The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 5

The living room dropped into dead silence.

No one said a word. They hadn't expected me—the one who always gave in without a fight—to say something like that.

I didn't feel like wasting another second on this circus. Limping, I turned and walked back to my room.

Later that night, lying in bed, I checked my phone.

December 7th.

Only three days left.

Just then, my screen lit up with an incoming call. Ethan Sterling.

I picked up. "What do you want?"

"Megan," came his familiar, velvety voice. "Rachel saved my life once. She gave me her kidney. Even if you say no, the wedding's still happening."

I stared at the ceiling, his words slamming into me like a truck.

I was the one who saved him.

I gave him my kidney.

How the hell did it become Rachel Montgomery?

"Ethan," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "the night you were attacked... I'm the one who rushed you to the hospital. I matched. I donated. Not Rachel. Me."

There was a long, heavy pause on the other end.

Then his voice dropped—cold, like I was a stranger.

"Megan Sullivan. Seven years in prison, and you came out a liar?"

"Rachel saved me. That's what her parents told me. The doctors confirmed it. You've really let me down."

I went quiet, the words punching through me like glass.

Eight years ago, Ethan had been ambushed by competitors. He was rushed into emergency surgery and needed a kidney transplant to survive.

I didn't think twice—I got tested. It was a match. I gave him my kidney without hesitation.

And now? Rachel had swooped in and claimed credit.

Worse, I had no proof.

After a long silence, I muttered, "Fine. Believe whatever you want."

None of it mattered anymore.

I'd already decided to let him go.

I hung up and shut my eyes, letting sleep pull me under.

The second-to-last day.

I headed to my part-time job at the restaurant, only to find Emily Montgomery sitting at one of the tables.

Her eyes flicked over my server's apron, and for a second, she looked surprised—then her expression cooled.

"Didn't Mom and Dad give you money?" she said, voice sharp. "You've really been working here this whole time? What a disgrace to our family."

I blinked, not even sure what she was doing there.

"I'm not stealing or begging. What's shameful about honest work?"

Emily's jaw tightened.

She stood up, smoothing down her designer coat. "Mom and Dad are busy preparing for Rachel's wedding. Try not to upset her again, alright?"

As she turned to go, her eyes briefly landed on my limp.

And for the first time in years, I saw something that vaguely resembled concern.

"You should get that leg checked," she said. "Mom always says—walk properly. Don't drag yourself around like that."

I watched her walk away, feeling absolutely nothing.

When I first came back to the Montgomery family, I was thrilled to meet the younger sister I never got to grow up with.

I still remember that first birthday of hers—I worked six months at a convenience store just to buy her a necklace.

She glanced at it once and handed it to the maid. "What brand is this? I don't wear cheap stuff. Don't waste your money next time."

But Rachel? Rachel gave her a tiny store-bought cake.

Emily practically squealed. "You're the best, sis! You remembered my birthday and my favorite flavor!"

That was the day I understood—

I don't have a sister.

Tomorrow night, I was leaving this city for good.

So today, I clocked out of my last shift, collected my final paycheck, and walked out of the restaurant.

That's when I saw it.

A sleek Phantom was parked outside the mall.

Before I could take another step, fireworks burst across the sky above Xiden Shopping District.

Then came the drones, glittering in the night as they lit up a single message across the city skyline:

"Ethan Sterling will always love Megan Sullivan."