Chapter 4

The medal slipped from my hand.

So that was it. Mom's kindness was always for Isabella.

Maybe I should thank these genes. If it weren't for protecting the "blood bank" Isabella might need at any moment, they probably wouldn't even leave me that dark little storage room.

"Don't be so difficult. You're the older sister, and you're stronger than your younger sister. What does it matter where you sleep? Why make a big deal out of nothing and make everyone uncomfortable?"

"Yeah, you need to learn to give in to your younger sister..."

I bent down, picked up the medal, and held it in my palm. "I never wanted to fight with Isabella anyway. If she likes that room, let her have it."

After dinner, I swallowed a handful of pills and fell into a deep sleep.

In the middle of the night, a sharp pain stabbed through my chest, like someone slicing my heart with a knife. I woke with a start, covered in cold sweat.

I wanted to get some water.

As I opened the door of the storage room, I heard noise coming from Isabella's room upstairs.

I walked up the stairs and heard Isabella crying.

"I want you to stay with me tonight! How can anyone live in that dark, tiny storage room? That woman can't even have kids anymore, she's useless! Why do you still have to pretend with her?"

The door was ajar, a dim yellow light spilling through the crack.

"Isabella, be good."

It was Marco's voice.

"You know I've never loved anyone but you in this life. I only ever want to hold you when I sleep. But if I don't keep your sister calm, what happens if your body starts rejecting the transplant? Dad made it clear – you'll need her blood for the rest of your life. So I have to keep her happy, even pretend to love her. Only by making her live in a happy fantasy will she willingly give you her blood if something happens to you later."

"So when you look at her face every day, who are you really thinking about?"

"Silly, you, of course."

Marco laughed softly, a sickeningly affectionate sound. "Every single second, even when I'm kissing her, I'm thinking of you."

"Marco..." Isabella's voice turned sweet and willful.

The answer was the heavy sound of a shove, followed by the muffled thud of weight hitting a soft bed.

I didn't even need to see. I could imagine them tangled together on that bed, the bed that was supposed to be mine.

I turned and walked back to the storage room, one step at a time.

The door closed behind me.

I didn't turn on the light. I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor.

The sounds from upstairs continued, on and off, all night long.

As dawn approached, the door opened.

Marco stood in the doorway, looking at me sitting on the floor. For a flash, panic crossed his face.

"Elena? You... why are you sitting on the floor? Didn't sleep well?"

"Just woke up."

He visibly relaxed. He walked over, and out of habit, reached his hand towards my forehead to check my temperature.

"You look terrible. Are you feeling okay? I'll call someone—"

"Don't bother." I turned my head, avoiding his hand, my stomach churning with uncontrollable nausea. "I just want some quiet time."

He looked at me, seemed about to speak, but stopped. Still, he put on his concerned face:

"Alright. Oh, Isabella's feeling pretty good today. She's insisting on going shopping to celebrate being discharged. Mom and Dad want to take her out to cheer her up. Do you want to come? Everyone's waiting for you."

Celebrate?

At a time like this, me, the "blood bank," collapsing on the sidelines would really spoil the mood.

"I'll pass." I lowered my eyes, too tired to even pretend for another minute. "You guys have fun."

"Well... okay. Rest at home. Call me anytime if you feel unwell."

Marco didn't insist. His voice even held a hint of barely concealed relief.

The door closed.

His footsteps faded away quickly.

Ten minutes later, the sound of an engine starting drifted in through the window, along with Isabella's silvery laugh, Mom's doting instructions, Dad's hearty laughter, and Marco's sickeningly gentle responses.

Tires crunched over gravel, the sounds growing fainter until they disappeared completely.

My world was finally quiet. Just me.