Chapter 3

"I know you're upset, but Celeste is waiting for me at the hospital. What's the point of this drama?"

Only then did I realize what had happened.

The witch's life potion I'd injected would make me appear completely healthy for 72 hours.

It seemed the potion was indeed effective.

I used the sofa to help myself stand. "Probably just low blood sugar. I'm fine. I'll go to the hospital with you."

"There are some things that need Celeste's personal signature."

Marcus nodded, without a trace of guilt on his face.

At the hospital, Celeste was propped up in bed, looking at the latest tablet computer.

"Sister, are you really willing to give me the entire studio?" Her tone was mocking, full of showing off.

Celeste's complexion was still somewhat pale, but she looked energetic.

"Sister, thank you for giving me the studio. I'll manage it well and won't disappoint you."

"That's right, Aria. You can just stay home and enjoy yourself, waiting for the dividends. How wonderful."

Mom chimed in with a smile.

I pulled another document from my bag. "Since that's the case, I'll transfer my ancestral estate to Celeste as well."

"From now on, let her handle all these matters."

"Aria, have you lost your mind? Do you know what that ancestral estate means?"

Marcus was the first to grab my arm, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Now it was my turn to feel confused.

In the past, hadn't they always sided with Celeste?

Whatever Celeste wanted, they would find ways to take from me.

If I refused, I'd face endless accusations and harsh words.

So why, now that I was voluntarily giving everything away, did they think I was being unreasonable?

Dad snapped back to reality and looked quite pleased. He patted my shoulder firmly. "That's right. This is how family should be."

On the hospital bed, a flash of panic crossed Celeste's eyes, quickly replaced by triumph.

She struggled to get out of bed, but Mom quickly pressed her back down.

"Don't move. Rest properly."

Celeste leaned into Mom's embrace, looking at me with feigned weakness.

"Sister, thank you."

She paused, lowering her voice so only we could hear.

"Marcus will be mine too, from now on."

I looked at that innocent, harmless face and suddenly found it amusing.

"Are you comfortable using my things?"

Celeste's face instantly turned deathly pale.

She clutched her chest, gasping for air. Tears came instantly.

"Sister... I didn't mean it that way... why would you say such things..."

Mom immediately shielded Celeste behind her, glaring at me furiously.

"Aria! What's gotten into you now! What did Celeste say wrong?"

Dad joined in the accusations. "We thought you'd finally grown up, but you're still this selfish. Stop upsetting Celeste!"

Marcus strode forward and yanked me away.

"What exactly do you want? Won't you be satisfied until you drive Celeste to her death?"

The disappointment and disgust in his eyes pierced through me like a needle, numbing my heart.

I watched as the three of them surrounded Celeste, gently comforting her.

And I stood there like an outsider.

No, I was a dead person about to exit the stage.

Dad, Mom, you've been deceived by Celeste's innocent face for so many years.

Do you really believe she's really dying?

My throat felt terrible. I suddenly turned around and started coughing violently. The tissue in my hand was instantly stained with specks of blood.

"Aria, what's wrong? Do you have a cold?" Mom asked with a frown.

I gripped the bloody tissue tightly. In the end, I couldn't help but look at them.

"Dad, Mom, if I died from illness one day, would you be sad for me?"

But Mom's expression didn't change at all. She just looked at me impatiently.

"Child, you're perfectly healthy. Why are you saying such unlucky things?"

Dad nodded, looking at Celeste with worry. "It's Celeste who needs proper care before and after surgery. We can't be careless about anything!"

"Exactly!" Mom immediately chimed in. "Aria is just under too much stress lately. Celeste is the one who's sick and needs our concern!"

The last ember of hope in my heart was completely extinguished.

When we were children, the whole family went to the lake. Despite our warnings, Celeste insisted on swimming in the deep water.

She quickly got a cramp and struggled in the water, calling for help.

I jumped in and used all my strength to drag her to shore.

When Mom and Dad arrived, they only saw Celeste's pale face after choking on water.

Mom held Celeste and scolded me harshly for the first time in her life.

"Aria, you're the older sister. Why didn't you watch your little sister properly!"

Dad also said I was jealous of Celeste and had deliberately harmed her.

From that day on, they decided Celeste was physically weak, and it was all my fault.

They felt they hadn't protected Celeste well enough, so they had to compensate her doubly.

I became their way to avoid responsibility.

So now, when Celeste wanted my kidney, they thought it was perfectly justified.

It was what I owed her.

There was nothing left in this world worth staying for.

I seemed to see Rusty running happily to my feet.

I unfastened the collar around his neck and said, "Don't you love freedom? Let's go."

I stood up and headed toward the hospital room door.

I turned back for one last look.

They were all gathered around Celeste, caring for her. Not one person looked back at me.

I quietly closed the door and left that suffocating place.

One day left until my death. I was homeless now.

My whole life, I'd lived for others, never truly stopping to live for myself.

Before my body completely gave out, I dialed a number.

Then the world plunged into darkness.