"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."

Allan had been drinking and staggered slightly as he walked. “You’re still sensible. If Ada were even half as sensible as you...”

“Wait, I’ll call her down right now to apologize to you. Don’t think she can just leave this house without saying sorry.”

He dialed my number. The phone rang—but the sound came from upstairs.

Allan’s face darkened, as though he had expected it, and he staggered toward my bedroom door.

“Ada, didn’t you say you were leaving? What, changed your mind now?”

“I’m warning you—if you don’t have the guts to leave, then stop threatening me. That nonsense doesn’t work on me.”

Still, I said nothing. Allan grew more irritated, raising his voice in frustration:

“Now you’re ignoring me? Fine, Ada! You’ve really grown bold. If you’ve got the guts, then don’t speak to me ever again!”

He stormed off and slammed the door behind him with a bang.

The anxiety clutching my chest finally eased a little.

I thought he’d notice something—that I wasn’t breathing, that something was wrong.

But he didn’t.

I smiled bitterly. The brother who used to worry over a single lost hair didn’t even notice I’d died right in front of him.

I drifted restlessly through the living room, circling the space, watching the moon fade and the sunrise. Another day had come.

A group of visitors arrived early—several of our cousins.

After our parents passed away, they made an effort to stay close to us. I knew they were trying not to upset Allan.

“Allan, I heard Leigh is getting engaged to the youngest Glen?”

“Yeah, it’s set for next month. Don’t forget to come to the wedding, Third Brother.”

“Of course. We’ll make time for it.”

The other cousins chimed in.

“Leigh’s impressive—getting the Harrison elders to agree. I heard they’re picky, especially with their youngest son’s marriage.”

Allan, proud, poured tea and smiled smugly. “That’s because Leigh is exceptional. Anyone else would’ve been rejected flat-out. No chance of marrying into the Harrison family.”

When it came to Leigh, Allan was never short on praise. He could go on endlessly, head to toe.

But he didn’t mention me at all.

Only my eldest cousin thought to ask. “Where’s Ada? I heard she’s been home a lot lately. Haven’t seen her.”

“Don’t even bring her up,” Allan replied, annoyed. “She’s mad at me, said she’d run away. But when I didn’t react, she’s just sulking in bed.”

“I don’t know where she got the nerve to threaten me. Let’s see how long she plans to lie around.”

His tone shifted sharply at the mention of me, filled with dissatisfaction.

He launched into a long criticism.

I stopped listening. It was the same things: I was selfish, I caused our parents’ deaths, I was a burden—not as kind or obedient as Leigh.

All I wanted now was for him to realize I was dead.

To bury me.

I didn’t want to be tormented by his favoritism for Leigh—even in death.

Fortunately, my eldest cousin soon headed upstairs and opened my door.

“Ada, stop sleeping. Come talk to your cousins.”

Seeing no response, he stepped closer to my bed.

I sat up and waved desperately at him. “Cousin, please, stop—don’t take another step.”

One more step and he’d see the truth:

That I wasn’t breathing anymore.

But just as he was about to reach me—

Someone grabbed his arm.

It was Allan.

His face was full of irritation. “Ada, did you digest all your books like a dog? Your big brother’s talking to you—why aren’t you responding?”

Seeing that I still didn’t move, my eldest cousin’s face showed concern. “Ada might have a fever, otherwise she wouldn’t be this quiet. Let me check her forehead.”

As he spoke, he reached out and placed the back of his hand on my forehead.