Mom and Dad turned their heads, only now recalling my presence. Their faces showed some embarrassment.

However, after processing my words, Mom retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's just simple drug trials testing. Don't say such things!"

Dad also looked at me coldly. "Are you trying to back out again? I'm telling you, the form has been signed. You'd better go in obediently. Once the medication is developed, we'll come pick you up."

Jonathan also gently grabbed my hand. "It'll be quick—just one month. When you come out, I'll buy you whatever you want."

I looked at Mom and Dad, then at Jonathan. Finally, I sighed as I pulled my hand away. I turned and resolutely walked into the research center, no longer holding any attachment to them.

The so-called drug trials were anything but normal. The experiments were agonizing. It felt like my body was being pricked by a thousand needles every day.

I clawed frantically at my skin, which quickly became covered in bloody marks and scars. During this time, my family and Jonathan never came to see me even once.

They might be eating luxurious meals or watching sunsets by the riverside. I did not know.

I only knew that my heartbeat was getting weaker and weaker. On the eighteenth day, it became a flat line.

When Dr. Stone came into my room, he thought I was just sleeping and poked my arm impatiently. "Get up. Time for the next phase of research."

Yet, all that answered him was prolonged silence. He could not help but frown. When he saw the heart monitor beside him, his face turned pale with shock. After a long moment, he shakily picked up his phone and called my parents.

"M-Mrs. Lane, something's happened... Ms. Lane... She's dead!"

The other end of the phone fell silent for a moment, then Mom laughed mockingly. She sounded completely unconcerned. "Dr. Stone, today isn't April Fool's Day. Stop joking around."

Dr. Stone looked at the corpse on the operating table with a bluish face and rigid body, feeling both panicked and annoyed. "I'm not joking around! She has stopped breathing completely!"

On the other end of the line, Jonathan snatched Mom's phone and spoke in a calm voice. "Doctor, Elena might just be putting on an act to avoid the drug trials. Don't let her fool you."

"Are you people insane? She's really dead!"

Before Dr. Stone could finish, Jonathan interrupted impatiently, "We're busy here. When Elena wakes up, please tell her to stop playing games. We'll come see her in 12 more days."

After saying that, he hastily ended the call. Dr. Stone stared at the phone in disbelief. Unwilling to give up, he tried calling several more times but could never get through again. He cursed under his breath, then threw my corpse into a makeshift morgue.

No one knew that this so-called medical research center was nothing more than something Adriana had created to maintain her weak persona. It was all for her to retain Mom and Dad's love and to obtain Jonathan as her plaything.

My soul floated to the side, and I watched my own body get thrown like garbage. Before long, ants and rats followed the scent and crawled onto my body, gnawing at my flesh and sucking my blood. Though I was dead, I still seemed to feel the pain.

Unloved in life, ignored in death. My existence seemed to have no meaning whatsoever.

My soul was tethered to my physical body, unable to move away for reasons unknown.

Days passed, and the narrow morgue gradually filled with a terrible stench.

Finally, familiar voices came from outside the door.

"Doctor, were the drug trials successful?"