Chosen to Die So My Sister Can Live

In Morrowmere, where I'm from, all girls are born with twin souls sharing one body. Once they're 18 years old, their parents choose which soul to keep. The one who is given up on has to drink water from the Morrow River, and her soul becomes one with the river again. I'm the quiet, sensible one, but my younger sister, Lisette Calder, is outgoing, mischievous, and always causing trouble for the family. When we turn 18, unsurprisingly, our parents decide to keep me. I even get to marry Finnian Godfrey, my childhood friend, like I've always dreamed of doing. On the eve of the wedding, I overhear Mom crying in private. She says, "Romy's too awkward and taciturn! How I wish we'd chosen to keep Lissy instead. At least she livens up the house." My heart stings painfully, but I don't confront her or cause a scene. I reassure myself that at least Finnian loves me. But on our wedding night, with his back toward me, he mutters in the darkness, "If only Lissy were here instead of you. She was the one I wanted…" So I'm not the one he wants, either. My vision fades, and I die of a broken heart. Suddenly, my eyes open again. I've returned to my 18th birthday, the day Mom and Dad have to make the choice. I hear them gasp in excitement and declare, "We've been given a second chance! This time, we're choosing Lissy."