Chapter 3

Pain crashed over me, and as my emotions surged, sweat streamed down my forehead and through my hair like a river, drenching the pristine white sheets beneath me.

"Dad, I want some water," I croaked, my voice shaky and rough.

Dad finally noticed my chapped lips and quickly reached for the thermos beside him, only to find it empty.

Embarrassment flashed across his face as he muttered, "I'll go fetch some water. Take your time and think things over. When your sister recovers, you'll still be our cherished eldest daughter."

They knew they played favorites. Both of us were their daughters, but since my younger sister was the Moon Goddess's reincarnation and always sickly, they naturally paid more attention to her. Even looking for their attention felt wrong.

They treated their favoritism as normal, and even my liver and kidney were expected to be handed over to her without question.

The donation was expected of me. There was no other choice.

I grew up knowing that staying healthy and keeping my emotions in check was all for her sake.

Ever since I was little, Dad kept telling me that as the big sister, I had to be strong—to protect Iris, the Moon Goddess's reincarnation.

Growing up, I heard the same reminders over and over: "Don't eat junk food. It'll ruin your health," or "Don't fool around with other kids. Control your emotions and stay healthy."

So I never dined out, and I never had any friends. Everything about my health was for her sake.

I never doubted what Mom said about what kind of sister a Moon Goddess reincarnation needed, and I followed every rule she gave me without question.

Guarding Iris was my lifelong mission, even if it cost me my life.

But what kid can resist temptation? When I was eight, I secretly took up odd jobs, scraped together enough money dollar by dollar, just so I could taste the Pack's famous fried chicken. Right as I was about to try it, Mom showed up.

As the Alpha's Luna, she was well known in the neighborhood, and in front of passersby, Mom loudly scolded me. "How could you be so inconsiderate? Didn't I tell you not to eat anything that isn't homemade?

If you ruin your health, how can you protect Iris? Do you want her to stay sick forever? How could you be so heartless!"

Then she twisted my ear and dragged me home, not letting me explain. Along the way, I saw a girl from school, her hand clasped tightly in her mom's, happily gnawing on a fried chicken drumstick.

But I could only watch as my fried chicken was tossed into the trash, tears silently falling for what I'd lost.

Now, lying in bed, that childhood memory suddenly washed over me, making my chest ache. I squeezed my eyes shut and thought I would never get another chance to taste that fried chicken in this life.

The room was so quiet, I lost track of time. All I could think about was how thirsty I was, but Dad never showed up with the water he said he'd get.

I guessed he had completely forgotten about me.

I hit the call button by my bed and asked the nurse for some water. She gave me a look full of pity. Then she brought over some water and carefully helped me drink, holding the glass right up to my lips.

Just then, Mom stormed in, her face dark and stormy.

The nurse spoke to her very bluntly. "Luna, she's your daughter too. Iris needs your care, and so does she. Even if Iris is the Moon Goddess's reincarnation and needs extra attention, that doesn't mean you can ignore Aylin.

Isn't the Moon Goddess supposed to love everyone? Look at her, she can't even get a glass of water."

The nurse really spoke up for me, pouring out all my grievances in one go.

"I've got so much on my plate, I can't be everywhere at once. I'll make sure to look after things here." A flicker of annoyance crossed Mom's face, but she quickly composed herself, forcing her voice to sound as gentle as ever.