Snow Blue Blooming

[Introduction]

After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I decided to host a grand farewell ceremony for myself.

I had spent my entire life trying to please and fit into the tight-knit trio that was my parents and younger brother. But I never truly belonged. Never loved. So, before I died, I wanted to love myself—just once.

As I lay in a coffin surrounded by a sea of fresh flowers, the hired actors wept theatrically.

Suddenly, my father yanked me upright from the coffin.

"Stop embarrassing yourself here! Your brother's caught a cold. Go home and make him some soup!"

But I no longer had the time—or the will—to be their pawn.

---

Dragged out of the coffin, I sat up. The hired mourners froze, unsure whether to continue crying or not.

I smiled. "Dad, are you here to mourn me?"

"Mourn you, my—!" He raised his hand, ready to slap me, but Nicholas Hale stepped in and held his arm firmly.

"Security, escort this troublemaker out."

The guards quickly arrived and restrained my father. Furious, he shouted, "Let go of me! I’m her father!"

"You ungrateful girl! Pulling off stunts like this—how do you expect the neighbors to see us? You're a disgrace to the family!"

"If you’ve got the guts to really die, I’ll just act like I never had a daughter."

With that, he stormed out of the hall.

I sighed, exasperated, and opened the group chat on my phone.

[Because I’ve been diagnosed with late-stage cancer, I will be hosting my funeral today at 3 PM. Family is cordially invited to attend. Address below...]

[Oliver: Sis, you playing some kind of weird joke?]

[Victoria: Eliza, it’s almost time for your brother’s Civil Service exam. Don’t joke about things like this.]

[Geoffrey: Ominous nonsense. Delete it now.]

[Oliver: @Mom, I think I’m catching a cold. Are there any meds at home?]

[Victoria: The medicine is in the second drawer of the TV cabinet. Should I take leave from work to come home and care for you?]

[Geoffrey: @Eliza, go home and cook for your brother.]

And just like that, my earnest announcement was brushed off as a joke.

The diagnosis report had been sitting on the TV cabinet for days. None of them even bothered to read it.

After all, the name "Eliza Harrington" was reason enough to ignore it.

I turned off my phone, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

Nicholas leaned toward me. "Did he hurt you when he grabbed you? Do you want to take a break before continuing?"

I had no interest in continuing. I shook my head, my voice low. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. Let's end it for today."

At that moment, my phone rang abruptly.

"Eliza, was the diagnosis report on the cabinet yours?"

"Where did you get a fake report like that?"