Chapter 4

"Emily has acute leukemia," Mom said, her voice rushed, like she was rattling off some exam schedule. "The doctor says siblings are more likely to be a match. Call in sick and get over here now."

I gripped the phone, silent for ages.

So after four years, the only reason Mom ever bothered to call me was still because of Emily.

"I don't have a passport, and I don't have any money," I told her.

"You don't need to worry about that. We'll handle it," Mom said.

"My Young Scholars Medical Program needs a guardian's signature," I replied.

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Seriously? You're still thinking about your own stuff at a time like this?" Mom snapped. "Emily's lying in the hospital, and she could die any minute."

I stared at the application form on the table.

The signature line was still blank, and the deadline was only five days away. "Sign it first, then I'll go for the compatibility test."

Mom's voice immediately rose. "Helen, how could you be so selfish? That's your own sister, and you're actually using her life to make demands?"

I didn't argue. "Are you going to sign it?"

"We'll talk about it after Emily's transplant."

"Then call me when you've made up your mind."

I hung up, my palms slick with sweat.

When I was ten, I begged them to take me with them, but they never looked back.

Now that Emily needed me, they assumed I'd drop everything and come running.

The phone rang again.

This time, it was Dad. "Your mom's already sick with worry. Don't make things worse."

"All I need is a signature," I replied.

"What's the point of that program? Medicine is tough for girls, and there's no guarantee you'll get a job after. Save Emily first. Once she's better, I'll get you into a good school," he said.

He said it so casually, like four years ago when he promised he'd be back in two years.

"The application is due the day after tomorrow," I said.

"Then don't apply," Dad replied.

"Emily's life is more important than your future," he added.

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard that.

In their eyes, my future had never mattered.

They could sell my room without a second thought.

They could sign my name on anything they wanted, whether I agreed or not.

My education could always be sacrificed for Emily.

"I'm not giving up," I said.

Dad cursed at me and hung up.

That night, Scarlett and the program director came to Grace's house.

After reviewing my materials, the director said the program could be submitted two days late.

But the guardian's signature was still required.

Grace asked if she could sign on my behalf.

The director shook his head. "Unless you become Helen's legal guardian."

That line opened up a whole new possibility for me.

But Grace hesitated, saying nothing.

She wasn't unwilling; she was afraid I'd regret it down the line. "Once the guardianship changes, it'll drive a wedge between you and your parents."

I stared at the application form in my hands. "That wedge has been there for a long time."

The next morning, my parents returned.

They didn't bother to see me first; they headed straight to the school.

Mom stormed into the office and slammed a stack of international hospital reports on the desk. "Is this how you teach your students?

"Her own sister is this sick, and she's still thinking about competitions and getting into college?"

Scarlett stepped in, blocking Mom's hand as she reached for me. "Whether Helen wants to get tested for compatibility or not is her own decision."

"She's only fifteen. What does she know?" Mom jabbed a finger at me. "She eats under my roof, wears the clothes I bought her. I gave birth to her. She owes me everything."

Grace stood in the doorway, her expression growing colder by the second. "Has she touched anything from your house since she was ten?"

Mom turned and saw her, her eyes instantly hardening. "You're the one who's been a bad influence on her. If you hadn't meddled, she never would've dared to make demands of her own parents."

The shouting drew the principal over.

Dad, worried things would get out of hand, finally picked up the pen and signed the application form.

He pushed the paper toward me. "Happy now? Come with us to the hospital right now."

I checked the signature, then handed the application form to the director.

Then I went with them to Holreand Hospital.

Before the blood draw, Mom stayed right by my side the whole time.

When the needle pierced my vein, she finally showed a hint of a smile.

But that smile wasn't for me; it was for the blood in the vial.

Three days later, the compatibility results came out.

The doctor said all ten markers matched perfectly between Emily and me.

Mom hugged the report, crying tears of joy.

Dad actually patted my shoulder for the first time. "I knew you'd come in handy eventually."

But the doctor didn't smile.

He turned to the last page of the report, his face suddenly serious. "Let's put the transplant on hold for now. Helen's blood work isn't normal either."