Chapter 1
On Christmas Eve, because I forgot to close the window all the way, my sister Lily Turner sneezed.
My parents kicked me out and told me to gather firewood in the pitch-black night.
Inside, everyone celebrated together, all smiles as they handed Lily her presents.
I didn't cry or throw a fit. Just like I'd done a hundred times before, I slung the basket over my shoulder and headed into the mountains through the blizzard.
I didn't find any firewood. Instead, I found a man.
His leg was wedged between rocks, blood everywhere. The sight made my stomach turn.
When he saw me, his voice came out raspy.
"Hey kid, get me out of here, and I'll give you anything you want."
I stared up at him, dazed. Then my eyes sharpened.
"Really? Then be my dad."
*****
The second I said it, he passed out.
After hesitating for a moment, I dragged him home, stumbling the whole way.
I was just about to tell my parents what happened.
But all I got was a slap from my dad.
"Lily's waiting for hot water. Where's the firewood? And what the hell is this?"
Mom frowned at me like I was trash. "What are you standing around for? Get the fire going!"
I pressed my lips together, wanting to explain.
In this weather, he'd freeze to death overnight, especially with that wound.
But Lily skipped over, her eyes landing on the bracelet on his wrist.
"Whoa, that four-leaf clover is so pretty! Mom, Dad, can I have it?"
She was the family princess—whatever she wanted, she got.
Just like always, while Dad hesitated, Mom reached for the bracelet.
"Why won't it come off?
"Whatever. Bring him inside. We'll ask for it when he wakes up. He owes us anyway."
"Yay! We saved someone! Grandma, come help!" Lily cheered.
"Sophie, remember to give Rocky all the leftovers. I saved him a bunch of ribs for Christmas!"
She was playing rescue with Dad, wrapping bandages around the man like a real doctor.
She suddenly remembered. "Oh, right, Sophie, you haven't eaten yet, have you?
"But what about Rocky? I promised him..."
She looked troubled, tears pooling.
"Eat? She can't even gather firewood properly. Completely useless.
"It's Christmas, and just looking at her pisses me off," Grandma snapped.
Just then, the man I'd dragged home finally came to, his eyes fluttering open.
Lily stared at his wrist, her voice taking on that spoiled-princess tone.
"I saved you, so you have to repay me.
"I want your bracelet."
His gaze swept the room, barely pausing on me before moving on.
Without hesitation, he removed the bracelet and slipped it onto Lily's pale wrist.
"I'm Julian Brooks. My friends and I were on vacation when things went south. Thanks for pulling me out."
I kept my eyes locked on this man, hoping he'd realize I was the one who saved him.
But he only looked at Lily. Didn't even glance my way.
I loosened my grip on my shirt.
Same story as always.
Mom, Dad, Grandma—they all doted on Lily, the adorable, bubbly princess, pampered like fine china.
No one wanted anything to do with me—the dull, unlucky one.
As soon as Lily got her bracelet, she forgot all about the rescue and ran off to play with the dog out back.
Dad shot Julian an impatient look.
"Why don't you call your friends to pick you up? It's Christmas. Don't cause us trouble."
Dad's gaze slid right over me.
It stung like a splinter under my skin.
"Sorry, I can't reach my friends," Julian said.
When he mentioned his friends, his expression finally shifted.
He looked uneasy but eventually agreed to pay my parents for their help. Only then did they let him stay—though they clearly weren't happy about it.
Grandma rolled her eyes and grumbled.
"Bad luck just attracts more bad luck."
She glared at me and threw a rag at my face.
"Go wash the dishes."
The sour, mildewy stench hit me as I grabbed the rag and started scrubbing, like always.
When Grandma wasn't looking, I snuck a bowl of cold soup over to Julian.
"Eat, or you'll starve."