Chapter 3

The laughter and chatter at the door slowly faded away.

I waited for a long time before quietly opening the door.

The door to the next room was slightly ajar, and I could hear the faint sounds of intimacy drifting out.

Almost against my will, I walked over and peeked through the crack in the door.

It was a luxury suite. There were floor-to-ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers, and a coffee table set with champagne and fancy pastries.

Compared to the cramped, ordinary hotel room behind me, it was like night and day.

Alex was all over Sophia on the couch, kissing her as if nothing else mattered. It was like three years ago.

I shuddered all over, my vision going black, like someone had slammed a bat into the back of my head.

My breathing suddenly sped up. I leaned against the wall, my body shaking uncontrollably, cold sweat pouring off me in waves.

The suffocating feeling from three years ago when I caught them cheating hit me all over again, like back then.

"Thanks, Alex," Sophia said, her voice soft and teasing, with a smug little smile. "Taking care of my disabled sister for three years for me. That must've been tough on you."

Alex leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Don't say that. She's your sister, after all," he replied. His tone was so casual, like it was nothing important at all.

My stomach churned so hard I thought I might collapse. I spun around and stumbled out of the room, barely holding myself together.

I didn't stop until I reached the hotel's backyard, where I doubled over against the wall and started retching uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a soft whimper sounded at my feet.

I looked down. Sunny, my guide dog, had tracked me down by my scent. It came over and nuzzled my knee, its tail wagging gently.

I crouched down and hugged Sunny tight around the neck. His warm, furry body leaned into me, quiet and comforting.

It had been three years. For three years, my parents hovered over me with concern, Alex was always there for me, never missing a beat, and Ben showed up whenever I called.

In the end, every single one of them was stringing me along.

Only Sunny, who couldn't talk, stuck with me when I was at my absolute worst.

"Emily, there you are." Hurried footsteps approached from behind.

I looked up. My parents were running over, sweat pouring down their faces, looking worried. "Come with us to the hospital."

Mom's nails dug into my arm as she grabbed me. "Do us a favor and donate some blood."

My heart skipped a beat. "Why?" I asked.

Mom's eyes darted around, and Dad stood there, rubbing his hands, looking uneasy. "Stop asking and come with us."

Mom was on the verge of tears. "Someone needs a blood transfusion right now. You have a rare blood type. You're the only one who can save her."

I could tell how freaked out she was, and everything suddenly clicked for me.

Sophia and I both had that super rare blood type.

Growing up, I was basically the family's walking blood bag.

When Sophia got an infection from her ear piercing and ran a high fever, I had to give her my blood.

When she cut her hand, I had to give her my blood.

When she got her wisdom teeth pulled, I had to give her my blood.

I fainted right there on the blood draw table. The nurse said I was too skinny to give any more blood, but Mom was freaking out, stomping her feet in panic.

"A little more, please. Sophia's still waiting for it," Mom pleaded, her voice desperate.

After that, I learned to take care of myself. Every time I gave blood, I'd secretly drink brown sugar water and eat some nutritious food, hoping it would help.

But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get my strength back. I was always anemic, my face ghostly pale, like a sheet of paper.