I clenched my fists. After a long silence, I suddenly let out a quiet laugh. Suppressing the pain coursing through my body, I turned and walked away. I no longer wanted the money. Still, I wondered if Elton would regret not realizing that the money could have bought me more time and alleviated my suffering before I died. Thus, I returned home alone, the relentless pain from cancer forcing me to curl up in bed. Lacking the funds for medication, I resorted to taking sleeping pills, trying to deceive myself. As long as I stayed asleep, the pain would disappear. After I fell asleep, I had a dream about a time when I was 18. Elton was still poor but loved me deeply. On my birthday that year, we couldn't afford a cake and could only envy others as they celebrated theirs. Elton hugged me tightly, hiding the tears in his eyes. He promised me, "One day, when I have money, I'll give you all the good things in the world." At that time, I felt like the happiest woman in the world. In a sleepy haze, I heard my phone ring. I picked it up, and a deep, familiar voice said my name. "Hedy."