Chapter 1

The day of the cheerleading championship, I was genuinely happy.

Even though I knew I didn't have much time left, winning the title I had worked toward for so many years made every ounce of effort and training worth it.

As the host announced I was the champion, a sharp, sudden pain shot through my head. I doubled over, clutching my temples.

I heard the audience starting to murmur. "What's going on? She was bursting with energy just moments ago during the performance."

Someone raised their voice, asking with a laugh, "Hey, young lady, did the excitement drive you crazy?"

I shook my head to clear the blinding pain, barely managing to hear them.

As I stepped onto the podium, I glanced at the crowd. Seeing the concern in their eyes, I smiled through the pain.

Everyone seemed so kind.

I opened my mouth to say something, but just then, a water bottle came hurtling through the air, hitting me right on the head.

Pain exploded through my head. It felt like my skull was splitting open, and blood gushed from my nose.

Then I heard my brother, Nelson Locke's, furious voice. "Victoria Locke, you're a pathetic thief! You stole Felicia's championship! You pushed her before the competition—she only got second place because of you. Are you satisfied now?"

I stared at him, stunned. I hadn't done any of that. I had no idea my adopted sister, Felicia Locke, had even been hurt. I opened my mouth to explain.

But before I could say a word, Rowan Carden—my fiance and the sponsor of the competition—stepped forward and coldly interrupted me, "After investigating, it has been found that Victoria used illegal substances. The committee has decided to revoke her championship title."

A large screen lit up behind him, displaying surveillance footage of me taking pills.

But those weren't illegal substances. They were just over-the-counter painkillers.

My eyes darted to Felicia. She was the only one who had touched those pills.

She met my gaze with a smug glint. There it was—the unmistakable gleam of someone who believed they had won.

"No! I didn't… Those weren't…" I tried to explain, my voice rising in desperation.

But Felicia cut me off, tears already spilling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Victoria… You asked me to keep quiet about the pills, and I did. I didn't tell anyone—I swear.

"Someone in the audience reported you. It wasn't me. Please don't be mad at me, okay?"

My face flushed with worry. Her carefully chosen words basically confirmed that I had used illegal substances. At the same time, she made herself look like a poor, helpless victim who had been mistreated by her older sister.

The same crowd that had just been sympathizing with me suddenly changed their tune.

"Oh my god. I can't believe someone that pretty is actually so cruel."

"I thought she was sick when her nose started bleeding, but now I realize it's just a side effect of those illegal substances."

"Poor Felicia. She's dealing with acute kidney failure, and her sister still treats her like that? She looks so heartbroken up there. God knows how much she's endured growing up with Victoria! Victoria's vicious."

"I heard they're a match for a kidney transplant, but Victoria refused to donate one. She even said she'd rather let Felicia die!"

"This is unbelievable. How can a sister be so cruel?"

"Give the trophy to Felicia! She's the real winner!"

I had no idea who started it, but suddenly the crowd turned violent. They hurled anything they could find at me and even flipped me off. Their curses echoed through the entire arena like demonic chants closing in on me.

They screamed for me to get out, saying that someone who bullied her own sister and broke the rules wasn't worthy of being a cheer captain, let alone a champion.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor. The pain in my head intensified, making it almost impossible to stay conscious. My vision spun.

From the stands, Nelson jumped down and rushed toward me. When he hoisted me up on his back, his expression was filled with utter disgust.

He said, "I know you're faking it again. You think passing out is going to save you from the consequences of your actions? Every time you screw up, you pull this crap. Either you fake an injury or pretend you're sick.

"I'll admit—you really sold the act this time. You even made your nose bleed. If you humiliate yourself like this again, I won't bother coming for you."

He carried me backstage, dropped me carelessly onto a bench, then ran back out to apologize to Felicia.

To calm the angry crowd, Rowan announced that Felicia, the second-place winner, would now be awarded first place.

The crowd erupted into cheers for her.

With the last ounce of strength I had left, I turned my head to look at Rowan.

Tears slipped silently from the corners of my eyes.

He was the one who had once promised to love me forever—the one who said he would always stand by my side and trust me.

But now, he had abandoned me and chosen Felicia instead.

My vision went black, and I completely passed out.

When I opened my eyes again, the arena was silent and empty. I was the only one left. Deep down, I knew it would end like this. But it still stung to see that no one cared about me.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

I thought it might be Nelson. But it wasn't. It was a call from my attending physician, Zelda Rhodes.

Her voice was calm and gentle as she reminded me, "Victoria, remember to take your painkillers on time. Without them, you won't even last three days. Have you told your family? Are you really planning to keep your condition a secret from them?"

I replied quietly, "No… I'm not going to tell them. It's better that way. I don't want to make them sad.

"Dr. Rhodes, could you help me make arrangements with the crematorium? Maybe find a burial plot as well?"

I looked around at the empty locker room, my voice wavering as I tried to keep it together.

I was dying, so there was no need to trouble Nelson or Rowan anymore. This way, they wouldn't think I was a burden.

After I ended the call, I forced myself to my feet. My body felt like it might give out at any moment, but I steadied myself. I had already decided—I would be the kind of woman everyone approved of.

So I headed to the hospital.

I would apologize to Felicia and donate the only kidney I had left. If my death could mean something—if it could help Felicia recover—then maybe it would all be worth it.

Maybe then, everyone would finally like me.