Never see you again

Six months ago, Mom begged me on her knees to donate a kidney to my stepsister. Six months later, the night before my wedding, she knelt again, begging me to give my fiancé to the same stepsister. My own brother slapped me across the face. "Nina, how can you be so selfish? She's dying, don't you understand?" It's okay. In two months, I'll be dead too, and everyone will finally be happy.

The night before my wedding, Mom knelt before me. "Nina, honey, please postpone the wedding. Let Leo spend some time with Chloe, okay? She has depression, and the news about your wedding has made it worse… I'm begging you."

I didn't answer. My brother, Mark, slapped me hard, his face red and veins bulging in his neck. I looked at them, a bitter smile on my face. "So, anything Chloe wants, I have to give up? My kidney, and now my future husband?"

Mom's eyes were red-rimmed. "Chloe's so young, she… she can't live without Leo. I promise you, as soon as she's better, he'll come back and marry you, okay?"

Mark gripped my wrist. "Nina, stop being unreasonable. We're a family. Isn't it good that Chloe gets to live?"

Leo walked in, his expression unreadable. He was still wearing the suit he was supposed to wear at our wedding tomorrow. I saw the hesitation in his eyes, but in the end, he just patted my head. "Nina, I'll be back."

The three of them left in a hurry, leaving me alone, like a clown in a tragic play. My qipao and wedding dress lay on the bed, a cruel reminder of what should have been. I looked at the medical report I'd picked up just yesterday. It's okay, I thought. I'll be dead soon, and then everyone will be satisfied. My kidney, my fiancé – all hers.

Mom had already informed all our friends and family – no wedding tomorrow. Leo informed his side that the wedding was postponed. Me, the bride, had no say in any of it.

It was just like six months ago, when Chloe needed a kidney transplant. The whole family was tested. I was always the invisible one in this house, but the day the test results came back, Mom, my stepfather, David, and Mark actually made me a special dinner. I’d never been treated like that before. It felt… strange.

No one remembered I'm allergic to shellfish.

Mom started, her voice pleading. "Nina, the results are back… you’re a match. You can save her…"

I stared at the shellfish on the table. "Do you even remember I'm allergic to this?"

Mark threw his chopsticks at me, his face contorted with anger. "Nina, Chloe’s dying! And you’re worried about being allergic to shellfish?"

Mom started crying. "Nina, you have to save her. Don't forget, David paid for your school and everything all these years. You owe him."

A thunderstorm raged outside. Mom knelt down, begging. Mark glared at me, and David looked at me with pleading eyes. I smiled. "Mom, if I donate my kidney, can I stop having to give Chloe everything I have?"

Mom hesitated for a moment, then nodded vigorously. "I promise."

I agreed. The three of them finally relaxed. Looking ...