In the days that followed, I kept to my routine, working my shifts, until I saw the news on TV: the engagement of the Vance heiress and the younger Sutton son.

I still found it hard to believe.

The Vances and the Suttons were old family friends. Seraphina and I had been promised to each other since childhood. After I went missing, the Vances even helped put out notices in the papers to find me.

When they found me, the Vances came to our home to formalize the engagement.

All those years, all the love she had professed… I knew I shouldn't believe it anymore.

That night, when I returned to the Sutton house, they were all sitting in the living room, a perfect, united front.

My mother spoke first. "Elias, you're back. Come, let's sit together as a family and discuss your brother's wedding."

My father added his part. "Rhys was traumatized by the fire. His episodes are getting worse. Seraphina is the only one who can seem to calm him down. We're giving the engagement to your brother. You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

Was Seraphina a toy? I laughed inwardly.

It started with giving my room to my brother.

The stray cat I rescued, my scholarship nomination… anything and everything could be given to Rhys.

Even though Rhys cherished nothing. I still remember the day I brought that little kitten home, and I remember the day I found it dead in Rhys's hands.

I clenched my fists. After a long moment, I turned to Seraphina. "You agreed to this?"

Her gaze flickered away. "It's the only way to help Rhys get better. Elias, you can understand that, right?"

"If you've all decided, why bother asking me?"

My face was a blank mask. I turned to go back to my sanctuary, the attic that I could barely call a "room."

But my sister Chloe blocked my path.

"Elias!" Her face was contorted with rage. "How can you be so cold and selfish? My brother is sick! Besides, a felon like you doesn't deserve Seraphina anyway!"

"Elias," Seraphina grabbed my arm. "I don't think you're unworthy of me. I'll just stay with Rhys for a while. Once he's stable, I'll marry you, okay?"

When I didn't answer, she continued, "After all, he gave his liver to save me. I can't abandon him. And he's your brother…"

Seraphina's words were a club, striking my heart with brutal force. For a second, the world spun.

It was my liver. When did it become his?

"Seraphina, you have to believe me. It was me who saved you."

My voice was low, trying desperately to hide the tremor.

"Elias!" My father exploded. "You fucking liar! Everyone knows the truth. Are you that desperate for attention that you'd steal from your own brother?"

"I'm telling you, you will never be half the man your brother is!"

I ignored my father. I just needed to see the look in Seraphina's eyes. It was disappointment. That was her answer.

I didn't argue further. I didn't even hear what Rhys said next. I just went back to my attic.

It's okay. Three more days. Professor Iris is coming for me. I will always be her proudest child.