A Life for the Sister's Cure

After leaving the banquet hall, I made my decision. This time, my child and I would survive.

I didn't go back to our downtown apartment. I went straight to the airport.

In my last life, staying in this city was a death sentence. This time, I had to get out before they could take my baby. They were ruthless, and I had nothing left to lose.

But I had underestimated Spencer.

The moment he realized I was gone, he froze my accounts. My phone was tracked. The flight I'd booked was canceled.

I was a bird in a cage, with my wings clipped.

I ended up hiding in a dingy motel off Interstate 90. The owner, seeing my pregnant belly, took pity and charged me half price. But I knew the peace wouldn't last.

Sure enough, two days later, Spencer stood in my doorway.

"Harper, what are you doing in a place like this?" he asked, his gentle tone at odds with his perfectly tailored suit, which was comically out of place in the rundown motel.

I looked at him coldly. "Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Davies?"

"What are you talking about, Harper? We've been worried sick about you."

A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes. "I want to take you home. Let's be a family again."

My heart stuttered.

A family? Could it be? In this life, had my compliance finally made them see me?

But his next words plunged me back into the abyss.

"Actually..." A flicker of unease crossed his face. "We need your help. For Sonia. She's found a cure. All she needs are stem cells from a newborn's umbilical cord blood."

My body went cold as memories of my past life crashed over me—the blinding surgical lights, the sterile scent of antiseptic, the frantic shouts of doctors, and then… nothing.

"Get out!" I screamed, shoving him. "You will not touch my child!"

Why had I ever dared to hope? It was laughable.

"Harper, listen to yourself," Spencer frowned. "We're just inducing labor a bit early to get the cord blood. It won't hurt the baby, and it will save Sonia. Why are you being so selfish?"

"Selfish?" I laughed, tears of rage streaming down my face. "Spencer, this is your child too! How could you—"

Before I could finish, my parents came rushing up the stairs.

"Harper!" my mother cried, collapsing at my feet and grabbing my legs. "Please, save Sonia! She's your sister!"

I shoved her away violently. "My sister? When have you ever treated me like a daughter?"

"You ungrateful wretch!" my father roared, his face flushed with anger. "We gave you everything! How can you be so heartless?"

"I'm not the heartless one. You are!" I screamed, my heart shattering all over again.

I had removed myself from their lives. I'd let them have their perfect family. Why were they still cornering me, demanding my child's life?

"Harper..." Sonia appeared at the top of the stairs, her voice a weak whisper. "I'm sorry... It's all my fault that I'm sick..."

Her face was frighteningly pale, and she trembled like a leaf, looking as if a stiff breeze could knock her over. Seeing her so fragile, my parents were heartbroken. They rushed to her side, propping her up.

"Don't say that!" my mother sobbed, cradling Sonia while shooting me a look of pure hatred. "It's our fault for bringing this jinx home. She's the one who made you sick! She has everything now and still isn't satisfied. She stole your life, so it's only fair she pays with hers!"

I sneered. My own biological parents. Calling me a jinx, cursing me, wishing me dead.

And for what? What had I ever done? Compared to them, was I really the despicable one?

"Alright, Harper. That's enough of this nonsense," Spencer said, grabbing my arm.