For sixteen years, Stephanie has lived with a guilt she never deserved — her mother died giving birth to her. Neglected by her father, Morris, and despised by her brother, Alexander — she clings to the only warmth Alexander ever gave her. But when their cousin Abigail moves in, even Alexander turns on her, wishing she were the one who had died. And in a way, he gets his wish when Stephanie is diagnosed with cancer. But after her death, it's Alexander's world that begins to fall apart.