Chapter 1

The doctor' s words hung in the sterile air, "aggressive cancer, very rare." He wouldn't meet my eyes.

My husband, Mark, squeezed my hand, his politician' s smile fixed and unconvincing.

"There's one hope," the specialist, Dr. Ramirez, said, "an experimental program. Highly exclusive. There's a last-minute spot."

A flicker of something I couldn't name crossed Mark's face.

"But," Dr. Ramirez continued, his gaze shifting to Mark, "we also have your sister, Jessica, Mr. Henderson. Her condition, while not terminal, is severe. Long-COVID, or something similar, after that bad flu she had. Debilitating fatigue, chronic pain. She needs intensive treatment too."

Jessica. My adopted younger sister. Always fragile, always needing something.

Mark released my hand. He turned to Dr. Ramirez, his voice smooth, concerned.

"Doctor, Sarah is strong. Jessica... she' s so vulnerable. This fatigue thing, it' s crushing her. If her condition is more immediately treatable, perhaps..."

My breath caught. He couldn't be.

My parents, David and Susan, were there. Mom rushed to Jessica' s side when we' d brought her to the hospital earlier that week, clucking over her pale face and whispered complaints.

"Jessica dear, you look so drained," Mom had said, shooting me a look. "Sarah, you always push yourself too hard. You should learn to rest, like Jessica."

Now, Dad chimed in, "Yes, Jessica has been suffering so much. If there' s a chance for her to get better quickly..."

I stared at them. My own parents.

Dr. Ramirez looked conflicted. "The protocols are strict. But given the circumstances, if one patient has a more acute, treatable need for this particular intervention slot..."

Jessica, from her wheelchair where she' d been artfully drooping, gave a small, weak cough.

"Oh, Sarah, I feel so awful taking anything from you," she whispered, her eyes wide and innocent. "But I just can't go on like this."

Mark put his arm around her. "It's okay, Jess. We'll get you the help you need."

He looked at me, his expression pleading. "Sarah, you understand, don't you? For Jessica. Her recovery could be quicker."

I felt a coldness spread through me that had nothing to do with the cancer.

The spot was given to Jessica.

My only hope, handed over. Just like that.

My parents looked relieved. Mark looked like a hero. Jessica looked like a martyr, finally getting her due.

I was just the one left to die.