And then there was Jason. The man I thought had chosen me. The one person I believed saw me for who I was, not as some charity case. But he, too, had chosen Leslie.
It was always Leslie.
“Paige, she’s not okay,” Jason said, his voice rising in frustration. “You have to do this. You’re her sister. She needs you.”
I met his gaze, steel in my voice. “No.”
The word hung between us.
For the first time, I want to be someone they wouldn’t be able to control.
“I can’t donate blood and that is not the reason why I am here.”
Jason stepped back, stunned. “What do you mean, no? And what reason is that? You’re being selfish!”
“You really have no idea, huh!” I shook my head. “Find another way because I won’t donate!”
I turned to walk away, but the sound of hurried footsteps stopped me in my tracks. My parents.
“Paige!” My mother’s voice rang out. I barely had time to brace myself before her hand connected with my cheek, the slap echoing in the hallway.
“How dare you!” Lady Fely’s face twisted with rage. “How dare you say you won’t save your sister! Do you have any idea how much she’s suffering?”
My cheek burned, but I refused to flinch. “She’s not my sister.”