Chapter 5| Get married in my place, sister

Eve

My head throbbed in pain, and I gripped the steering wheel tightly, as if it was the only thing holding me together. The surgery had lasted all night, hours of precision and focus. I had poured every ounce of my energy into saving that patient, only to have Scarlett come in afterward and take the credit.

She wasn't even there, but after the operation was over, she was the one who spoke to the parents, acting as if I wasn’t the one who’d done the work in her place.

I stood there like a fool. I couldn't say anything, not because I was scared of her. No. It was because I couldn't get fired. I couldn't lose the only thing I loved doing.

I exhaled shakily, the familiar ache settling in my chest. It was always like this. Always someone else taking the credit. Always me working until I could barely stand, only for my efforts to fade into the background, invisible.

I used to think it was okay. I thought helping a senior colleague was an honor, and I was fine standing in for someone and letting others take the credit. I had done it for Nick a lot of times. But after what happened yesterday, I had no idea what was okay anymore.

Nick had shattered everything I had believed in. And it wasn't an honor anymore; it was a curse I wanted to get rid of. I didn’t want anyone to use me because of my talent. I wanted someone to love me for who I was.

But I guess it was too much to ask for.

By the time I pulled into the driveway of the house, my body felt like it might give out. The sight of the familiar building did little to comfort me. I stepped out of the car, swaying slightly as dizziness crept over me. I steadied myself on the doorframe, blinking hard to keep my vision from swimming.

After a moment, I managed to gather myself enough to open the door and step inside.

The sound of laughter greeted me, light and cheerful, drifting from the dining room. It stopped me in my tracks, and I froze in the doorway, staring at the scene before me.

My mother, father, and Mia were sitting around the table. They were all laughing, as they shared stories and clinked their glasses together. In front of Mia was a cake, beautifully decorated, with candles that had already been blown out.

I stood there, watching them, feeling like an intruder in my own home. They were my family, and yet as I stood in the shadows of the doorway, I felt like an outsider.

My parents smiled at Mia as though she were the center of their world. They looked at her like she was the sun, the brightest star in their lives.

My chest ached.

They had never looked at me like that.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, exhaustion pressing down on me harder than ever. I wanted to retreat upstairs to my room, to collapse into bed and escape this feeling of being invisible in a house full of people. But just as I turned to leave, my mother’s sharp voice cut through the room.

“Eve!”

I froze, slowly turning to meet her gaze. Her face was painted with annoyance, her brow furrowed as she looked at me.

“Why weren’t you here to help prepare for the party?” she asked, her tone sharp, like I had committed some great sin. “I had to do everything myself. Do you know how hard it was? Mia’s friends didn't like the food I made. They were asking for you.”

“I…” I trailed off, unsure how to respond. “I was busy at the hospital.”

My father scoffed, shaking his head. “How busy can you be that you couldn’t come and help for your sister’s birthday? Do you expect Mia to work when she’s still weak?”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying what I wanted to. Mia hadn’t been weak for a long time. She had recovered years ago, yet they still treated her like she was made of glass, a fragile princess who needed to be protected at all costs.

But I didn’t say any of that. I just lowered my gaze to the floor and mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

Mia let out a soft laugh, her voice warm and sweet, the kind of voice that could charm anyone. “It’s okay, Mom, Dad,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “Don’t be too hard on her.”

Her words felt more condescending than kind, but I kept my mouth shut.

“Come, Eve,” she said, patting the chair beside her. “Sit with me.”

I hesitated but nodded, forcing my legs to move.If I refused, they would just call me dramatic and jealous. It was better to just act like none of it affected me.

I sank into the chair beside her, my body heavy with fatigue.

Mia turned to me with a bright smile, her eyes gleaming. “Did you know today is also your birthday?” she said, as if it were some grand revelation.

Before I could respond, she pulled something out from under the table—a golden bracelet. She held it out to me, her smile wide and almost… too perfect.

“I got you something,” she said.

I stared at the bracelet in her hands, stunned. Mia had never done anything kind for me before. Never. I hesitated before reaching out to take it. “Thank you,” I murmured, still caught off guard. “I… I didn’t get you anything.”

She waved it off with a laugh. “It’s fine. I don’t mind,” she said, her voice light and carefree.

“There’s just one thing I want,” she said sweetly, though her tone carried an edge that set my nerves on fire.

I looked at her warily. “What is it?”

Her smile deepened. “Get married in my place, sister.”