Chapter 2

She tugged on Shawn's sleeve.

Shawn turned around. When he saw me standing there, surprise flashed across his face, instantly replaced by dark irritation.

I stood rooted to the spot, staring at him. He let out a cold scoff, turned his back on me, and escorted Luna away.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. To think, for half a second, I had actually hoped he would care.

By the time the exams were done, my strength was completely spent. Dragging my feet along the wall back to my room, the first thing I saw was Shawn's silhouette waiting inside.

"Why are you here?" he demanded.

If he had looked at me for even a single second, he would have noticed how deathly pale I was, barely able to keep myself upright against the wall.

"Why do you think?" I whispered.

Impatience dripped from his face. "If you're faking an illness just to keep tabs on me and Luna, give it a rest. It's pathetic."

I let out a chilling laugh.

Shawn froze.

In all the years we had been together, I had always greeted him with a warm smile, yielding to his every whim.

The hesitation lasted only a second before his face hardened again. He stepped closer, towering over me.

"Since you're already here, don't let the trip go to waste. Go get tested for a donor match."

I stared up at him, suddenly finding the man before me utterly unrecognizable.

Shawn and I had gone to the same university.

The difference was, he had been the golden-boy star athlete on campus, while I was just an insecure girl from a rundown town.

I had never imagined our paths would cross.

Then, after a charity event at an orphanage, he gave me a sketch drawn by one of the kids in exchange for my number.

Back then, Shawn was like the sun, warming up my cold, quiet world until I blossomed.

It wasn't until Luna returned that I realized the whole thing was an illusion he had woven.

Our names sounded alike—Lana and Luna. We shared similar facial features. Even the little habits he had patiently taught me were meant to mirror hers.

I was never his love. I was merely a convenient replacement.

"I gave you everything," Shawn said, his voice flat. "Now it's time to pay it back. Lana, Luna is like a sister to me. Stop being so paranoid."

"A sister? Shawn, do you even believe your own lies? Don't insult the word."

Enraged, Shawn grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the door.