Chapter 1

1

My own mom and brother had been pressuring me to give blood to my stepsister for twelve freakin' years.

My brother, Jake, used to say, "If anything happens to Lily, you're gonna regret it."

Mom was even worse: "Even if it's your last drop, it belongs to Lily."

But when I actually kicked the bucket, they were at my graveside, begging for my forgiveness.

...

Today's my birthday, but all I got was a crummy lab report from the hospital.

Leukemia.

I asked the doctor if someone with cancer could even donate blood.

He said, "Absolutely not."

I just laughed.

After being a human blood bag for a dozen years, I was finally free.

I'd been busting my ass for three months on an interior design proposal, and guess who wanted it? Lily. She wanted to use it for a design competition.

Last year, she'd ripped off one of my designs, won first place, and snagged herself a rich boyfriend.

She got a taste of success, so now she's too lazy to steal �C just straight up asks.

"Sis, can I have your proposal? If I win, I'll treat you to dinner, okay?"

She called me like five times, voice all sweet and syrupy.

Listening to her makes my teeth hurt, I swear.

But Mom and Jake love her voice.

When I ignored her calls, she got Mom to dial me up.

"Just give Lily that proposal, will ya? She's been stressed about this and lost so much weight."

"But, Mom, I spent three months working on it!"

"So what? It's just a plan, not like it's your life!"

I didn't feel like arguing with Mom, so I hung up.

Lily wouldn't let it go. She got Jake involved.