Chapter 1

Evelyn's POV

Every time my husband wants to make me give in, he slaps divorce papers on the table. Every time my parents want me to cave, they threaten to disown me.

What they want is simple: give everything to my twin sister.

I used to fight back. I cried. I demanded to know why it always had to be me.

But when the doctor slides the test results across his desk and tells me in that pitying voice, "Stage four brain cancer. You have a month, maybe less," something in me just... stops caring.

I'm dying anyway. They can do whatever the hell they want.

---

I'm standing outside the hospital, and my phone starts ringing.

Marcus.

I answer. "Where are you?" His voice is already annoyed. "Get home. Kaley passed out again. Doctor says we need to schedule surgery ASAP. You're signing that kidney donor consent today. Got it?"

Before I can say anything, he keeps going. "Don't pull any of your shit this time. You drag this out any longer, I'm having my lawyer file. Your choice."

He hangs up.

I'm staring at the black screen, my mind blank. This isn't the first time Marcus has threatened divorce. Last month it was because Kaley wanted my necklace. The month before, she wanted to move into the master bedroom.

As for the kidney thing, they've been tag-teaming me for six months now, ever since Kaley got hospitalized.

Dad called yelling: "You feel good about being the older sister, huh? She's been weak her whole life because you took everything from her before you were even born! She's dying now, and you can't give her one kidney?"

Mom was worse, sobbing: "If you don't save her, you're not part of this family anymore. We didn't raise you just to watch your sister die!"

Marcus was the most direct: "If you really loved me, you wouldn't put me in this position. You're the only match for Kaley. You don't sign, you're making me choose between you two."

I said no back then.

Dad stormed out. Mom pointed in my face and called me a "cold-blooded monster." Marcus threw the divorce papers at me.

But now? None of it matters.

I'm sitting in my car, watching the gray sky outside, and for the first time, I feel this weird sense of relief.

I've got a month left. She can have the kidney. Not like I'll need it.

By the time I pull into the driveway, it's already evening.

I haven't even opened the front door when I hear laughter coming from the living room.

I walk in. My parents are sitting on either side of the sofa. Marcus is in the middle. Kaley's curled up against him. There's a plate of cut fruit on the coffee table. Dad's telling some joke. Marcus is looking down at Kaley with this soft expression on his face.

Kaley's wearing a cream-colored cashmere dress, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright with laughter.

Doesn't look like someone who needs a new kidney.

The door clicks shut behind me. Marcus looks up. The second he sees me, his face hardens.

He stands, pulls two documents out of the coffee table drawer, and tosses them at my feet.

"Kidney consent form. Divorce papers." His tone is flat, like he's dealing with paperwork at the office. "Pick one. Today."

My parents stop talking and turn to stare at me.

Mom frowns. "Why are you getting home so late? Kaley had a fever this afternoon. You know how scared we were?"

Dad scoffs. "Always running around. You could spend that time worrying about your sister instead."

I bend down and pick up the documents.

The surgery date on the consent form is already filled in. Seven days from now. The divorce papers have a law firm's letterhead at the top. Marcus has been ready for this.

I'm standing there, looking at the four of them.

Kaley bites her lip. "Evelyn, don't feel bad... I know you don't want to donate. It's okay. I'll figure something out..."

"Figure out what?" Marcus cuts her off, glaring at me. "You're her only match. Where's she supposed to go?"

Mom's tearing up. "Exactly. How can you just watch her die?"

I don't say anything. I just stare at the consent form for a long time.

Then I walk over to the coffee table, pick up a pen, and sign my name.

The room goes dead silent for a second. Then everyone erupts.

"Oh, thank God!" Mom's wiping her eyes, rushing over to hug Kaley. "My baby girl is going to be okay!"

Dad lets out this huge breath, claps Marcus on the shoulder. "Should've done this from the start. She's the older sister. She's supposed to look out for her little sister."

Marcus stares at me for a few seconds. His expression softens slightly, but there's still no warmth. "Smart move."

Then he turns back to the sofa and keeps talking to Kaley.

I drop my gaze. While they're all distracted, I pick up the divorce papers, flip to the last page, and scribble my signature.

Then I set them down in the corner of the coffee table.

Nobody notices.

The celebration goes on for about ten minutes. Mom even picks up her phone to order food delivery. "We should celebrate properly," she says.

When she puts her phone down, she suddenly seems to remember I exist. She turns to me. "Oh, and don't worry too much. Once Kaley's surgery is successful, the family trust will still be split between you two. We're not going to cheat you out of anything."

Dad nods. "Right. You've got a stubborn streak, but you're still our daughter."

Marcus is leaning back on the sofa, throwing out casually, "Once she's better, we'll just live our lives. You should stop giving her such a hard time."

When he says this, Kaley's tucked against him. Mom's sitting next to Kaley pouring her water. Dad's standing behind the sofa, smiling.

The four of them form this perfect little circle. Like a family.

And I'm standing on the other side of the coffee table, watching from the outside.

I look at them and I almost want to laugh.

Inheritance? Living our lives?

I won't even make it to next month. What do I need any of this for?

I shake my head. "Forget it. I don't need it anymore."