agreement on his desk, then back at m

our life's work. Donating it to the national institute is

nod. "I'm sure, Dr. C

al rewards alone could set you up for life. You woul

t. My family certainly knew th

as a resource to be tapped, a prize to be handed ov

and knew exactly how to cry on cue. I was quiet, focused on my book

e difficult, selfish, cold sister to my father, Richard

my late mother would end up in Willow' s possession. When I confront

ou, Ava. Why do you

llow because she claimed the sun helped her "artistic sensibilit

d fighting it. I was just tired. I poured everything I had

They wanted

the desk to Dr. Chen. A weight lifted off my

the house was buzzing with laughter and music. Balloons were everywhe

nt. And in their excitement for her, they had forgotten too. They had forgotten that today was the anniv

ne I'd been saving for a special occasion, ra

e! Did you hear

houlder, his voice booming. "Ava, perfect timing! We

iling adoringly at Willow. My fiancé, Liam, stood bes

on?" I asked,

t. You're going to give it to Willow. She can manage the b

"It's a medical patent. It has nothing to do with

sorry. I didn't mean to overstep. I just thought... with

told me you already agreed. He said you were goi

ears. The man who was supposed to be

mumbled, looking at the fl

" I sai

apped her hands. "Oh, this is wonderful! We

go mousse cake. My stomach clenched. Everyone in this room knew I had a deadly

arkling with malice. "Here, Ava. You should have t

can't eat that," I s

"Ava, stop it. Just for once, can you not make everything

've had so much on my mind... I'm just so clumsy." She turned to my father, tears streaming down h

growl. "Look what you did. You ungrateful child. After everything we

ed. "You will sign over that patent

my voice cle

My head snapped to the side. But he wasn't do

g. I fell, my hands flailing, and my face lan

my nostrils. The sticky cream

y throat. I couldn't breathe. Hives were already erupting

hing heavily. Ethan, looking shocked but making no move to help. Willow, a flicker of triumph in her eyes before sh

e called 911. They

ed onto my stomach, my limbs feeling heavy and useless. I started to craw

reached the purse, my fingers fumbling with the cla

off the cap and jabbed the needle into

k into my lungs, one thought solidified i

d I am never, e