Chapter 1

Three years had passed since my death.

My mom sat alone in the pitch-black room and dialed my number. Choking back tears, she spoke to the stranger who answered.

"Lily, when are you coming home? Please don't be mad at me anymore, okay? I was wrong. Please forgive me."

The person on the other end snapped impatiently, "Are you insane? How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not your daughter! If you dare harass me again, I'm calling the cops."

The call ended abruptly. My mom covered her face, choking with sobs as she kept murmuring my name.

I watched coldly, wondering who this performance was for.

How could she forget? I'd been dead for three years.

I died on that operating table when they forced me to give my kidney to Sophia.

*****

The surgery was a failure. For me, at least.

Mine failed, while Sophia's was a complete success. With my kidney, she was finally spared from death.

Everyone was crying tears of joy, even my boyfriend, Ryan Carter.

They clung to each other, celebrating Sophia's successful surgery with joyful hugs.

The doctor, unable to bear their blatant disregard any longer, finally spoke up to remind them, "While Sophia's surgery was a success, Lily's failed."

My father scoffed, "So what if it failed? Just have those nurses to take care of her."

My mom asked anxiously, "When can we go in to see Sophia? She must be in so much pain right now."

Ryan asked anxiously, "Doctor, can Sophia eat or drink anything? Is soup okay? If so, I'll go get some for her right away."

Seeing how everyone in front of him seemed to care about no one but Sophia, the doctor couldn't hold back any longer. "Do you people even understand what a failed surgery means?"

Dad snapped impatiently, "I told you to let the hospital handle it! Stop shouting. You'll disturb Sophia."

The doctor frowned. Perhaps remembering how desperately I had called for my parents in my dying moments, he took a deep breath and left without another word.

Since no family ever came to claim my body, the nurses handling it had no choice but to cover me with a white sheet and wheel me to the hospital morgue.

I lay alone in the morgue, forgotten by all.

Meanwhile, Sophia's hospital room was packed with visitors. Ryan carried in takeout chicken soup he'd specially bought for her, while Mom tenderly tucked in her blanket. Dad gently stroked her face and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Sophia looked frail, but a gentle smile lit up her eyes.

She basked in everyone's care and attention.

However, I was left completely forgotten for an entire day.

The next day, Sophia seemed a bit better. She hugged Mom and Dad, thanking them, then turned to my boyfriend, who had been tirelessly caring for her.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she said softly, "Ryan, thank you for taking care of me these few days."

"Hey, don't say that. It's what I should do," Ryan said, gazing at her adoringly.

Sophia's smile deepened as she reached out and took Ryan's hand. To my dismay, he didn't refuse; right in front of our parents, he even interlaced his fingers with hers, as if he'd forgotten he was my boyfriend.

"Thank God you're okay, Sophia," Ryan murmured tenderly.

But then, Sophia's eyes welled up with tears as she suddenly pulled her hand away. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling.

"Ryan, I shouldn't have confessed to you. You're Lily's boyfriend. I just... I truly thought I was going to die, so I couldn't help telling you how I felt. I hope I didn't make things difficult for you."

"Sophia, I get it. You didn't trouble me at all, so don't blame yourself, okay?"

An aching tenderness filled Ryan's eyes as he looked at Sophia.

Dad also comforted Sophia, saying, "Sweetie, don't overthink it. It's not your fault that you have feelings for Ryan."

Hearing him say that, I desperately wanted to know whose fault it was.

Was it mine? Was I at fault just because Ryan was my boyfriend?

But I was already dead, without even a chance to confront them.

I looked at Mom. She remained silent.

I couldn't tell what she was thinking right now. Maybe she was planning to ask me to "give" my boyfriend to Sophia.

All these years, all the same. Sophia would always have eyes for whatever I liked, and when that happened, I must let her have what she wanted.

No one ever cared whether I liked something or if it was even mine to begin with.

From small stuff like snacks and toys, to bigger things like clothes and gifts—and now, even the person I love...

Mom finally spoke up. "Sophia, your sister has already given you her kidney. Don't fight with her over Ryan anymore, okay? I'll introduce you to a much better boyfriend later, okay?"

Sophia's tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks. "But I only want Ryan," she sobbed stubbornly.

"If I had to choose between Ryan and the kidney transplant, I'd choose Ryan!"

Ryan was deeply moved. He lovingly placed his hand on Sophia's head and said, "You're so silly."

Sophia flung herself into Ryan's arms, sobbing, "Ryan, I love you so, so much. Please, can you love me back, even just a little bit?"

Ryan's face was etched with agony and hesitation.

I suddenly wanted to laugh out loud.

Honestly, was it really that agonizing?

Did Ryan even remember how he once held me so tenderly after I shared my childhood struggles with him? He had vowed that I was the only person he loved, and that he wouldn't let anyone take him away from me.

Apparently, that promise had broken. Ryan had fallen for Sophia. Otherwise, why would he look so tormented?

I should have seen it coming.

When Ryan joined my parents in pleading with me to donate my kidney to Sophia, he sanctimoniously declared, "Lily, even if you're left with just one kidney, I'll still love you forever."

I should have known by then.

It was clear that Sophia meant more to Ryan than I ever did.

"Sorry." Ryan pushed Sophia away, perhaps remembering his promise to me. "I can't betray Lily."

His phony display of affection made me want to gag.

Sophia burst into tears again, clearly distraught. Mom and Dad quickly called for a nurse while ushering Ryan out of the room.

Outside, Dad looked Ryan straight in the eye and asked seriously, "What exactly are your feelings for Sophia?"

Ryan looked visibly torn. "I... I don't know," he admitted.

"What do you mean you don't know? It's simple: you either love her or you don't. Now, answer me straight: do you love Sophia or not?"

"I..." Ryan took a deep breath, struggling for words. "I'm supposed to see her as my little sister, but ever since she got sick, I've been sick with worry every day, terrified I might never see her again. During her surgery, I was a complete wreck. She's all I can think about. I..."

At this point, Ryan abruptly slapped himself hard across the face. "I'm terrible. I've let Lily down."

"You can't be blamed for this," Dad said matter-of-factly. "Lily simply couldn't compare to Sophia. Sophia has always been more lovable since she was a child. It's only natural that you'd develop feelings for her."

He then turned to Ryan and said bluntly, "Since you and Sophia clearly have feelings for each other, just break up with Lily. Sophia just had surgery; she needs company and comfort. Having you around will cheer her up."

Mom, who had been standing silently by, finally broke her silence, her voice hesitant. "But... won't this be too much for Lily? She just gave her kidney to Sophia."

Dad's voice hardened. "So what? She's useless. How can you blame Sophia? A man like Ryan was always out of Lily's league."

Mom paused briefly, then nodded in agreement. "People can hardly control their feelings. Since Ryan and Sophia like each other, Lily will understand someday. She's always been the sensible one; she knows how to yield to her sister."

It seemed Mom had forgotten how I used to fight back whenever they made me give in to Sophia as a kid.

But every time I fought back, I'd just end up getting yelled at and beaten by my parents.

Mom yelled, "You're her older sister. How could you be so harsh? Why are you being so difficult? Did we not raise you right?"

Dad warned, "Next time you make your sister cry, I'll teach you a good lesson."

I was never the "obedient one." I was just broken by their constant yelling and beatings. Everything they forced on me became their license to abuse me however they pleased.