Chapter 1

Three years after my death, I suddenly 'woke up.’ No flesh, no memory, just a wisp of a soul.

I was trapped, tethered to Jason's side, forced to watch him and his wife in their blissful ignorance.

Then, one day, his wife was cleaning out the attic and stumbled upon a photograph of me.

“Who’s this?” she asked offhandedly, a casual chuckle on her lips.

Jason’s voice was flat as he tossed the photo into the trash.

"Just a dead person. Elara, I think? I can barely remember her name anymore."

Elara.

So that was my name. A forgotten ex-wife.

But that very night, I saw Jason secretly drugging his wife.

Through the reflection in the glass, his eyes met mine.

“Elara,” he whispered. “See? I’m avenging you.”

For a moment, I almost believed Jason could actually see me.

My soul quivered, the words right there. But Jason simply held the milk, turned, and walked away.

Such a shame. He still couldn't see me.

Seraphina, suspecting nothing, drank the milk and fell into a deep sleep.

The moment she did, Jason rushed to the trash and carefully retrieved my photo, clutching it to his chest.

"I'm sorry, Elara. I'm so sorry."

"I made you dirty, did it hurt when you fell? It's all my fault."

Jason's voice was low and hoarse, filled with guilt.

He repeatedly wiped the glass frame with the cuff of his expensive suit, then suddenly let out a cold laugh. He pressed his warm lips to the glass, gently coaxing.

"Just a little longer. Soon, five days at most."

"I'll make Seraphina lose everything. Her wealth, her reputation, everything she stole from you. Then I'll send her down to apologize."

"And then, Elara, we... we can be together again."

Jason picked up his phone and dialed a number. His voice instantly turned cold.

"You can proceed. Make sure it's clean."

After that, Jason held my photo, practically frozen in his study.

Sometimes he would weep uncontrollably, large tears splashing against the glass. Other times, a gentle, yet chilling, smile would twist his lips. And then, he'd press his forehead to the frame, letting out strangled, guttural sobs.

For three whole hours, Jason acted like a madman, crying and laughing.

He was more terrifying than I, a mere ghost.

A belated realization dawned on me.

This man, Jason, he seemed to... truly love me.

Until his phone screen lit up again, a distinctive vibration breaking the silence of the study.

Jason snatched up his phone. The message was concise.

"Mr. Jason, it's done. Mr. Thorne fell to his death after drinking too much."

He didn't reply, simply putting my photo frame away carefully. He rose and walked towards the master bedroom, pushing the door open forcefully. Seraphina on the bed seemed disturbed by the rough sound, stirring uneasily.

But the sleeping pills worked their magic, and she didn't wake.

Jason walked to the bedside, gazing at her for a few seconds. His eyes were as cold as if he were looking at an inanimate object.

Suddenly, Jason did something utterly insane.

He lunged out, not to wake Seraphina, but to grab her hair viciously and smash her forehead hard against the solid wooden headboard!

A dull, sickening thud echoed in the room.

Seraphina jolted awake from the extreme pain and terror, letting out a piercing scream.

The moment her eyes flew open, I watched the coldness vanish from Jason's face, replaced by feigned concern.

He pulled her into his arms, his voice soft.

"Seraphina, what's wrong?"

"How did you manage to hit your head just sleeping? Was it a nightmare?"

"Shhh, it's alright now. I'm here."

Before she could even begin to collect herself, her phone on the nightstand erupted with a shrill ring.

"Hello?"

The next second, Seraphina's pupils constricted, her face turning ashen.

"No! Dad! That's impossible!"

She desperately grabbed Jason's arm, sobbing incoherently.

"Jason! My dad... my dad had an accident. They said he fell from a building, and he's gone."

"What do I do, Jason! What am I going to do!"

Jason reacted quickly.

He immediately pulled Seraphina tightly into his embrace, his voice carrying just the right amount of shock and grief.

"What! How could this happen?"

"It's okay, I'm here for everything. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you. Calm down, tell me slowly."

Seraphina clung to Jason even more.

Her face buried in his chest, she wept, murmuring words.

But where Seraphina couldn't see, I clearly saw Jason's expression.

There was no grief on his face; instead, he smirked at me with a twisted, eerie smile. Yet, the words he spoke were so gentle and reassuring.

"Seraphina, your family's problems are my problems!"

"I'll handle everything!"