Chapter 3

I was awakened by Clara and Michael's voices.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Clara holding Nathan, gently placing him on the bed.

Her eyes were full of heartache.

"Look how pale his little face is. When will this ever end?"

She carefully tucked in the corners of his blanket, patting him soothingly.

"If only Riley understood… but now she won't even do the bone marrow extraction to help Nathan…"

Her eyes reddened, her voice choking with sobs.

I ran to Clara's side, hugged her leg, and looked up at her.

"Clara, don't cry. I'm willing."

"I won't complain about the pain anymore."

But my hand passed straight through Clara's body.

She seemed unable to hear what I was saying either.

Michael patted her shoulder.

"It's okay. Everything will be fine."

"Actually, Riley is usually very obedient. Let's let her out and talk to her properly. Maybe she'll understand our difficulties."

"I hope so. She's not young anymore. She should be more sensible."

Michael walked toward the sauna room.

I stood in front of him.

But he walked right through me as if he couldn't see me.

I stood there stunned for a moment, looking at my nearly transparent hands.

Finally understanding.

It seemed I had already died.

Michael peered through the glass into the sauna room.

But because I was sitting behind the door, there was a blind spot in his line of sight.

He didn't see my figure.

I, however, easily passed through the door.

I saw the small corpse curled up behind the door, skin blistered all over from the heat.

Michael turned to call Clara.

"Honey, Riley's not in the sauna room?"

Clara paused, then got up and walked to the sauna room.

"How is that possible? I locked it! She can't get out!"

She pushed the door.

"It's still locked. That child must be hiding in a corner sulking at us!"

As she spoke, she knocked hard on the door several times.

"Riley, if you come out now and apologize to us, we'll forgive you and let you out. You'll still be our good daughter."

"But if you keep sulking and throwing a tantrum, then you can stay in there! No dinner, no toys!"

I apologized desperately.

"Clara, I really know I was wrong. I'll help Nathan with his treatment from now on."

Clara still couldn't hear me.

She and Michael stood there listening for my answer.

Only silence responded to them.

After a long while, seeing that I still wasn't answering,

Clara's expression hardened.

"Fine! You've got backbone! Keep it up!"

"I really don't understand where I went wrong as a parent. You used to be such a good child!"

"I don't want you anymore!"

I stamped my feet anxiously.

Clara, I already apologized!

I want to keep being your good girl too.

I want you to love me like you did before.

Really.

Tears rolled down my face and hit the carpet.

They didn't spread into water stains like they normally would.

Watching Clara and Michael's backs gradually fade into the distance,

I cried even harder.

This time, they wouldn't comfort me like they used to.

Clara was tough on the surface but soft underneath after all.

That evening, she still made my favorite fried fish for dinner.

Michael filled a bowl of rice, added some food, and was about to bring it to me in the sauna room.

Clara didn't stop him. She sat silently at the table picking out fish bones for Nathan.

Michael took out the key to open the door and pushed it open a crack.

"Riley, time to eat. We have your favorite fried fish today."