Chapter 5

Mom had just finished bathing Lily and was putting her to bed.

Hearing the worker's words, she snapped, screaming in anger,

"What the hell are you talking about? Say something that cursed again and I’ll have you fired!"

"My child is sleeping! If you scare her, I'll sue you!"

The worker, getting yelled at for no reason, lost his temper too.

"Sue me? I don't even want this cursed job! You've got a dead body in there and you didn't even know!"

Dad gently patted Mom’s back to calm her down.

He tried to keep his voice polite.

"There must be a misunderstanding. No one has used the rink in days."

The last time anyone was in there was three days ago.

After Lily fell, they had locked the doors.

And since they assumed I was just a rebellious brat staying out late.

They never would have guessed it was me.

Instead, Mom seemed to realize something.

She let out a bitter, mocking laugh.

"It must be that little bitch!"

"She’s so malicious. I bet she threw a dead stray cat in there just to spite me!"

"How did I give birth to someone so disgusting?"

The worker stared at her in utter disbelief.

"Do you think I can't tell the difference between a human corpse and a cat?!"

But Mom wasn't listening.

In her mind, I was already the epitome of evil.

No matter what the worker said, she just waved her hand dismissively.

"Just get back to work."

Dad frowned, a sudden chill running down his spine.

"When did Chloe actually leave the rink that night?"

Mom sighed, annoyed.

"With her spoiled attitude? She probably couldn't last five minutes before she ran out."

Dad wanted to say more.

But Lily started crying inside.

The two of them rushed back into the house.

Just a few feet away from my shattered body, they chose to walk in the opposite direction.

The worker spat on the ground, furious.

"What kind of parents are they? Absolute psychopaths!"

"I'm out of here!"

He was angry on my behalf.

I sniffed and whispered softly,

"Thank you, sir."

But honestly, rather than my body being found.

I wished it would just disappear so it wouldn't scare anyone.

And since my parents hated Chloe so much, they probably didn't want to hear about my death anyway.

This was fine.

But a short while later.

The police arrived, knocking loudly on the front door.

Mom, highly stressed, opened the door with a glare.

"What do you want?"

The officer showed his badge.

"We received a report of a deceased body inside your private ice rink."

"We need to go in and inspect the premises immediately."

Mom glared at the construction worker standing behind the police, her teeth clenched.

"I told you it was a stray cat! Was it really necessary to call the cops?"

"What if you wake up my daughter?"

The worker didn't even look at her. He turned to Dad.

"You guys can find someone else to demolish this place. We don't deal with dead bodies!"

Dad rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

He apologized to the police and tried to explain,

"Our oldest daughter is just playing a prank."

"There can't be a body. It's late, please leave."

But the officers pushed past them, entering the estate.

"Please do not obstruct our investigation."

Mom was furious, but she couldn't stop them.

"Fine! Go look! Let's see what kind of joke you find!"

Lily had been woken up by the noise, so Mom had to carry her along.

I floated in front of them, trying to block Lily’s eyes.

She was so little. What if she had nightmares?

But no matter how frantic I was, I couldn't touch them.

As they passed my bedroom door, Lily tugged on Mom’s sleeve.

Mom kissed her forehead gently.

"What's wrong, sweetie? Are you scared of Chloe?"

"It's okay, baby. Chloe isn't here. She can't hurt you anymore."

Lily kept shaking her head, but Mom didn't understand what she meant.

Instead, one of the officers turned and asked,

"Where is your other daughter?"

Before Mom could start screaming insults about me.

Dad quickly interrupted.

"She’s staying over at a friend’s house."

I knew why. Dad’s career was on the rise.

He didn't want the police to know that Chloe was a delinquent.

So, Dad lied.

Mom muttered under her breath,

"It's all because of that curse of a girl, seriously..."

Before she could finish her sentence.

The heavy doors to the ice rink were pushed open.

The overwhelming stench of iron and blood filled the air, making Mom gag.

A young officer inside gasped, his voice cracking.

"Chief! The body... it’s a young girl!"