I spent weeks in the hospital fighting for my life, and my family never came once. Not my mother, not my father, not my sister. One month later, my mom texted asking for $12,000 for my sister’s bridal dress.

been jealous because I’m getting the life you wanted.”

I laughed once, softly. “Chloe, I nearly died.”

She rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows you were sick. You don’t have to keep making it your personality.”

Something inside me went still.

Not angry. Not wounded. Still.

I unlatched the chain and opened the door wider, not to invite them in, but so they could continue reading …