Chapter 1

I was locked in the trunk, the scorching air burning my throat.

Every breath felt like swallowing a ball of fire, stifling and painful.

I regretted it. I shouldn't have put that blanket on Leo.

I pounded on the trunk lid, my palms hitting the burning metal, producing dull thuds and searing pain.

"Dad! Mom! I'm sorry! Let me out!"

"I'm so hot… Mia knows she was wrong… I'll never do it again…"

But my voice was completely muffled.

I remembered when Dad bought the car, he'd proudly shown me:

"Look, Mia, the soundproofing on this trunk is amazing. When I drive, your music back here won't bother me at all!"

Back then, I clapped my hands and laughed, thinking Dad was so clever.

Now, that proud feature had become my living hell.

I screamed and pounded until my palms were raw and my throat hoarse, but I got no response.

The car was moving. I could feel the bumps as the tires rolled over gravel,

Each jolt sending my head slamming against the cold, hard inner wall.

I don't know how much time passed before the car suddenly stopped.

A flicker of hope ignited in my heart. Had Dad finally cooled down? Was he going to let me out?

I strained my ears, trying to catch any sound from outside.

"Wow, the scenery here is beautiful. Arthur, quick, take some pictures of Leo!"

It was Mom's voice, full of excitement and joy.

"Alright, come on, Leo, look at me, smile!"

"That's it, my good boy, you're so photogenic!"

Dad's voice followed, dripping with affection.

I heard the camera's "click-clack" shutter, and Leo's happy giggles as they played with him.

They hadn't stopped for me.

Only because the roadside scenery was nice.

My heart sank, bit by bit.

No, they wouldn't abandon me.

They're just still angry.

I pounded harder on the trunk, my nails scratching against the inner wall with an awful screech.

In the chaos, my hand brushed against a teddy bear tucked into a corner.

It was a birthday gift from Mom, and if you pressed its belly, it would play a recording of my voice.

"Mommy, I love you, Mommy is the best mommy in the world!"

My clear child's voice echoed in the cramped space.

They must hear it outside! Mom would surely soften if she heard it!

Clutching this last hope, I pressed the bear's belly again and again.

Sure enough, Dad's impatient roar came from outside.

"What's all that noise?! Can't you even behave in there?!"

"Keep it up, and I'll throw you into these mountains for the wolves to eat! That'll teach you!"

Dad's voice was like ice water, drenching me from head to toe, extinguishing all my hope.

Fear and the heat wave engulfed me, making me dizzy.

The car was like a giant oven. My skin was searing, and sweat soaked my dress.

My consciousness faded, and hallucinations flickered before my eyes.

I saw myself as a tiny girl, Dad lifting me high above his head, through a crowded street.

Brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky, and he pointed to the brightest one, telling me:

"Mia, you are my brightest star in the night sky, my most precious treasure."

Dad, your treasure is about to be cooked alive.

When will you finally turn around and look at me?

When I "opened" my eyes again, I found myself floating outside the trunk.

The afternoon sun was dazzling. I looked down at myself; my body was semi-transparent.

Am I dead?

Not far away, Dad and Mom were walking back from a mountain path with Leo.

They looked like they'd had a wonderful time. Dad fanned Mom with his hand, and Mom blew a small fan at Leo.

Both were sweating profusely, but their faces were beaming with contented smiles.

"Mom!"

I rushed towards Mom, wanting to hug her like I used to.

But my body passed right through her arm. I couldn't touch anything.

They couldn't see me, couldn't hear me.

Mom walked to the car, opened the door to get some water, and gulped it down.

She wiped her mouth, her gaze briefly sweeping over the trunk, and hesitated before speaking:

"Arthur, Mia has been in the trunk for so long. What if something happens? It's so hot…"

My heart leaped with joy. Mom remembered me! She still cared about me!

I floated beside Mom, looking at her eagerly, silently screaming:

Open the trunk! Save me!

Dad was wiping sweat from Leo, and at Mom's words, his face instantly darkened. He snapped:

"You feel sorry for her? Have you forgotten Leo almost died because of her?! I think she deserves this lesson!"

He glanced at the trunk with disgust:

"Let her stew in there! It'll teach her a lesson! She'll live. It's a lesson she needs."

"It'll stop her from getting any more twisted ideas about harming my son!

So young and already trying to hurt my son. I'm being merciful by not breaking her legs!"

"Say one more word, and you can join her in there!"

Dad's tone was full of disgust and icy coldness, as if I weren't his daughter, but some sworn enemy.

Mom trembled with fright, immediately shutting her mouth, not daring to utter another word.

She just cast another worried glance at the trunk, then turned her head to continue doting on Leo in her arms.

They got back in the car, started the engine, and drove towards the mountain villa.

Soon, the car stopped at the villa's entrance.

Brenda Evans, my aunt, was already waiting there. As soon as they got out, she greeted them with a wide smile.

"Oh, my sweet big nephew,Brenda has missed you so much!"

Brenda took Leo from Mom's arms and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

Then, she squinted at the car and said sarcastically:

"Where's that little troublemaker? You didn't bring her along, did you?"

"Arthur, I'm telling you, you should have gotten rid of that wasteful girl ages ago, she's nothing but bad luck for our precious Leo!"

I knew she was talking about me.

From a young age, Aunt Brenda had never given me a kind look.

She'd always say, "Girls are just a temporary expense, a placeholder until they marry out. But a son? A son carries on the name, he's the family's future, its true legacy."

Dad listened to Brenda and actually laughed, his voice full of agreement:

"Leo is so well-behaved. Unlike some ungrateful brats, who after all these years, only harbor jealousy and can't stand their own brother."

Mom also forced a smile, not daring to refute a single word.

"Arthur, Eleanor, come inside quickly, dinner's ready."

Dad nodded, about to walk towards the trunk, but Brenda grabbed his arm.

"Oh, Arthur, it's so hot outside, you can get the stuff later!"

"I've made chicken soup, it's getting cold. Hurry and bring my precious nephew in for soup!"

Mom also chimed in:

"Yes, Arthur, let's eat first. We're all hungry."

Dad looked at Leo, who was giggling in Brenda's arms and smiling at him, his face filled with doting affection.

"Alright, you're right. Dinner first."

Without looking back, he casually pressed the car key.

"Beep-beep," the car lights flashed, and the doors locked.

Dad didn't spare the car another glance. He, Mom, and Brenda, crowded around Leo, walking happily into the villa as a family.

They chatted about the day's fun, planned tomorrow's activities, their laughter echoing without end.

After dinner, they sat in the living room watching TV. Leo was cuddling with Mom, and Dad was peeling an apple nearby.

I floated by the cold car, watching the warm light stream from the door, feeling like a joke abandoned by the whole world.

It turned out, without me, they were still a complete family.