Reborn,My Adoptive Sister's Schemes Turned Against Herself

I never imagined that on my eighteenth birthday, I would be diagnosed with stomach cancer. The only way to extend my life was through money, but the pain of treatment was unimaginable. I stumbled into the house, barely feeling my legs as I dragged myself through the door. There, in the living room, sat Eva, glowing with that same innocent smile, accepting fruit from my parents. My brother, ever the dutiful son, wiped the corner of her mouth as if she were a child, his gaze soft with affection. As soon as they saw me, their smiles froze. I stood there, heart hammering, feeling more invisible than ever. Eva looked at me, eyes widening with feigned innocence, her lips curling into a perfect pout. "Is something wrong, darling? You don't look so well." "Eva..." My voice cracked. "It's me. I'm... sick." My father shifted in his chair, avoiding my gaze. "You're always so dramatic, aren't you, sweetie?" He didn't even bother to look up from his newspaper. "Always the troublemaker," my brother sneered. He didn't even stand up. "What's this new act?" I clenched the cancer diagnosis tightly in my hand, feeling my whole world slipping through my fingers. "Dad... Mom... I have cancer. I need money for treatment. Please." The room fell dead silent. Eva tucked her hair behind her ear, watching me like I was some kind of spectacle. "Cancer?" My brother finally broke the silence. He stood up, snatched the diagnosis out of my hand, and gave it a cursory glance. "Ha! This is rich! A great way to get attention, don't you think?" "Stop lying!" My mother's voice cut through the air, sharp as ice. She stood from her seat, her eyes narrowing at me. "Eva was right. You're nothing but a drama queen. Always have been, always will be." "Mom, I'm serious... I-" "You've always been selfish, always stirring trouble. You think I'm going to buy this pathetic story?" "Don't worry, darling. I'm sure you'll figure something out. You've always been good at... getting people to feel sorry for you." Just as I was about to speak, Eva interrupted with feigned concern. "Dad, Mom, I saw her faking the cancer diagnosis earlier. I didn't understand it then, but now it's clear-she's trying to scam you for money. She's gone mad, even willing to lie about something as huge as cancer! I'm so glad I warned you about her, or you'd be fooled!" She paused, acting like the saint, then softly handed over a tissue. "Please don't be angry, but you know how she is. She's always spending recklessly, racking up debts. This is just her desperate attempt to get money." . "No! It's not true, I really have cancer! She's lying!" I rushed to explain. Before I could say another word, my brother, Philp, slapped me across the face. "You're pathetic! And now you're dragging Eva down with you!" His voice was cold. "She's not like you. We know exactly who she is!" This was the first time he ever hit me. "Please, I'm not lying, I really-" "Enough!" My father, Kinson, cut me off, his voice filled with disgust. "You have one month left before you marry John, so why can't you just stay quiet for once?" With that, they turned their backs on me and left, taking Eva upstairs, their laughter echoing as they went. Later, at dinner, they filled the table with fancy cakes, all for Eva. I couldn't stomach the sight of the cream-filled pastries-my stomach twisted in agony just from the smell. Since my diagnosis, even the thought of them made me nauseous. I silently retreated upstairs. As I sat in my room, I couldn't take it anymore. I called John, my childhood friend, my rock. But as soon as I heard his voice, he sounded distracted. "Emma, what's wrong?" "Eva just called. Something urgent. I have to go." For days, they kept me locked in my room, refusing to let me see a doctor. The pain from the cancer spread, and I could only swallow painkillers, listening to their laughter downstairs. Finally, the day of my wedding arrived. John came to pick me up in a sleek black suit. His warm smile made my eyes well up. He took my hand, his expression turning worried when he saw how pale I looked. "Are you okay? You don't look well." Before I could answer, my parents rushed in, panic in their eyes. "John, Eva's gone!"