Chapter 1

"Ivy! Ivy!"

Adrian called my name several times. When I didn't respond, he had no choice but to crouch down and try to coax me.

"Ivy, it was just one gross-flavored jelly bean. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?"

I still didn't respond. The smile slowly faded from his face, and impatience crept into his eyes.

After a long moment, he stood up and frowned down at me where I lay on the floor.

"Ivy, you've become impossible."

My chest tightened. But I was only a soul now. All I could do was float beside him and watch it all in despair.

Adrian, I'm not breathing.

Check my pulse! Even if you just touched my hand, you'd feel how terrifyingly cold I am!

But he turned and walked away, reporting to my father that I was still throwing a tantrum.

The moment my sister Nadia heard that, her eyes welled up. She lowered her head and wiped away her tears.

"Is Ivy mad at me? This is all my fault. I shouldn't have played that joke on her."

My mother's heart instantly ached for her, and she pulled Nadia into her arms.

"Sweetheart, this isn't your fault.

"Ever since she was little, Ivy has never been able to stand you getting even a little attention. She won't stop until the whole family revolves around her."

Adrian hurried over too, handing Nadia a tissue and comforting her gently.

"Ignore her. She's always fought for attention. This whole performance today is just because she doesn't want you to be happy."

My father set his wineglass down hard on the table, his voice tight with anger.

"Faking an illness on such a happy day and ruining everyone's mood. She's completely out of control.

"Adrian, put Ivy out on the terrace. Let the cold wind clear her head. She can come back in once she's thought it over!

"The fireworks show is canceled tonight. She can forget about watching it."

Every word was like a blade driven into my chest. The pain made my whole soul tremble.

Nadia's parents, Franco and Gina Moretti, had died saving my father during our war with the Camorra. So after we adopted her, all of my family's love went to her.

I treated Nadia like my own sister, too.

But my parents seemed convinced that I was hostile toward her. If I spoke to her even a little loudly, I was yelling at her.

When I won a ballet competition, I was showing off on purpose to make Nadia, who'd never learned ballet, feel inferior.

Even on the day I was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, no one in my family believed me. They thought I was faking it to compete for attention.

To earn even a little of their affection, I gave in to everything my parents asked of me, one step at a time.

I gave up ballet, the thing I loved most. I stopped mentioning my heart condition. I put Nadia first in everything.

I always thought that if I were good enough, if I gave in to Nadia enough, my parents would love me the way they used to.

And what did I get for it?

I ended up dead.

Adrian hesitated for a moment, but he still followed my father's order. He hoisted me over his shoulder and headed for the terrace.

He dropped me on the floor. My ankle slammed hard against the doorframe, leaving a bruise.

He glanced at the mark on my ankle and sneered.

"Ivy, you're really committed to the act. You can even take that kind of pain."

Adrian, don't do this to me. Please, stop!

I desperately tried to stop him, but my hands passed right through his body. All I could do was watch as I was shut out on the terrace, cut off from their laughter and chatter.

Nadia looked at me sprawled out there like roadkill. The corner of her mouth curled into a barely noticeable smile, then she quickly put on a pitiful expression.

"Papa, I should go ask Ivy to forgive me.

"After all, I'm only adopted. You don't need to punish her because of me."

"Who told you that? Sweetheart, you'll always be our own flesh and blood."

My father immediately sat up straight, his eyes fixed on Nadia.

Nadia didn't say anything. She lowered her head and darted a quick glance in my direction.

My father caught it instantly. He slammed his hand on the table and roared.

"Ivy, you've gone too far!

"Get up right now and apologize to Nadia!"

No! I never said that! She's lying about me!

I shouted at the top of my lungs, but no one could hear me.

Nadia stepped forward and caught my father's arm, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Papa, don't be angry. I don't blame Ivy. She's always been proud. Of course she won't listen to us.

"It's just that the floor out there is so cold, and I'm worried about her health. Why don't we call the whole Family over? If Ivy feels too embarrassed in front of everyone, maybe she'll get up."

My father nodded and looked at Nadia approvingly.

All I could do was watch in despair as my father ordered Adrian to summon all the Family members.