Chapter 1

"She wants Rafael to stay with her for a month after she's discharged, doesn't she? Fine. I agree."

The room went quiet for a few seconds after I said it.

Rafael reacted first.

He frowned at me, like he was trying to figure out what new trick I was pulling now.

"You mean that?"

I nodded.

"Of course."

My mother's mouth fell open. My father instinctively took half a step forward. Even Serena forgot to cry and just stared at me with wide eyes.

They probably assumed I'd do what I always did and keep fighting her.

Fighting for the heart that should have been mine.

Fighting for Rafael.

Fighting to be the one our parents looked at with the softer, more loving eyes.

But I was done fighting.

My mother sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to take my hand.

I pulled away on instinct.

Her hand froze in midair, and her expression turned awkward.

Just then, Serena shrank against Rafael's side and spoke up in a small, timid voice.

"But... what if Isabella changes her mind again after the month is up?"

She bit her lip, like she was truly frightened.

"What if she comes after me like I'm the other woman, or tells the whole family I seduced Rafael? What am I supposed to do?"

Her voice trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

"After what happened last time, I still get nightmares."

The moment she said it, my parents' and Rafael's faces changed all at once.

They were remembering that night.

Three months ago, at my engagement party, Serena came over with a glass in her hand to wish me well.

A second later she was in the water, screaming for help.

Guests turned at once.

They pulled her out soaking wet, and she sobbed that I had pushed her, that I couldn't stand her taking everyone's attention.

My father crossed the terrace and slapped me in front of every guest in the house.

Serena's heart gave out that night. They rushed her to the ICU, and the whole family went with her.

My father had me locked in the basement to think about what I'd done.

I sat on the cold floor in my engagement dress until morning.

I told them Serena jumped into the swimming pool on her own.

But not only did they not believe me, they got even angrier.

They were convinced that I had not only pushed Serena but also refused to admit it.

I became the vicious older sister who couldn't stand Serena. An attention seeker who would stop at nothing.

Everything I did was jealousy. Everything I said was a play for sympathy.

So this time I didn't argue.

I was done with all of it.

Rafael's face went cold.

"Since Isabella agreed, let's put it in writing."

"So she can't go back on her word later. Serena just had a heart transplant. She can't handle any more stress."

With that, the bodyguard who never left Rafael's side stepped forward and set a document down in front of me.

So they'd even prepared the paperwork.

The top line read: I, Isabella Rossi, voluntarily relinquish my status as fiancée for one month, during which I will not approach, contact, or disturb Rafael or Serena.

To everyone's surprise, I didn't play any of my so-called tricks anymore.

Instead, I simply picked up the pen and signed my name.

Rafael stood there watching until the last stroke landed. Then he took the document, and his tone softened a little.

"Smart girl."

"I'm just going to keep your sister company for a month."

"The wedding goes ahead in a month. You'll be the Donna of the Valente family. Nobody takes that from you."

I gave a small nod. "Okay."

Rafael had no idea that I didn't even have a month left to wait.

The doctor said I had at most three days left to live.

Finally getting the reply she wanted, my mother stepped forward with satisfaction and took my ice-cold hand.

"Since you've finally come to your senses, stop pretending to be sick and staying in the hospital."

"Come home tonight. I'll cook for you myself. How about that?"

It had been a long time since I'd seen my mother this gentle.

She was always scolding me, always asking me why I couldn't be as sensible as Serena, why I couldn't just behave.

And suddenly, I understood.

It turned out that only by giving up what was mine to Serena could I earn their tenderness.

Serena tugged Rafael's sleeve. "Rafael, it's time for my follow-up appointment."

Before my mother could even spare me another word, she was gone.

From behind, they looked like a perfect little family of four.

And I was nothing but an outsider.

I lay back in bed, the doctor's prognosis echoing in my head: three days. That was all I had left.

And suddenly, a cheer came from outside.

My mother's voice came clearly through the wood.

"Everyone, Serena's doing so well that the doctor says she can come home in a couple of days."

Then her voice went soft, the way it only ever went for one person. "Once you're home, we'll all fly out to the islands, and we'll throw you a proper birthday."

I turned onto my side and buried my face in the pillow.

Today was my twenty-fourth birthday.

My parents had forgotten. Rafael had forgotten too.

My phone buzzed.

Serena had sent a photo.

In it, she sat in the hospital garden in her patient gown, Rafael standing behind her wheelchair, our parents on either side, all of them smiling gently.

Thank you for letting me have this, Isabella. For the next month, and maybe for a long time after that, I'll take good care of Rafael for you.

My heart clenched with pain.

I knew she was never truly as ill as she made herself out to be.