Chapter 1

"Ms. Lassiter, we can wait a little longer for the kidney donor."

I shook my head slowly in response to the doctor's attempt to reassure me. Waiting longer wouldn't make a difference.

And all those things I used to fight over? They seemed meaningless now.

Just as I completed the paperwork for my hospital discharge, my phone rang sharply.

"Janelle, go to Navenmoor and get a beef barley soup. Now. Lou just woke up and wants some."

I didn't get a chance to respond before Dad hung up. I would've argued with him in the past, but not anymore.

…

I entered Louella's hospital room with the beef barley soup.

Mom was sitting beside the bed, gently giving her small sips of water. Dad's gaze was fixed intensely on Louella as though even the smallest sign of distress from her would alarm him.

Meanwhile, I—their real daughter—felt completely out of place in that room. Louella was the one who saw me first. "Jan, you're here…"

Dad's head snapped up immediately. He glared at me fiercely before snatching the soup from my hands. "You took your time. Were you trying to starve Lou?"

Mom adjusted the container while muttering, "Can't you do anything right, Janelle? The soup is spilling everywhere. How's Lou supposed to have it now?"

Without hesitation, she chucked the whole thing into the trash.

I'd already told myself I wouldn't let these things bother me anymore, but I could still feel that familiar tightness in my chest—like something was squeezing the air out of me. My face must've gone pale, but nobody even noticed.

"Oh, right. Your mom and I discussed it, and we've decided to transfer your shares to Lou as compensation."

The moment Dad finished speaking, he and Mom handed me a Renunciation of Inheritance form.

"Lou never would've gone through this if it weren't for you. If you really want to make things right, sign it now!"

I looked down at the form in my hands and gave a hollow laugh. "Sure, whatever you say!"

I signed the form and flicked it back to Dad. His stern face relaxed slightly when he saw my signature.

"Since I've already given up my part of the inheritance, why don't we just go ahead and transfer the companies and properties I've invested in over the years to her, too?"

The second I suggested it, Mom and Dad broke into smiles. Mom, who normally couldn't bear to touch me, actually grabbed my hand.

"Jan, you're finally thinking straight! Once Lou's out of the hospital, we can all be a happy family again."

Her hand was warm, but all I felt was the sting. She never smiled at me unless I was sacrificing something for Louella.

I couldn't help but wonder—what would they do if they found out everything about Louella was fake? Would they regret the way they treated me?

Louella noticed Mom holding my hand and instantly felt threatened. She made a light, deliberate cough.

Mom and Dad, who had been standing right beside me, immediately rushed back to her bedside.

…

By nightfall, I dragged myself back home, completely worn out.

I hadn't even managed to take a sip of water when Calvin Quayle's icy voice rang out. "After Lou recovers and gets discharged, she's moving in with us. We'll be taking care of her."