Chapter 1

During the category 4 hurricane evacuation, my mother completely ignored my broken leg.

She pushed me off the rescue boat with her own hands, forcing me to give up my spot for my sister.

"Mom, my leg is broken. I want to go with you..."

"Stop being so dramatic!"

"You’re the older one. You should let Chloe go first!"

"You're a grown girl, why are you being so selfish? Do you really have to fight with Chloe at a time like this?"

I never showed up at the shelter. When others urged her to call me, she just sneered.

"She's just throwing a tantrum to make me worry!"

"I always knew Hazel was an ungrateful brat! She's doing this on purpose, ignoring my Snapchat messages and calls!"

"If you're so brave, don't you dare ever call me again!"

But, Mom, I wasn't throwing a tantrum.

I just didn't have the chance to answer anymore.

The hurricane howled, carrying a torrential downpour that quickly flooded the first floor of our house.

The crowd of evacuees huddled on the second-floor balcony, everyone desperately trying to get onto the rescue boat.

My jeans were soaked in blood. Just minutes ago, when we were running downstairs, my half-sister Chloe had shoved me from behind, sending me tumbling down the steps.

I grit my teeth, trying to stand by putting all my weight on my uninjured leg.

But the moment I managed to crawl onto the boat, a cold, firm hand gripped my shoulder.

I looked up. It was my mother, Eleanor. Without a single word, she violently shoved me off the deck.

"Hazel, get off! Get off right now! Give your spot to Chloe!" Her voice was frantic, but there wasn't a shred of warmth in it.

I crashed onto the wet ground. A sharp, blinding pain shot up my spine. My injured leg went completely numb.

Our neighbor, Mrs. Gable, gasped in horror and tried to stop her. "Eleanor, Hazel's leg is badly hurt! Let her stay on the boat! Let her go!"

But Eleanor didn't hesitate. "She's fine. Hazel is tough. Besides, she's practically an adult. She can wait for the next boat."

She said it so casually, her voice dripping with impatience.

My heart sank into a cold abyss. My vision blurred.

After pushing me away, Eleanor turned around and pulled Chloe into a tight embrace on the boat.

Chloe wrapped her arms around Eleanor’s waist, tears streaming down her face, refusing to let go.

"Mom, please, I want to go with you too..." my voice cracked, muffled by the rain.

Eleanor looked down at me, her eyes freezing cold. "You are the older sister, Hazel. You should let Chloe have this. Why are you still trying to compete with her at a time like this?"

"But my leg is broken! Mom..."

"Enough! Stop being so dramatic. Be responsible for once. Your leg isn't going to fall off. Can't you just wait for the next trip?"

She gently patted Chloe’s back, soothing her like a precious baby. It was a gentle touch she had never, not once, given to me.

The rescue boat's engine roared to life. As I watched their silhouettes fade into the grey sheet of rain, my chest felt completely hollow.

Mrs. Gable’s voice cut through the wind. "Ever since you divorced her father, Hazel lived with Grandma Martha. She barely comes visit you. How can you be so cruel to her?"

Eleanor sighed, her voice laced with irritation. "Just looking at her face makes my stomach turn. She ruins my mood."

I stood there alone. Rain mixed with tears flowed down my cheeks. The entire world suddenly felt incredibly distant and freezing cold.