Then, the whole family walked in.

Jessica snatched the flowers.

“Michael, you’re so sweet! You know I love tulips.”

Michael’s hand froze, his eyes still on me.

I forced a smile.

“Yes, Michael brought them for you.”

I turned to go upstairs, but Dad stopped me.

He held out a bag.

“Sarah, I brought you some brunch.”

Mom shrieked, “Takeout from a place like that? How embarrassing! Have you no shame?”

Dad flinched, dropping the bag.

Shrimp dumplings spilled out.

Jessica chimed in, “Seriously, Dad. That’s so tacky.”

I looked at my dejected father, then bent down and picked up a dusty dumpling, popping it in my mouth.

“Delicious. Thanks, Dad.”

Michael’s face darkened. He stepped towards me.

“You all went out to brunch and left Sarah here alone?”

He grabbed the tulips from Jessica and thrust them at me.

“These are for you, Sarah. I thought about it all night. Even if you are as spiteful as they say, or if you were…assaulted…I’m not leaving you.”

Jessica burst into tears, clinging to Mom.

Mom glared at Michael.

“You can’t give something away and then take it back.”

Jessica sobbed, “Mom, it’s not Michael’s fault. I’m just so touched. Sarah was…violated by so many men, and he’s still here for her.”

Michael’s eyes widened.

“So many men? What does that mean?”

He turned to Mark, grabbing his shirt.

“You said she was lying!”

Mark looked down, his face contorted in pain.

“We thought she was…but she wasn't…”

Jessica added fuel to the fire.

“It was awful. Five or six men. They said…she was torn…”

I screamed.

“Stop it! Just stop! Why do you keep hurting me?”

“Michael, I wanted to break up with you anyway. We’ve been together for years. It’s like kissing my own hand. I’m bored!”

“I’m the CEO now, and you’re still a struggling artist. You’re not good enough for me! Get out! I don’t want to see you again!”

I ran to my room, collapsing inside.

The words I’d just spoken felt like knives in my heart.

I wanted to run into Michael’s arms, tell him everything.

But I didn't have time.

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.