I’m in the final stages of a terminal illness, with only a few days left to live. The doctor has advised me to notify my family to make final arrangements. Unfortunately, my brother Declan believed Esme’s lies, thinking I bullied her throughout high school, and blocked me long ago. While I was fighting for my life in the emergency room, Esme merely had a mild fever from the flu, and Declan waited outside her film set all night. The usually detached Declan appeared visibly worried. “Please, go see a doctor. Even a small cold shouldn’t be ignored.” Online followers were moved by his profound affection. As I was nearing the end, I called the cemetery’s sales office. “Everything’s set, right? No need for a funeral, just cremate me.” “Burn the sheet music Declan wrote for me with me too.” I died on my twentieth birthday. Declan never realized that it was Esme who bullied me for three years and swapped my medical records of terminal illness. The attending physician sighed softly and covered me with a white sheet. The sharp beeping of the monitor was a stark reminder that I was truly gone. A flash of white light, and suddenly I was outside Esme’s film set. Declan held her tenderly, her forehead adorned with a fever patch. She nuzzled against his chest and said playfully, “It’s just a little cold, you didn’t have to cancel work to come back for me.” “No matter where you are, I’ll wait patiently for your return. I’ll take good care of myself.” She nestled into Declan’s arms, her smile sweet. Declan repeatedly checked her forehead and only relaxed when he was sure she was fine. Esme took his hand and said with a hint of regret, “I had a surprise for you, but you arrived even before the gift.” Declan affectionately ruffled her hair, “More than surprises, I just want you to be healthy and happy, always by my side.” Esme’s fans eagerly captured their sweet moment. They marveled at Declan’s deep love. They felt sorry for Esme, who had to work late despite being sick. A bold fan spoke up first, “Mr. Nolan, did you really give up a nine-figure project just to be with Esme while she’s sick?” Declan held Esme close and replied calmly, “I was at the temple to fulfill a vow. The abbot suggested I return; Esme is always my priority.” Esme shyly added, “He worries too much about me. The abbot hinted he might lose his love, so he insisted on seeing me immediately.” “I won’t let Nolan or my fans down. I’ll take better care of myself and work hard. The flu is going around; everyone, please take care of yourselves too!” After speaking, she smiled and waved to the fans. Declan said firmly, “Even if the abbot hadn’t hinted, knowing Esme caught a cold, I would have rushed back immediately.” Fans expressed their admiration openly. “Esme is beautiful and hardworking; she’s sure to become a sensation!” “Mr. Nolan is handsome and capable, and so selfless too. I’m truly envious!” “When’s the engagement? We’re all waiting for the good news!” Fans’ cameras clicked away at the couple, “Mr. Nolan, you gave up such a big project. Do you really have no regrets?” Declan, who usually shied away from online publicity, stood confidently by Esme this time. “I never regret my decisions. Besides, my motivation for work is to give Esme a better life.” In the crowd, someone frowned and muttered, “Nolan? I remember he has a sister. I saw her at the hospital today, maybe I was mistaken.” His murmurs were drowned out by the crowd. Just like me, always an overlooked existence. Chapter 2 Perhaps due to a familial bond, my soul lingered near Declan. After helping Esme into the car, his secretary hesitated, “Are you still planning to celebrate Cora’s birthday today?” Declan paused, and a second later, he frowned slightly. Today is my twentieth birthday, yet he returned to San Francisco because of Esme. He casually browsed my social media, noticing I hadn’t posted my usual midnight birthday update this year, a hint of irritation flashing in his eyes. Esme curiously leaned over and asked, “You rushed back from abroad, and she didn’t even show any concern? Some sister she is.” Declan irritably turned off his phone, “She’s just spoiled, throwing a tantrum for who knows why. I won’t celebrate her birthday with her this year; I’ll go to the hospital with you first.” He then adjusted the air conditioning, gently covering Esme with a blanket. Esme lowered her voice, sounding aggrieved, “Nolan, she must have seen the news of you being with me and got upset.” “After all, it’s her birthday today. I should apologize… I don’t want you two to be unhappy because of me.” Declan’s fist clenched and then relaxed. After a long pause, he suppressed his response, “Hmm.” A flash of resentment passed over Esme’s face, but she quickly adjusted, forcing a smile and taking out her phone. After seeing a text from her assistant, a fierce look flashed in her eyes, and she dialed my number. She called many times, but no one answered. When the phone announced it was turned off, Declan coldly said, “Stop calling. If she wants to act out, let her. You don’t need to lower yourself.” With that, he urged the driver to speed up. I watched Declan calmly. Apart from a hint of irritation, there was no concern on his face. I should have realized long ago, Declan despises me because of Esme. Why would he care about me? Even if he’s in San Francisco, he won’t celebrate my birthday, not even with a simple greeting. Since Esme entered his world. I’ve been forced to endure his bias and targeting. He always said I was rude, making things difficult for Esme. Said I was petty, jealous of Esme’s success. What was once my music room became Esme’s sanctuary. Custom gifts meant for me bore Esme’s name. Even when I was bedridden, he only believed Esme’s words. Convinced I was scheming, feigning illness for sympathy. I always silently wished, hoping he’d return to how he once was. But I was wrong; because of Esme, his misunderstanding deepened, to the point he didn’t want to recognize me. I won’t get his apology anymore. I’m dead, and we’ll never meet in this life again. Chapter 3 Declan took Esme to the best private hospital. Even the hospital room was decorated to her liking. Because Esme is the person Declan feels most indebted to. In high school, everyone mocked me for being an orphan. And the one who led the bullying for three years was Esme. After the college entrance exams, I left San Francisco, thinking I’d endured the worst. But in just three years, I met Esme again; she had become Declan’s girlfriend. I tried to let go of the past, avoiding them. But Esme wouldn’t let me be, twisting the story to Declan, claiming I bullied her in high school for three years. Since then, Declan never showed me a kind face. He always said I had to pay for my actions. So he unilaterally cut off my financial support and even tried to strip me of my right to study abroad. In Declan’s eyes, I became a ruthless villain. While Esme was the rare treasure he cherished. He pitied Esme’s past, treating her better out of guilt, almost placing her on a pedestal. To the point where he stayed by Esme’s side, despite the dark circles under his eyes. Even though doctors repeatedly emphasized Esme just had a common cold. Esme was about to say something when the hospital room door was suddenly pushed open. It was Declan’s friend, Griffin, who was also an investor in Esme’s new drama. “Incredible, your buzz is higher than my new drama.” “Maybe I should ride on your social media attention; this drama would definitely explode.” “Mr. Nolan, giving up a nine-figure project for love, tsk tsk…” Declan gave him a few displeased looks, gesturing with his eyes for him to go to the hallway. “My feelings for Esme don’t need media hype to prove.” “Esme doesn’t need this kind of attention. If she wants, I’ll invest in her, not give her public pressure.” “But I want to ask, why give Esme so much work pressure?” Griffin looked at him incredulously, “For your sake, the film crew treats Esme like royalty. She volunteered for overtime.” “I was puzzled; she was fine during the day, but at midnight, she wasn’t.” Declan snorted, “Esme usually overexerts herself, won’t speak up even if she’s wronged.” “Surely your film crew’s work intensity is too high, it wore her out.” Griffin shrugged, teasingly, “Mr. Nolan is a deeply affectionate man. I’m almost envious of Esme.” “You don’t care for Cora as much as you do for Esme.” Seeing Declan’s face instantly darken, Griffin wisely stopped talking, hesitating for a long time before speaking. “Today is Cora’s birthday. I verified the audio at the scene; she was indeed at the hospital today.” After Declan watched the hospital surveillance video on Griffin’s phone, his eyes filled with anger. In the video, I looked extremely haggard, my sleeves stained with blood, eyes vacant, weakly leaning against the wall. Declan didn’t finish watching, turning off the video in frustration. “I just didn’t celebrate her birthday, and she’s using self-harm as a trick!” That’s not true! The video was maliciously edited! I didn’t self-harm. The bloodstains on my sleeves were from coughing up blood during an attack. I was anxious, but Declan couldn’t hear me. Griffin tried to persuade Declan, “No matter what, Cora is your sister. When Esme marries in, you’ll be a family; there’s no need for such tension.” In the video, I appeared utterly exhausted, with bloodstains on my sleeves, my eyes vacant, and leaning weakly against the wall. Declan didn’t even finish watching it before switching it off in frustration. “All because I didn’t celebrate her birthday with her, now she’s pulling a stunt like self-harm!” But that’s not true! The video was maliciously edited! I didn’t self-harm; the blood on my sleeves was from coughing up blood during an attack. I was frantic, but Declan couldn’t hear my side of the story. Griffin was still trying to reason with Declan, “No matter what, Cora is still your sister. Once Esme joins the family, we’ll all be together. There’s no need to make things so tense.” Declan watched the video of my pitiful appearance with a conflicted expression, his throat moving slightly. My heart ached indescribably. Even people who didn’t know me well showed concern, yet my own brother instinctively suspected me with malice. — Declan’s face remained emotionless. After Griffin hurriedly left, Declan paced back and forth in the hallway. He took out a small velvet jewelry box from his coat pocket, revealing a sapphire necklace. It turned out he had prepared a birthday gift for me. Once, Esme took the sapphire necklace that mom left for me. Declan scolded me, saying it was just a necklace and that my bullying had made Esme so depressed she nearly committed suicide. He said I owed her for life. Now, the necklace in his hand had a bigger and brighter gem than the one I originally had. But meaningful objects are unique and can’t be replaced. He repeatedly rubbed the gem, carefully putting it away afterward. Only then did his emotions fully settle. He went back to his room to grab his car keys, planning to find me at home. But just as he was about to leave, a sleepy Esme woke up. “Nolan, where are you going?” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m scared being alone in the hospital. Could you stay with me?” Declan hugged her to comfort her, “Stay put with the IV drip. I’ll be back soon. I won’t leave you.” Esme clung to his sleeve, reluctant to let go, cautiously asking, “Is it because of Cora?” Declan nodded, “She’s the only person in this world with my blood. I can’t fail mom and dad’s wishes.” Esme lowered her head, feeling wronged, “It’s okay, I understand. I’ll wait for you to come back.” Declan still left, and as he closed the door, I distinctly saw Esme clenching her fists, resentment in her eyes. I followed Declan back to the empty house. Not seeing my shoes at the entrance, he hastily entered my room. It was tidied up, and even the sheet music he had written for me, which I cherished, was gone. Declan sat dejectedly at the piano, staring at the stickers we had placed on the keys together, lost in thought. Through the moonlight, I seemed to see Declan from years ago. Back then, he taught me to play the piano and wrote music for me. As long as he was there, I always wore a satisfied smile. After Esme appeared, I never played the piano again. Declan’s fingers brushed over the keys, looking at his dust-covered fingers, murmuring, “Cora… how did we end up like this?” In the moonlight, his figure seemed particularly lonely. He stood up, took one last look at my room, and left in a hurry, almost as if escaping. Growing up, Declan never apologized to me first. Even when he was wrong, he avoided and glossed over it. I used to think he was too proud, and as his sister, I shouldn’t hold it against him. Seeing him check my Instagram again, I laughed at how forgetful he was. He must have forgotten that he couldn’t receive my messages, not because I didn’t contact him, but because he blocked me. I sat in the corner of the sofa, calmly watching his panicked face. What if he knew I was dead? What if he knew Esme was the one who bullied me and switched my terminal illness medical records, indirectly causing my death? Would he still stubbornly believe he was right and avoid responsibility as he always did? Unfortunately, he no longer has the chance to apologize to me. Until dawn, a sudden ringtone startled Declan awake. I leaned closer to see that it was the cemetery salesperson. “Are you Cora’s brother?” The voice on the other end was uncertain. Declan frowned impatiently, “I am. What’s she up to now?” “I’m Cora’s representative. We need a family member’s signature for the cremation. Do you have time to come over?” Declan’s expression froze. He gripped his phone tightly, suppressing his anger, “Tell me the truth. How much did Cora pay you to play along?” Before the other side could respond, Declan hastily hung up. He took several deep breaths, “Cora is so afraid of dying. How could she bear to die? Yes! She must be pretending to be pitiful again to make me stay for her birthday!” He quickly grabbed his coat, “Esme is still waiting for me at the hospital. I have to go be with her…” “I won’t be fooled again.” I felt hopeless. Clearly, in his heart, Esme was the most important. But his panicked back betrayed him. Maybe, for the sake of blood relations, he would be moved. I’m a bit curious about the day the truth comes out. It looks like the Chinese text you’re asking to be translated isn’t here. Could you please provide the actual text that needs translating? Chapter Five As Declan pushed open the hospital room door, Esme flung herself into his arms.
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