Chapter 4

The morning after the rain stopped, police cars and ambulances shattered the quiet of the apartment complex.

I floated in mid-air, watching that body covered with a white cloth below.

That was me.

The investigating officer was a middle-aged man. He frowned as he examined the broken section of railing, then looked at the performance outfit I'd protected with my life in my arms.

"Preliminary determination is accidental fall."

The officer closed his notebook, his tone carrying a trace of melancholy.

"The railing was old and damaged, plus last night's rain made it slippery. The deceased... should have lost her footing trying to retrieve this outfit."

"Even falling like this, she protected the outfit so well it didn't get a speck of mud on it."

The officer handed the performance outfit to Liam, who stood nearby in shock.

"Take it. This is what your sister traded her life for."

Liam's hands trembled as he took the outfit.

Hearing the word "accidental," Mom's legs went weak and she collapsed directly to the ground.

"My daughter... why were you so foolish..."

She cried heart-wrenchingly.

But I could see clearly—in the depths of her tear-blurred eyes was a trace of imperceptible relief.