Chapter 1

My adopted sister and I were diagnosed with terminal cancer at the same time.

And the only chance at a life-saving clinical trial was in the hands of my husband, Ethan.

The moment I learned the truth, I quietly withdrew my application and swallowed a heavy dose of lethal nerve-blocking pills.

The price? Complete organ failure in three days.

During these three days, I gave up everything.

When I signed over my hard-earned boutiques and design firm to Serena, my parents smiled with relief.

When Ethan slid the divorce papers across the table and I signed without hesitation, he sighed and called me "sensible and mature."

When I nudged my six-year-old daughter, Chloe, encouraging her to call Serena "Mommy," Chloe leaped with joy, shouting that Serena was the best mom in the world.

Even when I surrendered my real estate and private bank accounts to Serena, none of them suspected a thing.

They just looked at me with warm approval and said, "Our sweet, understanding Cora is finally back."

I couldn't help but wonder: after I'm dead, will they ever miss me?

Under the doctor's sorrowful, pitying gaze, I swallowed the black-market pain blockers.

Seventy-two hours left until my heart stopped beating.

Leaving the pharmacy, I walked straight to Serena's VIP hospital room.

Inside, my father, Robert, was peeling an orange for Serena, while my mother, Eleanor, held her hand, whispering soft comforts.

The moment I pushed the door open, their gentle smiles vanished, replaced by icy disdain.

"What? Done playing the sick victim?" Robert snapped, his glare cold as frost. "Or did you come here to torment Serena again? Let me tell you, as long as we're breathing, you will never lay a finger on her!"

"Every child in this family is kind and generous—except you," Eleanor sneered, pointing an accusing finger at me. "Your jealousy is disgusting! You're actually trying to steal your sister's treatment? If I had known you'd turn out like this, I should have never given birth to you!"

In the blind spot behind my parents, Serena looked up at me. A triumphant, mocking smirk danced on her pale lips.

I lowered my eyes. I had heard these vicious words thousands of times before.

In the past, I would have screamed. I would have torn off Serena's fake mask right in front of them, even though my parents never believed a single word I said.

Now? I was simply too exhausted to fight.

"You came at the right time anyway. I have something to discuss with you," Robert said coldly.

I gave a faint smile. "Dad, I have something to tell you too."

"Serena wants my stores and my company, right? I've thought it over. She can have them all."

Robert froze. Eleanor turned to me in disbelief.

"How did you know I was going to ask for that? You... you really agree?"

A bitter curve formed on my lips. No wonder they were shocked.

Serena had coveted my businesses for years. My parents had used every guilt trip, every manipulation in the book to force me to surrender the empire I built from scratch. I had never yielded.

Not until now.

I was a walking corpse. Wealth meant nothing to a dead woman.

Seeing my deadpan expression, Eleanor finally cracked a relieved smile. She stepped forward, patting my head like she used to when I was a compliant little girl.

"You've finally come to your senses!" she praised. "Serena was always brighter than you in school. Even though she's sick, her business instincts are sharper than yours. Handing your brand over to her gives us peace of mind."

I said nothing, merely handing the transfer contract to Serena.

The second Serena signed her name, my parents grasped my hands tightly, showering me with endless praise, calling me their "good girl."

A chilling irony bloomed in my chest.

How pathetic. My mother only showed me warmth when I offered my blood and sweat on a silver platter to Serena.

I truly wondered... when they finally uncovered Serena's true colors, and when they realized I was already buried six feet under... would they ever regret this?

That evening, I returned home.

The smell of cooking drifted from the open kitchen. Ethan and Chloe were busy at the stove.

Because of the cancer ravaging my body, my footsteps were light, and the click of the front door was faint. Neither of them noticed my arrival.

Ethan plated the dish. When he turned around and saw me standing by the foyer, the bright smile on his face instantly stiffened.

"Cora? When did you get back? Why didn't you make a sound?"

I stared quietly at the dinner he had prepared: smoked salmon fettuccine Alfredo. Serena's absolute favorite.

Plated to perfection, worthy of a five-star chef.

How bitterly laughable. It took dying for me to realize that Ethan, the man I had lived with for five years, was actually an exceptional cook.

Whenever I cooked for him, he criticized the seasoning. And under his constant complaints, Chloe had gradually grown to despise my food as well.

I had spent years wearing myself out for this home, only to be treated like garbage.

In the past, I would have thrown a fit. But now, I calmly walked past them, sitting on the sofa to organize my purse.

Seeing my eerie silence, Ethan hesitated. He set the plate down and walked over, rubbing his nose nervously.

"Cora, there's... something I need to talk to you about."

He paused, then forced himself to speak.

"It's about Serena."

My heart went numb. A dark premonition swept over me.

His next words confirmed it.

"Her mood has been terribly unstable since the last chemotherapy session. Mom and Dad suggested... that I marry Serena. Temporarily. Just to cheer her up and give her the will to fight."