chapter 4

“I'll foot the bill tonight—after all, it's Seraphina's birthday. We must make this day unforgettable for her.”

Their raucous cheers swallowed my existence entirely.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching as Chase and Seraphina were swept up in a tide of adoring friends, departing like triumphant emperors leaving a conquered land.

To cling to life, I had no choice but to sell the bags and jewelry my parents had given me over the past three years, scraping together money for my treatment.

If I could endure two more years of this, my health would be restored.

By the time I staggered back from the hospital, the sky had long since surrendered to an inky blackness, the city's lights mocking my solitude.

A huge truck was parked out front, with my parents supervising workers as they loaded our belongings onto it.

Seraphina came out with her suitcase, hanging onto my mother’s arm.

“Mom, are we really leaving Raina behind? Won’t she be devastated?”

My mother smiled and tapped her forehead. “You’re too kind. Raina hurt you, and you’re still worried about her? Silly girl.”

My father wouldn’t even say my name.

“She owed you this from the start. The heart transplant three years ago put things right. We’ve done more than enough for her—she spends hundreds of thousands every year on hospital bills. Even with our finances, we can’t keep that up.

“Plus, the doctors say there’s no hope. We tried to convince her, but she insists on treatment. She can't earn a dime, yet demands money as if we're minting it. Where's the fairness in that?

“These past three years, to make up for it, your mother and I forced ourselves to be around her, even eat meals with her. It’s hurt our company’s profits! If this goes on, we’ll be broke.”

My mother sighed. “The fortune-teller said Raina would bring bad luck. I didn’t believe it before, but you were born sick while she was healthy. Our profits have been dropping—now I have to believe it.

“She’s my daughter, but your father has employees to take care of. We can’t let them suffer too.”

Seraphina sniffed, her pout hardening into a sneer.

"And let's not forget her little flirtation with Chase! At my last birthday, the way she ogled him... repulsive. That's why I need distance. Chase and I are kindred spirits—our bond is timeless.

“I’m scared—scared she’ll steal him… Even though I’ve always been nice to her.”

My mother got angry. “She’s that shameless? Trying to steal her sister’s boyfriend?

“Good thing you noticed, Seraphina. We need to move far away so she can’t mooch off us anymore.”

My father waved his hand, checking the things being loaded.

“I told you she’s ungrateful. Don’t worry. Didn’t Seraphina say she loves the ocean? We’ll move to the coast. She’ll never find us there.

“Let her take care of herself. The money we spent on her was just payment for the transplant.”

Seraphina's eyes gave a playful roll as she cooed softly.

“Dad, let’s sell this house. She can’t pay the utilities anyway—we’re doing her a favor.”

My mother praised her. “Seraphina, you’re so smart.

“Okay, I’ll call a real estate agent right away.”

I hid behind a tree, my fists tight, watching coldly as they enjoyed their happiness.

Seraphina had tricked me, using my love to take my healthy heart. The most ridiculous part? My own parents and fiancé had helped her lie to me…

“From now on, Seraphina is our only daughter. James Bennett, see to Raina’s relocation personally. Make sure it’s discreet—we can’t afford her ill fortune trailing us like a shadow.”

“Don’t worry.”

I watched them talk and laugh as they emptied the house, not even bothering to call me.

Then they got into the truck and drove away calmly.

My things were thrown carelessly into the trash.

Every year on Seraphina’s birthday, I would craft her exquisite dolls stuffed with aromatic herbs, hoping the scents would soothe her.

Those dolls now lay forgotten upon the ground, much like the rest of my forsaken belongings, their fabric forms marred by faceless boot prints that pressed indents into their soft bodies.

I watched as the truck dwindled into the distance, its silhouette shrinking until it was a mere speck. A weary smile of relief tugged at my lips.

Just then, the system’s voice echoed, “Host, if the swapped hearts are too far apart, the transplant will fail.”

Closing my eyes, I recalled every moment I’d trailed after Seraphina, each step shadowed by the weight of her cold dismissal.

This time, my feet stayed planted. I did not follow.