Chapter 1

On the fifteenth of every month, Bianca Romano and I traded families.

A fertility clinic had switched us before birth. I was raised by the Vitales but carried Romano blood. Bianca was raised by the Romanos but was the biological daughter of the Vitales. When the truth came out, neither family wanted to give Bianca up, so they arranged for us to change homes every month.

Bianca belonged to both families. I belonged completely to neither. She had a bedroom, a driver, and parents waiting for her at both estates. I carried a suitcase between guest rooms.

Today was another fifteenth.

A Vitale driver brought me to the estate, but no car waited to take Bianca away. Romano luggage stood in the foyer, and the guest rooms upstairs were occupied.

The housekeeper took my coat. "Mr. and Mrs. Vitale are waiting in the study."

Bianca was sitting beside Celeste when I entered. A pale cashmere sweater hung loosely from her shoulders. She wore no makeup, and her face looked thinner than it had the week before.

Marco stood near the windows. Dr. Ricci, the family physician, sat behind a desk covered with Bianca's medical reports.

Celeste kept one hand wrapped around Bianca's as she spoke.

"Bianca has severe aplastic anemia. The doctor says she needs a stem cell transplant as soon as possible."

I looked at Dr. Ricci. "When was she diagnosed?"

"Her bloodwork came back yesterday," Dr. Ricci said. "Her counts are consistent with severe aplastic anemia."

"Has she had a bone marrow biopsy?"

"Not yet. We intend to complete it in Europe."

Marco pushed another file across the desk.

"Everyone in the family underwent preliminary testing. You are Bianca's closest match."

A pen was clipped to the authorizations for further testing, hospitalization, and recovery.

Bianca drew a careful breath.

"Elena, I don't want you to feel pressured. If you need more tests, I understand." She paused and lowered her eyes. "I just don't know how long my body can wait."

She leaned against Celeste after speaking. Celeste immediately pulled the sweater higher over her shoulders and turned to me.

"Bianca is already weak. We cannot delay this."

I took an envelope from my purse, pulling my sleeve over the dark bruise surrounding the needle mark.

St. Aurelia's had stopped my donor screening after the laboratory found dangerously low platelets and abnormal immature cells in my blood. The hematologist had marked my referral urgent and ordered me to return the next morning for a bone marrow biopsy.

I placed the envelope on the desk, the red URGENT stamp facing upward.

"The hospital suspended my donor clearance. They said these results could indicate a serious blood disorder."

Marco looked at the red stamp but did not open the envelope.

Dr. Ricci glanced at the name of the hospital. "Until the biopsy is completed, this is only an abnormal screening result. Donor panels flag harmless irregularities all the time."

I looked at Bianca.

"She hasn't completed a bone marrow biopsy either."

The room went quiet.

Dr. Ricci's expression hardened. "Bianca's blood counts and symptoms give us sufficient reason to act."

"But mine don't?"

Celeste pulled Bianca closer. "Do not turn your sister's illness into a competition."

Celeste kept her arm around Bianca.

"She spent last night believing she might have only a few months left. Right now, she needs to know her sister will not abandon her before treatment even begins."

"I'm not abandoning her. I'm asking you to wait until the hospital determines whether donating could kill me."

"If the procedure is unsafe, the doctors will stop it," Marco said. "But Bianca's illness is the immediate danger. You still have time to complete your tests after her treatment is arranged."

I looked at the unopened envelope.

"How do you know I have time?"

No one answered.

Marco walked to the desk and removed the pen from the documents.

"The Vitale family raised you for eighteen years. We allowed you to keep our name after the truth came out, and our protection has followed you ever since. Bianca needs your help now. You should remember what this family has done for you."

"I have been your daughter for eighteen years."

"That is why we are willing to pay for your additional tests," Celeste said. "Once Bianca's transplant has been arranged, Dr. Ricci can examine you."

"St. Aurelia's expects me tomorrow."

"Both families will meet the attorneys at six tomorrow evening," Marco replied. "Be there, and keep this within the family."

I looked at the donation papers beside my unopened notice.

I returned the St. Aurelia's envelope to my purse.

"I understand."

Marco relaxed, taking my answer as agreement.

The Romanos were taking Bianca back to their estate for dinner before returning to spend the night. While they left through the side entrance, the housekeeper finished arranging their luggage upstairs. Bianca had turned the guest room where I slept into an extra packing room. Her suitcases covered the bed, though her own bedroom remained hers.

The driver opened the car for me and asked where I wanted to go.

Before I could answer, my phone vibrated with a voicemail from St. Aurelia's.

"Ms. Vitale, your platelet count places you at risk of spontaneous bleeding. Do not postpone tomorrow's biopsy. If you experience dizziness, severe headache, or any unexplained bleeding, go to the emergency department immediately."

Inside the estate, Marco and Celeste were already discussing which specialists would accompany Bianca to Europe.

I put my phone away and gave the driver the address of the Romano estate.

Perhaps my biological parents would believe me.