Everyone said I was a lucky, spoiled princess. I had doting parents and a loving fiancé, Liam Sterling. They spoiled me into becoming the most arrogant heiress in the city. Then, my dad brought home Chloe Vance, the daughter of his late army buddy. She was gentle, sensible, and eager to cook, clean, and do all the chores. In her second month here, my fiancé canceled our engagement and publicly pursued Chloe. My parents were furious. They held me and coaxed me for hours, then pointed at him and yelled, "Don't you ever regret this! Even if you beg on your knees, we will never let our daughter marry you!" By Chloe's third month, my dad had cut ties with me and legally adopted her. In the empty house, it was just my mom and me left. I cried and hugged her. "Mom, I promise I won't be a brat anymore. Please don't abandon me, okay?" She stroked my head and comforted me. "You will always be Mom's precious baby." Until later... when I had a high fever that wouldn't break, my mom told me she had to work overtime and that I needed to be stronger. I went to the hospital alone and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. On my way back, I saw my mom carefully decorating a birthday cake for Chloe. Heartbroken and utterly lost, I called the doctor. "Can you help me book... euthanasia abroad for the day after tomorrow?" I really had been spoiled by them. I couldn't even endure the pain of the treatments. 1 It was very late, and Mom still hadn't come home. I looked around the empty house, shivering and hugging my arms tight. Even if she was celebrating Chloe's birthday, it was past midnight. It should be over by now... I couldn't help it; I called her. But several calls went unanswered. I was too worried. With my body burning up, I forced myself out the door. Chloe’s rented apartment wasn't far; a ten-minute walk. Before I even knocked, I heard laughter from inside. It was Mom's laugh. I froze for a moment but knocked anyway. Chloe opened the door. Surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by a sweet smile. "Sister, what are you doing here?" I didn't answer, just looked past her into the apartment. In the living room were Dad, Mom, and Liam. On the coffee table sat a birthday cake, the candles unlit. It was the cake Mom had made for her. Seeing me, Mom looked embarrassed. Dad frowned. "Why are you here?" Liam didn't even look my way. I looked at Mom and asked tentatively, "Mom, it's really late. Can you... come home with me?" She was silent for a while before answering, "Elena, I need to take care of Chloe from now on. I can't go back with you. The house is yours, you... take good care of yourself." My fingers twitched. Chloe suddenly grabbed my hand, smiling. "Sister, let's eat cake together. Mom made it herself." She pulled hard, and I tried to pull my hand back. Right then, Chloe let out a sharp cry and stumbled backward, her knee hitting the corner of the coffee table. She clutched her knee, tears instantly welling up. "Sister, why... why did you push me?" I was stunned. I didn't push her. Dad immediately stood up, helped Chloe, and glared at me. "Are you here to bully Chloe again?!" Liam sneered. "Elena, can't you just give it a rest?" Mom looked awkward, wanting to say something, but ultimately went to comfort Chloe first. "Chloe, sweetie, does it hurt? Let Mom see." I stood in the doorway, completely superfluous. Drawn by the commotion, Chloe’s neighbors peeked out to watch the drama. "Is that the Sterling family's heiress? I heard she's incredibly spoiled." "Tsk, a grown woman still bullying people. No wonder no one wants her." I didn't explain. The old me would have cried, screamed, and insisted, "I didn't push her!" But now, I just stood quietly, watching them defend Chloe. It was like watching a play that had nothing to do with me. I turned and dragged my exhausted body away. Behind me, I could hear Chloe's sobs and their comforting voices. Walking down the dark, empty street, my phone pinged. It was an email from the hospital—confirmation of the organ donation form. I offered a weak smile and replied, confirming. This was for the best. They had Chloe now. When I was dead, Mom, Dad, and Liam probably wouldn't even be sad. 2 By the time I got home, the sun hadn't risen yet. Looking at the mountain of gifts in my room and the family portrait on the wall, it all suddenly felt very foreign. I couldn't help but think back to the days when I was cherished. Growing up, I was the luckiest, most pampered girl in the city. When I was sick, Mom and Dad would stay up all night with me. If I craved something at 2 AM, Liam would drive across town to get it. If I threw a tantrum, all three of them would carefully coax me back to happiness. Until two months ago, when Chloe arrived. At their first meeting, Dad said, "This girl is so sensible, not fragile like you." When Chloe did chores, Mom said, "You should learn from Chloe." When Chloe never complained, Liam said, "Chloe is so strong, you need to grow up." Gradually, from being the apple of their eye, I became the one who was "lesser than Chloe." I blinked. Dawn was breaking. Today was my last trip to the hospital. I needed to get checked to see if I met the criteria for organ donation. The blood draw room at the hospital was crowded. I sat on a chair, waiting for my number. "Elena Sterling." I stood up and walked in. The nurse looked up and froze. "Sister, what are you doing here?" It was Chloe. She was wearing a nurse's uniform, doing her internship here. I said nothing and extended my arm. She picked up the needle, searching for a vein. My veins are very thin; she tried twice but couldn't find one. The moment the needle pierced my skin, it hurt. I couldn't help it; tears spilled over. The patients waiting in line started whispering: "Why can't this nurse get it right?" "She made the poor girl cry from the pain." Chloe’s face turned bright red, and she apologized guiltily. "I'm sorry, sister, I'll try again." I kept my head down, tears falling drop by drop. Just then, the door swung open. It was Dad, Mom, and Liam. They had come to bring Chloe breakfast. Seeing me cry, Dad frowned. "Elena, can't you be a little stronger? Stop making trouble for Chloe." Mom whispered, "Elena... stop crying, everyone is watching. It looks like Chloe is bullying you." Liam looked impatient. "You deliberately picked a fight on her birthday yesterday, and today you come to her workplace to cause a scene! There's a limit to your bratty behavior! Bully Chloe again, and I won't hold back." Then, they started explaining to the onlookers: "She's been spoiled since she was little. She always picks on Chloe like this." The crowd started whispering again. "So she came here to cause trouble. I was wondering why she cried over a little needle." "Isn't this basically harassing a healthcare worker? That's too much!" "I know this girl. She's unreasonable and loves bullying people. Even her parents couldn't take it and moved out." I hung my head silently, letting Chloe jab my arm a few more times before she finally drew blood. My tears kept falling. Drip. Drip. Mom, Dad, and Liam, who used to panic over my slightest discomfort, were now entirely focused on comforting Chloe. I wiped my tears and thought: This is the last time it will hurt. It's okay. The flight is already booked. This afternoon. Soon, everything will be over. 3 Back home, I started packing. My suitcase was small because I didn't need to bring much. The house deed and my savings passbook were left on the table. Along with a letter: "I'm leaving the house to Mom; split the money however you want. I'm going somewhere far away, don't look for me. Chloe is much better suited to be your daughter and fiancée. Thank you for loving me once." I looked at the empty house, dragged my suitcase, and walked out. Without looking back. Everything went smoothly. Lying on the hospital bed waiting for the euthanasia procedure, I still felt a bit dazed. The doctor was very skilled. He found the vein on the first try. It only hurt a tiny bit. I was very satisfied. I watched the liquid slowly flow into my body. Blinking, I thought: Dad, Mom, and Liam are probably with Chloe right now. I hope with Chloe there, they will always be happy... Meanwhile, at Chloe's apartment. The three of them sat in the living room, looking anxious. Dad said, "We've kept this act up long enough. It's time to stop." Mom nodded. "Yes, seeing her cry yesterday broke my heart." She glared at Dad, complaining, "It's all your fault! You wouldn't let me go hug Elena. Imagine how hurt she must have been." Liam smiled. "Mom, Dad, I have a gift ready. I'm going to surprise her later to cheer her up." Dad glared back. "Do you think you're the only one who cares about Elena? You think it didn't hurt me? We did this for her own good! She was too spoiled. She'd suffer once she got into the real world. But no pain, no gain. After this, she'll definitely be more obedient, she'll understand how good we are to her, and she'll appreciate us more." Mom smiled too. "If Elena could be even a tenth as well-behaved and sensible as Chloe, I'd wake up laughing from my dreams." Thinking of an obedient Elena, amusement flashed in Liam’s eyes. "I can't wait to go back and see her." Chloe sat nearby, wanting to speak but hesitating. She remembered Elena’s eyes yesterday—empty, despairing. "Uncle, Auntie, Liam... what if Elena... is actually really angry?" The three of them laughed. "She won't be. She loves us the most." Dad checked his watch. "Let's skip lunch and head back now. Don't want to keep Elena waiting." They laughed and chatted as they headed back, planning exactly how to "apologize." Completely unaware that I was already gone. 4 They pushed open the door to the Sterling house and called out, "Elena, we're home!" They were met with total silence. Mom frowned. "Where did she go?" Dad checked the rooms. "No one here." Liam pulled out his phone and called her. "It's turned off." Mom walked into the living room and saw the items on the table. The house deed. The passbook. And a letter. Her hands shook as she picked it up and read it aloud: "I'm leaving the house to Mom; split the money however you want. I'm going somewhere far away, don't look for me. Chloe is much better suited to be your daughter and fiancée. Thank you for loving me once." The three of them froze. Dad: "Did she... did she run away from home?" Mom: "Where could she go? She's definitely still throwing a tantrum." Liam: "Don't panic yet. I'll ask her friends." They started making frantic calls. "Have you seen Elena?" "No." "Has she contacted you?" "No." Everyone said the same thing. Panic began to set in. Mom suddenly remembered something and rushed into Elena's room, pulling an envelope from a drawer. It was a medical report. She opened it, and her face turned ghostly pale. The report read: Cancer, terminal stage. Immediate hospitalization recommended. Date: Three days ago. Mom's hands shook so violently the report fluttered to the floor. Dad and Liam rushed over to look. Their faces drained of all color.
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