From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Gage shook his head, struggling for words. After a moment, he choked out, "The doctor said Tanya... Tanya might only have three months left."

"What?" Karan's face drained of color, and she stifled a sob with her hand.

Three months.

Only three months left...

Tears welled up in Gage's eyes too. "Hey, come on, don't cry. We don't want Tanya to see us like this. Who knows? With all the miracles in the world, maybe she'll beat this thing with the radiation therapy." Karan was inconsolable, sliding down against the wall to the floor, wishing it were her instead.

Why?

"Oh, Gage!" Karan embraced him tightly.

Gage was at a loss for words, not knowing how to comfort his wife.

The couple held each other, sobbing for what felt like an eternity.

Their grief went unnoticed.

Where were they?

In a hospital.

A place all too familiar with parting and loss.

Disease is merciless.

it often

Karan and Gage managed to

this, we can't let Tanya leave this world with regrets. We need to tell her about...

and nodded, "Yeah. Let's talk it

was no

"Alright."

At dusk.

arrived, bringing some comfort

advantage of Tanya's nap, Karan and

wanted to talk

think... we can't let her leave with any regrets." Jane sensed the gravity behind his words, her brow furrowing, "Dad, are you saying...

wasn't Karan and

was abandoned at

it was Karan and Gage who, longing

always treated her as

"Yeah," Gage confirmed.

plan to invite Tanya's birth parents to see her. It's only

his concern, "But will they

"Facing this, as parents, they ought

"Little sis?!"

Suddenly, Jane gasped.

expected Tanya to appear

Tanya seemed eerily calm, not at all the emotional wreck they'd anticipated. Instead, she offered a serene smile, "Mom, Dad, I

bother

to them. If they could abandon me once, they mean nothing to me