From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

As soon as the words were spoken, silence fell over the room like a heavy blanket.

Lung cancer? Advanced stage?

Impossible!

How could Tanya suddenly have lung cancer?

Everyone thought they were hearing things.

Gage Jones stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, forcing a laugh, "Come on, Jane, don't joke about something like this. It's not funny at all." "Exactly!" Hank chimed in.

"I'm not joking," Jane choked out, her eyes welling up with tears, "My little sister... she really has lung cancer..."

Tanya couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Crash-

Karan Jones was pouring water when he heard the news, and the glass slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor.

"What... Jane, what are you saying?"

Jane covered her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Tanya Jones? Really?" Karan rushed to Tanya's side.

With tears in her eyes, Tanya nodded.

enveloped Tanya in a tight embrace, crying out, "It can't be true! My child, so young, how could you be sick? It should have been me..." She was in

handle being the one who was

only nineteen, fresh into

was

she be

wished she could trade her

these past days, Karan was filled with regret, wishing she could slap

was all

attentive

wonder Tanya had suddenly spent all her savings on gifts for

No wonder...

had not only neglected Tanya but also made her take up a

in a moment, his legs trembling as he approached Tanya, trying to hold back his tears, "Tanya, my child, this will kill your mom

buried his face in his hands

bending like a

in the living room

his nose, trying to keep his emotions in check. With both parents and his wife in

Dad, Jane, please

most important thing right now is to get to the hospital. Don't worry about the money; Jane

go now. Your dad and I have also saved up a bit,

enduring all that pain in the hospital, I'd rather spend my last days with

a healthy life for five years now. As long as

at Jane, moved by her