Chapter 4

But I was wrong.

Watching Mom feed my sister bite by bite, thoughtfully wiping the residue from the corner of her mouth, my heart wrenched violently.

Storybooks said that when people die, they lose all sensation.

Lies. I could still feel heartache.

Halfway through the meal, my sister suddenly pushed open my door, showing off the new necklace around her neck.

"Quinn, look! Mom bought me this new necklace. Isn't it pretty?"

I was already used to my sister's bragging and felt no emotional ripple.

My attention was entirely focused on her hands, afraid she'd pull back my blanket and discover I was dead.

When my sister realized I wasn't responding, she pouted unhappily and started crying loudly.

Mom immediately appeared, holding my sister in her arms and comforting her softly.

Once my sister finally calmed down, Mom expertly grabbed a stick from behind my door---one she kept there specifically for punishing me.

"Quinn, don't think you can lord it over everyone just because you're healthy! I'll beat you to death!"

But no matter how long she beat me, I showed no reaction.

She grew suspicious and pulled back a corner of the blanket. When she saw the vomit from the desiccant I'd swallowed, she was startled.

"Well, well, Quinn, you actually vomited in bed! You're disgusting! Don't think staying quiet will save you!"

Then she called Dad over, her eyes sharp as knives.

"Send her away. Right now. I don't want to see her for another second!"

Dad spoke in a gentle, soothing voice.

"Okay, whatever you say. I've already made arrangements. They'll come pick her up tomorrow. We just need to endure one more day, okay?"

Mom nodded with difficulty, took my sister's hand, and spoke in a gentle, patient tone.

"Baby, ignore your sister. She doesn't deserve to be Mommy's daughter. Come on, Mommy will take you out to ride the carousel, okay?"

I'd never ridden a carousel.

I used to secretly watch my sister ride. I heard it was fun.

Too bad I'd never get the chance now.

After Mom left with my sister, Dad sat on the edge of my bed, sighing repeatedly.

"Quinn, don't blame your mother. She's sick, and your sister is sick too. You need to understand her. Actually, she... loves you."

He said those last three words with very little confidence.

It was the first time I'd seen Dad cry. I wanted to reach out and wipe his tears, but my hand just passed through his body.

He gently took my hand. "Your mom hit you pretty hard just now, didn't she? Come on, get up, Dad will take you to the hospital."

But Dad, I can't get up anymore.

Seeing my prolonged lack of response, Dad looked puzzled and pushed me, then started to pull back my blanket.

I closed my eyes, not daring to imagine Dad's reaction when he discovered I was dead.

But the next second, a phone ringtone rang out abruptly.

The voice from the hospital came through.

"Sir, your wife had a sudden heart attack and was hospitalized. Your daughter was frightened, and her condition isn't good either."

Dad couldn't spare another thought. He abandoned me and rushed out the door.

My soul was suddenly pulled by an invisible force, and the next second I was at the hospital.

Mom lay in the hospital bed, her face pale.

Even at this point, she kept muttering to Dad.

"Honey, I don't have much longer to live. Please send Quinn away immediately, okay? My chest hurts just seeing her!"

Mom, your chest won't hurt anymore. You won't have to be angry anymore.

I'm already dead. You'll never have to see me again.