Chapter 1

My neighbor's child is critically ill, and my mother insists that I donate a kidney.

I have been weak, sickly, and malnourished since I was young - even a simple blood test can take a toll on my health.

My mother's answer was chilling: 'Why should I care about your life or death? Savannah is my true daughter!'

Later on, I discovered the truth of the matter. When I was born, my mother exchanged me with our wealthy neighbor's baby girl.

I watched helplessly as my mother signed the surgical consent form.

But that's not enough.

My father tied me to the operating table with a rope, while my brother picked up the surgical knife himself.

I couldn't resist and desperately made one final request: to do a DNA test with my mother.

She agreed, perhaps thinking that this was the only way to keep me quiet.

However, after the surgery, I became infected and lost all my memories.

But my dear mother has gone crazy.

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I regained consciousness to find my mother standing before me.

Attempting to move, I quickly realized my arms were securely fastened to a hospital chair.

Before I could comprehend the situation, she spoke: "I've cared for you all these years. Now it's time you return the favor."

"You need to save Savannah."

Terror seized me. "Mom... what do you mean?"

A familiar male voice interjected: "She's asking you to donate your kidney to Savannah."

That voice—I knew it well.

Turning my head, I saw him. It was indeed my brother, James.

"James?"

Tears immediately welled up in my eyes.

Throughout my childhood, he was the only family member who showed me kindness, the sole person who treated me with affection.

But now, his expression filled me with dread.

It was emotionless, distant—as if I were a stranger to him.

Sobbing, I pleaded, "James, please release me! I'm in agony! What's this about giving up my kidney?!"

"Savannah is ill," he stated coldly, "and she needs a healthy kidney. Yours is compatible. You should be thankful you're useful for something."

As he spoke, he stepped back, positioning himself protectively behind Savannah.

That's when I noticed them—Savannah and her mother were present too.

A few months earlier, Savannah had been diagnosed with a grave illness. Shortly after, my mom had taken me for a comprehensive medical examination.

Even as a child, I always sensed my mom's hatred toward me. But when it came to Savannah, the neighbor's daughter, she treated her like the most cherished being in existence.

A terrifying realization began to form in my mind.

Could my mother truly sacrifice me for someone else?

I struggled to accept it. Desperately, I begged, "How is any of this my responsibility? I'm your daughter! How can you force this on me?"

James let out a harsh laugh, one that sent shivers down my spine.

"You're not just a sister," he said. "Savannah is."

"You're merely an impostor."

I was stunned. I heard every word he said, but my mind couldn't process their meaning.

What did he mean by Savannah being his sister?

Savannah appeared just as bewildered as I was. She turned to James, but he simply smiled at her, warm and gentle.

Meanwhile, the nylon restraints on my arms were digging deeper into my flesh. Blood was beginning to ooze out.

Yet the ache in my heart was far worse. Witnessing James smile at her that way—it felt like a dagger piercing my soul.

My mom stepped forward. "I didn't want to reveal this, but now that Savannah is ill, I have no alternative."

She approached Savannah and took her hand, holding it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

"Savannah is my biological daughter," she declared.

"You? You're the neighbor's child. I exchanged you at birth."

My mind went blank, my head buzzing as if I'd been struck by lightning.

I shook my head violently. "No... That can't be true!"

"Can't be?" my mom retorted coldly.

"If you don't believe me, I even recorded a video back then. I kept it for this very moment—to reclaim Savannah."

I broke down entirely, screaming and weeping, my voice hoarse with desperation.

"Mom! Mom, I'm sorry! Have I done something wrong again? Please don't cast me aside! I am your daughter!"

I was frantic, grasping at anything.

"Mom, look at my hands! I'm bleeding! Please comfort me—I'm in so much pain, Mom!"

But she just stared at me, her expression filled with revulsion and finality.

"Don't address me that way. I'm not your mother."

"I've despised you since the day you were born. Every time I looked at you, I thought about Savannah. I hated you for taking her place!"

I opened my mouth, my voice quivering. "But last night... you took me out for cake..."

That cake—I'd longed for it for 20 years.

And now, just as I'd finally tasted it, she was snatching it all away.

I crumpled to the floor, convulsing with sobs.

For 20 years, I'd been trying to thaw my mother's frozen heart. I thought I was finally making progress.

But reality had struck me like a thunderbolt.

"So what?" she said, her voice glacial.

"You'll never be as important as Savannah."

"And besides, it's just a kidney. I already consulted the doctors—you won't die from this."

Realizing there was no one left to help me, I turned desperately to Savannah.

"Savannah, we grew up together! Please, you have to help me!"

Savannah had always been compassionate and principled. Surely, she wouldn't accept this.

But in the very next moment, her words shattered my world.