and sensible. It's really a case of comparing goods and dying when compared to people."

I turned to look at her and asked, "Do you really hope I die?"

My mom didn't look up, her hands busy scrolling through the photos Nicole had posted on her friend's circle, liking each one.

"Yes, I want you to die, will you?"

"But, if you continue to be so ill-mannered, you will be killed by people outside in society."

"Do you think people outside will be as patient as me in teaching you, who do you think you are?"

"Before you speak and act, weigh yourself first."

How ungrateful and hateful I must be.

So much so that she was looking forward to my death.

I laughed, looking at her and laughing for a long time.

"I will die."

Perhaps it was because my laughter was a bit eerie, or perhaps it was because what I said surprised her.

A trace of disbelief flashed across my mom's face, but it was gone in an instant.

The familiar look in her eyes.

Resentment, disgust...

Yes, this was her.

"What? You've grown old enough now, dare to threaten me with suicide?"

"I tell you, your life is given by me, whether to take it back or not is up to me."

'Mom, I wasn't threatening you, and what you said didn't count.'

'This life, I'll give back to you soon.'

The day Nicole came back, my parents went to the airport to pick her up early in the morning.

They were gone for three days.

Nicole's social media account was updated every day.

[Auntie is afraid I'll get too tired from playing, so she brought me to do a spa. Auntie, Nicole loves you.]

[Matching outfits with Auntie.] And @me [Cousin, let's do it together next time.]

[Uncle says girls can't peel shrimp themselves, now he's helping me peel, in the future it'll be someone else's turn.] @Catfish.

Below were a bunch of comments from high school classmates.

[This is not an aunt, this is a fairy mother.]

[What's going on? Nicole, are you with that guy?]

Nicole replied: [Secret, then paired with a naughty smiley face.]

Soon I saw my mom's comment: [Nicole, my little princess, Auntie will love you forever.]

I was so numb that I couldn't even laugh, my mouth stiffly opened.

The word 'forever' is so easy to say, and promises are so easy to pass on to others.

I really wish they would keep playing outside, preferably not coming back for three months.

The moment they open the door when they come back, I can attach my scent to them.

Bodily fluids flowing to their feet.

So I can watch them vomit uncontrollably.

The thought is somewhat stimulating.

What a pity.

I'd already seen their car drive into the community.

I pulled up Catfish's Line, and edited a message: [Six hours left.]

To cover up my pale face and heavy dark circles, I put on heavy makeup before going out.

I packed three times the usual dose of painkillers in my bag.

As I was changing my shoes, the door opened amidst a burst of laughter.

My mom was holding Nicole's hand, and my dad was following behind them, carrying their bags and fanning them.

"Nicole, come inside quickly, it's too hot outside."

Nicole was treated like a treasure by them.

Look, what a happy family of three they are.

When my mom saw me, the smile on her face disappeared instantly.

It's that familiar face again.

"You're wearing such heavy makeup, who are you trying to seduce now?"

"Can't you learn anything good? Do you have to make me lose face before you're satisfied?"

My stomach started to convulse uncontrollably again.

I bit my lip corner hard, suppressing the pain, with a taste of rust in my mouth, "Didn't you say that I've lost your face long ago? How come you still have it? So your face can regenerate?"

No longer having any expectations, I no longer had any concerns.

My mom was trembling with anger, she raised her arm to hit me again, but was stopped by Nicole.

She spoke in a sweet and innocent voice, looking harmless to humans and animals.

"Auntie, don't be angry. It's normal for girls to love beauty and makeup. Look how pretty my cousin is with makeup."

"She's just making a fool of herself. If she were half as beautiful as you, she wouldn't need makeup."

Not wanting to say more, I picked up my bag. "I'm going out."

"Why do you bother telling me if you don't listen to me? If you want to go out, get out quickly. Don't tell me you're waiting for me to carry you out on a palanquin."

Okay, it's the last three months, and she missed another opportunity to speak nicely.

The moment the door closed, I saw Nicole's triumphant smile.

Her eyes were filled with the arrogance of a victor.

The first time I saw her with this look was the second year Nicole came to my house.

When she first arrived, I was delighted.

My mother asked me to take care of her, so I did, sharing all my toys and beautiful clothes with her.

But after a while, I sensed something was wrong.

My dolls would inexplicably lose an arm or a leg.

My favorite princess dress would mysteriously disappear.

Even my Ray was becoming more and more listless.

I kept an eye on Nicole, watching her secretly.

One day, I found her hiding in the room, squeezing something into Ray's mouth.

Ray was struggling and making whimpering cries for help.

I pushed Nicole away, held Ray, and went to my mom to accuse Nicole of her crimes.

But Nicole had tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I'm allergic to dog hair. I heard that fish oil can improve a dog's shedding condition, so I fed it fish oil."

"Then what about my dolls? What about my princess dress? Did you do it?"

Nicole cried even more pitifully, almost fainting from crying.

My mom was heartbroken and slapped me hard. "She's your cousin, not a thief. If you can't take care of your things, don't blame others."

"And that dog of yours, get rid of it right away. If I had known Nicole was allergic to dog hair, I wouldn't have let you bring it home."

I disagreed with throwing it away, so my mom scolded me, "Is your cousin not even as good as a stray dog? When did you become so selfish?"

That was the first time my mom hit me. I was stunned and stood there for a long time, unable to recover.

By the time I came back to my senses, Ray had already been thrown off the 29th floor by my mom.

"If you won't throw it away, I'll do it for you."

My mom pushed me away, took the still crying Nicole out the door, her voice was so gentle, "Nicole, stop crying, auntie will take you to buy something delicious."

I stood there shivering, not daring to speak, not daring to cry.

Nicole, who had walked to the door, looked back at me. The look in her eyes was the same as it is now.

Proud, wild...