Landing Before Dawn

"Michelle, you can't be so selfish as a person," Adele said.

…

Every word stabbed deep into Michelle's heart. She felt an overwhelming bitterness, like a fishbone lodged in her throat, rendering her unable to speak.

"Alright, alright. Dad, Mom, don't blame her anymore. It's all my fault," Janet interjected pitifully, stepping in to play peacemaker. Her frail demeanor immediately won over the Smith couple, their concern shifting entirely to her.

Watching the trio fuss over each other like a loving family, Michelle lowered her gaze.

A wave of nausea surged through her and before she could stabilize herself, her world spun, darkness overtaking her as she fainted.

When she opened her eyes again, Parker was the only one by her bedside, "Where are they?" Michelle asked indifferently.

She was curious. Just moments ago, those people had been imploring her with righteous moral appeals. Now they couldn't even keep up the facade?

Parker held her hand tightly, his eyes full of concern, "Janet fainted too, out of grief because you passed out. Your parents are with her in the next room."

The news evoked no reaction from her. Instead, Michelle turned her gaze to the window.

Swallows were beginning to return, a sign that spring was approaching. Her spring was near as well.

Parker grew increasingly uneasy seeing her detached indifference, as if the once-vibrant Michelle was slipping away from him. Something intangible yet precious was draining from his grasp.

Before he could speak further, Michelle cut in, her voice firm and cold, "They're not my parents. They're Janet's parents."

"Alright, alright." Parker played along, attributing her remarks to the pain caused by her foster parents' favoritism.

The door to the hospital room swung open abruptly. The Smith couple burst in with frantic urgency.

"What are you doing here?" Parker growled, his expression darkening like a storm.

Ignoring his hostility, they dropped to their knees before Michelle, wailing and pleading, "Michelle, the doctor says your sister has end-stage renal disease. She needs a kidney to survive! As her elder sister, you must save her!"

"Your father and I are on our knees begging you! Can you really bear to watch us lose our daughter? If you agree to donate your kidney to Janet, I'll put you on the Smith Family's card registry, alright?"

…

Their cries drew a crowd outside the room. Onlookers gathered at the door, craning their necks to catch the unfolding drama.

Once, the mere mention of being added to the family registry would have been enough for Michelle to gratefully offer everything, even her life, to the Smith Family.

But now, she watched impassively, coldly observing their theatrical performance and their frustration when guilt-tripping her failed.

Turning to Parker, her gaze sharp, she asked bluntly, "And you? Do you think I should give my kidney to Janet?"

Parker hesitated briefly, then shut the door to exclude the prying eyes. Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered, "Honey, all I want is for you to stay healthy. What does anyone else's life have to do with me?"

"But …" Parker faltered slightly, his tone uneasy. "Janet is still your sister. If you don't save her today, I'm afraid you might regret it in the future."

"My Michelle is so kind, how could you live the rest of your life tormented by guilt? So, darling, you need to think this through carefully." His earnest gaze seemed to transfer all decision-making power to her.

Michelle curled her lips into a mocking smile, a flicker of derision flashing in her eyes.

He clearly wanted her to save Janet, yet he cloaked it in the guise of concern, slyly trying to trap her with morality.