Chapter 1
"Shakira Nelson, you're so selfish! People have two kidneys, losing one won't kill you!" Mitchell Nelson's voice cut through the air like a chill. He was sharply dressed, his tailored suit adding an air of authority to the already opulent villa. Shakira stood frozen, seeming to be shocked by her brother's harsh words. But as the moment sunk in, she lifted her chin and let out a soft, sarcastic laugh. Tm alive again! she exclaimed to herself.
Mitchell's disdain deepened at her laughter. "Yvette has always told us not to pressure you. If you're not willing, she can wait for another donor. She's been thinking about you this whole time. But what about you, Shakira? Do you even have a conscience? "So, refusing to donate a kidney to Yvette makes me selfish? Please, as if this kidney belongs to her. Should I be grateful for her refusing to take it back?" The corners of Shakira's lips curled into a mocking smirk.
Mitchell was taken aback. He had never expected the usually obedient Shakira to stand up to him like this. And for at moment, he found she actually had a point. Suddenly, his eyes darkened, as if he had unraveled her wicked plot. "Oh, I see. You only came to Yvette's birthday party with bad intentions. You got her dress dirty deliberately to embarrass her at this important event. Looks like you're hoping she'll back off and not ask your kidney.
for "Do you think only you have a rare blood type? Like we're begging you for this? Let me tell you-Finn has already offered a bounty of 30 million dollars to find a kidney. Without you, Yvette will still live a long, healthy life!" With that, Mitchell's gaze turned fiery as he locked eyes with Shakira. Finn had asked him to keep the bounty a secret, fearing she wouldn't agree to donate if she found out. But now, he wanted nothing more than to see her suffer-they could find another donor, and she meant nothing. However, Shakira was unfazed.
She and Yvette shared the same birthday, and a careless nurse had switched them at birth-she ended up with the Smith family, while Yvette went to the Nelsons-which led to eighteen years of mistaken identity.
A few months ago, the Nelson family found her, and she thought she could finally experience the warmth and love of a family. But it seemed like they only cared for Yvette-the one raised with their name.Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.
Today was their birthday, and the Nelson and Smith families had planned a big celebration together. Every family member had prepared expensive gifts. Shakira had dressed up meticulously for the party, yet her mother, Rebecca, insisted she change. "Shakira, it's already sad that Yvette is going back to a small town. You should be more understanding. We'll make sure to celebrate your birthday in style later, I promise, Rebecca said, her voice softening as she offered a gentle smile.
While sympathy flowed freely for Yvette as she was going back to the Smith residence, not a single soul paused to ask about Shakira-how she had spent sixteen tumultuous years within those walls or how she had struggled in Belaris for two years. Shakira parted her lips as if to speak, but the words faded before they could get out. Aware that matters of the heart couldn't be hurried, she turned and went upstairs, determined to weave herself into the fabric of this family gradually. She tried to please everyone in the Nelson family, even Yvette, who had taken her identity and the family's attention.
Her efforts to connect with the Nelson family fell flat. Évery time something went wrong, they jumped to the conclusion that she disliked Yvette, convinced she was vying for their affection.
Take today, for example. It was obvious someone had shoved her from behind, causing the mishap on Yvette's dress. But instead of hearing her out, they only blamed her for being selfish and malicious.
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After being chewed out by Mitchell in her previous life, Shakira locked herself in her room, drowning her sorrows in alcohol until she was completely out of it. But when she finally woke up, she found herself surrounded by three naked strangers. Her f
family was furious and embarrassed when they found her in that disgraceful situation. Despite their attempts to cover it up, the hotel's missing surveillance footage spread like wildfire on social media the next day, and both Yvette and Shakira became the talk of the town. Yvette transformed from a billion-dollar heiress into a self-made millionaire, living a life filled with praise and envy. Everyone hailed her as a lucky star born into privilege. Meanwhile, Shakira became the face of scandal, labeled at promiscuous socialite who had disgraced her family by "having her way with three men." Desperate to win back her family's support, Shakira agreed to donate a kidney. After the surgery, she finally noticed a bit of attention from the Nelson family. Her parents started to care about her preferences, and so did her elder brothers-Yosef, the prosecutor, always checked on her, asking if she was warm enough in the chilly weather; the genius doctor, Felix, made her nutritious meals every day; even her busy CEO brother, Finn, found time at night to whip up some pasta for her. Shakira thought they were starting to accept her, believing she could finally be cherished like Yvette. But reality hit hard. Once the surgery was over, the family's attention quickly shifted back to Yvette. All those kindnesses had just been temporary-connections to make sure that Shakira's kidney stayed functional for Yvette's sake. They never really cared about her. As Shakira's health worsened because of the surgery, Yvette thrived, adored by both families, and even shot into stardom. Shakira felt rejected and downcast constantly, and within two years, she developed liver failure. Just like that, Yvette, with Shakira's kidney, became the perfect candidate for a liver donor. t on the way to the hospital, their taxi was involved in a horrific crash. In the chilling instant, a sudden inferno erupted, flames racing toward them at a frightening speed.
Yvette offered to donate her healthy liver, but the front seat and took great effort to pull a trapped Yvette from the wreckage. Shakira watched in the back seat, helpless. She could have escaped if they had just broken the window, but instead, she was burned to ashes.
As the Nelson brothers arrived, they rushed to
Shakira had paid the ultimate price and finally learned what "family" truly meant-it was all nonsense! As her thoughts settled, she closed her eyes, trying to tame the raging fire that swirled in her mind. When she opened her eyes again, everything felt calm. She looked at Mitchell and teased, "Not so bad. Why not ask Finn to throw in an extra 30 million? And maybe find a brain for you to swap in?" "What did you just say?" Mitchell stared at Shakira, disbelief written all over his face. 'How could she be so unfazed? Shouldn't she be feeling guilty or trying to make things right? Wait, she just said...
The realization hit Mitchell hard, and his expression darkened. "Shakira Nelson-are you trying to dig your own grave? Fine! We don't need your stupid kidney. Get out! You're not welcome at Yvette's birthday party!" Shakira glanced disdainfully at the lavish carpet under her feet and smirked, "Stepping on that would just ruin my shoes."
"You!" Mitchell shouted, his face flushed with rage. 'Has she hit her head too hard today?
Amid Mitchell's furious glare, Shakira turned to leave, but after just a few steps, an unexpected heat surged through her body, making her knees weak.
"Wait! I haven't drunk too much this time. How could this be happening? As the feelings threatened to overwhelm her, she reached for the wall, desperate to find a quiet spot to collect herself. But accidentally, she pushed open a nearby door. The next thing she knew, she fell into darkness, landing against a warm, solid body. The comforting sensation at her fingertips cooled the heat inside her...