Chapter 1

1

While my daughter and I were trapped in a mangled car, bleeding out, my husband was busy celebrating his first love's birthday with our son.

My daughter, Maya, was in critical condition and needed an immediate blood transfusion. She had a rare blood type that only my husband and son shared.

When I finally got through to him, Silas didn't sound worried. He just growled with impatience.

"Again, Elena? How many times are you going to use this trick? It's getting old. Jade is celebrating her birthday alone, and it's heartbreaking. My son and I are just keeping her company. Why can't you be less obsessed and just let it go?"

Our son, Hayden, chimed in from the background. "Exactly! Mom, you're just jealous. You've turned Maya into a little liar, too. We're not coming back. Maya has you, but Auntie Jade only has us."

Maya never got to see her father or brother again. She passed away in that cold hospital bed, still clutching the gift she had bought for Hayden.

During the two days I spent arranging her funeral, Silas and Hayden were busy treating Jade like a princess.

Later, when they finally learned the truth, they knelt at Maya's grave, sobbing and begging for my forgiveness.

I only gave them a cold smile. "You want my forgiveness? Fine. Go die, and then we'll talk."

......

"Have you reached the father yet? The child is fading fast. We need that transfusion now."

The doctor stood outside the operating room, his expression grim.

My heart was racing, pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I looked at the long list of rejected calls on my screen and shook my head with a bitter smile.

Three hours ago, a truck had slammed into our car.

Maya was severely injured and losing blood. Because of her rare type, the hospital was out of stock. Silas and Hayden were her only hope.

But every time I called, the line would ring a few times before they cut me off.

This had become the norm over the past few months, but this wasn't some petty argument. This was Maya's life. I forced myself to dial Silas's number one more time.

"Please pick up. This is a matter of life and death," I texted him first, my fingers trembling.

Finally, the call connected.

"What is it now?" His voice was as cold as ice.

I didn't care about his tone. I just screamed into the phone. "Silas! Maya and I were in a crash! She's losing too much blood and needs a transfusion. The hospital doesn't have her type. Please, bring Hayden here right now!"

There was a two-second silence on the other end. Then, he let out a sharp, mocking snort.

"Elena, really? This time it's a car crash? Last time it was a fever. You're truly something else. You'd actually curse your own daughter just to trick me into coming home?"

I was frantic. "It's real this time! She's covered in blood, Silas! I'm not lying! Please!"

I looked down at my own blood-stained clothes, desperate for a way to make him believe me. I just kept repeating the words through my tears.

His voice turned even more dismissive. "Using the same trick over and over is pathetic. Try something new next time."

Before I could say another word, I heard Hayden's voice in the background. "Dad, come on! Auntie Jade is about to blow out the candles!"

Silas hung up without hesitation.

My heart went cold. The realization hit me like a physical blow.

They were with Jade. They were celebrating her birthday while Maya was fighting for every breath.

It was always Jade.