Chapter 2

Mom had already notified all our relatives and friends that they didn't need to come tomorrow - the wedding was canceled.

Lucas had also informed his family that the wedding would be postponed.

As the bride, I had no say in any of this.

It was just like six months ago, when Chloe needed dialysis and a kidney transplant due to uremia. The whole family was required to get tested for compatibility.

I had always been the least noticeable person in this family. But on the day the test results came out, Mom, Uncle Steve and my brother didn't stay at the hospital with Chloe as usual. Instead, they prepared an elaborate dinner for me at home.

I had never been treated like this before, and felt a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

But no one remembered that I'm allergic to seafood.

Mom spoke in a placating tone: "Lily, the test results are out... you're a match for your sister. You can save her..."

I stared at the seafood on the table, then suddenly looked up at the three of them: "Do you remember that I'm allergic to seafood?"

My brother threw his chopsticks at my face, his expression angry: "Lily, your sister is dying and you're worried about your seafood allergy?"

Mom started crying: "Lily, you have to save her. Don't forget, Uncle Steve has paid for all your school fees and living expenses since you were little. You should show some gratitude."

It was pouring rain outside that night. Mom knelt down begging me, my brother glared at me with hostility, and Uncle Steve looked at me with pleading eyes.

I gave a small laugh: "Mom, if I donate this kidney, can you promise not to make me give up my things for her anymore?"

My mom hesitated for a moment, but then nodded vigorously: "I promise you."

I agreed, and the three of them finally breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the heavy rain outside, Mom hurried to leave.

"Chloe is terrified of thunder. She'll be scared without me there. I need to go to the hospital to be with her."

I was left alone in the room, staring at the table full of seafood. I suddenly remembered when my dad was still alive before his illness - Mom loved me then, my brother doted on me, and the whole family carefully protected me. When did everything start to change?

It seems it was twenty years ago, when my dad passed away and Mom remarried Uncle Steve, bringing me and my brother along.

He was kind and gentle, and his daughter was lively and lovable - everyone adored her.

Meanwhile, I had become quiet and withdrawn after losing my father and our standard of living dropping suddenly. I wasn't the type of child that adults found endearing.

Sometimes when I watched my brother, Mom, Uncle Steve and Chloe together, they looked like a perfect family of four.

I was the extra, unnecessary one.

Anything I liked, if Chloe happened to like it too, Mom would give it to her instead.

Even my own brother, through day after day of interactions, came to favor the stepsister who had no blood relation to him.

She would lean affectionately on his shoulder, or hop onto the back of his bicycle after school, ignoring me as I trailed awkwardly behind them.

Back then, Chloe said to me: "Big sis, your mom and brother are mine now. You're really unnecessary."

As I stood there stunned with tears in my eyes, she had already run to my mom, hugging her and acting cute, then turned back to make a face at me.