Chapter 1

Six months after my supposed biological parents found me, I started getting frequent nosebleeds and seeing black spots in my vision.

A hospital check-up revealed the grim diagnosis: brain cancer.

My 'mom' sobbed uncontrollably, lamenting my cruel fate. My 'dad' clutched my hand, firmly declaring he'd spend every last penny to cure me.

But as I feigned sleep, I overheard Mom whispering outside the door:

"Richard, Chloe's symptoms are getting worse. Should we keep giving her the pills?"

"Of course," Dad's voice was devoid of its usual warmth. "For Britney's sake, Chloe *must* be so sick she can't get out of bed! Ideally, she'll willingly give her heart to Britney before she dies."

"But..."

My dad cut her off sharply. "If we stop the medicine, her symptoms will ease. Don't you want Britney to make a full recovery?"

After a long silence, my mom finally responded, "I understand."

Lying in the hospital bed, I couldn't stop trembling. My hands clutched the hospital gown over my chest, and I could barely breathe.

It turned out there was no genuine affection whatsoever. All they ever wanted was my heart, from the very beginning.

...

"Chloe, time for your medicine." My mom held a glass of water, offering the pill to my mouth.

I held back tears, turning my head away. "Mom, do I have to take it?"

I couldn't see her face, but I heard her soft, coaxing voice:

"Chloe, how can you not take your medicine when you're sick? Take your medicine, and you'll get better."

I shook my head defiantly, refusing.

My dad walked into the room, took the pills from Mom, and squatted down in front of me, his voice sincere. "Listen to Dad, Chloe, take your medicine. I promise, once you're well, you won't have to take them anymore."

His face, the face of a dad who had been so doting and kind to me since I'd come home, blurred through my tears.

His persistence was unyielding. I just felt defeated, so I took the water and swallowed the pill.

'Real heiress,' 'biological daughter' – it was all pretense.

They brought me back into the Lu family, but their only goal was to use me as a heart donor for Britney. They drugged me, colluded with the hospital to falsify records, all for Britney!

Even the mother who gave me life believed her adopted daughter was more important than her biological one.

The tears I'd been holding back finally streamed down. The medicine I swallowed seemed to be taking effect; black spots appeared again in my vision, and my head was buzzing.

Mom noticed my state and tenderly pulled me into her embrace.

"Shh, it's okay, Chloe. Don't cry, don't cry. Just sleep, you'll feel better after a nap..."

Dad quickly called for the doctor. "My daughter is very uncomfortable, can you give her an injection or an IV drip to ease her discomfort?"

In front of outsiders, the couple put on a show of loving parents deeply concerned for their daughter.

But peeking through my lashes, I saw the doctor in the white lab coat exchange a glance with my dad.

In that instant, they seemed to reach some unspoken agreement.

Then, the doctor calmly stated, "We can give the patient an IV drip first to alleviate the pain."

My dad gazed at me intently, not breaking eye contact for a second, as if I was the most precious thing in the world.

"Then hurry!"

The doctor hurried out and returned quickly. Moments later, a sharp sting on the back of my hand, and there was a needle and bandage.

The cold liquid flowed into my veins, but I couldn't help but tremble.

They had drugged me for Britney; what are they injecting into me now?