Chapter 4

Rylan turned around sharply, his expression tightening. "What's this about, Gigi?" A jolt ran through Gigi. She had been so caught up dealing with the burglar that she forgot all about the luggage she had left in the room. Her fingers twitched slightly under her sleeves before she smoothed her expression into a smile. "Watching all of you go on trips made me want to clear my head too, so I packed ahead. Now I just need to decide where to go." Donovan and Meredith's expression dropped. "Seriously? You want a getaway, huh? Didn't I make it clear? You're not allowed to leave Catherine's side. "What if Catherine needs a blood transfusion and you're not around? You know exactly why we brought you into this world. Put everything back. You're not going anywhere without our permission." Noticing nothing seemed off with Gigi, Rylan breathed a sigh of relief. "Next time you want to travel somewhere, go with us. It's not safe to go alone." A hint of amusement flickered in Gigi's eyes. The place she had in mind wasn't one they would ever reach. … Catherine and Gigi's birthday came a few days later. They were three years apart in age, but their birthdays lined up perfectly. Year after year, they only ever had one cake and lit the candles just once. Back then, Gigi was too innocent to question it. Donovan and Meredith said one cake was enough since they shared a birthday. But with how well-off the family was, that excuse didn't hold up. They just didn't care about how she felt, and they definitely didn't want her birthday to steal any of Catherine's spotlight. The birthday party was decorated in Catherine's favorite color. Everything was pink—roses, balloons, and the cake. Every gift was for Catherine alone. All eyes were on her as she stood alone in the spotlight, soaking up everyone's birthday wishes. "Happy birthday, Catherine." Catherine's eyes sparkled like diamonds as she opened her presents, glowing with happiness. Meanwhile, Gigi stood in the corner, like she didn't even belong. Looking puzzled, Catherine held up a gift box and waved it in front of Rylan. "Why did you give two gifts, Rylan?" With everyone watching closely, he handed the other box to Gigi. "This one is for you." Catherine's expression changed briefly, but after both gifts were opened, she was all smiles again. After all, Rylan had given her a one-of-a-kind designer necklace that was worth a fortune. Meanwhile, Gigi's present was merely the free gift that came with it. The crowd chuckled. "Great. The free gift suits Gigi." In truth, Gigi had always been Catherine's shadow, so Rylan's gift couldn't have been more fitting. She kept her mouth shut and slipped the gift into the trash can when no one was watching. After the party ended, Catherine announced on a whim that she would be driving everyone home. She had just gotten her license and was eager to use it. With that, she excitedly headed off to the basement parking lot. Donovan, Meredith, and Kenny were more than happy to indulge her, so they waited at the entrance for her to bring the car around. Gigi stood alone at the back, staring down at her toes. She was doing the math on how much longer the paperwork would take and how soon she could leave it all behind. She had no idea a car was closing in from behind her. The car slammed into her with a screech of tires, throwing her to the ground. As her vision blurred, the last thing she heard was Catherine's fake, panicked crying. Then, everything went dark. … When Gigi came to, she was already in the hospital. The pain came rushing in as the adrenaline wore off. She slowly opened her eyes and realized she was lying on an operating table. Her body felt weightless, as if her soul might slip right out of it and float away. Was she dying? Was that why everything felt so dreamlike? The pain was unbearable. She shut her eyes feebly, letting the darkness swallow her whole. On the other side of the wall, the doctor was speaking with the rest of her family. "Time is running out. She is bleeding heavily and won't make it without a blood transfusion. "The hospital blood supply is critically low, and your other daughter has the same blood type. Why won't you allow her to give blood to Gigi?" The Harts turned down the idea in unison. "No! Catherine isn't doing it." Gigi's consciousness was fading, and she could barely hear their voices anymore. Just before she blacked out, she heard Rylan's voice—sharp and unyielding in her ears. "That's right. Catherine isn't giving any blood."