Chapter 1
The room was a mess, but that was the least of Kylie Thompson’s worries. She lay on a small bed, her body a testament to the car crash that had left her with a severe disability.
Across the room, on the couch, Craig Fraley her childhood friend turned fiancé, and Melanie Lampard, the girl who’d always played Kylie’s part in her parents‘ home, were wrapped up in each other, completely lost in their own world.
They were so into their moment, it was like Kylie didn’t even exist.
“I never really liked her, Craig murmured, his words barely audible over Melanie’s soft laughter. “She was always the one chasing after me. Melanie, I’ve had a thing for you since college. You always make me crazy.”
Melanie’s giggle was light, her voice carrying a teasing edge. “Should we get someone to help her out! She must be feeling pretty miserable.
Craig just snorted, “Who could feel anything for her now? No one.”
Kylie, staring at them, wanted to shout, to call them out for their shamelessness, but her voice was gone, stolen by the long days of hunger and neglect. Ever since her accident, she’d been left alone, her body now a map of painful sores, the room. filled with the stench of her suffering.
She glanced down at her arm, the countless puncture marks a stark reminder of the blood she’d given to Melanie. But look at all this–this was the thanks she got
“Kylie, you were never meant to be here,” Melanie said, her lips still close to Craig’s. “Your existence is a constant reminder of my real family. But even as your parents‘ real daughter, they don’t treat you like family. They just use you as a blood bank for
me
With a sound kiss on Craig’s lips, she smiled, “And look, your fiancé. He’s mine now.”
Craig held Melanie close, his eyes filled with desire, as he added, ‘She’s lucky to serve as your blood bank. Otherwise, who knows if she’d have made it this far?”
“You’re right, Melanie agreed, “Now that I’m better, we don’t need her anymore. Oh, right, we’ve left her to starve for days, but she’s still here”
*After we give her another dose of that medicine, she won’t last much longer,” Craig said, his movements becoming more
urgent
Tears streamed down Kylie’s face, her body thin and frail. She was consumed by a deep resentment. The pain from the excessive medication was unbearable, but she was too weak to react. Her life was slipping away, filled with regret and injustice.
“Kylie, just hang in there and give us a bit more blood, will ya? It’s not like it’s going to hurt you any. If something happens to Mel, how are you going to sleep at night?” Julie Lampard, Kylie’s biological mother, said, her voice cold.
“Totally, we’ve got you back with us now. You’ve already taken what was Mel’s. She’s been the one keeping us company all these years, while you were… elsewhere. So now, when we’re asking for a little more from you for Mel, don’t be such a wimp!” Samuel, her father, barked.
The couple, their expressions a match in disapproval, looked down at Kylie, who was quiet with her head hung low. Their words were a steady stream of criticism aimed at her.
They cradled Melanie in their arms, treating her with the kind of care they’d give to a precious, fragile thing, while Kylie might as well have been invisible.
Melanie, her face pale and delicate, spoke up in a voice as soft as a summer breeze, trying to ease the tension, “Mom, Dad, I can manage. Don’t push Kylie. If she’s not happy with me, it’s probably because I haven’t done enough.”
Samuel and Julie’s faces softened with concern. They turned back to Kylie, their voices filled with reproach. “You’re as healthy as a horse. Can’t you show a litle heart for Mel?”
Then they turned to the nurse. “Miss, no need to wait for h
with the blood draw.”
approval. We’re her parents; we’ve got the say. Just keep going
0
Chapter 1
Kylie shot up from her seat, a sarcastic laugh escaping her lips as she looked at her parents. It was just now that the truth hit her–she had been given a fresh start! The memories of the last moments were a blur of agony, and the pain was so real.
In her previous life, once she was welcomed back into the family, Kylie had been on her best behavior, always trying to please them.
Kylie and Melanie had the same rare blood type and that was how they got switched up as babies, by the way. Her parents would hit her up for blood donations now and then.
Kylie never turned them down, always trying to keep them happy and avoid further accusations. And every time she gave in, she felt like she was just not doing enough, even though it left her feeling weak and getting sick more often.
And Melanie was the golden child in front of their parents, making Kylie look like the bad guy who always picked on her.
“Kylie, what’s with the spaced–out look? You’re always acting all country bumpkin. Come on! It’s freaking Mel out,” Julie snapped, her voice sharp.
Samuel added his own stern tone to the mix. “Kylie, this is disappointing. You’re really out of bounds. If you want something. just spit it out. No need to cause a scene in the hospital.”
Melanie moved closer, her voice dripping with fake sweetness as she held Kylie’s hand. “Kylie, how about I give you the Ferrari Dad got me for my birthday? I really need your help. I promise, I’ll share all my cool stuff with you. Please don’t be mad.”
Julie’s anger was palpable as she was about to slap Kylie. “Don’t be silly, honey, Kylie can’t drive. What would she do with a car? Kylie, you’re being way too greedy. You’ve already taken our attention, and now you’re after Melanie’s car too?”
A smug gleam flickered in Melanie’s eyes. “No matter what, Kylie’s no match for my charm. I’m always the beloved one in front of Mom and Dad.
Kylie’s eyes were as cold and unblinking as a winter’s night as she stared at Julie.
Julie paused, a shiver running down her spine from Kylie’s icy gaze. “What are you trying to pull, Kylie?*
“Sit down and stop causing a scene!” Samuel barked, his patience clearly worn thin.
Kylie’s face was a mask of indifference as she asked, “Will she die without my blood?”
Melanie took a step back, her voice trembling with feigned shock. “No, Kylie, you don’t… you don’t want me to die, do you?”
Julie’s anger was reaching its peak. “How can you be so cruel? You’d actually want Melanie to die? I can’t believe I’m your mother. You’re such a disappointment, Kylie. I really regret bringing you back into our lives!”
Julie was utterly ashamed of Kylie. ‘She’s such an embarrassment, always causing trouble and never obeying. Is it too much to ask for a little cooperation?” she thought..
“Kylie, please don’t upset Mom. She’s not feeling well. Blame this on me, Melanie said, her voice shaky as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Samuel’s expression hardened, and he turned to Kylie with that familiar sternness. “Kylie, apologize to your mom and Melanie. Now!”
In the past, whenever they teamed up against her and Samuel asked for her apologies, she’d always back down. But even after she said sorry, it never seemed to be enough. They’d always complain that she was pretending to be weak, especially during those blood draws.
Kylie glanced at the marks on her arm, her voice icy. “You’re the ones who should apologize. But even if you did, I wouldn’t accept it. We have a lot to settle, and I’ll do it on my terms.”
With that, she turned and walked out of the hospital, determination in her stride.
As she stepped outside, a sharp pain hit her, but she looked down at her legs, her eyes glistening. It felt amazing to be able to stand and walk again.
She’d deal with her family later; right now, there was something far more urgent she needed to do.
4.05 PM
