I Gave Up Treatment Not Them Chapter 01
After I was diagnosed with cancer, the girl who used to bully me in school showed up in my family, saying she was willing to donate her organ to me.
But on the day of the surgery, she made up an excuse that she was scared, and then ran away.
To make it up to her, my entire family granted her every wish.
My parents started to dote on her like a daughter regardless of the past hatred;
My brother Jacob Miller constantly talked about her;
Even my fiancé became inseparable from her.
When she ran away for the ninety-ninth time, my whole family and my fiancé abandoned me in critical condition to chase after her and comfort her.
They even discussed it. “Let’s wait for next time. Victoria is so sweet and kind; it’s normal for her to be scared. Let’s wait until she’s truly ready to donate.”
But what they didn’t know was that I had already given up the treatment.
I didn’t want the donation anymore.
And I didn’t want them anymore, either.
***
Another emergency surgery had just finished.
When I opened my eyes again, I was the only one in the ward.
My eyelashes trembled slightly; I didn’t remembered how many times they had left me behind.
Just as I was drifting in a daze, my phone chimed with a notification.
It was a video sent by Victoria.
My family and my fiancé were out shopping with her. Everyone was carrying several expensive shopping bags.
Victoria was beaming with joy, looking nothing like someone suffering from pre-surgery anxiety.
She spoke in an apologetic tone, “You’re all here keeping me company, but what if Sarah wakes up and gets upset because she doesn’t see you?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Dad comforted her. “Don’t worry. The doctor said she’s been resuscitated, and the nurses are looking after her.”
Mom coaxed her with a doting tone. “Victoria, you’re just too kind-hearted. You’re always thinking of others. We’re so touched that you’re willing to donate an organ to her. The least we can do is spend time with you to make you happy.”
Jacob was even more direct. “Sarah isn’t in life-threatening danger anymore. What matters most is your happiness. You can do whatever you want to do.”
I used to think that Julian Blackwood, my fiancé who I grew up with, was the person who truly hoped for my recovery.
But then I heard him say, “Organ donation carries high risks, so it’s normal that you are afraid of the surgery. But don’t worry, I’ll stay by your side the whole time.”
The video ended abruptly.
A wave of despair rose in my heart.
Victoria added a message at the end.
“Sarah, they’re just grateful that I’m willing to donate an organ to you. They saw I was scared and alone, so they came to keep me company.”
“Please don’t overthink it. They all love you.”
She was always like this—pretending to be pitiful while deliberately showing off in front of me.
The irony was that my family fell for it every time.
I bit my lip, tasting the bitterness, and replied. “Isn’t this what you wanted? Are you satisfied?”
Not long after the message was sent, Mom and Dad stormed into the ward.
Dad lashed out immediately. “Did you force Victoria to donate her organ to you again?”
Jacob looked impatient. “She already said she’d donate to you. How can you not be grateful? You even force her? Do you have no conscience?”
Although Mom didn’t say anything, her look was filled with disappointment.
“I didn’t…”
But before I could finish, Julian cut me off.
He looked at me, his tone dark and grim. “Sarah, Victoria is willing to donate out of kindness. You have no right to guilt-trip her, otherwise don’t blame me if I destroy that voluntary donation agreement.”
They used to be the most important people in my life.
Now, however, all of them stood by Victoria’s side, accusing me for her sake.
My long-numbed heart still tightened uncontrollably.
How absurd!
I was the one who was their family.
I was the one who grew up with Julian.
They used to love me so much. But now, they had shifted all that affection to Victoria.
I struggled to force a smile. “What if I told you that if I don’t get this surgery, I only have one month left to live?”