Chapter 2

The clock on my nightstand showed 2:00 PM. I had been sitting there for hours, carefully packing the few belongings from my past life that I wished to hold onto.

I needed to move out of the house, despite the fact that it was under my name, I couldn't bear staying with him any longer. When I got home, I started packing my things, however, I hadn't gone far when Kevin came back home, his shirt rumpled and he had the smell of Ginny’s perfume all over him. I scrunched up my nose in disgust when he came into the room.

“Why isn't dinner ready yet?” He questioned.

“I'm tired. Make it yourself.”

Kevin frowned, stomped forward and took my wrist, holding it so tightly that his hands dug into my wrist, “So just because I left you hanging today, are you still mad with me?”

My voice cracked, “Tell me something, Kevin, you were with Ginny, weren’t you?”

Kevin froze, the cocky glint in his eyes flickering for a brief second before he scoffed and let go of my wrist.

“You’re being ridiculous again.” He muttered, turning his back on me, “So what if we went out? She was really upset today, you know how sensitive Ginny gets. I was just cheering her up.

I stared at him, my body trembling from the inside out, “Cheering her up by taking her to a five star restaurant despite knowing how tight for cash we are? Buying her a bag that I begged you for but you denied me of it? Skipping our registry appointment to throw her a party with my family?”

Kevin turned around slowly, his expression hardening, “You really don’t get it, do you? You’re always so dramatic. Ginny has been under a lot of pressure lately. She’s marrying someone she doesn’t love, a cripple in your place just because she wants to repay the family. She got so stressed so I had to take her to the hospital and then try to cheer her up even if her birthday is tomorrow. We’ll reschedule the registry like I said, okay? Just try to be more understanding!”

“Understanding?! So if you had the power you were going to ask me to get married to the cripple in her place? Who asked her to take my place?!”

Slap! The sound echoed in the room as my head jerked to the side, my eyes wide with shock. Kevin's hand was still in the air, anger radiating off him.

Did… Did Kevin just slap me? Because of Ginny?

“You…”

“If it weren't for protecting you, why would she ever agree to marry that disabled heir? Your parents sacrificed Ginny to keep you safe , we all owe her so much, and yet you are accusing Ginny?! Do you want to know why everyone loves Ginny more than they love you, it's because she's not a selfish and ungrateful parasite like you are.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Ginny moved into our house two years ago. Her mother used to work as a maid for my family. After her mother passed away, my parents felt sorry for her and decided to adopt her. She acted very friendly towards everyone — well, everyone except me.

When they weren't looking, she did a lot of disgusting things to me.

"You act like the world owes you royalty status just for existing," Kevin spat again, his usually warm eyes now glacial. "Being the 'real daughter' doesn't make you special - it makes you spoiled. While you're busy playing the victim, Ginny's out there cleaning up your messes."

I took a shaky step back, my cheek still stinging,"You truly believe she's sacrificing herself... for me?"

His voice was brutal, "At least she tries. You? You take and take while she gives everything." A muscle jumped in his jaw, "If I were your father..."

"Don't." My voice cracked like thin ice.

For three heartbeats, silence pulsed between us.

Then his words came quieter, deadlier, "I'm tired, Rhea. Tired of your dramatics. Your entitlement." His gaze flicked to the family portrait above the fireplace the one where Ginny stood center frame, "Ginny understands duty. She makes me feel..."

I cut him off, my voice cold. “Spare me the poetry. You’ve made it clear who you really want.”

Kevin’s jaw tensed. “I didn’t say that.”

I took off the engagement ring and pressed it into his hand with calm finality. “You don’t deserve me, Kevin. You never did. We're done.”

Kevin stared at it, his jaw working. For one impossible second, I thought I saw pain flash across his face. Then his mask slid back into place, "Fine. Have it your way." The door slammed with such force.

I didn't move until the grandfather clock chimed three PM. My cheek still burned, , but the real agony was the hollow ache spreading through my chest. Finally, I'd packed two suitcases with whatever would fit - mostly old sweaters and the few pieces of jewelry my grandmother had left me.

The moving company's quote made me nauseous. Between Mother's medical bills and last month's "family emergency" that had drained my account, I barely had enough for a week at a motel.

My mother was diagnosed with aplastic anemia—a rare condition where her body stopped producing enough new blood cells. The doctors said she needed a match for regular transfusions and, possibly, a bone marrow transplant. I was her only match.

But even so, in her heart, I was never as obedient and sensible as Ginny. How ironic. 

I really don’t understand what kind of magic Ginny used on my family.

And then my phone rang, I already knew it would be her. 

“Where are you?” Mom’s voice could cut steel.  

“You know my donor screening starts in twenty minutes! Don’t make the doctors wait.”  

"Mom, I told you before, I had something really important today—"

She cut me off,"Save your excuses. After everything Ginny has sacrificed for you? She agreed to marry that disabled boy so you wouldn't have to. And you can't even show up on time for your mother?”  

Click. End of call.

I slumped against the kitchen, staring at the medical alert bracelet still on my wrist from last month's bone marrow extraction.

The day of the transplant, I lay in the recovery room, pale and nauseous, still groggy from anesthesia. Every inch of my body screamed, my bones felt like they’d been hollowed out.  

I woke to silence.  

No family. No Kevin.  

Only a half-eaten fruit basket and a get-well card signed by the hospital staff.  

Later, I found out they’d all gone to help Ginny pick her wedding dress. My brother even posted a photo. Captioned: ‘The perfect bride.’  

I didn’t even get a reply when I messaged Mom to ask where they were.

The irony tasted like blood.

Ginny's "fiancé", the Vale heir I was supposed to marry, had been foisted on her when his disability made him undesirable. My parents' solution to their golden goose becoming a gilded cage. And now Kevin...

My phone buzzed. A message from Kevin, sent three hours ago:

Kevin:"Rhea, I am sorry I messed up. Meet me at the oak tree in Central Park at 6PM. Please… just let me explain and make up for you."

I stared at the message.  

Explain? After everything?