When we returned to Elena's room, she was wearing the wedding dress I had designed. It was a gown I had created with my own hands—one I had never even brought myself to wear after it was finished.

Catching the shock in my eyes, Elena hurriedly explained, flustered, "I thought this was a gift from you—for my wedding with Kael. I'm sorry, I'll take it off right now!"

She lowered her head, looking like a child who had done something wrong.

Kael instinctively began, "She just—"

I cut him off, my voice calm. "It's fine. It looks good on you. You can keep it. I've never worn it anyway."

Under their astonished gazes, I turned and left quietly.

At the doorway, I glanced back.

Kael was gently ruffling Elena's hair, bending down to whisper something in her ear. Her face flushed red as she shot him a shy, playful glare.

They leaned close, laughing together, like lovers deep in love.

Back in my room, I made a decision. I would clear away everything that belonged to me. Since there was no place for me in their hearts, I might as well erase every trace of my existence—no need to leave anything behind to offend their eyes.

My clothes, daily necessities, every photo that included me, the gifts I had given to my family and to Kael—I packed them all up and threw them into the trash outside.

When I finished, I was exhausted, breathing hard.

When Kael returned home, he came straight to me, holding a ring in his hand.

"Do you like it? I picked it out especially for you."

I had just reached out to take it when Elena walked in. She wrapped her arm around Kael's affectionately.

The moment she saw the ring, she pouted. "It's so pretty! I want one too!"

I yielded without hesitation. "Then you can have it."

Kael's expression darkened instantly. "Don't be ridiculous. This is our wedding ring!"

Elena snatched the ring anyway and slipped it onto her finger, waving it at Kael.

"Kael, does it look good on me? It even fits perfectly. Kael… was this actually meant as a gift for me?"

Kael looked at her, hesitated for a moment, then nodded—his eyes filled with indulgence.

Only then did he turn to me, a trace of guilt in his voice as he said softly, "I'll buy you a better one next time."

I nodded indifferently. I had heard his promises countless times—how many had he ever kept?

First, he gave the wedding to Elena. Now, even the wedding ring. What would be next? What else did he expect me to give up for her?

As I turned to go back to my room, Kael called out, "Elizabeth! You—"

I turned and met his gaze.

He pulled free from Elena and walked quickly toward me. "Could you move to a hotel for a few days? Elena wants to use this place as the bridal room. Don't worry, I've booked the best hotel for you. You won't be mistreated."

I looked at the room card he handed me and suddenly laughed. With tears in my eyes, I took the card. "Alright."

My easy agreement seemed to unsettle him. He even looked a little uneasy.

"What's gotten into you lately? You're like a different person. Is this about Elena? I've told you so many times—she's young and pitiful. I just feel sorry for her. Are you really jealous of your own sister?"

Feeling sorry for her… meant hurting me over and over again?

Seven years ago, Kael hadn't been like this. Back then, he had always put me first. Anything I wanted, he gave me without hesitation.

When I discovered he was a vampire, he immediately swore that he would love only me for all eternity. Even if I died, he would find my reincarnation and stay by my side forever—even if not as lovers.

But now… his entire world revolved around Elena.

If that was the case, then Kael, your cheap love is something I don't want anymore.

"It's nothing. I'm just tired. I need some rest."

I turned to open the door, but Kael stopped me again.

Gripping my wrist, he acted as though he were forcing out someone who didn't belong here. "I'll have the driver take you to the hotel."

Before I left, I glanced at the time.

I had twelve hours left until my death.

She looked at me strangely. "Oh my God, how can you still be sleeping? The procedure is about to begin. We need to get to the hospital."

I glanced at the time. Six hours left.

Then I met my mother's anxious eyes, and a flicker of fear rose in me.

"Mom… will it hurt? I'm scared…"

She suddenly turned, her gaze sharper than I had ever seen.

"What did you say? Are you trying to back out?"

I let out a bitter smile. "No. I just… want to have a meal you cook for me after it's over."

She froze for a moment, then immediately put on a smile. "Elizabeth, ever since your dad passed away, I've only had you and Elena. She's been frail since she was little. I'm really afraid that she might…"

"It's okay, Mom. I understand."

After all, she only loved Elizabeth. I was never important.

On the way to the hospital, Elena hooked her arm through mine, leaning close to whisper in my ear, "Mom is mine. Even Kael is mine. Family or love—you don't deserve either."

As soon as she finished, she deliberately shoved me toward the middle of the road.

Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist and ended up dragging her down with me.

Elena let out a piercing scream. In the next instant, Kael appeared at her side, pulling her into his arms to protect her.

I hit the ground hard, my knees scraping open.

Kael held Elena, soothing her, completely oblivious to what had happened to me. Or perhaps he noticed—and simply didn't care.

A hollow smile tugged at my lips as the last trace of hope in my heart finally vanished.

Only after calming Elena did Kael seem to remember me. A flicker of panic crossed his face.

"Elizabeth! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

I looked at him coldly and said nothing.

He fidgeted, trying to explain. "Elena was a bit too frightened. Everything happened so suddenly—she was closer to me, so I just reacted… You… seem fine?"

I pushed myself up and cut him off sharply. "I'm fine. Let's go. I don't have time."

By the time we arrived at the hospital, I had only two hours left to live.

Before the procedure began, my mother and Kael stayed by Elena's side, comforting and encouraging her.

"Elena, don't be afraid. I'll be waiting outside the whole time. The procedure will definitely succeed—you'll have a healthy body again." My mother spoke to her with tender affection. "When you recover, I'll cook all your favorite dishes."

At that moment, Kael took out a sparkling necklace. "I'll be waiting for you."

Their attention was entirely on Elena. Not once did they think of me—the one who would suffer even more from this procedure.

I thought I had grown used to being ignored. But at the end of my life, watching this scene still felt like knives carving into my heart. So I finally voiced the question that had been weighing on me.

"If I die… will you be sad?"

My mother froze, as if only just remembering I was there. A trace of guilt flickered across her face.

But once she processed my words, her expression hardened with anger.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Who talks about dying like that? After this, you'll just need some time to rest and recover. You've always been much healthier than your sister."

"You'll be fine. You've always been in good health," Kael added gently, taking my hand.

Bitterness filled my chest. When I was gone, he would probably be happy. Then he could finally be with Elena openly, without restraint.

I took one last lingering look at my mother… at Kael… then turned and walked resolutely into the operating room.

The blinding lights slowly dimmed, and the world sank into darkness.

In that final moment, one thought lingered in my mind.

If my mother ever discovered that it was me who had donated her a kidney five years ago… If she learned that my sister had taken credit for it… If she realized how my sister had slandered and suppressed me all these years…

Would she cry for my death? Would she regret the way she had treated me?

But what would regret matter? I wouldn't be there to see it.

If there were another life, I would never want to meet them again.