Chapter 1

"Mrs. Vance, due to poor sperm quality, it's highly unlikely that both embryos will survive. One of them is already severely underdeveloped. I'm putting you on nutritional supplements for the time being, but if things don't improve in two weeks, I strongly advise a selective reduction. If not, the pregnancy will pose a threat to the healthy fetus." The doctor's words rang in my ears.

When I opened my eyes, everything was pitch black. I could only faintly feel a little lump of flesh next to me, and it was noticeably smaller than I was.

So, I was inside Mom's womb. I immediately used all my strength to pull my younger sister, Juliette Vance, toward me in a desperate attempt to share my nutrients with her.

However, she was simply too foolish; she didn't even know how to absorb the nutrients that were right at her mouth. I couldn't help worrying whether her condition would improve over the next two weeks.

Mom abruptly demanded, "Perform the reduction on the healthy one right now! It's doing nothing but stealing my daughter's nutrients! My daughter must live on!"

The doctor was dumbfounded. "We can't do that. Regardless of gender, we are legally and ethically obligated to prioritize the healthy fetus."

Dad bellowed, "How dare you neglect my daughter, you quack? There must be something wrong with the prenatal medicine your hospital gave us! If not, how could that little brat be stunting my daughter's growth? I bet your hospital is behind this whole thing!"

I stiffened. As it turned out, Mom and Dad retained their memories, too.

Since they wanted me gone so badly, I might as well grant their wish and make way for Juliette. Seizing Juliette's umbilical cord, I pumped nutrients into her.

A sharp pain shot through Mom's belly, and the ultrasound showed that Juliette was fighting for nutrients. Dad and Mom breathed a sigh of relief, no longer giving the doctor a hard time.

…

The moment we got home, Dad rushed into the kitchen to stew some chicken soup.

Mom gently caressed her belly. "My precious Juliette, you must grow big and strong and survive!"

With twice the nutrients flowing to her, Juliette quickly began to catch up in development. Meanwhile, due to the complete lack of nutrition, it took less than a week for me to starve to the point of suffocation. After an emergency examination, the doctor delivered a grim verdict—I had to be terminated immediately.

Mom lost control of her emotions and started throwing and smashing everything in sight. "No, absolutely not! There's nothing wrong with my daughter! There must be something wrong with your tests. None of you is allowed to touch my daughter!"

The doctor snapped, "The fetus's heartbeat is barely detectable. If it dies inside your womb, the other baby won't survive either."

The ultrasound showed that Juliette, who was now overnourished, had completely taken over my space.

Dad pounded his chest in anguish. "My son truly is a jinx! He's jinxed my daughter, who is my lucky charm!"

Mom had only managed to get pregnant with us after five years of IVF. Because Dad had been a heavy drinker for years, he could no longer produce viable sperm for another round of IVF. Consequently, they had pinned all their hopes and dreams on this single pregnancy.

My heartbeat grew weaker and weaker. I wanted to tell them that Juliette would survive. The one who was dying was only me... the jinx.

Mom's abdominal pain intensified. Citing the risk to her life, the doctor forced Dad to sign the consent form.

Soon, I felt a terribly long needle pierce right into me. It hurt so, so much.

I remembered how, for as long as I could recall in my past life, Mom and Dad had constantly drummed it into my head that Juliette had sacrificed herself just to protect me. Hence, I had to live on Juliette's behalf.

Even though I liked action figures, I was only allowed to play with dolls. Even though I hated ballet with a passion, I had to grit my teeth and keep learning it.

At last, I realized the reason behind the sorrow that always clouded Mom and Dad's eyes. I was a boy who couldn't bring them fortune, and our family company's revenue had been plummeting day by day. Thus, this time around, I decided to end my life.

When the doctor announced that the remaining fetus would now be able to develop safely to full term, the heavy weight in my chest finally lifted. Dear Mom and Dad, you could finally hold your heads high and brag about having a daughter who brought you prosperity.