I stumbled through the days, barely aware of anything. After renting a place, I meant to go out and pick up some es- sentials, but my vision went black, and I collapsed.
When I came to, I was already in the hospital.
“Congratulations, miss. You’re three months pregnant!”
My hand instinctively went to my belly, but all I felt was a hollow, aching dread.
Two months ago, Alexander–half drunk—had pushed me into bed and been intimate with me. Just that once.
We never touched again.
Not long after, that video surfaced–him kissing Laura in the fire.
And that’s when I realized… That night, he thought I was her.
I stared at the clip on my phone, the way he held her like she was everything. My eyes burned.
Since we were kids, I’d always been the sacrifice.
The hand–me–downs. The leftover toys, jewelry, bedrooms, love—even men. None of it was ever mine.
Right then, my phone rang. It was Mom.
The second I picked up, her panicked voice came through.
“Lynette! Come to the hospital! Hurry!”
I took a cab and rushed over. As soon as I stepped into the room, she grabbed my arm.
“Lynette, Laura’s having a heart episode–go sign the blood donation form!”
I stopped her.
“Direct relatives can’t donate blood. Mom, calm down-”
“You’re not even our biological daughter, why the hell couldn’t you?!”
Her voice ripped through the air. Then she froze. She hadn’t meant to say it.
But it was too late. The words crashed into me, loud and unforgiving. I stood there, stunned, as everything around me went silent.
Dad’s voice came low and strained. “You… you were abandoned at a hospital. We adopted you when no one else would.”
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Chapter 2
“Laura has a heart condition, and your blood type matches hers. We just thought…”
Of course. It all made sense now–why they’d treated me so coldly all these years.
I forced myself to look up at them, my voice steady despite the tremble in my chest.
“I refuse. I’m pregnant.”
Silence dropped like a hammer.
“You what?!” Dad was the first to react, shouting in disbelief.
“You’re pregnant? What about Laura?! She needs that blood!”
Alexander frowned, eyes darkening as he looked at me.
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“So I mistook you for Laura that night–fine. But you could’ve taken a pill. Were you planning this? What kind of game are you playing?”
I trembled.
“And when you used me as a walking blood bank, none of you stopped to ask who was really playing games!
“Why should I always be the one to sacrifice for Laura?!”
Mom grabbed my arm, her grip bruising. “Because we raised you all these years! You owe Laura!” she snapped, eyes wild.
“You’ll get an abortion today. You’re divorced–ending this pregnancy means you can donate the blood, and without the baby in the way, Laura and Alexander’s life together will finally be secure!”
Rage and grief surged through me. I struggled against her, shaking all over–but the next second, she shoved me. Hard.
I slipped and fell from the stairs. The world spun. And then I hit the ground.
Pain exploded in my abdomen as my belly slammed against the floor.
A burning heat spread beneath me.
Terrified, I looked up at them. “Dad, Mom, Alexander–please! Save me! Save my baby!”
Dad pointed at the doctor without blinking.
“She’s miscarrying! If the baby’s gone, she can donate blood. Get it done–I’ll take responsibility!”
Alexander met my gaze for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Then he turned away and walked off without a word.
Blood soaked through my pants.
My heart shattered.
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23:05
Chapter 2
I didn’t fight when the doctors lifted me onto the gurney. They looked down with pity, but I felt nothing.
When I woke up, I reached for my belly–it still ached.
But there was nothing there. No heartbeat. No life.
I broke. Sobs tore from me, echoing off the sterile hospital walls.
Then, my phone buzzed. Two new messages.
“Have you thought it through? My parents always adored you. My promise still stands.”
I stared at the screen. Then typed back, slowly and carefully, “Yes. Pick me up in three days.”
All those years of chasing love and family–what a joke.
But the dream was over now.
What I didn’t realize was just how far Alexander and my parents would go to protect Laura.
Even if it meant pushing me to death’s edge–again.
