Chapter 3

"You are our real sister," Alexander said. "Nobody's allowed to give up on you."

Connor tried a softer voice. "Heal first, Ivy. I promise I'll take better care of you."

A promise made after he'd taken my kidney wasn't one I could trust.

Blake arrived next, looking close to tears, followed by Damien. They all took turns insisting they cared. Damien even offered to help me drink the medicine.

Then Scarlett entered in a hospital gown, looking fragile and pale.

"Ivy," she said softly, "I came to apologize. Everyone's been worried sick. The family belongs to you, not me. I never meant to take anything."

Alexander hurried to support her. She had only recently received the kidney that once belonged to me.

Scarlett sat on my bed and raised the spoon to my mouth, every word carefully designed to make me seem unreasonable if I refused.

I knocked the bowl out of her hand.

Hot medicine splashed over her wrist. The bowl shattered.

"Ivy!" Alexander roared.

Connor rushed to check Scarlett's skin. Blake accused me of being cruel. Damien dabbed her hands and asked why I couldn't appreciate a kind gesture.

I was lying there with a fresh surgical wound from an organ they'd taken against my will, yet all four men surrounded Scarlett because she'd been splashed with hot liquid.

She looked over Alexander's shoulder and gave me a tiny, triumphant smile.

"Please don't blame Ivy," she whispered. "She's just upset."

It was the same performance she'd been giving for years. They still applauded it.