"I'm tired. Let me rest for a while," Michelle said.

Just as she expected, Parker and Janet wasted no time indulging in their inappropriate behavior, even on a boat.

The pain in her heart turned to cold determination as Michelle pressed the record button on her phone. It wasn't until the boat docked that their frenzy finally stopped.

While Michelle was in the backstage room preparing for the photoshoot, Janet handed her an ornate box and said, "Michelle, this is my engagement gift for you. I just know you'll love it," Janet said, her smile brimming with smugness before she walked off, looking as proud as a peacock.

Staring at the box for a long moment, Michelle hesitated. She couldn't imagine anything good inside, her heart aching faintly.

Summoning her courage, she opened it. An overwhelming stench hit her immediately, six used condoms and a tattered piece of vulgar lingerie. The revulsion was so strong that Michelle retched, her face turning deathly pale.

Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Janet: [Do you like the gift? Parker loved it.]

Eyes burning with unshed tears, Michelle let out a bitter laugh before anger overtook her, causing a mouthful of blood to spill from her lips.

At that very moment, Parker walked into the room, his face alarmed as he saw her, "Honey! Why are you coughing up blood?" Parker's voice was panicked as he swept her into his arms, carrying her towards the boat.

"We're not taking any photos! We're going to the hospital now," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Michelle resisted his hold, managing a faint smile, "I'm fine."

Parker's face darkened with rare seriousness, "Honey, I forbid you to neglect your health like this."

Under his insistent demands, she was taken to the hospital. It was only when the doctor's report confirmed that Michelle was unharmed that Parker finally relaxed.

"I told you there was no way something could happen to my sister," Janet said, tone sweet yet cloying, but her words were interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Smith couple.

the Smith couple looked worried and nervously checked Janet's body, "What happened? Why are you at the hospital? Janet, say something! Don't scare your mom!"

"Michelle! Is this how you look after your sister? She's ended up in the hospital under your care! What kind of older sister are you?" Adele scolded her.

***

Michelle stood silently, watching the trio's dramatic display. Her face was cold, but there was a trace of scorn in her eyes.

So that's how it was, ten years of being raised by them was worth less than one blood tie.

Parker stepped forward, unable to bear her being wronged, "It was Michelle who wasn't feeling well and she's the one who needed a check-up. What does this have to do with Janet?" he said icily, gripping Michelle's hand tighter, a gesture of support.

"Mrs. Smith, your blatant favoritism is truly shocking," he added, his words hitting their mark as embarrassment flashed across Adele's face.

Looking at them with icy resolve, Michelle spoke slowly and deliberately, "You're right, I've never acted like an older sister. And I'll say it clearly, I have no sister. Janet will never be my sister."

She continued, "Since you've found your biological daughter, don't come looking for me anymore. As for the gratitude I owe you for raising me, I will repay it soon."

Seeing her resolve, Adele softened her tone, "Michelle, dear, that was wrong of me just now, but you should've told us beforehand. That's why I misunderstood!"

"We're family, why bring up repaying debts? Janet will need your and Parker's help in the future. Your father and I can't always be here for her, after all …" she pleaded.

"Michelle, you can't be so selfish as a person," Adele said.

…

Every word stabbed deep into Michelle's heart. She felt an overwhelming bitterness, like a fishbone lodged in her throat, rendering her unable to speak.

"Alright, alright. Dad, Mom, don't blame her anymore. It's all my fault," Janet interjected pitifully, stepping in to play peacemaker. Her frail demeanor immediately won over the Smith couple, their concern shifting entirely to her.

Watching the trio fuss over each other like a loving family, Michelle lowered her gaze.

A wave of nausea surged through her and before she could stabilize herself, her world spun, darkness overtaking her as she fainted.

When she opened her eyes again, Parker was the only one by her bedside, "Where are they?" Michelle asked indifferently.

She was curious. Just moments ago, those people had been imploring her with righteous moral appeals. Now they couldn't even keep up the facade?

Parker held her hand tightly, his eyes full of concern, "Janet fainted too, out of grief because you passed out. Your parents are with her in the next room."

The news evoked no reaction from her. Instead, Michelle turned her gaze to the window.

Swallows were beginning to return, a sign that spring was approaching. Her spring was near as well.

Parker grew increasingly uneasy seeing her detached indifference, as if the once-vibrant Michelle was slipping away from him. Something intangible yet precious was draining from his grasp.

Before he could speak further, Michelle cut in, her voice firm and cold, "They're not my parents. They're Janet's parents."

"Alright, alright." Parker played along, attributing her remarks to the pain caused by her foster parents' favoritism.

The door to the hospital room swung open abruptly. The Smith couple burst in with frantic urgency.

"What are you doing here?" Parker growled, his expression darkening like a storm.

Ignoring his hostility, they dropped to their knees before Michelle, wailing and pleading, "Michelle, the doctor says your sister has end-stage renal disease. She needs a kidney to survive! As her elder sister, you must save her!"

"Your father and I are on our knees begging you! Can you really bear to watch us lose our daughter? If you agree to donate your kidney to Janet, I'll put you on the Smith Family's card registry, alright?"

…

Their cries drew a crowd outside the room. Onlookers gathered at the door, craning their necks to catch the unfolding drama.

Once, the mere mention of being added to the family registry would have been enough for Michelle to gratefully offer everything, even her life, to the Smith Family.

But now, she watched impassively, coldly observing their theatrical performance and their frustration when guilt-tripping her failed.

Turning to Parker, her gaze sharp, she asked bluntly, "And you? Do you think I should give my kidney to Janet?"

Parker hesitated briefly, then shut the door to exclude the prying eyes. Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered, "Honey, all I want is for you to stay healthy. What does anyone else's life have to do with me?"

"But …" Parker faltered slightly, his tone uneasy. "Janet is still your sister. If you don't save her today, I'm afraid you might regret it in the future."

"My Michelle is so kind, how could you live the rest of your life tormented by guilt? So, darling, you need to think this through carefully." His earnest gaze seemed to transfer all decision-making power to her.

Michelle curled her lips into a mocking smile, a flicker of derision flashing in her eyes.

He clearly wanted her to save Janet, yet he cloaked it in the guise of concern, slyly trying to trap her with morality.

Hypocrisy at its peak. Michelle exhaled slowly before forcing out a single, grudging word, "Alright."

She then turned to the Smith couple, her tone calm and collected, "I agree to donate my kidney." A single kidney, a fair exchange to settle her debt to the Smith Family for raising her.

After agreeing to donate, the Smith couple's treatment of her abruptly improved. Every day, they showered her with care and attention, providing the best food and drink.

Of course, this affection was directed not toward her but toward the kidney she was about to surrender.

Two days before the surgery, Michelle quietly packed her meager belongings.

The couple-themed items, matching clothes, cups, shoes, that once symbolized her and Parker's relationship, she discarded without hesitation, dumping them unceremoniously into the trash bin downstairs.

When Parker came home from work and saw their half-emptied apartment, he couldn't help but laugh, "Honey, are you planning to move the entire house to the hospital? There's really no need for this, you can just let me know whatever you need and I'll buy it for you."

Michelle perfunctorily hummed in agreement, though what she truly wanted to say was, Parker, I won't be bothering you anymore after this.

Noticing her sadness, Parker encircled her waist with his arms and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, "Darling, you've worked so hard. Once this surgery is over, let's get married, alright?"

His face lit up with anticipation as he enthusiastically discussed wedding plans, only to be abruptly interrupted by Michelle, "A wedding without wedding photos, what's there to look forward to?"

Parker merely thought she was throwing a childish tantrum and chuckled indulgently, "You're absolutely right. In that case, we'll take the wedding photos first ..."

"Parker," Michelle suddenly called his name softly.

Momentarily caught off guard, Parker responded with confusion, "Hmm? What is it?"

"Do you remember what you told me when I turned eighteen?" Michelle asked earnestly, her eyes calm yet unwavering.

Parker answered confidently, "Of course! I said I'd love only you in this life, treat only you well and never betray you!"

She asked, "What if you do betray me?"

He said, "Then let me lose you forever." Michelle locked eyes with him for a long time, her intense gaze stirring a rare unease in Parker.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated, breaking the heavy silence. She glanced at the screen briefly before turning it off.

"You're not checking your messages?" Parker asked with concern.

"It's just spam," she replied indifferently, her voice steady. Yet her fingers betrayed her, trembling ever so slightly. It wasn't spam. It was a message from Janet, accompanied by photos.

In the pictures, Janet wore a pristine white wedding gown, her face radiating sweetness and shyness as she leaned intimately against Parker's chest. To an outsider, they might as well have been the actual betrothed couple.

[Michelle, I took the wedding photos you couldn't take, just for you!]

[Oh, and by the way, here's a little secret, I don't actually have kidney disease. I just wanted to see if you'd agree to give me your kidney!]

[But what surprised me most was that Parker also hoped you'd agree to save me. Who do you think he loves more, you or me?]

Michelle was left aghast at the sheer cruelty of Janet's deceit. She had schemed to rob her of a kidney, all while everyone stood by her side. Those who are favored can be reckless with impunity.

Hidden from Parker's sight, Michelle's trembling hands finally typed a response to Janet's provocation: [Wishing you both happiness.]

The morning of the surgery arrived swiftly. An hour before the operation, Samuel, Adele and even Parker hovered around Janet's bed, showering her with words of comfort and encouragement. For the first time, even Parker spoke gently to her, coaxing her not to be scared.

Michelle stood at the door of the hospital room, her cold eyes observing the tender scene inside. It felt as though she was the one who didn't belong.

She dialed Parker's number, only to be met with a busy signal. But within seconds, a text from him appeared: [Honey, I'm on my way.]

[Don't be scared, I'll stay right outside the operating room with you. I won't let anything happen to you.]

Michelle lowered her eyes and handed the document rejecting the kidney donation to the nurse at the front desk. Then, she turned and walked away, heading straight to the airport. Goodbye, Parker.