Bled Dry for the Favorite Daughter: A Family's Descent into Madness

Every time my parents want me to give in, they threaten to disown me. What they want is simple: give everything to my twin sister.

Until the doctor pushed the test results in front of me and told me with pity in his voice, "The pancreatic cancer has metastasized. You have a month, maybe less."

I have nothing left to care about. I'm dying anyway. They can do whatever they want.

1

"Have you thought it through? It's just one kidney. It's not like we're asking you to die!"

I clutched my pancreatic cancer diagnosis in one hand as my mom's impatient call came through. The words 'I don't have much time left' died in my throat once again. The only person they cared about was my twin sister Annie. Whether I lived or died made no difference to them.

When I stayed silent, Mom's anger flared. "Are you deaf?! Can't you hear me talking to you? She's your own sister, not some stranger! Are you really going to stand by and do nothing? If you dare refuse, get the hell out of the Gray family! We'll pretend we never had a daughter like you!"

I answered numbly, "Fine. I'll do it."

The moment I hung up, my husband Mason called. "Anna, I told you—if you donate a kidney to Annie, I won't sign the divorce papers."

Through the phone, I could faintly hear Annie's sweet, delicate voice. "Mason, she still won't do it?"

"Shh, baby. Just rest. Let me handle this."

Mason's voice turned cold when he addressed me again. "Anna, I'm at the hospital with your sister. You know how fragile Annie's health is. How can you be so heartless toward your own flesh and blood?"

Everyone revolved around Annie. Everyone catered to her.

I hung up and headed straight home. The house was a mess. Mason hadn't been back in over a month.

A conspicuous document envelope sat on the coffee table. Inside were the divorce papers Mason wanted me to sign. Without hesitation, I signed my name.

I took a photo and sent it to Mason, but he still wasn't satisfied. "Anna, I'm at Central Hospital. Bring it over now."

I didn't refuse. I was dying anyway. Better to cut all ties completely before the end.

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at the hospital. Standing outside the hospital room, I caught sight of Mason and Annie wrapped in each other's arms on the bed. Annie nestled weakly against Mason's neck, her breathing shallow and trembling.

When she looked up, her eyes met mine. She showed no surprise. Instead, she flashed me a smug, taunting smile.

Mason kept her cradled in his arms, refusing to let go. Even when I walked right up to them, he didn't care.

"You brought the papers? Perfect timing. Go get tested with the nurse. They need to check if you're a match." Mason handed the papers to Annie without looking at me. "Mom told you, right? About giving Annie one of your kidneys."

"I'll go talk to Dr. Lee. Stay here and look after Annie. I'll be right back."

Mason kissed Annie tenderly, his gentleness so overwhelming it could drown you. I'd never seen him like that before.

The moment he left, Annie waved the divorce papers in the air. "Anna, look at how pathetic you are. I almost feel bad for you."

She laughed triumphantly. "Let me tell you a little secret."

"The truth is... I'm not actually sick enough to need a kidney."

I couldn't take it anymore. Looking at her smug face, I wanted nothing more than to drag her down with me. "Why?! Why are you doing this to me?!"

"No reason. You've just always been in my way since we were kids. But I have to say, you've got good taste in men. Thanks for that, Anna."

She could fake being sick and win everyone's love, while I'd passed out at home countless times and woken up alone on the floor every single time.

I grabbed her by the collar and raised my hand to slap her.

But Annie screamed in panic and threw herself off the bed, wailing hysterically. "No! Anna, I'm sorry! Please forgive me—stop hitting me!"

The door burst open. A slap cracked across my face.

"You animal! Your sister is this sick and you dare lay a hand on her! You hate Annie that much? Are you even human?!" My father's hand was still raised, trembling with rage.

"You heartless thing! Get out!" Mom shrieked.

Mason, who'd rushed back at the commotion, grabbed me and threw me to the floor. "Mason, get her out of here. Don't let her upset Annie."

Mom pulled the tear-streaked Annie into her arms, her heart breaking for her. Dad crouched beside them, fussing over Annie.

Only me, like some beggar. Cast aside by everyone, cursed at, lying undignified on the ground.