Chapter 3

The call ended.

I looked at my sister.

She was quiet for a moment, then said,

"She's doing it on purpose. She came to flaunt how much better she is. Just watch. She'll make her move soon."

And she did.

Less than ten minutes later.

Sandra spoke up in the family group chat.

【Everyone, all my relatives and elders, I want to give a quick update about Great-Uncle Roland's condition.】

【The doctors say it's very serious. Marcus wants to stop treatment.】

【But how can we just give up? That's my Great-Uncle Roland. No matter what he thinks, I believe his illness has to be treated.】

【Even if Marcus won't pay for it, I, Sandra Gilbert, will cover all of it myself.】

The moment she posted it, the relatives showered her with praise.

【Yes, Sandra's right about this.】

【This girl really is devoted.】

【You can't be too practical in life. Money or family, which one really matters? At least Sandra sees it clearly.】

【Good girl. Really something.】

Every single voice was praising her.

I read the chatter and gave a bitter laugh, then said to my sister,

"Great-Uncle Roland has been sick for over two years now."

"Every single time, I'm the one who takes him to the hospital. I'm the one running around for him."

"I've even had to take time off work to look after him."

"Sandra never lifted a finger, and now look at this. She gets to be the good one."

"And I've turned into the villain who wants to abandon him."

My sister glanced at the chat and said,

"I knew she'd pull something like this. Ever since we were kids, she's always been more scheming than us."

I nodded flatly.

"Yeah. She's scheming, all right."

"She knows I'm about to get married and need the money."

"She knows money's tight for me right now, and she times a demand like this just to kick me while I'm down."

"But she's standing on the moral high ground, so I can't even argue back."

That evening.

The relatives all came to the hospital to see Great-Uncle Roland.

Sandra flew in too.

The second she walked into the room, she crouched down in front of him, gripped his hand, and cried.

"Great-Uncle Roland. Oh, Great-Uncle Roland."

"Marcus said he wanted to give up on you, but I won't allow it. I came all the way back just to make sure of it."

"Great-Uncle Roland, don't you worry. Your illness will be treated."

"No matter how much it costs, I'm getting you cured!"

Her words moved the relatives right along with her.

And she got in a kick at me while she was at it.

Even Great-Uncle Roland was moved to tears. He clutched her hand.

"Forget it. I'm already like this. Don't waste your money."

"How could money matter more than family!" she protested. "Great-Uncle Roland, just relax. Never mind eight hundred thousand, if it were eight million I'd still get you cured!"

There was no room for argument in her voice.

How could any of the relatives object after that.

They all praised her for being so devoted.

For being such a good one.

After the visit, Sandra insisted on treating the relatives to a meal.

She threw money around like it was nothing, like she'd been doing very well for herself out of town all these years.

At dinner, she even called me out by name in front of everyone.

"Marcus, I hear you're getting married soon. Is that it? You're short on cash, so you don't want to pay for Great-Uncle Roland's treatment?"

I knew she was doing it on purpose.

I was seething inside, but on the surface I stayed firm.

"What are you talking about, Sandra? However much it costs, the two of us split it, that's all."

She frowned.

"What do you mean, the two of us? Isn't your sister his niece too? She has to pay her share as well!"

I smiled calmly.

"Sandra, that's not right. My sister isn't married yet. She and I are one household."

"By your math, wouldn't your family only pay a third, while mine pays two-thirds?"

"Marcus, don't play word games with me. All I know is she's his niece too. Married or not, she pays."

My sister was about to lose it.

But I held her back, signaling her not to speak.

I looked at Sandra.

"So by your math, my sister counts as her own separate share, right?"

"Of course!" she said, like it was obvious.

I nodded.

"Then in that case, after Great-Uncle Roland dies, his house gets split evenly into three shares too, and my sister gets one of them. Right?"

Her frown deepened, her eyes darting around, and then she jabbed a finger at me.

"Marcus, I always knew you were an ungrateful little snake, the worst kind."

"Great-Uncle Roland isn't even dead yet and you're already scheming for his estate. Are you even human!"