"Kayla, are you okay? I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. If I hadn't left early that day, you wouldn't have lost a kidney." Lily reached for my side, right where the scar still throbbed.

Bryson jumped in, quick to shield his fragile little flower. "It's not your fault. It was the kidnappers."

Right then, Lily pressed down—hard.

I flinched and smacked her hand away without thinking.

The slap echoed. Her hand went red.

Tears welled up as she stared at me like I'd just kicked a puppy.

And just like that, any guilt Bryson had left? Gone.

But the pain in my side had me too out of it to react fast.

Next thing I knew, Bryson shoved down on the wound again.

"This isn't about Lily. She's been crying every day, scared for you. And you? You wake up and bully her? You lost a kidney, not your brain. What's wrong with you?"

The disgust in his eyes wasn't even subtle. Lily bit her lip like she was gonna faint.

"This isn't Kayla's fault," she whispered. "She's hurting. If lashing out at me helps, I'll take it."

That fake sweetness? It pushed Bryson over the edge.

He grabbed her and stormed out, leaving me—injured, bleeding, and completely alone.

***

A whole day passed. No food. Just me, hoarse and staring at the ceiling.

Guess word got around that Bryson dumped me. Doctors, nurses—no one came in. Except the ones who lingered by the door to gossip.

The nurse who finally showed to change my bandage? Straight-up nasty.

"I don't know what I did to deserve this," she muttered. "Everyone knows Mr. Schubert loves Ms. Khunt. Taking care of you's just bad luck. Should've stayed missing. Don't you get it? Nobody wants you. You're useless—just die already."

I didn't answer. Just groaned, weak and hurting.

She got rougher.

"Please, miss... can you go easier? If it's okay, could you help me find a private caregiver? I'll pay."

She'd clearly been waiting to snap. I wasn't trying to fight—I just needed peace.

The second I mentioned money, her hands softened.

"You serious?" That greedy glint lit up her eyes.

"I'm serious."

She cleared her throat. "No need to hire anyone. I'll do it. Just so we're clear—$20,000 a month."

I froze. That was way past normal. She didn't even blink.

"What? Not loving the offer?"

She caught my look and jabbed straight into the bandage. Blood oozed out.

"It hurts..."

I cried out. The door flew open.

Bryson stormed in. "What the hell are you doing?!"

He kicked the nurse a few times, then scooped me into his arms, face twisted with guilt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let this happen again.

"But you've gotta stop picking on Lily. She didn't grow up with much—she sees you as her only sister. Try to understand her."

Sister?

I exhaled sharp and hard. I'd never hated that word more.

I met Lily at one of Bryson's company events. Just an intern back then—no background, no backup. People pushed her around.

I felt bad and stepped in.

After that, she clung to me. Said she had no family, called me the sister she never had.

I bought it. Taught her the ropes, even brought her along when I hung out with Bryson.

Back then, I thought it was cute how well they clicked. Now? I see it clear as day—it was all planned.

In a company that size, she wasn't the only one with a rough past.

This wasn't fate. Bryson planted her next to me so he could flaunt her out in the open.

Too bad I figured it out too late. Now I was down a kidney and stuck in this massive city.

"Kayla, are you listening? I know you're upset about the engagement falling apart. Don't worry. Once you're out, I'll throw an even bigger ceremony. I'll invite every partner we've got. I want the whole world to see how happy I am."

Back in college, marrying Bryson had been the dream. White dress. Perfect wedding.

Not anymore.

"We're not getting married."

My voice was raw, but I meant it.

He cupped my face, pulling me close. "Don't be like this. You're just scared from the kidnapping, right? It's okay. I hired the top security firm in the world. Even their CEO's coming. I swear—you'll be safe."

That was a lie.

The Schuberts didn't have that kind of power in Crellan City. No way he scored that CEO.

I did the math. The world's top security company? Eastwood Corp. My dad's.

These days, my sister Robin Eastwood ran it.

But Robin didn't know I was here. Which meant... she wasn't coming for me.

"Kayla, I'm finally gonna marry you. I've waited so long for this," Bryson whispered in my ear.

I gripped his sleeve, already picturing Robin's face when I saw her again.

She'd probably chew me out for letting things get this bad.

But honestly? I missed her more than I ever wanted Bryson. I missed my parents. My brother.

"Kayla, Bryson, what are you two whispering about? Let me hear too."

A tug yanked me from his arms.

Lily had arrived—white dress, ghost-pale face looking extra tragic.

Bryson flinched, then reached out like it was pure instinct.

"You're not feeling great. Don't push yourself. Kayla's got me—and doctors. No need to stress. We don't want you sick before she's even better."

He tapped her nose, all cutesy. Then realized I was watching and quickly tucked his hand behind his back.

"Kayla, when are you gonna get better? I miss you so much. Even if you're stuck in bed forever, I'll take care of you."

Lily's words felt like a hex.

Bryson side-eyed her, then knocked on the wooden bedside table.

"Stop the nonsense. She'll be fine. It's just a kidney."

Then he faced me, turning on the charm. "Don't stress. I'll get you the best meds out there. You'll be back to normal in no time."

So yeah—even he admitted I wasn't okay.

"Bryson's right. I didn't mean it like that. Kayla, look—we picked this out for your engagement. Isn't it pretty? Bryson said I'm about your size, so I tried it on. Don't be mad."

She shoved her phone at me.

On screen, she was all smiles, wearing the dress, snuggled up to Bryson like they were the couple getting engaged.

Honestly, if Lily wore it, I didn't want it.

I pointed at some random dress and told them both to leave.

That pic had Bryson looking like he wanted to disappear.

Lily? She flopped on the couch like she owned the place.

"You're right, Kayla. You should rest. Bryson, go. Don't worry, I've got her. Us girls get each other way better than guys do."

She wasn't leaving. I pulled the blanket over my head, tuning her out. The room went dead quiet.

Thirty minutes later, the boutique showed up—with every single dress.

Lily grabbed my hand, giggling. "I know you picked one already, but I thought you might change your mind. So, I brought the whole lineup. Want me to model them for you?"

It wasn't even subtle—she was daring me.

The staff started whispering.

"She's trying on dresses for someone else? Rich people are wild. What's next, testing the husband too?"

"Please, don't you remember Mr. Schubert cozying up to her? Love's just a joke to these people."

I caught every word. Lily leaned in, voice low.

"Wanna know how Bryson gets 'cozy' with me? Why didn't you just stay gone? Why come back and wreck my life? You think you deserve any of this?"

Then she waved the staff off, leaving all the dresses behind like some kind of flex.

I had no idea what Lily was up to.

The room was crowded, but she got way too close. My gut twisted.

Then—bam—she slammed her hand down on my wound, smirking.

"Hurts, doesn't it? Good. You really thought kidnappers took your kidney? Nah. Bryson made the call. He wanted to save me, so he took it from you without a second thought. That love you were so obsessed with? It was always mine. If you've got any sense left, you'll crawl away and stay gone. Next time, I might go for something else."

Blood soaked my hand, hot and fast.

Lily pressed harder, still grinning like a psycho. "Didn't think anyone could be this dumb."