I endured ten years of cancer suffering on behalf of my parents
After they returned from their world tour, my mom Gianna Lynch pouted with displeasure written all over her face.
She said, You're really scheming. Just to earn a reputation for being filial, you took on all the illness and drove Winona away.
Winona Lynch, my younger sister.
Ever since the pain transfer policy was implemented, she had completely disappeared.
I froze for a moment, the smile on my face solidifying.
But Gianna grew more agitated: "You rushed to bind the system with us first, didn't you? Just to make her look unfilial!
Sure, you've suffered these past few years, but at the end of the day, you brought it on yourself. You're nowhere near as considerate as Winona, always walking around with that long face, guilt-tripping us. It's so annoying!"
I felt like I'd fallen into an ice pit, unable to believe what I was hearing.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in my ears.
【Do you choose to terminate the pain transfer system?】
*****
Upon hearing this, Gianna was instantly overjoyed.
She said, "This system can be unbound? I agree! Of course I agree!
If I'd known the price of binding was losing Winona, I never would have agreed in the first place!"
My dad Bennett Lynch, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up from the sofa, and the two embraced, crying.
He said, "All these years Winona hasn't come back because of the psychological pressure. Now we can finally have our family reunion!"
As if afraid the system might change its mind, they began competing to accuse me.
"Jasmine never asked if we were willing—she bound the system without permission."
"Right! She just used Winona as a comparison to highlight her own greatness. So manipulative!"
"And she walks around with that miserable face all the time, always in pain or throwing up, guilt-tripping and tormenting us like we owe her millions of dollars!"
"What good is a healthy body? How could it compare to the happiness we had when Winona was with us?"
They went back and forth, as if they had endless grievances.
They paid no attention to my increasingly pale face and uncontrollably trembling body.
Three years ago, the government introduced the pain transfer system.
Bennett and Gianna had early-stage cancer, crying out in agony every day in our rental apartment.
Gianna had sighed countless times in front of me: "I guess I'm just old. This illness would be nothing for you young people, but for me, it's torture."
My heart ached for them. I went to discuss it with Winona, only to find she was gone.
When I asked my parents where Winona had gone, they hemmed and hawed without giving a clear answer.
In the end, I had no choice but to transfer both of their cancer cells onto myself.
For three years, I endured excruciating pain every day, going to the hospital for chemotherapy while still working to earn money.
Five days a week I couldn't sleep well, three days I couldn't eat, and my hair fell out in clumps.
But seeing their bodies grow stronger, hearing them occasionally talk about wanting to travel, I felt it was worth it.
But today, my illusion was completely shattered.
The system issued its cold prompt.
【Jasmine, do you agree to terminate the system?】
My body swayed, and the hunger and nausea from not having a drop of water all day overwhelmed me.
Gianna stood nearby, earnestly persuading me: "Jasmine, you've already established your filial daughter persona. You've heard enough praise for three Christmases. But why are you being so selfish, refusing to let Winona come back? You're only enduring some physical pain, but we truly lost Winona for three whole Christmases! Do you know how I've been getting through these years?"
I don't understand!
During the three Christmases of restored health, they no longer had to worry about their bodies giving out. Gianna danced every day and went shopping. Bennett took walks and became the most robust among all the old men. They could go wherever they wanted, while I had to give up the sports and hobbies I loved.
I thought I had sacrificed so much for this family, but in their mouths, it became selfishness.
Bennett's accusatory voice rang in my ears again: "I'm really sick of your half-dead appearance! Moping around all day with no vitality at all! If you could be as lively and cheerful as Winona, we wouldn't have suffered through these Christmases!"
He seemed to have been holding it in for a long time, letting out a long breath after speaking.
But Dad, I've taken on your stomach cancer and lung cancer. No matter how strong I am, I can't force a smile and act carefree!
Seeing my silence, Gianna frowned and couldn't help but shove me: "Are you going to agree or not? Are you mute?"
But she forgot that chemotherapy had already reduced me to skin and bones. With her light push, I fell heavily to the ground. Seeing me grimace in pain, their faces still showed only angry urgency.
In that moment, my heart turned completely cold.
I said: "Fine, as you wish."
The system issued its final prompt.
【After unbinding, the cancers belonging to Bennett and Gianna on Jasmine will return to their original bodies. Please confirm again.】
Bennett frowned and retorted: "What? The cancers have to go back to us? Jasmine is willing to keep them on her."
I quickly countered: "I'm not willing."
Actually, during these Christmases, I had regrets too. But their words today completely solidified my decision. I don't want to bear your fates anymore. I want to enjoy my own life!
I nervously watched the two of them, afraid they might change their minds.
Fortunately, Gianna didn't even glance at me, only pulling Bennett aside to whisper persuasively: "Jasmine had cancer for several Christmases and was fine, right? With modern medicine being so advanced, what's this little illness? We owe Winona too much. Can you bear to watch her drift around outside?"
Finally, the two made up their minds and chose to confirm.
This time, I actually detected a hint of mockery in the system's voice.
【Unbinding successful. Corresponding symptoms will gradually appear within three days.】
【You are the first pair to unbind for this reason. Enjoy what follows!】
In that instant, my body felt unprecedentedly light. My health had returned!
Bennett and Gianna exchanged glances, thinking of something that made them smile as they left the house.
I slowly stood up, watching their retreating figures with ice-cold eyes.
This time, you'll get a good taste of cancer's agony!
When I got home, my husband Atticus Howard had already prepared a full spread of dinner.
Seeing my rosy complexion, he couldn't help but smile.
He asked, "Honey, did something good happen today? You look so much better than when you left this morning!"
My daughter Iris Howard kept piling food onto my plate.
She said, "Mom, you need to eat more so you can get better!"
Three years ago, when Bennett and Gianna were suffering from their illnesses and learned of my decision to bind with the system, Atticus didn't blame me—he only felt heartache and pride.
During my most agonizing days, he stayed by my side, offering gentle encouragement and never leaving.
And Iris never complained about my inability to take proper care of her. Instead, she became even more understanding and considerate.
Warmth filled my heart as I told them everything that had happened today.
After hearing it all, Atticus was both shocked and overjoyed, pulling me into his arms.
He said, "That's wonderful! They never deserved all the sacrifices you made for them. From now on, you'll never have to carry that burden again."
Though Iris didn't fully understand, she was happy for me too.
She said, "That's great! Mom, does this mean you don't have to take medicine anymore? And you don't have to go to the hospital?"
My eyes welled up with tears as I nodded firmly.
I used to carry the burden of my parents' illnesses, but from now on, I would live only for myself.
The next day, while checking my phone, I saw an Instagram post from Bennett and Gianna.
The content made my heart skip a beat.
【Welcome our precious daughter home!】
The photo showed them with Winona, all three sitting on the couch, smiling intimately.
The post was uploaded at 9 PM yesterday.
Winona was back?
Right after I severed the system connection, they brought Winona home.
If there wasn't something fishy going on, I wouldn't believe it.
Just then, Gianna's call came through: "How can you be so clueless? Didn't you see my Instagram post yesterday? Winona's back, and you don't even know to come home and welcome her? You still haven't apologized to her for what happened three years ago. Get your ass back here right now!"
I didn't argue and drove home.
Perfect timing—I needed to have a face-to-face with Winona anyway.
As soon as I stepped through the front door, I was greeted by takeout containers, beer bottles, and junk food scattered everywhere.
These were all Winona's favorites, but absolutely forbidden for cancer patients.
Clearly, Bennett and Gianna hadn't realized they no longer possessed healthy bodies.
Bennett, unshaven and pale, habitually waved at me: "Hurry up and clean this mess."
I'd always known they favored Winona more.
They couldn't bear to let Winona do dirty or tiring work, always making me clean up their messes instead.
But this time, I wasn't doing it.
Seeing my indifference, Winona on the couch shifted slightly, putting on a pitiful expression as she looked at me: "Jasmine, are you mad at me? I know you don't like me—otherwise you wouldn't have used the system binding to drive me away. But no matter how upset you are, you can't take it out on Mom and Dad."
Bennett immediately flew into a rage, pointing at me and scolding: "Jasmine! Don't push your luck! Apologize to Winona right now!"
I let out a cold laugh, scanning all three of them: "Whether Winona was driven away by me or ran away herself, you know the truth better than I do."
I looked Winona up and down, noticing her outfit was all high-end brands.
But how could someone who'd been pampered her whole life undergo such a dramatic transformation in just three years?
I looked at Gianna and caught her avoiding eye contact, which confirmed my suspicions.
I said, "Mom, I've supported you for three years. Since Winona's back, let her take care of you from now on. I won't contribute another penny."
At this, Winona was the first to panic: "Jasmine! How can you say such things!"
Gianna immediately caught on, slapping her thigh and wailing: "How dare you! How did I end up with such an ungrateful daughter! You have to give us ten thousand dollars every month! Otherwise, your father and I won't go to the hospital for treatment."
She knew I cared about their health and was trying to use that to threaten me.
But now, that trick wouldn't work anymore.
I shrugged: "Suit yourselves. Whether you go to the hospital or not has nothing to do with me."
As I turned to leave, I kicked aside a takeout container: "Just a heads up—if you keep eating like this without any restraint, the cancer will probably worsen before your next checkup. Don't blame me for not warning you, and don't expect me to handle your funeral arrangements either."
As the door closed behind me, I could hear Bennett and Gianna's furious cursing from inside.
"I'll eat whatever I want! You didn't die in three years, so what's a little food gonna do to us!"
"I think you're just jealous of Winona! Once you're gone, don't ever think about stepping foot in this house again!"
Over the following days, Gianna seemed determined to provoke me, posting photos on Instagram almost daily of her and Winona dining out.
Pizza, fried chicken, barbecue...
She even captioned them: 【What's it like having your precious daughter as your dining buddy?】
Looking at Gianna's swollen, purplish cheeks in the photos, I smirked coldly.
Bennett posted pictures of himself playing chess all night and drinking freely.
In just two days, his belly had swollen up, looking as terrifying as someone six months pregnant.
It wasn't that they didn't know the system had been severed, but people accustomed to doing whatever they pleased couldn't rein themselves in so quickly.
I calculated the timing—day three, when the system indicated the symptoms would fully return.
Sure enough, early in the morning, I received Gianna's call.
She said, "Jasmine, why did I wake up with blood coming from my nose and throat this morning?"
Download the My Fiction app, Search 【 329162 】reads the whole book.
My Fiction
SnackShort
Booklite« Previous Post
Seven years after my marriage, I sent myself to the crematorium
Next Post »
Marry into a wealthy family with my best friend