The Lucky Winner

Five years after I faked my death, I was dying of cancer.

I heard that Rocky Boyce, the cool and aloof heir of the Boyce fortune, was about to get engaged. The woman was someone he'd loved for many years. To celebrate, a company under Boyce Enterprises posted a giveaway: a random lucky winner would receive a million dollars.

After much hesitation, I quietly commented.

[Happy engagement. Wishing you happiness.]

An hour later.

As water overflowed from the bathtub, the phone rang.

"Congratulations! You've won!"

I didn't die.

That phone call saved me.

On the other end, the staff member was still cheerfully congratulating me. "Youre truly very lucky!"

Lucky

Me?

I struggled to sit up in the bathtub. The cut on my wrist was a bit deep; the entire tub was stained a pale red.

"Please provide your bank details, and we'll transfer the prize money to you within a month. Additionally, you'll enjoy a year of discounts at all Boyce Enterprises establishments!"

I should have smiled. But when I spoke, my voice was terribly weak. "Thank you, but I probably won't need it"

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds, then the woman cautiously asked, "Are you alright? Do you need any help?"

My brain, lightheaded from blood loss, felt dizzy. I pushed myself out of the tub, blood splattering on the floor.

"Im sorry Could you please call 911 for me?"

The ambulance arrived quickly. I had just returned from the hospital that morning and was back again that night. The doctor in charge, initially disapproving of my disregard for life, fell silent after pulling up my medical records.

"Miss Vance," she sighed. "I know you must be in a lot of pain right now, but please, just hold on a little longer."

I stared at her blankly. Suddenly, I remembered someone else saying that to me once. But I was in such a bad place then, barely able to cope myself. In the end, I had chosen to flee.

My younger sister, Anna, rushed over. When she saw me in the hospital bed, her eyes instantly reddened.

"Sarah, are you trying to scare me to death?!"

Just that morning, when wed parted, I had promised her I would diligently undergo treatment. Even though our familys situation meant we couldn't afford the expensive medical bills. Annas parents had passed away in an earthquake five years ago. For years, wed relied on each other, using our meager savings to open a flower shop, just barely making ends meet.

When she learned of my illness, Anna cried. Then she wiped away her tears and said she would apply for a leave of absence from college and find a part-time job to take care of me. But how could I burden her? She was so young; she should be enjoying her youth at college, not being dragged down by me.

"Im sorry," I apologized to her. "I'm just so tired."

Anna cried again.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside the emergency room. It sounded like there had been a car accident somewhere, and the injured were being brought to this nearest hospital. A nurse came to inform me that my room was ready.

As I passed through the lobby, the news was playing on a large screen. Rocky Boyce, the Boyce heir, had spared no expense, set to hold his engagement party on a small island in the Caribbean in two months. In the interview, a reporter asked him why he chose that specific time and location.

The usually cool and taciturn man gave a rare, soft chuckle. "Because she likes it."

Because she likes it.

I pressed my lips together, remembering the phone call from a short while ago. The staff members voice had been lovely, and she had been very kind. When she realized I had cut my wrists, shed briefly panicked before calling 911 for me. The phone hadnt been hung up on the way to the hospital. She kept repeating in my ear, "Please don't die! If you die, what about the million dollars?"

"You're the luckiest person I've ever met; I'm sure you'll continue to be just as lucky!"

I had wanted to thank her, to say, "Your company is so generous." But then I remembered who her boss was, and the words caught in my throat.

An engagement party on a tropical island, a random giveaway of a million dollars

Rocky Boyce, you really are as extravagant as ever.

From childhood to adulthood, Ive always been unlucky. As a child, a fortune-teller said my life would be full of hardship, and my family ties would be thin. At my tenth birthday party, I accidentally fell into the cake, creating my first memorable social faux pas. During my high school entrance exams, I suffered from severe menstrual cramps on the last day, performed poorly, and failed to get into my dream prep school. It seemed like every crucial moment in my life, I stumbled.

I didnt inherit my mothers striking beauty, nor my fathers sharp intellect. Back then, when people spoke of me, there was usually a prefix: "Ah, Rocky Boyce's childhood friend." Rockys name always shone brightly. We were childhood sweethearts, and our relationship was always strong. The day we announced our relationship caused quite a stir on social media. Besides personal factors, our families were old friends, a seemingly perfect match.

It wasn't until the year I graduated from college that I was exposed as a fake heiress. Two pregnant women had given birth at the same time, and a nurse's mistake led to the babies being switched. The real heiress and my biological parents had already died in a car accident. From that moment on, my world changed irrevocably.

My adoptive mother wept daily. In moments of emotional breakdown, she would blurt out, "Why wasn't it you who died?" My adoptive father would sigh whenever he saw me, gently suggesting I move out for a while. The gossip of neighbors, the strange looks from the household staff everything weighed down on me, suffocating me.

At that time, my only solace was Rocky. He didn't scorn my identity, nor did he care about the rumors. He defended me several times in public. Stream after stream of valuable gifts were sent to me, as if to tell everyone that he still stood by me. I once chided him for being extravagant. But Rocky just held me, burying his head in the crook of my neck, nuzzling. "I dont care. Lets see who dares to speak ill of you now."

We were so young then. Naively believing that love could overcome all obstacles. Until the Boyce family began to exert pressure, forcing him to break up with me. Rocky had just graduated college then, and had little say. He was constantly busy during that period. He followed his familys arrangements and entered the company, desperate to prove himself, to earn their approval and his freedom to marry whom he chose.

Several times, he would arrive late to our dates, looking utterly exhausted. I saw how tired he was, so during dinner, I tried every trick to cheer him up. But after I painstakingly concocted a joke and looked up, Rocky was already asleep in his chair across from me, exhausted.

Rocky got busier and busier. Our conversations became fewer and farther between. He still sent me good morning and good night texts, asking if I had eaten properly. But I started to grow silent. After being openly ridiculed and subtly insulted at another party, I finally couldnt take it anymore. I hid in the restroom and called him.

But after he answered, before I could even speak, I heard Rocky's tired but gentle voice. "What a coincidence, I was just about to call you." He said the project he was leading had finally signed the contract today. It was his first major project since joining the company, and he had worked overtime for a month straight for it. After the successful signing, his father praised him for the first time in a long while, and his mother finally softened her stance.

Noticing my prolonged silence, he suddenly paused. "Whats wrong? Did something happen?"

"Nothing" I tried very, very hard to suppress the torrent of grievances. I had wanted to say that those people's words were truly awful. Those veiled, contemptuous glances felt like damp, heavy towels clinging to me, cold and suffocating. I wanted to say that I felt like I was losing the will to go on. But when I finally spoke, it was in a light, cheerful tone: "What could be wrong with me? I just miss you."

How could I burden him with my worries again? He was already working so hard to be with me. And I, I couldn't help him at all.

After that day, I refused all social engagements. For a time, I hated leaving the house. I started to fear other peoples stares. I drew all the curtains in the house. My appetite dwindled. In just two months, I lost over ten pounds.

By the time Rocky finally realized something was wrong and rushed to my house, pulling me out of bed, I suddenly remembered that we hadn't seen each other in over a week.

"Did you eat dinner?" Rocky asked me.

I thought about it. "No."

"Lunch?"

"...No."

"What about breakfast?"

Seeing me about to shake my head again, his face darkened. "When was the last time you ate?"

I struggled to remember. "I think last night? Or maybe noon" I really couldn't recall. Lately, my memory had been terrible. Id forgotten to eat, forgotten to wash, forgotten to reply to Rocky's messages. Even though I just lay in bed doing nothing, I felt incredibly tired.

Rocky carried me to the bathroom and personally helped me wash up. Then he supervised me eating.

"Chew properly, don't just swallow."

But I was truly so tired. One meal took an hour to finish. After eating, I started to feel sleepy again. This time, Rocky didn't leave. He slept beside me. In a state between waking and sleeping, I felt him holding me, whispering in my ear, "Just give me a little more time"

"I know youre tired, but can you wait for me a little longer?"

From that day on, Rocky moved into my house. The apartment, a two-bedroom, one-bath, wasn't large; Id bought it in college. After Rocky arrived, my life began to regain its rhythm. Every day before work, he would prepare breakfast and lunch for me, making sure I ate on time. Every evening after work, he would rush back to have dinner with me, then drag me out for a walk. My physical condition visibly improved.

But Rocky grew more and more exhausted. Until one day, during a meeting, he collapsed from low blood sugar.

When I rushed to the hospital, Rockys mother was already there. When she saw me, her brow furrowed. I froze in place, awkward and helpless.

"Hello, Mrs. Boyce"

She didnt say anything unkind to me. She simply handed me a folder. Inside were profiles of potential marriage candidates she approved of, meticulously detailing their backgrounds and the family connections they could provide. She had, after all, watched me grow up, so she didnt say anything too directly. But I understood her meaning.

What do you have?

I had nothing left.

While waiting for Rocky to wake up, I thought about many things. For example, the apartment I bought in collegewould I lose money if I sold it now? For example, my adoptive parents had raised me for years. Although they were currently struggling with the loss of their biological daughter, would they be sad if I left? And then, Rocky had already made so much effort for me. If I were to break up with him now, would I seem heartless?

How how would I even break up with him?

Time seemed to stretch endlessly in that moment.

By the time Rocky woke up, I had thought of everything. The first second his eyes opened and he saw me, before he could even offer a smile, I spoke.

"Rocky, lets break up."

A profound silence filled the hospital room. After a long moment, Rocky slowly propped himself up and sat up in bed.

"Take that back now, and I can pretend I never heard it."

I shook my head. "Rocky, lets break up."

""

Another long silence. I couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes. Thinking he must be thirsty after just waking, I poured him a glass of water. After placing the glass on his bedside table, I turned to leave, but he caught my hand.

From behind me, Rocky quietly asked, "Has being with me made you so miserable?"

I remained silent. When Rocky finally looked up again, his eyes were red-rimmed. His voice was almost a plea. "Can't you hold on a little longer?"

Can't you hold on a little longer? Just for him, can't you hold on a little longer?

"Rocky"

I sighed. His grip on my hand was tight, yet I pushed him away with surprising ease.

"Just let me go."

Let me go, and let yourself go too.

Ive always been an unlucky person. After losing my adoptive parents, I lost Rocky. In the period immediately after our breakup, Rocky was constantly worried about me. When he saw things I liked, he would still buy them and have them sent to me. When I asked him about it, he'd say, "Can't ordinary friends send gifts to each other?"

Yes.

Of course.

I turned around and sold everything.

I realized this couldnt go on. So I signed up for a rural teaching program, hoping a change of scenery would help me clear my head. A few months after arriving, there was an earthquake, and I nearly lost my life. Many people died in that earthquake. In the rubble, I found Anna, whose parents and relatives had all perished. She was eight years younger than me and needed a guardian. So, I, the survivor, took on the identity of Annas older sister. I was no longer Sarah Vance; I was just Anna.

But even with a new name, bad luck clung to me like a shadow. At twenty-seven, I was diagnosed with cancer, my time running out.

Yet now, someone was telling me I was the luckiest person she had ever met.

A million dollars. Yes, I was certainly lucky.

When Anna heard about it, she was overjoyed, tears streaming down her face. "We have money for your treatment!"

Yes, how wonderful. Just when I needed money, someone came and gave it to me.

The room next door was occupied by a car accident victim. I saw medical staff going in and out, suggesting the patient was someone important.

After two days of recovery, the doctor finally allowed me to leave. Before I left, though, she earnestly urged me to continue treatment.

My flower shop had been closed for two days, missing several pre-orders. I apologized to each customer, promising free flowers on their next visit. The flower shop was just across the street from the hospital, so many visitors would stop by to buy flowers.

The moment I opened the shop today, I received a large order. The flowers requested were the most expensive, and a high delivery fee was paid. The destination was a specific room in the hospital. I glanced at it, and it turned out to be the one right next to mine.

Rushing to package everything, the sky was already dimming. When I reached the hospital room door, two bodyguards stood outside. After a quick check, they let me in.

Pushing the door open, I saw the patient on the bed reading. Hearing the door, he looked up at me. The moment our eyes met, I froze, awkward and helpless, just like I had years ago. I hadn't expected to see Rocky Boyce here. This was our first meeting in five years.

But Rocky seemed not to recognize me. He merely glanced at me indifferently, then returned his gaze to his book, turning a page.

"Just put the flowers over there." Seeing me still staring foolishly, he seemed to remember something. "Oh, thank you." His tone was gentle. "You must be tired."

It wasn't until I left the room that I realized I had unconsciously bitten my lower lip. A faint, sweet, metallic taste filled my mouth.

Just then, someone came to visit Rocky. As we brushed past each other, I heard her cheerfully ask, "How are you doing today? Feeling better?"

Rocky finally put down his book and looked up at her, smiling. "No, I still cant remember."

"Then what about the engagement party in two months?"

The hospital room door closed, and I couldn't hear what they were saying inside. I just thought to myself, What a beautiful girl. Shes even prettier in person than in photos. She must be his fiance

As I left the hospital, I overheard the nurses at the station discussing it. The patient in room 416, they said, was very wealthy, admitted after a car accident. During the accident, he had hit his head, causing a blood clot that pressed on a nerve, resulting in partial memory loss. Hed forgotten many people and events.

After a brief shock, I felt a little lost. So he hadnt deliberately ignored me Rocky he had really forgotten me.

I lowered my eyes. I didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

After that day, the flower shops business suddenly boomed. It seemed like ever since my cancer diagnosis, my luck had turned. On the winter solstice, I received several large orders. By the time I finished, it was already dark. Anna was staying at her college dorm and wouldn't be home tonight. After tidying up and closing the shop, I hesitated for a moment, then decided to buy a cake.

My birthday was on the winter solstice. In the past, when we were dating, Rocky used to joke that the first snowfall of the year told him my birthday was near. This year was no different.

By the time I reached the cake shop, it was almost closing time. The clerk looked apologetic, saying the last cake had just been sold. I was disappointed but nodded. As I turned to leave, the clerk suddenly answered her phone, then quickly called me back.

"Please wait!"

I turned, puzzled. Then I heard her say that a customer who had pre-ordered a cake had just called, saying something came up and they couldn't pick it up. It was a four-inch strawberry chocolate birthday cake. Not too big, not too small, just enough for one person.

"You're really lucky," the clerk smiled at me.

I looked at the neatly packaged cake, feeling that this sudden stroke of luck was a little surreal.

Leaving the cake shop, a car passed on the opposite side of the road, its window slowly rising. I unintentionally glanced at it, paused for half a second, then instinctively chased after it. I accidentally bumped into someone on the way and quickly apologized.

"Im so sorry, I'm so sorry"

But my steps didnt stop. I didnt even notice the cake was getting squashed. Just then, the traffic light ahead turned red, and the car stopped. After seeing the license plate, I abruptly halted.

It wasnt that number.

I was panting heavily. It wasnt him

The spot where I had bumped into someone suddenly started to hurt. Tears welled up for no reason. Just then, the girl I had bumped into caught up to me, startled.

"Are you okay? You're bleeding!"

I instinctively looked down. It was my old wound, reopened. No wonder it hurt so much.

The girl insisted on taking me to the hospital. Fearing she'd think I was faking an injury for money, I quickly told her she didn't need to pay my medical bills. The nearest hospital was the one where Rocky was staying.

At the hospital, the doctor, seeing me again, was at her wit's end. I was still carrying the squashed cake, feeling a little embarrassed. This birthday was turning out to be quite eventful.

When I came out after getting my wound re-bandaged, an unexpected figure appeared outside the emergency room. It was Rocky. Our eyes met, I froze for a second, then instinctively looked down to avoid his gaze. I wondered what he was doing downstairs so late.

The girl who bumped into me went to pay the bill. I found a chair and sat down, intending to wait for her to return and transfer her the money. Before long, a shadow fell over me. A tall figure sat down beside me.

My body stiffened. The hospital lobby was still bustling with people, even at night. But I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles. Until the person beside me suddenly spoke.

"The cake"

"Huh?" I quickly looked up.

Rocky reached out and pointed at the cake box in my hand. "Why did it collapse?" he asked, his tone almost regretful.

"Oh" I licked my lips, feeling a little flustered. "I bumped into something."

The person beside me was silent for two seconds. Then he spoke again. "Is today your birthday?"

"Yes." I nodded slightly.

"Happy birthday."

"Thank you."

He wished me happy birthday, just like he would a stranger. Just then, the girl who had gone to pay the bill returned. I quickly pulled her aside and transferred the medical expenses to her. When I turned back, I saw Rockys fiance, Iris Miller, coming down.

"Rocky, do you have any sense of being a patient? What are you wandering around for?"

I didn't dare listen anymore, ready to flee in embarrassment.

But then I suddenly heard someone call out

"Sarah."

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. A flurry of thoughts flashed through my mind.

I stiffly turned around and looked at Rocky.

"This, is this yours?"

Rocky's expression remained calm. He pointed to the payment slip left on the seat and smiled at me. "It has your name on it, Sarah."

I bit my lip, walked over, and picked up the payment slip. I looked down and said, "Thank you for the reminder." I didnt dare look at him again.

When I left the hospital, the snow outside was falling harder. By the time I got home, my shoe soles were soaked, and my socks clung to my feet. I lowered my head and changed my shoes.

Annas call came in as I was lighting the candles on the cake. The cake had collapsed, looking a bit ugly, but it was still edible. Anna keenly noticed something was off. "What's wrong with your voice? Why do you sound so stuffy?"

"Nothing," I sniffled. "I just feel so cold. On the way home earlier it was really cold."

Anna didn't ask further, just told me to wear more layers so I wouldnt catch a cold. After lighting the candles, she put her phone on speaker, and she and her roommates loudly sang "Happy Birthday" to me.

"Thank you, everyone," I smiled.

Outside, fireworks suddenly burst into the sky. I took a slice of cake and walked out to watch. Hearing the commotion, Anna asked, puzzled, "It's not a holiday, and isn't it illegal to set off fireworks in the city?"

I watched the dazzling fireworks filling the sky, digging a large spoonful of cake into my mouth. "Mhm maybe some rich young master is surprising his sweetheart."

Anna chuckled softly. "That sounds incredibly romantic."