### “Faking death?” The voice on the other end of the line was filled with shock and hesitation. “Miss Jane, are you sure about this? Our team is professional, no doubt, but once you go through with this paperwork, it’s as if you’ve vanished from society. You’ll never be able to show your face to your family and friends again…” “I’m sure,” Jane Faulkner’s voice was soft yet resolute. “Let’s set the date for seven days from now.” Seven days later was her sister Summer Faulkner’s final surgery. At this very moment, Jane’s blood was steadily flowing into a specialized container, waiting to be sent to Summer’s hospital room. The nurse, seeing Jane’s pale complexion, couldn’t help but interject with concern. “Doesn’t your family have anyone else with this rare blood type? You can’t keep doing this alone! You nearly fainted earlier!” Before Jane could respond, the door swung open, and a visibly anxious William Grant rushed in. “Is it done yet? Summer can’t hold on much longer.” The nurse quickly explained, “Mr. Grant, Miss Faulkner doesn’t seem to be feeling well—” William frowned impatiently, cutting her off. “What now?” The word “now” hit Jane like a needle, small and sharp, pricking deep into her heart. William grasped her wrist and let out a sigh. “Jane, stop making a scene. We’re at a critical point after the second surgery. Who else can help Summer if not you?” “I know this isn’t fair to you, but… I owe Summer too much. Please, think of this as helping me repay my debt to her, okay?” “You’ve gotten through it all these years, haven’t you? Just bear it a little longer. It’ll all be over soon.” Jane stared at him calmly. Yes, she had endured it all for so many years. It didn’t make sense for her to stop now. But… she couldn’t bear it any longer. From the very beginning, Jane Faulkner’s life had been marked by “expectations.” Summer Faulkner had been born with severe anemia, her blood type so rare that even hospitals often ran out of stock. She was the beloved darling of the family, raised like a delicate treasure, but growing up, she couldn’t escape bouts of fainting spells and emergency hospital visits. Jane Faulkner was born to fill that gap. She was healthy, which was fortunate. But she shared the same rare blood type, which was unfortunate. Put bluntly, she was Summer’s “walking blood bag.” Jane’s existence was for one purpose: to keep Summer alive. She thought her life was destined to stay that way—until she met William Grant in college. William was the one who taught her to fight back, the one who showed her that there was another way to live. That she didn’t have to belong to anyone but herself. At the time, Summer had a crush on William, so Jane and William’s relationship was kept in secret. For the first time in her twenty-something years of life, Jane had “taken” something from her sister. When the truth came out, the family’s fury was like a tidal wave. Jane became the ungrateful villain in everyone’s eyes. The day she was kicked out of the house, she called William, who was away on a business trip. She couldn’t even say a word—just let out a sob. William immediately booked the next flight back, showing up by her side that very night. He held her close and said, “Jane, you can always count on me.” With William’s support, Jane cut ties with her family and thought she could finally live a life of her own. But then William’s family business ran into trouble. To protect Jane, William kept everything from her. It wasn’t until Summer went to prison to take the fall for William that Jane learned the truth—that William was supposed to be the one behind bars. By the time William managed to get Summer out on bail, it was too late. Summer had suffered greatly in prison. Her pelvis had been fractured, leaving her nearly paralyzed. That day, William carried Summer into the emergency room, his eyes bloodshot, and hoarsely pleaded with Jane: “Jane, only you can save her.” It was like the first twenty years of her life all over again. She was back to being her sister’s supplement. But having glimpsed a better life, Jane couldn’t go back. She didn’t want to be a blood bag anymore. And she didn’t want William anymore, either. After the transfusion, Summer’s face regained some color. She smiled weakly and asked Jane, “Jane, are you okay? What do you feel like eating? I’ll have William get it for you…” Her words carried a subtle claim of ownership, as if she and William shared a deeper intimacy. Jane replied coolly, “Don’t bother. You should rest. I’m heading out.” But Summer grabbed her wrist. “Jane… are you mad at me?” Her lips quivered, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Jane, I know this has been hard on you. I promise, once this surgery is done, I’ll never come between you and William again.” “How could it be a bother?” William walked in with two thermoses in hand, frowning as he overheard the conversation. “Jane, what did you say to your sister?” “Summer, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered so much. Don’t worry, I’ll take full responsibility.” Summer’s eyes reddened with gratitude. “William, it’s okay. I chose this myself.” Jane couldn’t listen to another word of their heart-wrenching “sacrifice and devotion.” She turned and walked out of the room. William followed her, shoving one of the thermoses into her hands. “I got you red date and goji berry soup—it’s good for replenishing blood. You’ve just had a transfusion. Drink up.” Jane didn’t take it. She stared at the steaming thermos, her brow furrowing slightly. “William, I’m allergic to red dates.” William froze. The one who loved red dates was Summer. She’d been anemic since childhood, and their mother had always made sure there were endless supplies of red dates for her. Summer had tried every variety under the sun and never got tired of them. “I forgot…” William retracted the thermos, pressing his fingers to his temple. “Jane, it’ll all be fine once your sister gets through the surgery.” “Go take care of her,” Jane replied flatly. She didn’t bother arguing. Ever since she’d seen a property deed at home a few days ago, she hadn’t felt like wasting energy talking to William. It was for the luxury apartment next door. Only now, the owner’s name had been changed to Summer Faulkner. That day, Jane ran into the neighbor who was moving out and struck up a conversation. The neighbor smiled and said, “Miss Jane, you’ve got yourself a great boyfriend.” Jane smiled politely and asked, “Why do you say that?” The neighbor replied, “Well, he said your sister’s been sick and needs someone to take care of her, so he bought this apartment from me—for double the market price! I mean, if he’s this thoughtful about your sister, he must treat you even better.” In that moment, Jane’s smile froze on her face. She held the property deed in her hand, her curiosity about the details suddenly vanishing. William had made his decision, all without consulting her. Maybe he didn’t think he needed to. Maybe he believed Jane wouldn’t object to her sister living next door. William’s hand on her arm brought her back to reality. “There’s something I haven’t had a chance to discuss with you yet,” he said hesitantly. “What is it?” “After Summer’s final surgery, I was thinking we could bring her home for a while. Just until she’s fully recovered,” William said, carefully. “It’ll be more convenient that way.” “Sure,” Jane replied without hesitation, her quick agreement catching William off guard. “You’re not against it?” he asked, surprised. Jane merely said, “It’s your house. Do whatever you want.” She brushed his hand off her arm, leaving William with his outstretched arm hanging in midair. And just like that, she walked away. William watched her go, suddenly unsure of himself. The day after she received her fake medical records, Jane followed the agency’s instructions and signed a body donation agreement. The agreement was real, but the person who would “die” was an actor hired by the agency to stage her death. To make the arrangement more convincing, the agency recommended getting a family member to co-sign. So Jane called Mrs. Faulkner. Mrs. Faulkner’s voice was as cold as ever. “The one who’s dying is Summer. What nonsense are you up to now? A body donation? Do you think if you die, we won’t find someone else with the same rare blood type?” “You’ve really grown wings, haven’t you? Forgotten your place completely.” Jane was silent for a moment before quietly asking, “What if I really were dying?” Mrs. Faulkner scoffed. “Then come over. I’m with Summer right now.” She didn’t believe her. Jane wasn’t actually sick, but Mrs. Faulkner’s reaction still made her heart grow cold. She arrived at the hospital and handed the crumpled donation agreement to Mrs. Faulkner. Mrs. Faulkner didn’t even glance at it before signing her name with a flourish. She even sneered, “Summer, your sister says she’s dying. Do you believe her?” Summer bit her lip, looking hurt. “Jane, I know I’ve been such a burden to you lately, but you don’t have to make up lies to scare us…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ve been looking for other donors with the same blood type. I won’t keep bothering you. I promise.” Just as she finished speaking, William walked in. He was holding a bouquet of baby’s breath—Summer’s favorite flowers. “Who upset the Faulkner princess this time?” he teased gently. Summer let out a tearful laugh. “William, don’t joke around. No one upset me. I’m just feeling a little embarrassed.” “My body’s been so weak… I’m almost thirty years old, and I still have to rely on my sister’s blood to stay alive…” William hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Jane. She was standing there, thin and frail, her cheeks hollowed out. She looked almost sickly—though maybe it was just anemia from everything she’d been through recently. William tried to smooth things over. “Come on now. Jane’s your sister. She’d never blame you for anything.” Their mother, however, was less patient. “Jane, aren’t you going to apologize to your sister?” “You’re in your late twenties. How do you still not understand gratitude? If it weren’t for Summer’s illness, do you think we would’ve even had you? Let alone let you stand here now, threatening us like this?” Jane froze in place, her resolve crumbling under those few short sentences. She had always known. If it hadn’t been for Summer’s severe anemia and rare blood type, her parents never would’ve had her. She wouldn’t exist. But hearing it said out loud, hearing her worth as a person reduced to nothing, still felt like a knife twisting in her chest, leaving her breathless. Instinctively, she looked to William. Once, he had been the one to tell her she wasn’t anyone’s accessory. But now, William avoided her gaze. “Jane,” he said quietly, “the doctor said Summer needs to stay in good spirits…” “Just apologize to her. Make her feel better.” Jane’s entire body trembled. She took a step back and let out a hollow laugh. “Why should I apologize?” she asked, her voice steady but her eyes defiant. William stepped closer, frowning deeply. He lowered his voice and said, “Summer’s sick. Her health is fragile. Can’t you just be a little more understanding?” All her life, Jane had been the “understanding” one. Because of William, she had learned to rebel, to stop being “understanding.” But now, the person asking her to be understanding again… was William. She blinked rapidly, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall, but her eyes still turned red. “William, I’m sick too. My health is failing. I’m dying. Can she, for once, show some understanding for me?” The truth was, Jane’s body wasn’t completely fine. The doctor had warned her that if she kept donating blood and overextending herself, her immune system would eventually collapse. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when. So yes, she had been losing weight—rapidly. But no one seemed to notice. William’s brow furrowed, carving deep lines across his face. His patience was wearing thin. “Jane, stop this nonsense, will you?” he said with a sigh. “No matter what, Summer is your sister—your blood relative. And now, just to avoid donating blood, you’re making up lies like this?” “Why are you even wasting time arguing with her?” Jane’s mother snapped coldly. “William, you need to keep an eye on her. What if she runs off the day Summer has her surgery?” “Mom, don’t say that…” Summer interjected quickly, her voice soft and soothing. “Jane, don’t worry. I’ll do my best to find other donors with the same blood type in the next few days. I won’t keep troubling you.” “She won’t run,” William said, taking Jane’s hand and pulling her out of the room. “I’ll take you home.” It had been a while since Jane had ridden in William’s car. Out of habit, she climbed into the passenger seat. When William first got this car, Jane had joked with him, “The passenger seat is for your girlfriend only.” He had laughed and said, “Don’t worry. Without Miss Jane’s permission, no one else will ever sit here.” But now, as she opened the door, she froze. The seat—the seat that had once been hers—was customized for Summer. A wheelchair, neatly folded, was placed there for easy access. The seat was adjusted far forward to accommodate Summer’s slim frame. And the faint scent of Summer’s perfume lingered in the air, unmistakable and pervasive. William approached, reaching for the wheelchair, but Jane stopped him. “Forget it. I’ll sit in the back,” she said. William hesitated, then offered an explanation. “She sits in the front so I can keep an eye on her. It’s easier for me to take care of her that way.” “I know. I know everything,” Jane said, rolling down the window. The hot night air rushed in, tangling her hair in disarray. Her voice, however, was lifeless, a barren wasteland devoid of emotion. “Everything is about my sister. Her health is all that matters. I don’t matter. Even if I’m dying, it doesn’t matter.” William slammed on the brakes, the car jerking to a halt. He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white, staring into the rearview mirror. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with frustration. “Jane, how can you say that? I’m really disappointed in you.” Jane laughed softly at his words, the sound light and hollow. William pressed on. “If it weren’t for your sister, I’d be the one who went to prison back then. I’d be the one who almost ended up crippled. I owe her too much, Jane. I can’t just walk away from her. “And she’s your sister, your family. How can you be so cold to her?” He exhaled sharply, his frustration spilling over. “Half a year ago, I went with you to get a full check-up. The doctor said you were perfectly healthy. It’s just some blood, Jane. Donating it won’t kill you. “Can’t you hold on for just a little longer? Once Summer’s surgery is over, everything will be fine.” Jane looked at him, and for the first time, she realized she had never truly known this man. This was the man who had once saved her from her cage. And now, he was the one locking her back inside. Jane’s voice was calm when she asked, “You’re not planning to just take care of her for a little while, are you?” William froze, a flicker of panic crossing his face. “I saw the property deed,” Jane continued. “She’s going to be living next door to us. You’re planning to take care of her for the rest of your life.” William pounded his fist against the steering wheel, his eyes bloodshot. “I owe her!” “Then keep owing her,” Jane said as she pushed the car door open and stepped out. Before walking away, she turned and added, “William, I hope you and the Faulkners understand one thing: I don’t owe Summer anything.” Her figure quickly disappeared into the crowd. William remained in the car, sitting in stunned silence. His mind replayed the look Jane had given him before she left. Her gaze had been calm, but there was a finality to it—decisive and unyielding. His eyes drifted to the back seat, where a slip of paper caught his attention. It was a cancer diagnosis. William’s calls came in rapid succession. Jane declined the first, but he kept calling, forcing her to answer. Before she could say a word, William’s voice came through, sharp and anxious. “What’s this about a cancer diagnosis?!” Jane froze, realizing she had accidentally left the paper behind. After a brief pause, she replied softly, “It’s for a friend. She knew I go to the hospital often and asked me to pick it up for her.” William let out a long breath, relief flooding his voice. “Thank God. Have you made it home yet? If not, let me come pick you up—” In the background, Summer’s voice chimed in, playful and insistent. “But I really want those dumplings from that one place! And I want them now!” Jane cut him off before he could answer. “You’re busy. I’ll make it home on my own.” She hung up decisively. Listening to the dial tone, William felt a strange emptiness in his chest. He wondered if he had missed something. But Summer, now dressed and glowing with excitement, looked up at him with stars in her eyes. “William, are we leaving now?” He could only nod. “Yeah. Let’s go.” It was past midnight when William finally came home. He slid into bed, his cold body waking Jane from her sleep. She instinctively shifted away, but William rolled over and pulled her into his arms. His voice was heavy with exhaustion. “Jane… just let me hold you.” “These past few months have been so hard. “Thank God you’re still here with me. Between the company and the hospital, I don’t think I could’ve kept going without you…” He kissed the back of her head, and for a moment, Jane’s heart softened. But then her eyes fell on the new ring on his finger. It was from a brand known for selling rings that could only be purchased as a pair—rings meant for soulmates. When William had proposed to her, she had asked why he hadn’t chosen that brand. She had wanted it so much. William said lightly, “If I’m giving you a gift, of course, it has to be the best and most expensive one.” The ring was, indeed, worth a small fortune. But to her, its value paled compared to its brand. She didn’t like it. Still, she wore it anyway. Her cold fingers pressed against William’s palm, brushing over the ring. She asked softly, “Is it a couple’s ring?” William froze, his composure slipping. “Oh, I went shopping with Summer today. She saw the ring and thought it was pretty. They were sold as a set, so I bought both. She insisted I try one on, and I… forgot to take it off.” As he spoke, he sat up halfway, quickly slipped the ring off his finger, and carefully placed it into a jewelry box on the nightstand. Jane’s stomach twisted painfully. Watching his back, she felt a wave of nausea rise, the kind that made every fiber of her body scream in discomfort. She thought to herself how foolish she was—just moments ago, she’d been debating whether or not to forgive him. But how could she? Turning to the side, she gagged several times, her face pale and drained of all color. William rushed to her side, gripping her arm. “Jane, what’s wrong?” “Nothing… probably just a chill. My stomach hurts a bit,” Jane evaded his touch, and to her surprise, even his mere presence now made her feel sick. “I’ll just take some meds. It’s fine.” William hurried to the living room to fetch her some medicine. But before he could find it, Summer’s call came in like a siren. Her voice was tearful. “William, I had a nightmare. I dreamed I was in prison, locked in the dark, and people were hurting me. I was in so much pain… I was so scared…” “Please, can you come over? I need you.” Without a second thought, William bolted out the door. He didn’t even glance back at Jane, not once, even as she curled up on the floor, unable to straighten from the pain in her stomach. Jane was later diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. At the ER, the pain was so severe she nearly blacked out. A nurse asked her for an emergency contact. Jane hesitated, then dialed William’s number. To her surprise, William answered with, “I was just about to call you. You need to come to the hospital right away—Summer’s anemia is acting up, and she needs a transfusion.” Jane paused, her voice hoarse. “William, I’m not feeling well…” “Isn’t it just a stomachache? Take some medicine and stop being so dramatic,” William snapped, clearly losing patience. “This is a life-or-death situation—get here now!” Jane hung up without another word. William called several more times, but she muted her phone and ignored them all. After getting an IV, Jane finally felt some relief and drifted into a deep sleep. When she woke up, it was already the next afternoon. Her phone was flooded with missed calls from William and countless text messages. The last one read: “Jane, that’s your sister. How can you be so heartless?” Jane let out a bitter laugh. She laughed and laughed until tears rolled down her face. Pulling out the IV needle, she slowly made her way to the third floor, where Summer’s room was. What greeted her was unexpected—a lively, almost celebratory atmosphere. The kind of buzz that didn’t belong in a hospital. A small group of patients and visitors crowded near the door, craning their necks to peek inside. Jane approached, and someone immediately stepped aside for her, grinning. “Oh, look who’s here! Your sister’s in there confessing her love to your brother-in-law. It’s so romantic!” Jane felt a chill run down her spine. Goosebumps erupted all over her skin. Peering into the room, she saw Summer sitting in a wheelchair, holding a large bouquet of red roses. William stood in front of her, his back to Jane. Summer was smiling, her eyes shimmering like they held all the stars in the sky. “William, I’ve actually had a crush on you since college. All these years, I’ve always liked you.” “I know saying this might trouble you, but I just had to get it off my chest. For the rest of my life, I’ll never love anyone else.” “No one will ever treat me like you do.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she gazed at William, her voice filled with emotion. William stood frozen, unable to respond. The crowd outside the room erupted in encouragement. “What are you waiting for? Say yes already!” “Yeah, everyone knows you’re always here for her. You two are obviously made for each other!” “Don’t let this chance slip by, man! Girls with her kind of courage don’t come around every day. Hold on to her!” William hesitated, finally opening his mouth. “But I’m still with—” “William,” Summer interrupted, her voice trembling and her eyes now red-rimmed. She lowered her head, her fragile neck bowing like a butterfly with a broken wing, lifeless and defeated. “It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You can reject me. Maybe… maybe I don’t deserve happiness after all.” She let out a sad smile, her eyes full of hurt. “Really, you don’t have to give me an answer. I just wanted you to know how I feel…” “I’m already broken. Even if surgery can save me, I’ll never be the same as I was before…” The next moment, William took the bouquet from Summer’s hands. He pulled her into a gentle embrace, his hand softly brushing over the top of her head, his voice tender and comforting. “How could I ever think that, Summer?” he said quietly. “You have to keep going, to stay strong. Don’t give up—not for yourself, but for me. No matter what happens, you’ll always have me.” The room erupted into cheers, celebrating Summer’s “successful confession” as if it were the happiest moment in the world. Only Jane remained silent. She turned and walked away, making no effort to stay. It was then that Summer spotted her. In surprise, she called out over the excited crowd, “Jane? When did you get here?” After paying her hospital bill, Jane noticed William waiting at the entrance. His expression was calm, as though he’d been standing there for some time. Seeing the receipt in her hand, William walked over and asked, “Were you sick?” Jane gave him a faint smile, her tone almost teasing. “Yeah, I am. Maybe I’m dying soon.” William’s expression changed instantly. He grabbed the receipt from her hand, looking panicked, but when he saw the diagnosis was just gastroenteritis, he exhaled in relief. “Jane, don’t joke about things like that,” he said, his tone heavy. Jane chuckled lightly before asking, “What counts as a joke, William? Summer confessed to you, and you accepted. Does that count as one?” William rubbed his temples, letting out a long sigh. “Jane, I’m sorry. You saw the situation. I couldn’t exactly reject her in front of everyone…” Jane let out a soft laugh—not angry, just distant. William continued, trying to explain. “Her surgery is the day after tomorrow. If I upset her now, she might refuse the operation. I didn’t want to risk saying something that would affect her mood.” As he spoke, Jane seemed to realize something—the seven days were almost up. “She’s been through so much already,” William added. “She’s fragile after everything that’s happened since she got out. Once the surgery is over, she’ll recover, and everything will go back to normal.” Jane’s expression remained calm, her voice steady as she replied, “It’s fine. I’m not upset.” William seemed relieved that she wasn’t angry. He even went so far as to reach out and take her hand gently, as if to seek her approval. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about,” he said hesitantly. “Our wedding was supposed to be in two months…” William paused, clearly struggling to put his thoughts into words. “But after talking to the doctor, I realized that Summer’s physical and mental state will take at least six months to stabilize after the surgery.” “She told me she loves me, Jane. I’m worried that if we move forward with the wedding now, it might upset her. So I was thinking… maybe we could just get the marriage license and postpone the ceremony until next year?” Jane looked at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “You’ve clearly already made up your mind. Why are you even asking for my opinion?” William sighed deeply. “Jane, you’ve always been the understanding one.” “Just think of her as a child throwing a tantrum for candy. Don’t take it personally.” Jane stood there in silence for a long time before finally speaking. “William, do you remember what you said to me when you first encouraged me to leave my family?” William froze, caught off guard. “What did I say?” “You said the loudest child always gets the most attention. That Summer was too good at crying, too good at demanding, and that I couldn’t keep backing down.” Jane’s tone was calm, but every word cut deep. “And now, you’re asking me to be the one who compromises,” she added. William looked at her, confused. “What are you trying to say?” Jane didn’t have the energy to explain anymore. She simply shook her head. “Forget it. Do whatever you want.” William thought she was giving him permission and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you for understanding, Jane.” But Jane’s silence wasn’t understanding. It was resignation. That evening, William drove Jane home before returning to the hospital. Before leaving, he rolled down the car window and reminded her, “Don’t forget—Summer’s surgery is at 8 a.m. the day after tomorrow. Make sure you’re there in case she needs a transfusion during the operation.” “I probably won’t have time to pick you up, so call a cab. And could you bring some soup? She’ll need something soft to eat after the surgery.” Jane simply nodded. “Got it.” As William drove away, he glanced in the rearview mirror. Jane’s figure grew smaller and smaller in the distance. For a moment, a strange feeling of emptiness settled over him. She was right there, standing still. So why did it feel like she was slipping further and further away? William shook off the thought, pressing the gas pedal as he headed back to the hospital. The day before Summer’s surgery, Jane quietly took care of everything. She arranged for her body to be donated. The forged cancer diagnosis and death certificate were handed over to the agency. Every asset she owned was transferred to a new offshore account. At 8 a.m. on the day of Summer’s surgery, Jane boarded a plane in disguise, her face hidden beneath a hat and sunglasses. As the plane taxied down the runway, a text came through from William’s mother: “Where are you? Why aren’t you here yet? Are you seriously going to let your sister die?” “Get to the hospital NOW!” Moments later, William’s calls and messages began flooding in one after another: “Jane, where are you? Stop messing around and get here.” “Summer needs a transfusion. Are you really going to just stand by and watch her die?” Jane scrolled through the messages calmly, then composed one final text: “William, this is the 45th day since I was diagnosed with cancer. I’ve realized I can’t continue anymore. Physically and emotionally, I’ve been fighting this battle alone.” “I’ve decided to stop treatment. Don’t bother looking for me.” “Goodbye. I hope you and Summer find happiness.” She snapped her SIM card in half without hesitation. She knew that in ten days, the agency would deliver her death certificate and a forged letter to William. Jane, as they knew her, would cease to exist.
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