Chapter 1

My brother and I were twins.

When his acceptance letter from Trinity University of Sports Science arrived, no one in our family could even smile.

My mom pressed the letter to her chest, sobbing too hard to speak. On the balcony, my dad crouched with a cigarette in his mouth, his hands shaking too much to light it.

Even my brother quietly tucked the train tickets for the graduation trip my childhood friend had planned into his pocket.

None of them could bring themselves to offer their congratulations.

I had been sick with kidney disease for eighteen years, and I wasn't even healthy enough to take the SATs while my brother was preparing for college.

I glanced at the birthday cake on the coffee table and instinctively tried to tuck it behind my back.

"I only had one bite..."

Usually, my mom would've pulled me into her arms and reassured me that everything was okay. She would've told me not to be afraid.

But this time, she snatched the cake from my hands and threw it onto the floor.

"We've spent eighteen years fighting to keep you alive, and all you care about is eating cake! Do you know what that could do to your kidneys?"

"Your brother couldn't run around like other kids. He couldn't play sports or hang out with his friends, and he hasn't played basketball in ten years! Do you even know why? Because we've spent his whole life making sure he'd be a good kidney donor for you!"

Her voice grew louder with each word.

"And your father? He's worked so hard making deliveries! He's gone through five scooters just to pay your medical bills! And I've spent every day cooking special meals for you, measuring all the ingredients and making sure you eat exactly what the doctors prescribe! Do you know how much we've given up for you?"

The room fell silent.

For three long seconds, I stood there, searching for something to say. But when I tried to speak, nothing came out.

My mom stared at me, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face. "Do you know how long you've been holding this family back? What more do you want from us? Haven't we done enough?"

She paused, her voice catching in her throat.

"If you're going to keep acting so selfish and ungrateful, then maybe..."

At first, she couldn't get the words out. Tears streamed down her cheeks, hitting the back of her hands.

"Maybe you'd be better off dead."

Surprisingly, hearing those words didn't hurt as much as I expected. Instead, the heavy feeling I'd carried for eighteen years seemed to vanish all at once.

I thought, 'Alright, Mom. You got your wish. I'll stop being a burden to this family.'

Chapter 1 You're Free Now, Javion

When I couldn't find the words to respond to my mom's outburst, my childhood friend, Demi Walker, quickly stepped in to calm things down.

"Mrs. Fox, the surgery's coming up soon. Once Javion donates his kidney, he won't be able to play basketball anymore..."

My mom went still, as if the weight of my brother's sacrifice had just crashed back into her mind.

"We owe Javion so much," she murmured.

Javion Fox, my brother, stayed silent. He clutched his basketball to his chest and traced its surface with trembling fingers, unwilling to let it slip away.

My dad sighed deeply and put out his cigarette under his shoe. "Javion, how about I take you to Trinity? We can walk around the campus and check out the basketball courts. You've always wanted to go there, so you should see it for yourself."

Javion's eyes sparked with hope, only for the light to vanish. He stared at the basketball in his arms and shook his head. "What's the point? I have to save Louis. Once I give him my kidney, I'll never be able to play basketball again."

Nobody knew what to say after that.

I fiddled with my fingers, searching for courage. At last, I met my dad's eyes. "Dad, you should take Javion. I mean it. I don't have to go through with the surgery."

"What are you talking about now?" My mom snapped, pounding her chest with her fist. "After all we've given up to keep you alive, you think we can just quit? Why can't you be sensible for once?"

Her gaze landed on the abandoned birthday cake, and her anger flared again. She marched over and stomped it into the carpet, crumbs scattering beneath her heel.

"We've been fighting for years to pay your medical bills, and you're still thinking about cake!"

I wanted to remind her it was my birthday, that I hadn't tasted cake in five years, but the words caught in my throat.

"Your brother didn't even get to have cake today!" she added.

Then, as if she'd forgotten I was there, she turned to Javion and took his hand. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she softened her voice. "Come on, Javion. Your surgery's coming up, and you need to keep your strength up. Let me take you out for a nice meal."

"That's right," my dad said, reaching for his car keys. "We've finally saved enough for the surgery. I'll use today's earnings to treat you to something special."

I hesitated, clutching the edge of my shirt as I trailed after them. Before I could reach the door, Demi blocked my path.

"Javion's giving up his dream of going to Trinity because of you," she said, her voice cold. "The least you can do is stay home and stop making everything about yourself."

I froze, my feet anchored to the floor by a sudden, unbearable weight.

All I could do was watch as my parents led Javion away, each holding one of his hands. Their voices rose in gentle encouragement until, at last, he smiled and laughed through his tears.

Demi hurried after them, waving her arms excitedly. "We should get Javion the biggest birthday cake they have!"

I stood there watching them go.

It had been ages since laughter filled our home. I struggled to recall the last time my family looked so genuinely happy.

I was the shadow that had stolen their joy.

Now, seeing their smiles, I realized how radiant they were when happiness returned.

I brushed away my tears and slipped back into my room. I dug through my drawer and found my ID.

Without a valid ID, the hospital couldn't complete my surgery paperwork.

I reached for the scissors and snipped my ID into tiny fragments. As the pieces fluttered onto my desk, a faint smile crept across my lips. 'You're free now, Javion. And I won't be a burden to anyone anymore.'

Chapter 2 A Future Without Me

A text from my mom lit up my phone.

"There's food in the fridge. I made it this morning. Heat it up before you eat, and remember—low fat, low oil, no seasoning."

My eyes stung as I read her message.

Ever since I was diagnosed with kidney disease, my mom had gotten up before sunrise to run her small street stall. No matter how early she left, she always made sure my breakfast was ready, carefully following the doctor's food instructions exactly.

My dad wasn't doing any better. He worked all day and made food deliveries at night, barely sleeping just to pay for my medical bills.

Then, there was Javion.

My twin brother was handsome, athletic, and talented enough to have a real chance at playing professional basketball. But because he was expected to give me a kidney, he'd spent the past ten years staying away from the sport he loved.

Sometimes, when I got up in the middle of the night, I'd find him jumping and pretending to shoot an invisible basketball alone in his room.

Someone as talented as him should be playing on the biggest courts in the world, not hiding in his bedroom and practicing shots he might never make.

The thought made my chest ache.

I put on a face mask, called a cab, and went straight to the hospital.

"Are you absolutely sure you want to stop treatment?" Dr. Samuel Wilson asked, looking at me seriously.

I picked up the pen and signed the form without hesitation. "I'm eighteen now. I can make my own medical decisions."

But just as I was about to finish writing my name, my hand began to tremble.

Of course I wanted to live. Who didn't?

I just couldn't stand the thought of my family giving up everything they had for me anymore.

If it weren't for me, my parents wouldn't have aged so rapidly. Javion wouldn't have had to give up basketball, and even Demi wouldn't have had to pause her own future.

When she applied to college last year, she picked a local university so she could stay close and help take care of me. She could have gone somewhere better, somewhere that gave her the future she'd always wanted.

Instead, she'd stayed because of me.

A tear rolled down my cheek and landed on the paper, smearing my signature.

Samuel watched me with sympathy. "Louis, you know there's a very good chance you'll recover after the transplant."

"But it's still only a chance, right?"

I forced myself to finish signing, even though my fingers wouldn't stop shaking.

"What if I don't get better? What if they spend all that money, and I still need someone to care for me for the rest of my life?"

Samuel didn't answer right away.

Over the years, he'd seen families spend all they had trying to save someone they loved, only to lose both their money and the person they tried so hard to keep alive.

"Louis Fox," he said finally, "I know why you're doing this, but you're being very cruel to yourself."

He gently took the signed refusal form from my hands.

I blinked back the tears gathering in my eyes.

We were just an ordinary family. We couldn't afford the cost of treating an illness like mine. If we might lose everything in the end anyway, wouldn't it be better to stop now, while my family still had something left?

"It's not cruel," I whispered. I held up my hand and started counting on my fingers. "My mom's back hurts whenever it rains. If I'm gone, she can use the money we've saved for my surgery to finally fix it."

I raised another finger. "My dad's leg has been hurting him for years. Without my medical bills to worry about, he can finally afford the surgery he needs."

I gulped before continuing, "And Javion... He could use the money to go to Trinity. He could play basketball again and have the future he's always dreamed of. Demi could also go to grad school in Fairmont, just like she's always wanted.

"They're all good people—smart, talented, and hardworking. They deserve to be happy, and they shouldn't have to give up their futures just to keep me alive."

…

By the time I finished, tears were running down my face.

Samuel let out a long, weary sigh. I dropped to my knees before him.

"Please," I begged. "Please don't tell my parents what I've done."

Before he could respond, the office door suddenly swung open.

"Dr. Wilson, I brought Javion's latest test results. Could you take a look and see if he's cleared for the transplant?"

I knew that voice.

It was my mom.

She stopped in the doorway when she saw me kneeling on the floor. I stood up quickly, gave Samuel a desperate look, and silently begged him not to say what I'd just done.

Then, I turned to my mom. "I'm just here to ask Dr. Wilson about my surgery."

"You selfish little bastard!"

Before I could react, she slapped me hard across the face. My head snapped to the side, my cheek stinging as I looked back at her.

My mom stood there trembling, her eyes bloodshot and filled with tears.

"Your brother is giving up his dreams to donate a kidney to you, and all you care about is getting your surgery as soon as possible? Have you stopped to think about him? Do you have any idea what this family has been through to make that surgery happen?"

Her voice grew louder, her whole body shaking with anger. "You don't know a damn thing! What did I ever do to deserve a burden like you?"

Chapter 3 Just One Happy Day

I held a hand against my burning cheek and said nothing.

It felt like a sharp hole had been ripped open in my chest, and every breath rubbed against the sore edges, making the pain worse.

I thought, 'So, that's how you see me, Mom—a burden who only takes and never gives back. But don't worry. You won't have to deal with me much longer. Please take care of yourself when I'm gone.'

Samuel gave an awkward smile, trying to ease the tension. "Mrs. Fox, why don't you leave the test results with me? I'll go through them."

With him watching, my mom held back her anger. She took my hand and helped me outside, steadying me as I got on the back of her scooter.

I leaned against her back, and for the first time in ages, I felt safe.

"Your dad and I talked it over," she said as we rode. "Javion may not be able to attend Trinity, but we're still going to throw him a dinner to celebrate his acceptance. Everyone should know the Fox family has a genius."

Her voice glowed with pride whenever she mentioned Javion. Yet, when she turned to me, all that warmth vanished.

"Your brother is giving you one of his kidneys, Louis. I'm begging you. Please behave for once. Don't cause any more problems."

A dull ache crept through my lower back. I blinked back my tears and forced a smile. "Okay, Mom. I won't."

...

We pulled up outside a hotel, and my mom continued talking as she parked the scooter.

"The food they're serving today is too greasy for you, so don't touch any of it. I made you some boiled cabbage instead."

She took an insulated food container from the scooter's basket and headed inside.

By then, the pain in my back was so strong I could barely stand up. Still, tonight was for Javion, and I was truly happy for him. I refused to let my illness spoil the family celebration again.

When I finally got off the scooter, my mom was already out of sight.

A young hotel worker saw me struggling and quickly came over. "Hey, are you okay? Where is your family? You look very pale. Should I call an ambulance?"

I shook my head quickly. My parents were inside, wrapped up in Javion's celebration, and the last thing I wanted was to pull their attention back to me.

I asked, "Where is the celebration dinner for Javion Fox being held?"

"The Ambroise Banquet Room," she replied.

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand upright. "Thank you."

I didn't want to trouble anyone else, especially knowing how little time I had left.

Leaning against the wall for support, I slowly walked toward the Ambroise Banquet Room.

…

Inside, my family and relatives sat around a large table, laughing and chatting over dinner. Everyone seemed so happy.

One of our relatives raised his glass. "Who would've thought we'd have someone in the family get into a university like Trinity? The Fox family really hit the jackpot!"

My dad had already had a few drinks, and for once, he looked genuinely happy.

"Javion's never given us a moment of trouble," he said proudly. "Straight A's, top of his class, and when it comes to sports, nobody can beat him."

My dad didn't know much about basketball, but he always remembered how proud he felt when Javion's coaches came to our house to say how talented his son was.

My mom was beaming too. She kept piling food onto Javion's plate, smiling so much that her cheeks must have hurt.

I stayed just outside the doorway, watching them enjoy their happiness. Then, gathering my courage, I slowly opened the door.

"Mom? Dad?"

The instant they noticed me, their smiles faded.

Javion's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Because of you, I can't even go to Trinity anymore!" he snapped. "Mom and Dad just wanted to treat me to one nice dinner. Why do you have to come here and ruin that too?"

The relatives exchanged awkward glances before one of them finally spoke up.

"Wait, you're really making Javion give up his future to save his brother?"

"It's Trinity we're talking about! They only accept ten students into their program every year. You can't just throw away an opportunity like that!"

My mom forced a strained smile. "Well, Louis is our son too. We can't just abandon him."

I stood frozen in the doorway, unsure what to do.

I hadn't come here to spoil anything. I hadn't even said anything wrong. Somehow, just being here was enough to upset Javion.

He pushed past me and stormed out.

"What are you even doing here?" Demi snapped, glaring at me. "Why couldn't you just stay home?"

Without waiting for an answer, she hurried after him.

My mom stomped her foot in frustration. "I knew I shouldn't have brought him. I should've just sent him home."

She looked around the room, regret on her face. "All we wanted was one nice dinner for Javion..."

My dad awkwardly raised his glass, trying to salvage what was left of the celebration. "Come on, everyone. Let's eat."

But the mood was already ruined. Relatives traded uneasy glances, muttered excuses, and slipped away one after another.

Within minutes, the once lively ballroom fell silent, leaving only a table littered with half-eaten dishes.

For a split second, I caught a flash of hatred in my mom's eyes. It disappeared as quickly as it came, and she turned her back to me.

She opened the insulated container she'd brought from home and spooned some plain boiled cabbage into a bowl.

"You're not feeling well. Here, have something to eat. I'm going to look for your brother and calm him down. He'll be fine once I've talked to him. We can't let him change his mind about the surgery."

With that, my parents left together, leaving me alone in the empty ballroom.

Chapter 4 My Last Wish

I sat in Javion's empty seat and began eating the meal my mom had prepared. Tears rolled down my cheeks and dripped into the boiled cabbage, making it taste salty.

The pain in my lower back was getting worse. My kidneys hurt again, but no one noticed.

A waiter approached me hesitantly. "Excuse me, sir. Could I have your parents' phone number? The bill hasn't been paid yet."

I wished I could pay for Javion's celebration dinner myself. However, when I checked my pockets, I realized I had no money left. I'd spent my last allowance on the taxi ride to the hospital.

I finished the rest of the boiled cabbage, swallowing it through my tears. Then, I began devouring the delicious dishes on the table like a madman.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten anything like that. For years, I'd imagined how wonderful it would taste, like a little piece of heaven I'd never been allowed to enjoy.

But when I finally picked up a chicken drumstick and took a bite, it tasted sour and bitter. I chewed slowly, making myself swallow.

Just then, the door swung open.

"It's not that I don't want to donate," Javion said. "I want to save Louis too. It's hard for me, okay?"

He stopped when he saw me. His gaze fell on the chicken drumstick in my hand, and his expression changed instantly.

"Louis! What on earth are you doing?" he cried, staring at me in disbelief. "Everyone in this family has sacrificed so much because of your illness, and now you're going to throw your health away like this?"

Tears streamed down his face as he rushed over and knocked the drumstick out of my hand. "Stop eating that! Don't you understand? Your kidneys can't handle this stuff!"

I reached up and gently wiped the tears from his cheeks.

"Don't cry, Javion," I said with a small smile. "You're my hero, and heroes aren't supposed to cry. Besides, you're not nearly as handsome when you're crying."

My parents had followed him into the room and heard everything. The moment they saw what had happened, their expressions darkened.

My mom broke down in tears. "What did we ever do to deserve this?"

My dad shoved me angrily. "Why can't you control yourself? You know what eating that stuff does to your body! If you keep this up, we'll have to move the surgery up!"

At the mention of moving the surgery forward, Javion went pale.

He knew better than anyone what giving a kidney would mean for him. After the surgery, he'd never be as healthy as he was now.

Yet, he still stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.

"Louis, please stop doing this to yourself," he whispered. "I'll give you my kidney, okay? I promise. Just please stop hurting yourself."

"That's enough, Louis," my mom said quietly from behind him. "Stop making things harder for your brother."

I wanted to explain that I hadn't meant to upset anyone. I'd only wanted to taste the food for once. But when I opened my mouth, I couldn't find the words.

What was there left to say?

As long as I was alive, my family would never be free of the burden of taking care of me.

My parents seemed too exhausted to scold me any further. They quietly settled the bill, then took Javion and headed for the door.

I was about to follow them when Demi caught my arm.

"When you do something wrong, there have to be consequences," she said coldly. "This time, you're going home by yourself."

I nodded without arguing. "Okay."

Demi looked relieved. But as she turned to leave, two train tickets slipped out of her pocket and fluttered to the floor.

I bent down and picked them up. They were for the graduation trip she'd planned with Javion, but when I saw the date, I froze.

It was the same day as my kidney transplant.

No wonder Javion hadn't dared to show anyone the tickets.

I stared at them for a long moment, then took out my phone and called the train station.

"Hi, I know this is a strange request, but could someone please call this number tomorrow and remind Javion Fox and Demi Walker to catch their train three days later?"

To my surprise, the customer service representative kindly agreed to help.

After hanging up, I called Javion's teacher, Gary Thompson. He'd always believed in his talent and could help my brother pursue his dream.

"Mr. Thompson? Javion got his acceptance letter from Trinity, but something happened at home, and now, he doesn't think he can go."

I continued, "Could you talk to him and help him find a way to attend Trinity?"

He promised he would.

Next, I called Samuel and begged him to arrange CT scans for my mom's back and my dad's leg. They'd put off taking care of themselves for so long, and I wanted them to finally get the medical help they needed.

…

By the time I finished making the calls, I couldn't think of anything else to do for them.

I slipped my phone into my pocket and stepped outside. The wind had turned bitterly cold, but I kept walking until I reached the river.

I had nothing left to wish for myself. All I wanted was for my family to be safe, healthy, and happy.

With that final thought, I glanced down at the rushing water and jumped.