"If it had been her who died in that car accident, my parents wouldn’t have had to lose their lives saving her."

"She’s nothing but a curse."

The voice wasn’t loud, but every word stabbed into my heart like a knife.

I had thought about this countless times over the years.

If only I had been the one who died that day. Maybe that would’ve been better.

Once, I had a happy and fulfilling life.

I was cherished by my parents and adored by my brother.

They spoiled me like a little princess, letting me do whatever I pleased.

But that kind of life only lasted for fifteen years.

Because when I turned fifteen, Leigh came into our home.

She was an orphan—someone my parents met during a charity visit to an orphanage.

There, she had been isolated and secretly bullied by others.

My mother felt pity for her and brought her home, saying she’d raise her until she turned eighteen. She promised to support her through college and until she found a job.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. Just one more plate at the dinner table.

But six months later, I noticed something had changed.

Leigh became the standard I was measured against.

My mother would touch my forehead gently and say, "Ada, look how thoughtful Leigh is. You're growing up too—don’t be so stubborn anymore."

My father would comment, "Ada, Leigh studies until midnight. You should learn to take your homework seriously too."

Even my brother added, "Leigh picked up the piano so quickly. She can play ten songs in under two weeks. Not like someone who said she’d learn and then left the piano to collect dust."

From then on, whatever I failed at, Leigh would excel in.

She became the “ideal daughter” everyone talked about.

At our high school graduation party, she was honored as the top graduate and gave a speech on stage.

My parents and brother were all there that night. They didn’t return until past midnight.

But they forgot something important.

That day was my birthday.

The cake I waited for had already melted.

When they finally came home, I angrily threw the cake at Leigh. "Let her go. I want her out of this house."

"Fine. If you won’t let her leave, then I will."

I shoved past them and ran barefoot into the streets, wandering around the city until my parents found me.

They apologized.

They promised they’d never neglect me again or compare me to Leigh.

They said they’d send her off to college after summer.

I finally smiled. But at that very moment, a truck lost control and sped toward us.

When I came to, I was in my parents’ arms. They were holding me.

I survived. But they never spoke another word again.

I didn’t attend their funeral.

My brother wouldn’t let me.

His red, furious eyes burned into me: "Why wasn’t it you who died? Why?!"

"Get lost, you selfish thing. You don’t deserve to say goodbye."

I sat in the chair, shaking my head, trying to force out memories like poison.

But it didn’t help. They coiled around me like venomous snakes, tightening, choking me.

After a long time, I looked at my lifeless, pale face in the mirror and smiled.

Finally, I can finally see them again and say sorry face to face.

I was hungry and wanted to find something to eat, but when I entered the kitchen, I only found the leftovers Allan and Leigh had left on the table.

Turns out, they cooked lunch—but didn’t call me.

I looked at the leftovers, and under the pull of some invisible force, I reached out.

Just one more bite of the food Allan made himself.

When I see my parents again, I want to tell them my brother was still kind to me—he even cooked for me.

Allan was always their pride. I can’t let them know he changed after they died.

Just then, I heard the fingerprint lock click open.

Allan and Leigh walked in, followed by someone else.

Leigh’s boyfriend, Glen Harrison.

Also—my ex.

The three of them entered, laughing and chatting, but I seemed to ruin the mood.

Because the moment they saw me, their laughter stopped.

Allan glared at me coldly, his eyes full of contempt.

"Ada, you timed it, didn’t you? You knew Glen would be here and deliberately sat there looking pitiful. Eating our leftovers? How low can you go?"

"What, trying to look sad, so Glen might pity you and come back?"

"Let me make it clear—Glen is Leigh’s boyfriend now. They’re getting engaged. So drop your pathetic thoughts."

I stared at him, letting his cruel words hit me like blows. My stomach twisted in pain.

After a few seconds, Glen quietly stepped between us.

"Leigh, come on, help your brother to his room. I’ll talk to Ada."

He nodded quickly, clearly trying to show Leigh where he stood—no misunderstanding, nothing left between us.

He handed me a bag. Inside was a jade bracelet.

"What we had is in the past. Let’s not bring it up again."

"Don’t take your brother’s words to heart. He’s blunt, but soft inside. He asked me to bring this bracelet from abroad—it’s for you."

"He’s just stuck on the past. Give it time. You’re siblings—he’ll come around."

I held the bracelet, and tears streamed down, splashing onto the floor.

"Does he really still see me as his sister?"

"Of course. Don’t overthink it. No matter how harsh he sounds, you’re still his sister. He cares—he really does."

"Come on, wipe your tears. My parents are taking us to dinner tonight. Let’s go together. You’ll always be my sister, alright?"

I turned away, and then I heard Glen calling Leigh again:

"Check this out—the global limited edition sports car your brother asked me to order for you. He said he wanted to give you the best, make you the happiest sister in the world."

At that moment, the bracelet in my hand felt unbearably heavy—like it might shatter my wrist.

Sister. Sister.

I kept repeating the word in my mind, and it only sounded more ironic.

Suddenly, my whole body felt deflated, like a balloon losing air.

My strength was being drained—life slipping away, bit by bit.

I knew I’d hit my limit. I used what little strength I had left to drag myself upstairs, trying to reach my bed.

But just as I stepped into my room, Leigh blocked the door.

Her pretty face twisted into something cruel. She grabbed the bag from my hand.

"Ada, you bitch. Do you think you deserve a gift from Glen?"

"Listen to me—I’m going to marry him soon. Don’t even dream about him again."

"I said I would take everything that belonged to you. See? I did it. Your foolish parents died because of you. Your brother now dotes on me as his most beloved sister. Honestly, you're such a failure. If I were you, I'd just die and stop being an eyesore."

She laughed as she spoke, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Tell me—if I fell down the stairs, would your brother throw you out of the house?"

I didn’t quite understand her, but the next second, I saw her fall backward, tumbling down the stairs.

Then, my brother’s furious eyes appeared before me, and a heavy slap landed on my face.

"Ada, are you insane? How dare you hurt Leigh!"

Leigh covered her mouth, crying softly. "Brother, don’t blame Ada. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been curious about the gift you asked Glen to bring her."

"Ada, I’m sorry—it’s my fault."

Then, Leigh actually knelt to apologize to me, and her brother grew even more enraged.

"Leigh just wanted a look, and you pushed her? Ada, you’re vile."

"Even if I gave that bracelet to a dog, it would wag its tail in gratitude."

As he spoke, Allan threw the bracelet to the ground, shattering it: "Don’t dream of me ever giving you anything again."

I didn’t say a word, nor did I bother explaining. Gathering the last of my strength, I leaned on the wall, made my way back to my room, and curled up under my blanket.

Seeing my silence, Allan stormed after me, slamming my door open.

"Ada! I’m warning you—if you touch Leigh again, get out of this house and never come back!"

I remained calm. Using the last bit of energy I had, I pointed to the document on the table:

"If you hate me that much, then let’s end this brother-sister relationship."

Silence fell, and then Allan's furious and bitter voice exploded.

"Ada! Don’t think you can manipulate me with this!"

"Fine. If you want to leave so badly, then be gone by nightfall. I never want to see you again!"

I no longer had the strength to speak.

Not even opening my mouth.

Their voices grew distant, and my vision turned blurry.

Brother, just as you wish, I really want to leave—forever.

I don’t want to die at home.

But I heard people say that only by dying in a place tied to your loved ones can you see them again.

This house was bought by my parents. The crib they bought for me is still here.

I want to see them.

I don’t know how much time passed, but suddenly, my vision became clear again.

I thought I had survived.

But when I reached for the phone table, my hand went right through it—straight through the wall.

Oh God, what terrible thing have I done to deserve this?

Why keep me trapped in this sorrowful place, watching over my own lifeless body every second of every day?

I heard the door downstairs open and close again.

I floated over and saw Allan and Leigh once more.

"Leigh, Glen’s parents are very pleased with you. They’re urging me to let you two marry soon."

Leigh blushed and smiled sweetly. "I’ll listen to whatever Brother decides. If you want me to marry, I’ll marry. But if you can’t bear to let me go, I’ll never marry and stay by your side forever."