Six months ago, my mom knelt on the ground begging me to donate a kidney to my stepsister. Six months later, on the night before my wedding, my mom knelt on the ground again, pleading with me to give up my fiancé to her beloved stepdaughter. My brother slapped me across the face. “Lily, how can you be so inconsiderate? She’s dying, don’t you know?” It’s okay. In two more months, I’ll be dead too. That will make everyone happy. On the eve of my wedding, Mom knelt on the ground begging me: “Lily, please don’t get married yet. Let Lucas stay with Chloe for a while, okay? Chloe has depression, and her condition has worsened since she heard about your wedding… Please, I’m begging you.” I didn’t respond. Then my brother suddenly slapped me hard across the face. He was furious, veins bulging on his neck from anger. I looked at them with a smile: “So, anything Chloe wants, you expect me to sacrifice? My kidney, and now even my future husband – is that right?” Mom’s eyes were red and teary: “Chloe is still young, she… she can’t live without Lucas. I promise you, once Chloe gets better, we’ll let Lucas come back and marry you, okay?” My brother grabbed my wrist: “Lily, stop being difficult. We’re family. Isn’t it good if Chloe can live well?” Lucas knocked and entered the room. His expression was hard to read. He was still wearing the suit for tomorrow’s wedding. I could see the hesitation in his brow, but in the end he just patted my head and said: “Lily, wait for me to come back.” The three of them hurried out, leaving me alone like a confused clown. My traditional wedding dress and white gown still lay on the bed. I looked at the medical report I had just received yesterday in my makeup case. I thought to myself, it’s okay. I’ll be dead soon too. Then everyone will be satisfied. My donated kidney and my future husband – they can all be hers.
Mom had already notified all our relatives and friends that they didn’t need to come tomorrow – the wedding was canceled. Lucas had also informed his family that the wedding would be postponed. As the bride, I had no say in any of this. It was just like six months ago, when Chloe needed dialysis and a kidney transplant due to uremia. The whole family was required to get tested for compatibility. I had always been the least noticeable person in this family. But on the day the test results came out, Mom, Uncle Steve and my brother didn’t stay at the hospital with Chloe as usual. Instead, they prepared an elaborate dinner for me at home. I had never been treated like this before, and felt a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention. But no one remembered that I’m allergic to seafood. Mom spoke in a placating tone: “Lily, the test results are out… you’re a match for your sister. You can save her…” I stared at the seafood on the table, then suddenly looked up at the three of them: “Do you remember that I’m allergic to seafood?” My brother threw his chopsticks at my face, his expression angry: “Lily, your sister is dying and you’re worried about your seafood allergy?” Mom started crying: “Lily, you have to save her. Don’t forget, Uncle Steve has paid for all your school fees and living expenses since you were little. You should show some gratitude.” It was pouring rain outside that night. Mom knelt down begging me, my brother glared at me with hostility, and Uncle Steve looked at me with pleading eyes. I gave a small laugh: “Mom, if I donate this kidney, can you promise not to make me give up my things for her anymore?” My mom hesitated for a moment, but then nodded vigorously: “I promise you.” I agreed, and the three of them finally breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the heavy rain outside, Mom hurried to leave. “Chloe is terrified of thunder. She’ll be scared without me there. I need to go to the hospital to be with her.” I was left alone in the room, staring at the table full of seafood. I suddenly remembered when my dad was still alive before his illness – Mom loved me then, my brother doted on me, and the whole family carefully protected me. When did everything start to change? It seems it was twenty years ago, when my dad passed away and Mom remarried Uncle Steve, bringing me and my brother along. He was kind and gentle, and his daughter was lively and lovable – everyone adored her. Meanwhile, I had become quiet and withdrawn after losing my father and our standard of living dropping suddenly. I wasn’t the type of child that adults found endearing. Sometimes when I watched my brother, Mom, Uncle Steve and Chloe together, they looked like a perfect family of four. I was the extra, unnecessary one. Anything I liked, if Chloe happened to like it too, Mom would give it to her instead. Even my own brother, through day after day of interactions, came to favor the stepsister who had no blood relation to him. She would lean affectionately on his shoulder, or hop onto the back of his bicycle after school, ignoring me as I trailed awkwardly behind them. Back then, Chloe said to me: “Big sis, your mom and brother are mine now. You’re really unnecessary.” As I stood there stunned with tears in my eyes, she had already run to my mom, hugging her and acting cute, then turned back to make a face at me.
Thinking back on this, I lay down on the wedding dress on the bed. Suddenly my body was wracked with intense pain, a bone-deep ache that made tears stream uncontrollably from my eyes. I curled up on the wedding dress I had chosen so carefully, crying like an abandoned puppy. The next day, I packed up my things and returned to the small home Lucas and I shared. I sent Lucas a message: “Lucas, I think we need to talk.” Soon, Lucas’ reply came through – a selfie of him with Chloe. He was smiling like that fresh-faced college boy from years ago, his expression relaxed and carefree. I knew this was Chloe’s doing. I called Mom next. She picked up, speaking in a low voice to brush me off: “Lucas is here keeping Chloe company. Her condition is much more stable now. Okay, I can’t talk now, I need to bring Chloe some soup.” I tossed the phone aside and looked at the whimpering dog beside me. It jumped onto my lap, sniffing me, then lay down on my legs. I wondered if dogs could smell sickness on people – it seemed dejected. I patted its head: “Lucky, Mommy needs to take care of something. I’ll come back for you.” I drove to the hospital. Uncle Steve and Mom were lovingly watching over Chloe, peeling an apple for her. My brother and Lucas were by Chloe’s bedside, helping her play a mobile game. Fighting the discomfort in my body, I twisted the door open and walked in. Chloe’s face immediately darkened. She quickly clung to Lucas’ arm and looked at me with red, tearful eyes: “Big sis, can you please let me have Lucas? Please?” Lucas hurriedly stood up and brushed off her hand: “Lily, I was planning to come home soon.” Uncle Steve looked uncomfortable, but still forced a smile: “Lily, Chloe isn’t well yet. Once she recovers, our whole family will attend your wedding.” At this point, Chloe seemed to be strongly triggered. She clutched her head and started screaming loudly. My brother hugged her, patiently comforting her: “It’s okay Chloe, don’t be scared. Your brother is here, I’m right here with you.” Mom pushed me out the door: “Why did you come? Don’t you know seeing you upsets her?” I stared straight into Mom’s eyes: “Mom, do you remember that I’m your real daughter?” A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes, then she coldly pushed me away: “Lily, don’t be difficult. You were able to go to college and grad school – don’t forget it was all paid for by your Uncle Steve. You should be grateful.” I desperately grabbed Mom’s hand: “Mom, I can pay back all the money to Uncle Steve. Can you please…” She closed the door without looking at me again. I finished my sentence to the empty hallway: “Can you please… not treat me like this?” Lucas pushed open the door and came out. There was guilt hidden in his eyes: “Lily, there’s nothing between me and Chloe. Her depression is very severe.” I looked at this man I had loved for seven years, since freshman year of college. I finally let out a long sigh: “Lucas, that summer during our first year of grad school, when Chloe insisted on coming to our city for an internship – the pet camera at home recorded what you two did every day.” His face went pale. He gripped my sleeve tightly: “Lily, I didn’t do anything with her.” I nodded: “That’s right, you didn’t do anything. You just played games together, watched shows together, walked my dog together. And when she trash-talked me, when she secretly kissed you while you were sleeping on the couch – you didn’t push her away.” “Lily, we’re about to get married.” “Lucas, we’re not getting married anymore. I wanted to pretend I didn’t know, but it seems even pretending can’t cover up some facts. Chloe is indeed more likable than me. Everyone loves her. I can’t keep up this act anymore. Just like how all these years she would constantly send you cute, flirty selfies. Even though you never replied, you were moved by them, weren’t you?” As I turned to leave, Lucas suddenly hugged me from behind: “Lily, I’ll go home with you. We’ve been together for seven years, seven years…” Just then, Chloe’s face appeared in the window. She violently smashed her head against the wall. There was a loud thud. Her forehead started bleeding. She glared at me viciously: “Lily, why do you have to fight me for everything?” Lucas hesitated. He let go of my hand, his gaze evasive. He started to open the door to go back inside. I knew in that moment our seven-year relationship was over. The sounds of Mom and my brother’s scolding voices filled my ears again. The filthiest insults, used in their angriest moments to curse me – the intruder. My brother pinned me against the wall, glaring at me fiercely: “Lily, can’t you just behave? Are you stupid? Do you have to turn the whole family upside down?” I said to my brother and Mom: “Don’t worry, Lucas is Chloe’s now.”
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