The Last Sacrifice

At ten, their parents had forced Cassandra to give up her grandmother's last keepsake. A necklace.

At sixteen, their parents had forced her to repeat a year to keep her younger sister company in high school.

At twenty, her parents had forced her to give up her childhood engagement to Clara.

At twenty-one, they had forced her to take back the engagement when a wealthier heir came into the picture.

Their parents always said, “You are the older sister, it is your responsibility.”

Cassandra had never objected. She would cry her eyes out in her room behind closed doors, but she’d always yield.

Every single time she ever received decent treatment from them always came with a price.

But she assumed she had given up everything she possibly could. That’s why she hadn't suspected them today.

“Think about it, Cassie. You are the older sister, it is your responsibility to keep your younger sister…”

“No.” Cassandra's voice came out low, but firm, cutting her father short before he could finish.

“What did you say?” Bernard’s voice carried a hint of anger.

Cassandra sat up straight, locking eyes with her father, “I said no.”

Her gaze drifted to her mother who was sitting next to her with wide eyes, “I am not going to be Clara's surrogate.” She added firmly.

Then she stood up, wiping the tears sliding down her cheeks, “The Caldwells are Billionaires. If they truly want an heir, they can pay for a qualified and trustworthy surrogate.”

“I am done being the spare child you use to fulfill Clara’s princess fantasy.” She snapped at them, the veins in her throat throbbing.

Evelyn, Bernard and Clara exchanged a glance, shocked and speechless by Cassandra’s sudden outburst.

She was always an obedient child. They’ve never had to make a request twice before she agreed. Why now?

Cassandra sucked in a sharp breath, wiping away more tears as she turned and started towards the stairs.

“10%.” Bernard's voice carried through the room, forcing Cassandra to stop halfway. “I will give you 10% of Hart Interiors shares if you do it.”

Cassandra felt like a huge blow landed on her chest.

10% shares. To help Clara and her billionaire husband carry a child.

They were worth that much.

Three years ago when they had both gotten married, their parents had given Clara 15% of the company shares.

They said it was so her husband and in-laws won't look down on her.

But all they gave Cassandra was a Mercedes car.

“The company shares are too valuable for someone marrying a comatose man.” They had said.

But today, for a child that hasn't been conceived yet, they were willing to give up that much.

Bernard meant to impress Cassandra, but it only enraged her. She heaved a sigh and continued walking.

Evelyn glanced at Clara, making an eye gesture.

Clara quickly took the hint and stood up, running after Cassandra. She caught up to her at the foot of the stairs.

She grabbed her hand, her voice dropping into a lower whimper, “Sis, please help me.”

Cassandra tried to pull her hand away, but Clara's grip was tight.

Then Clara slipped down, her knees hitting the floor, “Cassie, you know wealthy families like this are always desperate for heirs.”

“Dante can play it cool but his father and grandma are not easy to deal with.” Clara was already crying at that point, her voice quivering.

She noticed how Cassandra’s tightened fist slowly loosened in her grip and a small smirk tugged at her lip.

It was working.

She continued, crying harder, “Please sister, save my marriage. You are the only one I have.”

She let her voice tremble slightly at the last word.

Cassandra finally turned to look at her.

Clara was good. Her eyes were almost bloodshot. Tears smeared her mascara all over her face, and her lips trembled just at the right time.

Cassandra’s jaws tightened looking at the pitiful face staring back at her. She couldn't help the ache in her heart as she stared at her.

Clara was her younger sister after all. When their parents weren't forcing her to give something up, they got along well too.

But child birth wasn't like giving up a necklace or a fiance. It is a matter of life and death.

And with the numerous complications she always saw online, she was scared too.

She might be the older sister, but it's just by a year.

“Let go.” Cassandra said, her voice devoid of any emotions.

Clara's brows pinched together, “Sis…”

“I said let go.” She snapped.

Clara let go.

Cassandra ran up the stairs, wiping the tears that streamed down her face with every step.

When she reached her room, she slammed her door shut, pressing her back to the door.

She slowly slipped down until she sank to the floor.

Cassandra buried her head in her thigh, letting go of all the tears she had fought so hard to hold back.

She clenched her chest tightly but her heart felt like it had been ripped out and poked by a thousand needles.

All she ever wanted was a little bit of her parents' attention and love that she missed out on for the first ten years of her life when she lived with her grandma.

For the past fifteen years, she’d done everything to get it. But today, she finally realized she was just wasting her time all this while.

Cassandra breathed sharply, forcing back her tears as she leaned back on the door. She wiped off her tears and reached for her phone that was in the pocket of her pants.

The fabric around her knees was damp where her tears had fallen. But that was the least of her worry.

She dialed a number. It rang twice and then someone answered.

“Ms. Hart, how are you doing? Are you alright now?” A feminine voice came through the phone as soon as the call went through.

It was Bri, Cassandra’s personal assistant.

Cassandra nodded as if she could see her, “I'm fine,”

She cleared her throat trying to make sure her voice didn't sound as hoarse as it did the first time,

“Bri, do me a favour. I will send a document to you. Print it and bring it to me at home.”

“Okay, ma.”

The call ended. Cassandra dropped her hand to the floor, a choked sob escaping her lips.

Her fingers trembled as it hovered around the document she wanted to send.

This was their last test. If they didn't pass, she’d really stop thinking of them as family.

But deep down, Cassandra was sure they were going to fail it.

***

Later that evening, Cassandra walked down the stairs, a piece of paper in hand.

Her eyes were still red, her nose slightly swollen from the tears.

Evelyn and Bernard were having dinner at the dining table. Clara had already returned to her home.

When they saw Cassandra walk over, Evelyn quickly smiled, walking towards her and pulling her to a chair.

“Dear, did you change your mind?” Evelyn asked.

Not how are you feeling now. Not have you eaten. Just have you changed your mind?

She had spent the previous night in the hospital, but none of that mattered compared to Clara’s request.

Cassandra swallowed as she adjusted in a chair across from them. None of that mattered now. She was used to it.

She placed the papers on the table in front of her. Her eyes fixed on the paper as her hands trembled slightly over it.

“I will do it,” She started, her voice filled with uncertainty. “But I don't want the shares.”

Bernard let out a satisfied laugh. “Of course, I always knew you were dependable.”

Cassandra always knew they didn't really mean to give her any shares. They knew she would reject compensation like she always did. They just needed to show how desperate they were.

She raised her head. Her mom was grinning from ear to ear, already reaching for her phone to share the good news.

Her Dad was shoving a big chunk of meat into his mouth like he hadn't just asked her to give her body away.

“$10 million.” She said, making them pause in their actions, “I want $10 million transferred to my account and…sign this.”

Bernard almost choked on his food, “$1—$10 million?”

“And this…” His eyes widened as he grabbed the paper on the table and scanned through it, “A severance form? You want to cut ties with us?”