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

"Why do you need money?" Jane asked, her eyebrows knitting together in suspicion.

"I'm going to give it to Tanya," Hank replied. "She must be exhausted from work lately. I thought I'd give her some cash so she can treat herself to something nice, maybe a hearty meal or something."

Jane's expression soured. "Use your own stash for that! Don't even think about dipping into my savings!"

"Why are you being like this? Tanya's been nothing but nice to you. Can't you part with just fifty bucks?"

Jane rolled her eyes. "Thirty, not a penny more! We need to save up for the house!"

With that, Jane reluctantly took out thirty dollars and handed it to Hank.

Taking the money, Hank hurried off to Tanya's place. Just as he got to her door, he heard her coughing from inside.

"Tanya, can you open the door?"

Hearing Hank, Tanya quickly tossed the tissue she was holding into the trash and checked herself in the mirror before going to open the door. "Hey, big bro, what brings you here?"

"I heard you coughing. Are you alright?" Hank asked with concern.

"It's nothing, just a scratchy throat," Tanya said with a light laugh, sitting down on her bed.

Hank was still worried. "Maybe I should take you to the clinic? Sometimes, a cough can be a sign of something more serious."

"I'm really fine," Tanya insisted, looking as carefree as ever. "What's up? You didn't come over this late just to check on me, did you?"

That's when Hank remembered his original purpose. He quickly pulled out the fifty dollars from his pocket. "Tanya, this is from Jane. She noticed you've been pushing yourself too hard lately and thought you should buy yourself something nice to eat, maybe a steak dinner or something." Jane had only given thirty, but Hank had added another twenty from his own savings.

"Thank her for me, but I don't need the money. You should take it back." Tanya continued, "Aren't you guys saving up for a house? You should focus on the down payment. I heard the prices in Cloudcrest are only going to go up."

Hank shoved the money into Tanya's hands. "We're not going to miss this bit for the house. Take it, will you?"

After insisting, Hank left the room.

Tanya watched him go, her eyes welling up with tears, but she fought them back.

The next day, Tanya went to work as usual.

Jane had the day off.

She slept in until late morning, enjoying the rare quiet of an empty house.

After breakfast, Jane started cleaning the house. It was her turn since everyone else was out working.

When she got to Tanya's room, Jane noticed bloodstained tissues in the trash can.

What was going on?

Frowning, Jane picked up a tissue and stood up, accidentally knocking over a bag on the table. Everything spilled out.

As she was picking things up, Jane found a CT report and medical records.

Patient: Tanya.

Lung cancer?

Jane's heart sank as she read those words, the report slipping from her hands, leaving her face ashen.

Tanya had lung cancer.

And she had been diagnosed on the day she went out to buy gifts for the family.

It all made sense now - Tanya's recent changes.

Tanya was only neen.

Jane couldn't imagine how Tanya had been coping alone with this news.

Forgetting everything else, Jane frantically called Hank and her in-laws, urging them to come home

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"Sis."

"Jane?" Tanya was surprised to see her.

Jane took the tray from Tanya's hands. "Stop working. You're coming home with me."

"What's going on?" Tanya looked puzzled.

"Let's go," Jane said, pulling her away.

Just then, the diner's owner came

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"Sorry, she's not working here anymore!"

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The owner frowned. "She's only been here a week. If she leaves now, there's no final paycheck."

"We don't need it! Keep the paycheck!" Jane suddenly burst out, her voice filled with emotion.