Chapter 3
That day, it was Serena’s engagement party, but I was the one who went viral, trending everywhere.
“Wardrobe Malfunction Steals the Show! The Real Heiress’s Raw Beauty Outshines the Socialite’s ‘Perfect’ Image.”
Serena wept, accusing me of humiliating her.
Alex said I used despicable tactics to steal Serena’s spotlight on her most important day.
Ryan had my dress ripped off me. “You don’t deserve to wear something I made with my own hands!”
Dad’s single phrase, “family discipline,” had me confined in the attic for seven whole days.
Nothing but water. No food.
I developed insomnia, terrified of the dark.
From then on, I became withdrawn and quiet. Dad seemed quite proud, believing my newfound obedience was a result of his 'effective' parenting.
“You came back and turned this house upside down. I truly wish you’d never come back.”
His words pierced me, my eyes stinging.
I opened Mom’s voice message, clinging to a final sliver of hope.
“Charlotte, are you threatening your mother?”
Her voice was tearful:
“Serena is as much a daughter of the Davies family as you are.”
“She’s sick, and as her older sister, you should help her!”
“You can’t hate her because of what happened to you when you were little!”
I stared up at the ceiling.
A true daughter, stolen and sold in childhood, then found again, was nothing but vulgar in their eyes, not worth a single strand of the adopted daughter's hair.
But I, foolishly oblivious, had tried so desperately to win their approval.
The moment they invited me to a family dinner, I rushed home, eager.
Seeing the birthday cake, I couldn’t contain my excitement and surprise.
After so many years, they finally remembered my birthday, finally ready to accept me!
Just as I reached for the gift box, Alex smacked my hand away.
“That’s Serena’s birthday gift. Who told you to touch it?”
I felt a pang of confusion, watching Serena, surrounded and adored, blow out the candles amidst joyous laughter.
“So, why did you call me home?”…
I listened several times before I understood what they meant.
“You want me to donate a kidney to Serena?”
I pulled out my cancer diagnosis. “I’m sick, I can’t donate.”
“Can’t donate, or don’t want to donate?”
Alex scolded my hypocrisy, and Ryan raged that I’d disregard someone’s life just to compete for attention.
Mom’s tearful curses and Dad’s slap utterly shattered the last bit of hope I had for the Davies family.
I gave a bitter laugh. “Should the true daughter’s blood just drain dry for the sake of the adopted one?”
I clutched my phone, feeling like I was squeezing my own heart, my face numb with pain.
“Are you going to save your beloved Serena or not?”
“If you are, come collect the body.”
Mom’s tone was reproaching, as if speaking to an unruly child.
“Charlotte, stop acting up. I can’t leave.”
“Serena needs me.”
Dad’s messages, as always, vanished without a trace.
I stared at the silent chat list, muttering to myself, “Didn’t you want my kidney?”
“Now that I’m willing to give it, why don’t you want it anymore?”…
“Miss Davies, are you still there?”
I slowly came back to myself, dropping my hand weakly.
“I’m so sorry, I really can’t help you.”
“However, I’d be very happy to donate my body to your research.”