As the true daughter, I was asked to donate a kidney to the adopted daughter. I pulled out my cancer diagnosis: “I’m sick, I can’t donate.” My eldest brother, Alex, flung the diagnosis in my face. “Liar! Do you know falsifying hospital documents is illegal?” My second brother, Ryan, his eyes red, clamped onto my wrist. “I know you’re jealous of Serena. Are you really going to let her die just to win favor?” My mother, Eleanor, cried, cursing me for being cold-blooded. “Serena’s dying! What’s wrong with giving her a kidney?!” My father, Robert, shattered my last shred of hope with a slap. “Your life’s only value is to save Serena. Don’t be ungrateful.” After being thrown out of the house, I swallowed a massive dose of sleeping pills, lying in bed, calmly waiting for death. But the Cancer Research Institute called me: “Miss Davies, why did you suddenly request to stop the drug clinical trial?” I sighed, defeated. “I’m sorry, I’m a little busy right now.” “Can we talk tomorrow?”
The project leader on the other end, Julian, fell silent for a moment. He asked in a meticulous tone: “Miss Davies, when you signed the consent form, you promised me you’d see it through to the end.” “You’ve been so proactive with every treatment. Why the sudden change of heart?” I sighed, a headache throbbing, not because of him, but because the expected sleep never came. It was probably the resistance from relying on sleeping pills for my usual insomnia. Good thing I had a backup plan. I lay in the simple folding bathtub and slowly brought the razor to my wrist. “Sorry, I’m a little busy right now.” “Can we talk tomorrow?” Julian was stubbornly insistent. “What are you busy with?” I watched the blood bloom in the water, hesitating. Should I tell him I was busy dying? While I was still conscious, I quickly mass-texted my family. Attached was a selfie, the screen awash in crimson. “You wanted my kidney, right? Come collect the body!” “If you’re late, I’ll bleed out, and the kidney won’t be fresh.” My eldest brother, Alex: “You must have spent a fortune Photoshopping that.” “According to the tech I developed, if that blood loss were real, you’d be unconscious already.” “Charlotte Davies, stop acting. If you really want to die, jump off a building.” My fingers trembled, fumbling for the keys. “Your software sucks. You need to send it back to the drawing board.” In the SnapChat chat, a red exclamation mark popped up. System notification: Message sent, but rejected by the recipient. My second brother, Ryan, rapidly sent several messages: “You’re such a drama queen; Hollywood really missed out without you.” “If you truly wanted to donate, why didn’t you just come home? Stop pretending!” “I saw right through you after Serena’s engagement party, you phony!” I was getting dizzy from the rapid blood loss.
That day, it was Serena’s engagement party, but I was the one who went viral, trending everywhere. “Wardrobe Malfunction Steals the Show! The Real Heiress’s Raw Beauty Outshines the Socialite’s ‘Perfect’ Image.” Serena wept, accusing me of humiliating her. Alex said I used despicable tactics to steal Serena’s spotlight on her most important day. Ryan had my dress ripped off me. “You don’t deserve to wear something I made with my own hands!” Dad’s single phrase, “family discipline,” had me confined in the attic for seven whole days. Nothing but water. No food. I developed insomnia, terrified of the dark. From then on, I became withdrawn and quiet. Dad seemed quite proud, believing my newfound obedience was a result of his ‘effective’ parenting. “You came back and turned this house upside down. I truly wish you’d never come back.” His words pierced me, my eyes stinging. I opened Mom’s voice message, clinging to a final sliver of hope. “Charlotte, are you threatening your mother?” Her voice was tearful: “Serena is as much a daughter of the Davies family as you are.” “She’s sick, and as her older sister, you should help her!” “You can’t hate her because of what happened to you when you were little!” I stared up at the ceiling. A true daughter, stolen and sold in childhood, then found again, was nothing but vulgar in their eyes, not worth a single strand of the adopted daughter’s hair. But I, foolishly oblivious, had tried so desperately to win their approval. The moment they invited me to a family dinner, I rushed home, eager. Seeing the birthday cake, I couldn’t contain my excitement and surprise. After so many years, they finally remembered my birthday, finally ready to accept me! Just as I reached for the gift box, Alex smacked my hand away. “That’s Serena’s birthday gift. Who told you to touch it?” I felt a pang of confusion, watching Serena, surrounded and adored, blow out the candles amidst joyous laughter. “So, why did you call me home?”… I listened several times before I understood what they meant. “You want me to donate a kidney to Serena?” I pulled out my cancer diagnosis. “I’m sick, I can’t donate.” “Can’t donate, or don’t want to donate?” Alex scolded my hypocrisy, and Ryan raged that I’d disregard someone’s life just to compete for attention. Mom’s tearful curses and Dad’s slap utterly shattered the last bit of hope I had for the Davies family. I gave a bitter laugh. “Should the true daughter’s blood just drain dry for the sake of the adopted one?” I clutched my phone, feeling like I was squeezing my own heart, my face numb with pain. “Are you going to save your beloved Serena or not?” “If you are, come collect the body.” Mom’s tone was reproaching, as if speaking to an unruly child. “Charlotte, stop acting up. I can’t leave.” “Serena needs me.” Dad’s messages, as always, vanished without a trace. I stared at the silent chat list, muttering to myself, “Didn’t you want my kidney?” “Now that I’m willing to give it, why don’t you want it anymore?”… “Miss Davies, are you still there?” I slowly came back to myself, dropping my hand weakly. “I’m so sorry, I really can’t help you.” “However, I’d be very happy to donate my body to your research.”
I slept restlessly, plagued by nightmares. Sporadic noises drifted into my ears, like someone speaking. When I woke again, Julian’s voice rang above my head. He was pressing hard on my wrist wound, his tone edged with a furious grit. “Miss Davies, did you take pills too?” I smiled, dazed, a flicker of pride in my voice. “Yup! Sleeping pills!” “I saved them up for two months!” Julian rushed me into the emergency room, but a man swiftly cut in front of him. “Doctor, my sister was scratched by a stray cat; she needs a vaccine!” Hearing the familiar voice, I sharply looked up, staring intently at the backs of the two people ahead. What a coincidence. It was my second brother, Ryan, and Serena. “Why did you have to go feed that stray cat? It’s none of your business if it starves to death.” Serena whimpered, looking aggrieved. “Ryan, that’s the cat Charlotte often feeds.” “I saw she wasn’t around, so I wanted to help.” Ryan looked at the three bloodied scratches on her hand, his doting expression twisting into irritation and anger. “This is all Charlotte Davies’s fault, getting you hurt.” I struggled to make sense of it. Mimi? She’s so timid, she hides so well. How did Serena find her? Julian, seeing them cut in line, scowled and moved to argue. I stopped him, weakly saying, “Let’s go to another hospital.” Julian glared. “Change? Change what? You need your stomach pumped, we can’t wait!” The doctor’s ears perked up, and she instantly looked at me, her eyes wide. “Charlotte Davies, is that you?” I recognized her as my clinic doctor and gave her a helpless smile. Hearing my name, Serena immediately looked over. Catching sight of my wound, she turned pale with fright, backing away repeatedly until she stumbled into Ryan’s arms. Ryan frowned, as if suppressing disgust as he glanced at my wound. A few seconds later, a mocking smile twisted his lips. “How much ketchup did you waste on that outfit?” “The wound’s quite realistic though. Are you really trying to fool people even at a hospital?” The doctor pushed him aside. “Sir, this lady’s condition is more serious. I need to see her first.” As Julian carried me past, Ryan shielded Serena. His eyes were wary, as if I were the most dangerous virus on earth, capable of harming his beloved sister. The doctor bandaged my wound and arranged for my stomach to be pumped. She looked hesitant. “Even with late-stage cancer, don’t give up hope.” I deliberately laughed exaggeratedly, pretending nothing was wrong. “You misunderstood.” “Every time I come here, you all say there’s nothing you can do.” “So I just learned from the ancients and tried bloodletting myself.” Ryan’s eyes were filled with disdain and contempt. “Charlotte Davies, aren’t you getting a little too deep into character?!” “A tiny scratch, a few pills, and you’re making a scene at the hospital saying you’re suicidal.” “Now you’re upgrading the drama, playing a cancer patient. Do you really need to go this far just to compete with Serena for attention?” The doctor was annoyed. “She’s my patient, I know her condition!” Ryan eyed me and the doctor back and forth, as if so enraged he found it funny. “Bravo, Charlotte Davies.” “You’re even colluding with doctors just to avoid donating a kidney to Serena.” I shrugged, a faint smile playing on my lips. “If you’d come earlier, my kidney would’ve been yours.” “Now it’s too late. I promised to donate my body to the institute.” Julian suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Ryan’s collar. “She’s this sick, and you still want her to donate a kidney? Are you even human?” Ryan violently shook him off, both angry and amused. “What’s it to you?” “It’s only right for her to save her own family!” My throat choked up, and I gave a bitter laugh. “How do I deserve to be family with Miss Serena Davies?” “Did you ever treat me as family?” Ryan’s face stiffened, then he clenched his jaw, suppressing his anger. “You’re a Davies daughter, living in luxury, you want for nothing. What else do you want?” “Just wait till you get home; Dad will teach you a lesson!” My ears buzzed, and my cheeks faintly stung, as if a burning slap had just landed on my face again. My fingers dug into the edge of the table, my whole body trembling uncontrollably, my voice squeezed through clenched teeth. “Do I even have a home?” “Don’t forget, you threw me out.” Ryan’s face darkened, veins throbbing on his forehead. “It was clearly your spoiled tantrum that made you run away.” He mumbled softly, “We just said a few things to you.”
Julian gently squeezed the IV tube, cool liquid with his body warmth slowly entering my veins. When I woke, I couldn’t help but marvel, “You’re truly dedicated to your patients.” Julian’s face looked a bit unnatural. “You’re not just my patient; you’re also my friend.” I was startled by the answer, taking a moment to process it. Julian’s lowered lashes fluttered. “Of course, maybe it’s just me unilaterally thinking you’re my friend.” “No, no, no, I’d be honored to be your friend!” “I thought geniuses like you only liked making friends with other geniuses.” I paused. “I’m just surprised you’d even consider me.” Julian frowned and pursed his lips, lost in thought. After a moment, he slowly raised his eyes, his earlobes flushing, his expression incredibly serious. “Charlotte Davies, you are the kindest, most understanding person I’ve ever met.” “When I start talking about my research, I can’t stop, and everyone else gets annoyed, but you listen patiently and ask questions.” “When you look seriously into my eyes and smile at me, it makes me really happy.” “In my heart, you’re amazing.” My eyes grew warm, and I turned my head, feigning nonchalance. “As a friend, do I get any special privileges?” Julian lowered his head to check his phone, then said earnestly, “I just asked my AI.” “As a friend, I have an obligation to be there for you when you need me.” “So, is there anything you want to do?” Julian drove me back to the apartment complex, and I softly called out, “Mimi.” A rustling sound came from the bushes. A tabby cat peeked out, looking around warily, then emerged when it saw me. It circled my legs, rubbing against me and meowing affectionately. After making sure Mimi was okay, I got up to leave. Julian spoke up. “I thought you’d take her home.” “You really like her, and she likes you too.” I fell silent for a moment, my chest heavy. I had thought about adopting her too. But when Mom found out, she said stray cats carry all sorts of germs, bad for people. I mustered my courage and said, “I’ll take her to get her shots!” The dinner table went quiet for a moment, Mom looking a little awkward. Alex scoffed. “Charlotte Davies, Mom’s giving you an out, can’t you tell?” “Let me tell you, no cats allowed in this house, because Serena doesn’t like them!” “Whatever Serena dislikes, anything you say is useless.” I murmured, “I don’t have a home, so how can I give her one?” That was just where I was staying, dependent on others. I composed myself and asked Julian, “Do you know anywhere with a really, really tall building?” Seeing his confusion, I quickly explained, “The ancients used to say you could reach out and pluck stars from the sky, and I want to try that too.” He nodded. “I know a place where the stars are beautiful.” “I’ll make a call to set it up.” A shadow fell over me. I exhaled slowly, looking up. “Where are we going next?” It wasn’t Julian. I stared blankly at Mom and Alex.
Alex eyed me up and down. I instinctively hid my injured hand behind my back. His brows furrowed into a deep V. “A few days out on your own and you’ve made a mess of yourself. I’m embarrassed to even say you’re a Davies.” Here we go again. Next would be— “You’re both Davies daughters, but how can you be so different from Serena?” “Did you feed everything you learned in etiquette class to the dogs?” Mom’s eyes welled with tears. “Charlotte, just come home.” “You and Serena are sisters, you should help each other.” Help? I swayed for a moment, understanding her meaning, a sharp pain shooting through my wrist wound. Alex crossed his arms, a flicker of irritation in his eyes. “Mom, don’t spoil her.” “Is the Davies home a hotel? You can just leave and come back whenever you want?” “You can come home, but first, you apologize properly to Serena.” “I’ll arrange the kidney donation. That way, Serena will surely forgive your past mistakes.” My body stiffened, my face expressionless. “What did I do wrong? Why should I apologize?” Alex rubbed the bridge of his nose hard, a look of impatience and exhaustion on his face, as if he’d reached his limit of tolerance. “You leaked company secrets and tried to climb into Daniel Chen’s bed, Serena’s fiancé. Do you have no shame?” I opened my mouth, my throat dry. “I didn’t do that.” Alex laughed, enraged. “Enough! Caught red-handed, you think we’re all blind?” “If Daniel hadn’t recognized you in time and prevented a major disaster, Serena’s lifelong happiness would have been utterly ruined by you.” “How could the Davies family have given birth to such a manipulative daughter like you?” “I’m truly grateful Mom and Dad brought Serena home that year, not you!” Alex’s eyes held no warmth, looking at me the same way he’d look at trash on the street. My mind went blank, and I helplessly looked at Mom. Mom’s expression had flattened. “Charlotte, Serena was generous back then, she pleaded for you, otherwise, if this had blown up, you would have gone to jail.” “Listen to your mother. Give Serena a kidney.” “Whatever happened before, right or wrong, will be completely wiped clean.” My nails dug deep into my palms, a cold chill running through my body, my voice coming out raspy and despairing. “Mom… I didn’t do any of that. Why don’t you believe me?” Suddenly, someone pulled me behind them. Julian glared at them, angry and anxious, then looked solemnly at me. “Charlotte Davies, your body is your own.” “Not even your own mother has the right to force you to do anything!” He finished speaking and pulled me, intending to leave. Mom shouted, stopping me. “Charlotte, where are you going?” Alex’s arm muscles tensed, a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes. “Charlotte Davies, Mom and I have said all the nice things we can.” “If you leave today, the Davies family will consider you no longer their daughter!” My steps faltered, my lips trembling slightly, all the blood in my body rushing backward. My gaze finally landed on the brightly lit room in the distance. I once thought that was my forever home. I fiercely squeezed my eyes shut, forcing back the tears brimming in my eyes, and finally, gave a liberated smile. “Fine. I don’t care about being a Davies daughter anyway!” Julian took me to an observatory by the sea. I gazed blankly at the sky dotted with stars, feeling as if I were immersed in a galaxy. “It’s beautiful.” Julian’s face showed a rare, boyish, proud smile. “I knew you’d like it.”
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