When The Wind Stops, True Feelings Remain - Chapter 4

I didn’t see him again. He went overseas. I dragged myself to work, handing everything over to Mark and Jessica.

Then I bought a small cottage by the sea, ready to die alone. I took my family to dinner one last time. I raised my glass.

“Mom, Dad, thank you for raising me. Mark, David, thank you for being my brothers. Cheers. ”

I drained my glass.

“One more thing. I’m moving out. I won’t be back.”

Jessica started crying.

“Sarah, I know you don’t like me. You’re just trying to make Mom and Dad un–adopt me, aren’t you? What do I have to do to make you happy?”

I cut her off.

“It’s not you. I have terminal cancer. I don’t want my family to see me like that. ”

Mom slammed her hand on the table.

“Enough! I’m keeping Jessica. I don’t care what lies you make up. ”

Mark said, “Sarah, come on. We still love you. It’s just one more sister. ”

David frowned.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a doctor. You think I wouldn’t know if you had cancer?”

I turned to Dad.

“Dad, you don’t believe me either?”

He looked down, silenced by Mom’s glare. I laughed, tears streaming down my face. I finished the bottle of wine.

I’d repaid their kindness. I had no family left.

The next day, when David rushed home with my medical records, I was gone.