When I opened my eyes again, my vision was blurred. I knew then–my condition had worsened.
Outside, I heard raised voices–Lucas and Nick.
They were fighting.
A moment later, both of them came inside.
+15 Bonus
Chapter 10
‘Grace.”
At the sound of Nick’s voice, my body instinctively tensed.
“Nick, my liver isn’t even fit for a transplant anymore. Can you stop squeezing me dry? Can you just let me go? I don’t want to die
with my body in pieces. Please.”
Nick’s eyes reddened. He dropped to his knees beside my bed.
“Grace, come home with me, okay? We have the same blood type. I’ll give you my entire liver if I have to. You’re my real sister. I won’t let you die. From now on, I won’t care about anyone else. I’ll only stay by your side, okay?”
Something inside me snapped.
I shoved him away and started screaming like a madwoman.
“I’m already dying! What’s the point of playing the good brother now? Get out! I don’t ever want to see you again!”
Lucas dragged him out.
I curled up under the covers, wiping away my tears in silence.
Maybe it was because I was nearing the end, but lately, I kept dreaming about my dad.
In the dream, the four of us sat around the dinner table, laughing and eating together.
‘Dad picked out a chicken wing for me.
Nick gave me his drumstick.
Mom scooped out the yolk from her egg and placed it on my plate, eating only the egg white herself.
Then, the dream shifted.
I was back in elementary school.
A light drizzle fell from the sky.
Nick crouched in front of me. “Come on, you brat, hop on.”
I was about to climb onto his back when Carrie appeared out of nowhere, shoving me aside and jumping on instead.
She turned to look at me and stuck out her tongue, making a face.
When I woke up, my pillow was damp with tears. My breath came in short, uneven gasps.
Through the dim light, I saw something familiar.
It looked like the stuffed bear that Carrie had taken from me.
Lucas walked in.
Chapter 10
“Nick sent this over,” he said softly. “He said it was your
favorite.”
