Chapter 2

I thought I'd never see them again.

Not until a seemingly ordinary afternoon, a year later. I was taking out the trash when I pushed open my door and saw several people standing in the hallway of my old apartment building.

Finn's eyes locked onto me. In a flash, he lunged forward, his hand clamping down on my wrist like a vise.

"Hazel?!" His voice was shaking. "You... really are alive?!"

I tried to pull my hand back, but he only squeezed tighter.

"Let go! I don't know you!" I struggled violently.

"Faking your death... You actually dared to fake your death!" Finn's eyes were bloodshot. "Do you have any idea what this past year has been like for us?!"

Lena wailed and threw herself at me. "You ungrateful brat! Do you know we thought you were dead?!"

Hank blocked my escape route. "Enough talk! The important thing is we found her! Take her away!"

From the moment I was born, Hank and Lena had dumped me in the countryside to live with my grandparents. It wasn't until they both passed away, and the local government contacted them, that they reluctantly brought me back. I had always wanted to ask them one thing: Why didn't they love me?

I was using almost all my strength. Lena couldn't pry my fingers loose.

A sharp "slap" rang out.

Lena's palm landed hard across my face. "You'd better come with me to the hospital right now! If something happens to Sierra because you delayed things for a whole year, I will never forgive you!"

My cheek instantly swelled and reddened. I let out a bitter laugh. "So the mask finally comes off."

Lena didn't even flinch. "I don't know what you're talking about! All I know is Sierra needs a kidney transplant now, and you're the most compatible donor! You have to come with me this instant!"

Seeing that I still refused to let go, Hank stepped in to help. "Hazel, you used to be so sensible. Your sister needs you now. Just do this one favor for your mom and dad and come to the hospital, okay?"

Hank was trying to play the pity card. I spat directly at his feet.

"Stop pretending! Her life matters, but mine doesn't? Have you ever, not even once, treated me like a daughter, like a human being?"

Seeing I was completely unmoved, Hank slapped me across the face, too.

"You monster! That's your own sister! Donating one kidney won't kill you! You can still live with just one kidney, right?"

Finn dropped all pretense and grabbed me by the throat. "Hazel! Sierra's condition took a turn for the worse this afternoon. She needs surgery as soon as possible! Your body's stats have to meet the baseline quickly! You're coming with us, whether you like it or not!"

"Finn! You all conspired to deceive me, to use me, and now you're trying to kidnap me?!" I screamed.

Finn just sneered dismissively. "Cut the crap! I'm the reason you're even alive! Saving Sierra is your only reason for living! Otherwise, you don't even deserve to be standing here!"

Looking into Finn's cold, hard eyes, I felt a chill that went down to my bones.

"Hank, Lena, stop wasting time on her. Sierra can't wait! We'll tie her up and take her to the hospital for some proper 'recuperation'!" As he spoke, Finn grabbed a rope and, with Hank and Lena's help, tied my hands behind my back.

"Move it! If you delay Sierra's treatment, I'll make you pay!" Lena shoved me forward.

I hooked my foot around the doorframe, refusing to leave my home. Finn responded by kicking my foot away with brutal force.

"Hazel! If Sierra doesn't make it, I swear I'll make you pay with your life!"

Finn used almost all his strength. My whole body crashed down with a "thud" onto my knees. The pain was so intense I nearly cried. A sharp, dragging ache shot through my lower abdomen, too.

"Be careful! Don't actually damage the important parts!" Lena looked at Finn with some annoyance.

Finn nodded repeatedly, and then, with Hank, they hauled me up like a rag doll and started dragging me forward.

Just as the elevator doors opened, a tall man with a straight posture stepped out. I knew him. He was Officer Carter, who lived next door. He had even helped me catch a thief once.

I saw him like a lifeline. My eyes lit up. "Help..."

Just as I opened my mouth to scream, Lena clamped her hand tightly over it. "Feeling like you need to throw up again? Mom will take you to the hospital right now for a good checkup!"

Officer Carter looked at our group, puzzled. "What's going on here?"

"My wife hasn't recovered well since her miscarriage. She's feeling a bit unwell. I'm taking her to the hospital for a follow-up right now," Finn said smoothly, not missing a beat.

My hands were tied behind my back by Finn and Hank. Finn was squeezing my hands hard to prevent me from moving. I could only look at Officer Carter with desperate, pleading eyes.

"I'm a doctor. My daughter is physically weak and needs careful treatment. There's no time to waste," Lena said, afraid Officer Carter wouldn't believe her, and quickly pulled out her hospital ID badge.

"Then you should hurry. Health comes first," Officer Carter said, immediately stepping aside to let us pass. Finn let out a sigh of relief instantly.

As I was manhandled into the elevator, I watched Officer Carter turn and walk away. The hope in my heart shattered into despair.

"You little bitch! You almost tattled to that cop! Do you realize that would be hurting your own sister? How can you be so evil?" The moment the elevator doors closed, Lena viciously pinched my arm.

The searing pain made my tears flow uncontrollably.

Just then, Hank's phone rang. "Dr. Harris, your daughter Sierra's kidney function indicators have worsened again. Please come back to the hospital immediately!"

Hanging up, Hank looked at me with a dark expression. "Sierra can't wait! The moment we get to the hospital, arrange a full physical examination immediately. We need to get her body in optimal condition as fast as possible!"

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Finn and Hank couldn't wait to drag me out.

"Freeze!" Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. I turned my head to see Officer Carter standing behind us with a stern look on his face.

My extinguished hope flared back to life.

"You dropped your ID card." Officer Carter jogged over and handed my ID to Lena.

"Thank you, Officer Carter," Lena said profusely.

I struggled desperately to free my bound hands. "Officer..."

Just as Officer Carter was about to leave again, I frantically started to speak, but my mouth was only halfway open when Finn clamped his hand over it. "Hold on just a little longer, honey. We'll be at the hospital soon." Then Finn dragged me toward the car.

The moment I was thrown into the car, Lena viciously pinched my arm again. "If you dare cause me any more trouble, I swear I won't let you get away with it!"

Finn sped all the way to the hospital, running three red lights. Once we arrived, I was immediately dragged into a private ward.