A Test of Kinship

Thankfully, Mom and Sarah were still somewhat kind to me.

I turned my gaze toward Mom. She was already in tears.

I looked at her, hoping this might be the moment we finally broke through the distance between us. Maybe she'd come over and hug me like she always did with Sarah since I was sick.

Yet, with tears in her eyes, she uttered even harsher words, "Jessica, life and death are in fate's hands. No matter how unwilling you are, you have to accept it."

She clutched her chest, her tone mournful as she continued, "You get sick, and now you want to drag Sarah down with you? If I lose both my daughters, how am I supposed to live?"

At that moment, I finally understood that Mom wasn't afraid of losing two daughters. She was just afraid of losing Sarah.

I lost interest in the conversation and turned my attention to Sarah, the one directly involved.

Since I'd been brought home, she had always been somewhat kind to me.

She often said some pretentious things, but I figured that was just because she had been raised in a sheltered environment.

At least she would scold Samuel when he used to bully me. So, I still held on to a sliver of hope.

But now, Sarah completely abandoned her usual gentle demeanor and glared at me with pure rage. "You're definitely doing this on purpose, Jessica!"

She stood up, her emotions spilling over, as if she had been holding it in for a long time.

"There are things I've wanted to say for a while now. You always act like you were mistreated because Mom and Dad sent you away. Since you came back, you've been nothing but a dark cloud, always finding trouble with everyone.

"You act like you suffered so much outside, but we all know the truth. You just want Mom and Dad to feel guilty!"

Her chest was heaving with anger, as if she had been wronged beyond measure.

After a brief pause, she managed to suppress the tears and continued, "But there has to be a limit to everything. We've let little things slide, but now you're talking about donating bone marrow as if it's nothing. You're putting Mom and Dad in an impossible situation!

"If they refuse to donate, you'll turn it around and make them seem cold-hearted. If they agree, they risk losing both daughters. How can you be so cruel, Jessica? Why can't you just let us be happy?"

As Sarah said that, she walked over and hugged Mom.

Mom, having heard those words, finally broke down.

"Stop it, Sarah. It's all your dad's fault. He insisted on having both a son and a daughter. If it wasn't for him..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but everyone knew what she meant.

She was about to say that if it weren't for Dad's wish, I wouldn't have been born.

Samuel also stood up. They stood on either side of Mom, both looking at me with the same bitterness in their eyes.

Sarah lifted her head, looking all righteous.

"Jessica, I won't let you hurt Mom and Dad. Listen carefully. I will not donate bone marrow."

She stood her ground protectively in front of Mom.

"This has nothing to do with Mom and Dad. Don't go spreading rumors that they're heartless. This is my selfish decision. I can't bear the thought of Mom losing two daughters. It's my choice, and I'll bear the blame for it."

Sarah's face was set, as if she were prepared to take on the world.

As I fiddled with the lab report in my pocket, I couldn't help but chuckle.

After a while, I fixed my gaze on Sarah and asked, each word deliberate, "Are you sure you won't donate, no matter what?"

Sarah gently wiped Mom's tears. Her expression was even more determined.

"I will never donate," she said firmly.

"If you want to blame someone, blame me. Don't take it out on Mom and Dad. I'm preparing for a pregnancy. I can't give up my child's life just to save yours."

I laughed through my tears, pityingly glancing at her before whispering, "Yeah, you're right. I can't kill my child to save you."

Sarah was confused, but she lowered her head to comfort Mom.

Meanwhile, Mom had already been crying so hard she could barely catch her breath.

She leaned into the arms of Sarah and Samuel, as if it were she who had leukemia and no one cared.

Weakly, she soothed her chest with her hand.

"It's all your fault, Eric. Why must you insist on having both a son and a daughter?"

Dad, clearly fed up with the accusations, slammed his hand down on the table and stood up. He walked over to me and pulled an envelope from his pocket.