I didn't know when it began, but my parents gradually devoted more and more attention to Ava until my presence became nothing more than an afterthought. She would sit on the couch with my mother, watching TV and whispering about trivial things while I sat alone in my room. She would go fishing and play golf with my father, laughing in a way he never did with me.

My parents used to bring back my favorite desserts when they returned from work, but now, all I received were cold leftovers and empty pleasantries. The so-called debt of gratitude had twisted into something unrecognizable.

A hollow laugh escaped my lips. "Cassius, let's break off our engagement."

His head snapped toward me, disbelief flashing across his face. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

If I hadn't already seen the truth with my own eyes, I might have mistaken his reaction for genuine shock—perhaps even concern. But I knew better.

"You don't even want our baby. What's the point of this engagement? Consider this break off my blessing to you and Ava." I closed my eyes, pressing a trembling hand against my stomach.

Cassius let out a short, humorless laugh. "Don't think I don't see through you—you just want an excuse to be with Troy, don't you?"

His hands were clenched into tight fists, barely restraining his anger. My chest ached, but I refused to let myself crumble in front of him.

When we first got engaged, he had been ecstatic, treating me like the most precious thing in the world. When he tossed our engagement ring to a beggar on the street, faking amnesia, I never considered ending things. But now, it was painfully clear—it had all been a cruel joke from the start.

He took a step closer, his gaze piercing through me. "Sienna, you and Troy—"

"Cassius! Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be with Ava?"

My older brother's voice cut through the air, sharp and impatient. He strode into the room, his eyes barely sparing me a glance before settling on Cassius. His expression darkened as his gaze flickered to my pale face.

"Sienna, you should be grateful. Donating your kidney to Ava will finally make you two real sisters," Michael, my brother, said, his tone condescending.

A bitter taste coated my tongue. "Real sisters?" I whispered, more to myself than to him.

Michael's expression twisted with irritation at my silence. With a scoff, he grabbed Cassius's wrist and turned to leave. "What did I do to deserve a sister like you? You're disgusting."

I stared blankly at his retreating figure. The words echoed in my head, clashing against a memory from years ago—his voice, warm and gentle, saying, "I have such a lovely sister. I'll protect you for the rest of my life."

Now, those same lips uttered nothing but contempt. The ache in my chest deepened, spreading like an infection through my veins.

When Ava first arrived, Michael seemed to hate her even more than I did. He had thrown her luggage out when our parents weren't home, tricked her into wandering the mountains alone and made her walk all night to find her way back. He had been scolded harshly for it, punished by our parents.

"I don't hate you. I'm just protecting Sienna. I have no choice but to bully you."

It was late one night when I overheard my brother speaking to Ava. I had only gotten up for a glass of water, but the sound of hushed voices from the dimly lit hallway made me stop in my tracks.

Michael's tone was casual, almost indifferent. Ava, on the other hand, stood with quiet grace, her posture composed. Then, without warning, she leaned in close and whispered something in his ear.

Her voice was soft, almost tender, but I still heard it.

"I won't compete with Sienna, because I like you. I will cherish everything you love."

A chill ran down my spine. It was the first time I had ever felt disgust toward Ava.

But before I could even process that feeling, the world turned against me.

The very next day, Ava drank almond milk and suffered a severe allergic reaction, one so extreme that she nearly lost her life. I had no idea where the milk had come from. I didn't even know Ava had an allergy that severe. And yet, when my brother turned to me, his eyes burned with unmistakable resentment.

Michael didn't ask. He didn't hesitate. He simply looked at me as if I were a stranger and condemned me without a second thought.

Our parents demanded answers, but instead of speaking up, he took the blame upon himself. The injustice of it all was suffocating.

"Sienna, you already have everything. Why do you still have to be so petty with an orphan?" my father scoffed, his voice filled with disappointment.

"You've been completely spoiled."

The words cut deeper than they should have

As fragmented memories surged through my mind, my consciousness wavered. The sedative took effect, dragging me into darkness. Just before I lost myself completely, a familiar voice echoed in my head.

Troy.

"You'll come begging me for help."

***

I woke up to the sound of urgent voices outside my hospital room. The moment I opened my eyes, a sharp, searing pain shot through my waist and stomach, forcing a cry from my lips. My entire body felt weak.

Outside the door, I could hear Ava's soft voice. "Sienna's always been so kind to me. I must go see her."

"What's there to see?" My mother's voice was firm. "You're still too weak. Wait until she wakes up—we'll have her come to you instead."

"Exactly! You need to rest yourself," my father chimed in. "Hurry back to bed!"

Listening to their gentle attempts to dissuade Ava, I felt something inside me twist. A dull ache spread through my chest, suffocating and heavy.

The door creaked open. My body moved before I could think. I grabbed the vase on my bedside table and with all the strength I could muster, hurled it toward the entrance.

The crash was deafening.

Shards of porcelain exploded across the floor. Michael moved instinctively, shielding Ava with his body. Droplets of water seeped into his shirt, darkening the fabric.

"Sienna, are you out of your damn mind?!" His voice lashed out like a whip. "Ava came to see you and this is how you treat her?!"

My mother's disapproving voice followed. "How did we end up with a daughter like you?"

"Sienna," my father said, shaking his head in disappointment, "you've changed into something so vile, it makes me sick."

From the doorway, Cassius remained silent. He didn't scold me like the others. But the impatience in his eyes was enough to say everything he was thinking.

"Sis, don't be mad at Mom and Dad. It's my fault for being so weak... If you need to blame someone, blame me."

Ava's voice was filled with just the right amount of trembling to sound pitiful, yet steady enough to ensure everyone in the room could hear.

Before I could respond, she suddenly slipped from her wheelchair, her frail body crumpling onto the hospital floor. Gasps filled the air as she landed on her knees. Her long hair tumbled over her shoulders, framing her pale, tear-streaked face as she bit her lip in pain.

"Ava!" My mother rushed forward, panic lacing her voice. My father followed suit.

Michael, however, did not move toward her. Instead, he turned to me, his eyes burning with fury. Without hesitation, he stormed toward my bed and yanked me up with such force that blinding pain exploded in my abdomen.

A strangled cry escaped my lips as fresh blood seeped through my hospital gown. The wound from my surgery tore open.

Michael's grip froze. His breathing hitched as if he hadn't expected this outcome. For a brief moment, the entire room fell into stunned silence.

Then Ava whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper. "It... hurts..."

That single phrase shattered whatever hesitation remained.

"Sienna, apologize to Ava. Now!" My mother's sharp voice cut through the air.

Apologize?

I felt my blood boil. My fingers curled into fists, shaking from my suppressed rage.

With every ounce of strength I had left, I raised my trembling hand and swung it across Michael's face. The slap rang through the room.

"Why the hell should I apologize?! My voice was hoarse with anger. "I lost my child! I gave her my kidney! What more do you want?!"

"You all deserve to die! I hate you! I will never forgive you for as long as I live!"

My body trembled with anger. The pain in my abdomen pulsed violently, but I refused to show weakness.

Michael's grip on my wrist faltered slightly. Then, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

"She's too emotional right now," Cassius said coldly. "Let her cool off."

I turned sharply, my gaze locking onto him. Cassius stood there, his expression unreadable. But there was something in his eyes—something I couldn't quite place.

Before I could utter a single word, a sharp sting pricked my arm. A cold numbness spread through my body, the strength draining from my limbs.

Someone had injected me with a sedative.

My vision blurred and my voice—my fury—was stolen from me. My head lolled to the side, but my gaze remained fixed on Cassius.

For the first time, something in his expression shifted. His lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something. But then his eyes flickered toward Ava.

Cassius hesitated.

Then, as if making a silent decision, he turned away and walked out without another word.

***

I didn't know how much time passed before a deep, familiar voice broke through the fog in my mind.

"Do you need help, Sienna?"

The distinct scent of Troy's cologne filled my senses. His presence was unmistakable.

Forcing my sluggish body to respond, I slowly opened my eyes.

"Take me away," I murmured. "I never want to see them again."

Troy remained silent, his dark eyes assessing me. His fingers trailed lightly along my cheek, his touch deceptively gentle.

Then, he scoffed. Leaning in close, his breath ghosted over my ear, his voice low and filled with something dangerously sweet.

"Just leaving isn't enough," he murmured. "They need to suffer too."

It felt like I had been asleep for an eternity. My body was heavy and the world around me swayed ever so slightly. The scent of saltwater filled my nostrils and as my consciousness stirred, I became aware of the faint creaking of wooden planks beneath me.

When I finally forced my eyes open, I was met with the sight of endless blue. The ocean stretched before me. Waves lapped against the ship's hull, their rhythmic motion deceptively soothing. But the tranquility was shattered by the sound of muffled sobbing.

Turning my head, I saw Ava. Her wrists were bound and suspended above the deck. I could see the red handprints marring her delicate face. Strands of her disheveled hair clung to her tear-streaked cheeks as she tried to speak through the cloth gag stuffed in her mouth.

"Stay put, or I will hurt her!"

One of the kidnappers, a towering man with a rough voice, issued the warning before delivering a punch to Ava's stomach. She let out a muffled gasp, her body jerking against her restraints. If not for the ropes keeping her upright, she would have crumpled onto the wooden deck.

"Stop! Please, let my daughters go! I'll give you whatever you want!"

From the shore, my mother's frantic cries echoed.

I turned my head, spotting my family on the beach, their silhouettes stark against the sun. My father's hands trembled as he reached toward us. My mother was sobbing, while Cassius stood frozen. He made a move to rush forward, but Michael held him back.

"Why did you take my sisters?!" Michael's voice was hoarse with desperation. "Don't hurt her! We'll give you whatever you want!"

"Mmph! Mmm—" Ava struggled against the gag, her whimpers barely audible.

The kidnappers exchanged amused glances. One of them leaned in close to Ava's ear. His voice was almost tender as he whispered, "You must be the eldest daughter of the Crawfords."

Ava's eyes widened in terror. She shook her head frantically, but her denial didn't matter. The next moment, the blade fell.

Ava's scream was swallowed by the wind as one of her fingers was severed. Bright red blood splattered across the wooden deck. On the shore, my mother collapsed in horror.

"Ten million!" A kidnapper named the price. "Pay up and we'll release them. Otherwise, they both die."

Ava's chest heaved as she fought to control her breathing. Despite her pain, there was confidence in her gaze, a silent belief that my family would never abandon her.

"We... we only have five million. There's no way we can gather that much money in such a short time." My father's plea was raw, desperate. "Please, five million is all we can offer."

The kidnapper snorted and grabbed me by the collar, yanking me to the edge of the ship.

"If you only have half," the man sneered, tightening his grip, "then pick one. Ten seconds. I don't have all day."

A blade sliced through the air, carving deep gashes into both Ava's and my legs. Blood seeped into the wooden planks before dripping into the water below. Beneath the surface, dark shadows twisted and turned—sharks, lured by the scent of fresh blood.

"Michael! Mom, Dad! Help me! I don't want to die!" Ava's screams rose to a hysterical pitch.

I remained silent. The searing pain in my leg was secondary to the numbness creeping through my chest. Kneeling beside Ava, I simply watched.

Then, out of nowhere, a voice echoed in my mind, mechanical and unfamiliar.

"Christy, will you use your points to make the Crawfords favor you more for five seconds?"

The voice in my head was strange, surreal, yet it rang with absolute clarity. It felt like something out of a fever dream.

"If you confirm, I will be deactivated for a while and you will remain in this world permanently."

Before I could process what was happening, another voice echoed in my mind—Ava's voice.

"I confirm. If she dies, I will become the Crawfords' only daughter. This is the mission, right?"

The blood drained from my face. I whipped my head toward her, eyes wide in disbelief.

The countdown continued. The kidnapper's grip on my collar tightened as he prepared to throw me overboard.

I turned one last time to the shore, taking in the faces of my so-called family. And then, I sank my teeth into the kidnapper's hand.

The moment my back hit the water, everything blurred. The world above distorted as I sank deeper. A crimson cloud bloomed around me, my blood spreading like ink in the vast, indifferent ocean.

Even as my ears filled with the muffled roar of rushing water, I could still make out their screams from the shore.

"Ava! We choose Ava! I'm sorry, Sienna! We're so sorry!"