“Sydney is sick, Cody.” I couldn’t find the words to explain it, the strength to speak it aloud. Tucked into the words was a reality I wasn’t ready to face, one I could never face. I inhaled, then tried again, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. “Dying, actually. And I don’t know how to deal with it. We found out that she has nephrotic syndrome. It’s basically kidney failure. We’ve tried treating her, but she’s not getting better. The doctors think she’d be better off with a kidney transplant than lifelong dialysis, but it’s practically impossible to find a match…until Vera tested positive as one.”

Cody said nothing, but his expression said everything.

“I’m supposed to ask one daughter to donate an organ to save her sister. How can I ask her to risk her life like that? It’s an impossible situation. But apparently she already found out and made her decision…and now Sydney pays the price.”

Finally he spoke, “Oh, Felicity, I’m so sorry. And on top of everything else…”

“I’m cursed, Cody. Some days I feel like maybe if I just died the curse would lift, Vera would come home, Sydney would be healed, and Oliver could finally have the good life he deserved.”

Cody rested one hand on my shoulder, the other adjusted on the steering wheel. “Hey, listen to me. You’re not cursed. I know it’s been an awful year for all of us, but we’ll do everything we can for Sydney. Hang in there, because your family needs you.”

“What if I’m tired of being needed? That’s all I’m good for—fulfilling needs. I’m exhausted from it.”

“I know. We’re all hurting alongside you, Felicity. But I know you, and you’re strong, even when you don’t want to be.”

I turned toward the window, the contours of my sunken cheeks reflected in the glass as the inky river passed behind it. “You don’t understand, no one knows what it’s like to lose one child while another one slowly dies. And the only salvation for the one lies solely on the other. What am I supposed to do with that? How am I supposed to pick who is more important?”

“So you think Vera figured out she’s a donor match and doesn’t want to save her sister’s life? And that’s why she disappeared?” Cody asked.

It was exactly what I thought, but I never imagined she’d go to such lengths to avoid helping her family. Or saving her sister’s life.

“I’d do anything to take this cup from her—”