Emma had stopped crying by now, and there was even a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes. "Gambling is one of those things where once you start, you can't stop. Cousin, you look like a good girl, but I guess you're not so innocent after all."
Her barefaced expression seemed to say, "You're in trouble now."
I laughed coldly inside, suppressing my emotions and sniffled as I explained, "It's not like that. I went for a health check-up last week and was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis."
"But we don't have enough money for treatment, so I thought I'd try my luck gambling."
The three of them were shocked when they heard this, and even my parents looked at me in disbelief.
"Pancreatitis? Something that serious, and you didn't tell us?"
My parents, who were unaware of the truth, were genuinely heartbroken, and the whole living room echoed with the sounds of our family's wailing.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the three of them standing awkwardly, looking embarrassed. They wanted to leave but were hesitant.
Ha, still not giving up, huh? I guess it was time to turn up the heat.
I gently pushed my mom away and, with sincerity and helplessness, looked at Nora and her family, full of hope.