Chapter 1The Christmas Eve Exchange

On Christmas Eve, my stepmother prepared two apples for my sister and me. Mine was large, red, and beautiful.

My sister, Bella, who was usually the spoiled favorite, received a small, lopsided apple. When she cried and threw a tantrum, she was scolded and told to let me have the better one "just this once."

Then, my stepmother looked at me with a loving, almost hypnotic gaze. Her voice was soft, like she was coaxing a small animal into a trap.

"Stella, honey, your sister has always been in poor health. If you had the chance, would you be willing to give your health and safety to her?"

I agreed on the spot. But, terrified that she would change her mind and beat me later, I secretly gave the big apple to my sister to eat.

My stepmother gave me a special apple for three days in a row. For three days, I gave them to my sister.

On the third night, a mechanical voice rang in my ear:

"Life force transfer successful. Stella has acquired five years of Bella's lifespan."

From the master bedroom next door, my stepmother screamed in horror:

"Why did Stella get it?!"

* * *

"Stella, I’ve prepared an apple for you and Bella for Christmas Eve," my stepmother said, handing us two gift boxes.

My box was noticeably larger, wrapped beautifully with a silk ribbon.

In contrast, Bella, who was usually showered with affection, received a plain, tiny box.

Bella pouted immediately. She tore her box open, revealing a small, bruised, and lopsided apple.

She froze. Then she snatched my box and ripped it open. Inside sat a massive, crimson apple—perfect and shining.

"Mom!" Bella exploded. "Why are you being so unfair?!"

My stepmother snatched the big apple from Bella’s hands and placed it firmly in mine. "Bella! Your sister always yields to you. Can’t you let her have this one thing on Christmas Eve? Is that how I raised you?"

"I don't want it!" Bella slapped her small apple off the table and ran to her room.

My stepmother didn't seem to care. She turned to me, her expression shifting to a loving warmth that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Stella, Bella has been sickly since she was a baby. If there was a way, would you be willing to share your own health and luck with her?"

It was a strange question, but she always demanded I be good to Bella. Sharing some "luck" didn't seem like a big deal.

I nodded without hesitation. "I am."

Her smile deepened, looking incredibly satisfied. She lifted the apple in her hands. "Good girl. Now, eat the apple. Eat it all."

Something about her expression terrified me. I was afraid that if I ate it, she might regret giving me such a nice thing and beat me later when Dad wasn't looking.

I rolled my eyes, thinking fast. "Denise, I’ll eat it in my room."

"Make sure you finish it, you hear?" Her phone rang at that moment, distracting her.

"I will, I promise," I nodded vigorously.

I was always obedient. I never dared to go west if she said east. So, she let me go without suspicion and answered her call.

Back in my room, I didn't take a bite. Instead, I waited until Bella was getting ready for bed and snuck into her room.

I pulled the warm apple from my hoodie pocket. "Bella, I didn't eat it. Here."

Bella’s anger vanished instantly. "At least you have a conscience. Thanks, Sis."

I patted her head. "Can you finish it all?"

Bella’s health was fragile.

She took a small bite and nodded. "Yeah. Wow, this apple is so good. I've never tasted anything like it. It melts in my mouth like cotton candy."

I found it funny—how could an apple taste like cotton candy?

I watched her eat the entire thing, bite by bite. I was surprised she finished it, and worriedly touched her stomach. Strangely, despite the size of the fruit, her belly didn't bulge at all.

"I'm going back to my room. Don't tell Mom you ate it, okay?"

Bella, being her usual proud self, nodded. "Of course. I ate it, so I won't tell. If I do, she’ll hit you."

Maybe it was the lighting, but Bella’s face seemed to drain of color the moment she finished the last bite.

It wasn't like her usual sickness. It looked as if her very essence had been siphoned away.

"Sis, I'm sleepy," she mumbled, lying down weakly.

"Okay, go to sleep. I'm leaving."

I tucked her in. In that short span of time, she was already asleep. Her lips, usually pink, were pale despite having just eaten a red apple.

It was like she had suddenly... withered.