From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Can she?

No, not anymore. Her struggles seemed endless.

Grandma continued, "Think about your parents, think about your loved ones. If they saw you like this, they would be heartbroken..."

Tanya wiped away her tears, "Thank you, I know what I have to do now."

She had just asked the doctor. She had only three months left to live.

She wanted to make the most of these three months, to spend quality time with her family, and then explore the beautiful landscapes of her country. After all, she couldn't leave this world without making some memories.

Tanya got home and gathered all the money she had saved over the years, including birthday money and holiday gifts. It totaled up to $5,000.

With the money in hand, she immediately went shopping. She bought a silk dress for her mother, something she had admired for a long time but never wanted to spend the money on. Her father was a fan of fine whiskey and always mentioned wanting a bottle of Glenfiddich. Tanya bought him a bottle.

Then there was her brother. He had mentioned wanting a designer suit. Tanya knew his size and went ahead to purchase the suit for him. And then there was her sister-in-law. Tanya's sister-in-law was very into beauty and often talked about a certain high-end skincare brand.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Four gifts in total, costing her $4,800. That left her with $200.

After shopping, Tanya headed to the grocery store. She planned to cook dinner that evening. Tanya had been cooking since she was young, but since starting high school, she seldom did.

That evening, when the family, including her parents and her brother and sister-in-law, came home to a table full of food, they were astonished. "Mom, did you leave work early today?" her sister-in-law, Jane, asked Tanya's mother, Karen.

Karen shook her head, "No, dear! I just got home too!"

With that, Karen turned to Tanya's father, Gage, "Did you cook?"

Gage replied in disbelief, "I just walked in with you, didn't I?"

"Could it be Hank?" Jane wondered, slightly confused. "But Hank came home with me too!"

Just then, Tanya walked out of the kitchen with a pot of fish stew, "Mom, Dad, sis, you're all home! Dinner's almost ready. Oh, where's my brother?"

Everyone was stunned. They

couldn't believe Tanya, who was as lazy as any young person, preferring sitting over standing and lying over sitting, had prepared dinner. Since Jane had joined the family, she hadn't seen Tanya step foot in the kitchen. Usually, if Karen couldn't cook, Tanya would just order takeout.

"Sis, did you make all this?" Jane asked.

Tanya nodded, "Yeah. Sis, you haven't tried my cooking yet, right? Let's see if you like it."

Jane was baffled. Gage was filled with pride, "Our little lazy bug has finally grown up!"

Karen smiled, "Tanya, dear, you just finished your exams. Remember to rest, okay? I can cook when I come home early from work."

"Mom, you work hard enough. I'm grown up now; I'll cook for you every day from now on!"

Karen was moved to tears. Her daughter's thoughtfulness touched her deeply.

Seeing her mother like this, Tanya felt a pang of guilt. She regretted not maturing sooner. With her life coming to an end, how could she be a good daughter in the little time she had left?

When Hank parked the car and came in, he too was taken aback.

After finishing the last dish, the family sat down in the dining room to eat.

Karen placed a chicken leg on Tanya's plate, "Tanya worked hard today; this chicken leg should go to her."

"Thanks, Mom." Tanya added, "Mom,

I made your favorite fish stew, make sure you have some. And Dad, here's your favorite clam dish. And for my brother and Jane, I made your favorite spicy hot pot. Jane, try it and see if it tastes right!"

Jane felt honored. She hadn't expected Tanya, who always

seemed carefree, to remember everyone's favorite dishes. Tanya's parents were also overjoyed. Their child had finally grown up. The meal was incredibly joyful.

After dinner, Tanya brought out the gifts she had bought for her family.

"Mom, Dad, these are for you. Brother, sister-in-law, these are yours. Go ahead, open them and see if you like them."

Hank and Jane unwrapped their gifts. Seeing what was inside, they were both shocked, "Tanya, why did you get us such expensive gifts?"

Tanya smiled, "Brother, sister-in-law, don't you like them?"

"It's not that we don't like them, they're just too expensive! Tanya, where did you get the money?" Hank asked.

Tanya replied, "I used the money I've saved over the years, including my birthday and holiday money."