Chapter 5

The first round of chemotherapy was so painful that cold sweat plastered itself to my face, dripping down. I was in agonizing pain. The doctor asked if I had any family with me, but I said nothing.

But when I saw Chloe waiting outside the operating room, I felt a flicker of relief. I wasn't alone. I was too lonely. I needed someone to be with me, at least for this final journey. I needed someone to bury me.

Because of the chemotherapy, I couldn't eat anything and dry-heaved every day. Even the rich and bland meals Chloe brought me were impossible to stomach.

"Eat a little more, otherwise, when you're cremated, there'll be so little left, it won't even cover the bottom of the urn. What a waste," Chloe said.

After every meal, Chloe would push me to the hospital garden for a walk. Silverwood had already entered winter, with heavy snow blanketing everything, and the sun couldn't ward off the cold.

"Let's go back to the room. It's too cold."

I gazed at the grey sky and asked Chloe, "Why couldn't I reach you when I came back to the Hayes family?"

Chloe's eyes reddened. She didn't speak.

I sighed deeply. Had I said the wrong thing? Chloe turned her face away, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Back in the hospital room, I lay in bed reading when Leo called me.

"Alex, where are you?" Leo's voice was agitated and urgent. "Can you come home? Cassie is being beaten to death by Mom and Dad."

Leo didn't wait for me to speak, then started crying again. "It's all your fault! Mom and Dad are blaming Cassie for saying you needed to learn a lesson. Cassie's being hit all because of you."

I was speechless. "Why should I go?"

"Why won't you come back? It's all because of you! Don't you love Cassie most of all? Can you bear to see her beaten?"

"Mr. Leo, I've already left the Hayes family. Haven't you always wanted to be the only son of the Hayes? Why are you asking me to come back now?" I couldn't believe Leo had the nerve to call me.

I hung up and then blocked and deleted everyone from the Hayes family.

But I didn't expect Cassie to show up at the hospital. I was in the hospital lobby, basking in the sun by the floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoying a rare good day.

Cassie stood in the shadows, asking, "Why didn't you tell the family you were sick?"

"Ms. Hayes, your family is truly ridiculous. Why do you always forget that I've cut ties with you? My name is Miller, yours is Hayes. What is there for us to talk about?"

The sunlight made me squint.

Hearing me say my name was Miller, Cassie's face paled slightly, but she patiently asked, "What illness do you have?"

I pointed to the sign on the wall. "Oncology. What else could it be, stomach problems?"

"Alex, are you planning to fake your death this time to gain Mom and Dad's sympathy?"

"Get out!" I roared at Cassie. I had run out of patience for the Hayes family. My only wish while still alive was never to see any of them again. Was that really so difficult?

Chloe pushed me back to my room, blocking Cassie.

"How dare you stop me? I'm his sister! I told you back then, you weren't good enough for Alex. Why are you still showing up?" Cassie shoved Chloe.