Born to Be Sacrificed

When I opened my eyes, Mom was standing in front of me. I tried to get up, only to realize that my arms were tightly bound to a hospital chair.Before I could say anything, Mom suddenly spoke up. "I've raised you for so many years, and now it's time for you to repay me! I want you to save Rhea."I couldn't help but feel a rising sense of panic as I asked, "Mom… what are you talking about?"A young man's voice interjected, "Mom wants you to donate your kidney to Rhea."That voice sounded all too familiar to me. I turned my head and, sure enough, saw that it was my older brother, Jeremy Campbell."Jeremy?" I called out, and instantly, tears welled up in my eyes.All my life, Jeremy was the only one who cared for me and treated me the best.But at that moment, his expression made me feel extremely terrified—it was as if I were a complete stranger to him.I cried and pleaded with him, "Jeremy, please let me go! It hurts! What do you mean by kidney donation?""Rhea is sick and ne

"I agree as well." Wilma raised her hand. "It doesn't matter if Rhea is the real or fake daughter. I'll still love her."Just like that, the two mothers casually handed out my death sentence.I hoarsely called out to Mom with determination. I refused to believe that, after all these years, there were no feelings for me. Was our bond really worth nothing more than a mere blood relation?Perhaps it was my anguished cry that caused her to hesitate, but she remained still for a long moment.Jeremy frowned and grabbed Mom's wrist, but she gently patted his hand. She turned to face me, her eyes red-rimmed. With a trembling voice, she said, "Faye, Rhea is my flesh and blood—my biological daughter."I've waited and loved for her all these years. You must donate your kidney, no matter what."She took a deep breath and added, "I've already asked. You won't die. You might just be rendered unable to care for yourself. When you leave the hospital, I'll definitely love you and properly make up

Mom froze up for a moment, then frantically flipped through the paternity report. When she saw the test results, she completely broke down.She pushed everyone aside with all her might and rushed into the operating room without hesitation.However, all she saw was the blood everywhere and me lying in a pool of blood.Her legs gave out, and she collapsed in the blood. Then, she crawled toward me on her hands and knees.She kneeled on the floor as she repeatedly stroked my cheek.But all I could do was stare blankly at the ceiling, unable to react in any way—only able to see and hear things."Faye… Faye, wake up… I'm here. How do you feel?" She sobbed. "My daughter…"Jeremy stood by and looked at Mom helplessly. "Mom, you can't just enter the operating room all willy-nilly. You have to leave quickly."Mom ignored him, crying to herself like she was venting out all her feelings.Jeremy grabbed her and dragged her up. "She had anesthesia and can't feel anything! It's no use crying

A crisp and loud-sounding slap echoed in the hallway.Everyone present froze and turned to stare at Mom."Are you crazy?" Wilma shouted."You're the crazy one! It's all you! What have you done?"Wilma sneered. "I did something?" She laughed smugly. "I'm just using the same methods to return the favor! You wanted my family's wealth and swapped my child. Can't I swap her back?""No way!" Mom yelled back. "Back then, you had birthing complications and were bleeding heavily. There was no way you could get up and take a look!"Wilma nodded. "That's true, but you underestimated a mother's love for her child! I love Rhea, so I can sense when she's in danger. Even if I were in pain, I would crawl to save her!"And you? You even named your daughter Faye? As in 'fake', huh?" She's a scar upon your heart, right? How laughable. Do you know how much I enjoyed watching you viciously abuse your daughter for so many years without knowing anything?"After I heard this, I finally realized that

If it were before, I would have snatched the diary back, especially because it recorded the most humiliating and pitiful parts of my childhood.It was hard to imagine a seven-year-old girl starving for an entire week just to save up enough for a diary.But now, I didn't care at all. It felt like something from a past life."I see." Mom shook her head. "Faye is asleep. Come inside and talk."Jeremy tiptoed in cautiously and opened up the small black notebook. In it were my diary entries."X year, X month, X day, Sunny: Does Mom not like me? Am I really her biological child?""X year, X month, X day, Rainy: Rhea's name sounds so nice. Why am I called Faye? There must be some meaning behind it!""X year, X month, X day, Rainy: It turns out 'Faye' implies getting tricked. I hate this name! Why couldn't I be called 'Faith' with a nicer meaning? Does Mom hate me? If Mom hates me, would she be happy if I jumped off the building and disappeared? No… What if I scare Mom?""X year, X mon