3

That night, Matteo came to tell me there wasn't enough money in my account to cover my usual medication for the night and the following day.

I froze. The mighty Leone family was suddenly too broke to pay for my medication?

My father sat on the couch drinking whiskey and didn't even look up.

I reminded him, "Dad, there's not enough money for my medical bills."

My father frowned and set down his glass. "The doctor said taking too much of that medication could affect your kidneys.

"Just tough it out until after the surgery."

I clutched the blanket, my breathing quickening. "Without that medication, I won't even have a ten-percent chance of surviving tomorrow!"

My father's expression darkened, his eyes hardening. "Aria, can't you think about your sister for once?

"At a time like this, you're still trying to scare her! You've been on that medication for years. Skipping it once won't make a difference. It won't be as bad as you say!"

I wanted to shout back at him.

But just then, Sofia called out for Dad.

My father's coldness vanished, and he rushed to Sofia's bedside to fuss over her.

I opened my mouth, but the words stuck in my throat.

What was the point? People who don't care about you won't feel your pain.

I woke the next morning to Sofia and Dylan arguing.

Sofia took off the saint's medal and threw it at my brother, crying hysterically. "So she wanted this medal first? You're giving me her castoffs!

"I know I'm not as important as she is, but you can't humiliate me like this!"

Dylan didn't know what to do. He tried frantically to calm her down. Finally, he stormed over to my cot, furious.

"Did you tell Sofia about it behind my back? She's about to go into surgery, and you're still trying to upset her! Apologize to her right now!"

I looked at him coldly. "I'm having surgery too, aren't I? You're sending me to my death to save her, and now you want me to apologize to her? Not a chance!"

Dylan frowned. "We're only asking for one kidney. How is that sending you to your death?

"Doctors do hundreds of these surgeries in Italy every day. There's hardly any risk."

I closed my eyes. I didn't even want to look at him. "Please stop talking to me. These are my last few hours. Can you just let me wait to die in peace?"

That set Dylan off. He grabbed me by the collar. "Who are you putting on this act for?

"Do you have any idea how much this family, how much Mom and Dad, have done for you over the years? Your illness has been under control for a long time, hasn't it? All we're asking is for you to help your sister! You ungrateful traitor!"

I said quietly, "Then I'll pay you back with my life."

My brother let go of my collar abruptly and turned his back on me in anger.

For a while, the only sounds in the room were Sofia crying and my brother's harsh breathing.

As I stared at his back, I remembered that he'd been only 16 when my illness first flared up.

Our parents had been in Mexico on business. He'd acted so grown-up, staying by my hospital bed and asking the doctors about every detail of my treatment.

Back then, he'd seemed so tall. To me, he was the greatest hero in the world.

And now, for Sofia's sake, he was calling me a burden on the family.

I stayed silent for a long time. Dylan seemed to realize he'd gone too far. When he turned back to me, his voice was much softer. "Aria, the whole family is worried sick about Sofia right now. Can you please not cause any more trouble?

"I promise you, once Sofia's surgery is over, I'll give you anything you ask for."

But I wasn't going to live that long.

I'd been on the operating table so many times that they assumed removing an organ wouldn't make much difference.

And because Sofia had never been hospitalized before all this, they treated every little headache or fever she had as a crisis.

Three hours before I was due in the operating room, a nurse took me to a private room.

Suddenly, I started vomiting huge mouthfuls of blood. Dark red blood kept pouring from my mouth and nose.

Matteo rushed back to Sofia's room and found the door locked. He tried to knock, but the bodyguard at the door stopped him.

"Sofia is praying. The Don said no one is to disturb her."

In desperation, Matteo shouted through the door, "Mr. Leone! All of Aria's readings are getting worse. She cannot have surgery in this condition!"

The door opened, and Dylan stepped out, looking down at the doctor. "Are you helping her lie? She was fine half an hour ago. Is she pretending to be sick just to avoid giving up her kidney?"

The doctor was shaking, and his voice cracked with panic. "Her condition is critical, and it's all here in writing! She could die at any moment. A family member needs to sign this now and stay with her!"

My brother took the form and signed it without a second thought. "Sofia's about to go into surgery. We have to be with her.

"You can take care of Aria. You've warned us she might die plenty of times before, and she's always been fine in the end."

Matteo couldn't believe his ears. "The patient is in serious danger right now. She needs her family with her!"

Dylan stepped back to close the door. "Tell Aria we'll come see her once Sofia's out of surgery. Right now, Sofia needs us more."

The door shut again.