So it turned out after getting my thesis, Laila flaunted it on the academy's forum.

Unfortunately, my supervisor saw the post.

He had always held high expectations for me, even offering to help revise my thesis before. So the moment Laila uploaded it online, he sensed something was off.

He questioned her about the details, but she couldn't answer a single thing.

The people online immediately realized something was wrong.

How could someone fail to answer questions about their own thesis?

Accusations of plagiarism came flooding in.

"Laila's been so devastated that she fainted from crying several times," Simon boomed. "Zora, you're her sister. How could you do this to her? Apologize to her now!"

Ignoring how pale I looked, he dragged me out of bed and shoved me in front of Laila.

My thoughts wandered. Why had he grown so close to her?

Five years ago, after my family disowned me, I had trudged through a downpour, drenched to the bone.

Then Simon appeared.

The moment I saw him, my wounded wolf stirred with hope. I could feel that he was my predestined mate.

He brought me home, gave me clean clothes, a steaming cup of coffee, and sat beside me as I poured out my heartbreak.

He pitied me, swearing he'd treat me well for the rest of my life.

Back then, he had loathed Laila. He never met her, but he despised anyone who hurt me.

But when had things started to change?

Was it when Laila began hovering around him, acting sweet like a lover? Was it when she clung to him during our dates, or when they started texting each other over the phone for long hours?

My lover had become the knight of the person I resented most.

I thought I could handle the pain, but it still hurt.

Now that I was dying, I could've just let them have whatever they wanted.

"It's my fault for putting you in this mess. I'll clear your name by telling them that I was the one who plagiarized your work," I said.

The moment I apologized, they were stunned. They hadn't expected me to be this obedient.

"You've really started to care for your sister," Mom said, her gaze turning complicated. "I'm glad that you two are finally looking out for each other."

"Zora, you've finally matured," Dad chimed in. "If you keep this up, your mom and I will surely dote on you!"

Guilt flickered in Simon's eyes.

"You're my mate, so I'll surely take care of you," he said, trying to comfort me. "Even if you can't continue your studies at the Werewolf Academy, you can still live comfortably."

I tried to smile through the pallor.

However, the future Simon spoke of didn't exist for me anymore. At this point, their love and affection were luxuries I could no longer afford.

Laila turned on the camera and began recording.

"This thesis was written by me at home…" she sobbed. "I never thought my sister would claim it as her own."

As she spoke, she turned the camera toward me.

Dad, Mom, and Simon all watched closely, as if afraid I might slip.

Forcing a smile, I said, "Laila's right. I plagiarized her work and told my supervisor it was mine. I'm sorry."

Everyone exhaled in relief.

Laila quickly uploaded the video to the academy's forum. Soon, waves of criticism and insults crashed down on me.

Pretending to be noble, she stepped in at the perfect time to defend me. "Guys, stop it. No matter what, she's my sister. I've already forgiven her."

While no one else was looking, she turned to me with a cold, victorious glare and hissed, "You have no right to compete with me. Mom, Dad, and even Simon are all mine. You don't deserve to be loved by any of them."

Laila and I were twins, but ever since we were kids, she'd always resented me.

She hated sharing her things with me. So she stole our parents' attention, my toys, my dresses—even though she had the exact same ones.

She wanted anything I laid my eyes on.

Back then, Mom and Dad treated us equally. I had everything Laila had, and they often lectured her for taking my things.

But since what had happened five years ago, they poured all their heart and soul into Laila. They thought I was selfish for not visiting Dad when he was hospitalized.

So whenever we got into an argument after that, they always took Laila's side.

"How could you bully your sister?" was what they often told me.

After feuding with her for so many years, I was indeed the one who lost. I could no longer be at odds with her anymore.

"Yeah, you won," I said softly.

The kidney transplant surgery would take place in two hours, and I was about to die.

Given how deep the wolfsbane was already in my system, my soul would also be shattered by the time the Dragonbone scalpel sliced open my body.

What would be left was only my lifeless body.

By then, would Mom, Dad, and Simon weep for me?

Perhaps not. For an eyesore like me to leave, they'd probably be overjoyed. After all, Laila was the apple of their eye.

Before surgery, Mom, Dad, and Simon huddled around Laila, comforting and encouraging her.

"Laila, don't be scared. We'll be waiting for you outside," Dad said in a tone so gentle that I'd never heard before. "The surgery will definitely be successful. You'll become healthy in no time."

"After your recovery, I'll make you your favorite dishes," Mom chimed in lovingly.

Simon suddenly pulled out a dazzling moonstone necklace. "I bought the necklace you fancied at the auction last time. After the surgery, I'll put it on for you!"

They were all so focused on Laila that none of them remembered that I was also about to undergo surgery.

I thought I was used to being neglected. But as I neared the end of my life, the sight before me still broke my heart.

I couldn't help but blurt my thoughts, "Would you be sad if I died during surgery?"

Mom and Dad were stunned. As if they only recalled my existence now, diffidence flickered across their faces.

But once Mom heard what I said, she snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's just a simple kidney transplant surgery. Stop jinxing yourself!"

Dad also shot me a disapproving glance. "Don't say that! How could you curse yourself like that? Get sufficient rest after the surgery, and you'll recover in no time. After all, you're much stronger than Laila."

"I'll cook you a seafood feast after the surgery's over. You love seafood, don't you?"

Gazing at me affectionately, Simon held my hand and said, "Don't worry. I hired the best healer to perform the surgery. You'll definitely be fine. Once it's over, I'll buy whatever you want for you."

Bile rose in my throat. He bought Laila's favorite necklace in advance, yet when it came to me, he'd only make such empty promises.

I bet he'd be delighted after I was gone. He could finally be with Laila.

My gaze lingered on Mom, Dad, and Simon before I entered the operating room.

When the Dragonbone scalpel sliced open my skin, the last shred of healing ability I had was completely destroyed. The wolfsbane gnawed at my bones and tore my soul apart.

I stopped breathing entirely as I reached the end of my life.

The moment before I took my final breath, I wondered if Dad would weep for me if he found out I was the one who donated my kidney to him five years ago, and it was Laila who took the credit. Would he feel bad for me, who was always on the receiving end of Laila's slandering and bullying?

Would Mom and Dad ever regret looking down on me?

It didn't matter. Even if they would, I wouldn't be around to see it.

If there were a next life, I never ever wanted to meet them again.