Chapter 1

Chapter 1

My sister kidnapped and murdered me.

Yet our mother, a presiding judge, not only acquitted her in open court, but even comforted her.

"Your sister is just making a scene," Mom told her. "She framed you like this just to steal my love!"

Mom refused to even look at the evidence my lawyer submitted.

Instead, she pointed at my cold corpse and ordered me to get up and apologize.

"Stop acting!" she snapped. "Are you doing all this just to get my attention?"

...

When I opened my eyes again, I wasn't in heaven or hell.

I was just standing there, numbly watching my mother fuss over my younger sister, Chantel.

For a brief second, I thought I was still alive.

Then I reached out, and my translucent hand passed right through her shoulder.

That was when reality hit me.

I was really dead.

Mom's gentle voice drifted into my ears, filled with warmth I had never received.

"Don't be scared, Chantel. It's all over now. As long as I'm here, she will never hurt you again."

Sunlight poured over the two of them, but I felt only an abyss of bone-chilling cold.

Chantel curled the corner of her lips into a smirk, though her voice trembled with fake grief.

"I know Camille has always resented me, but I never thought she'd gamble with her own life. Does she really have to ruin my entire future before she's happy?"

Just as expected, Mom's face instantly darkened.

She squeezed Chantel's hand tightly.

"She has completely lost her mind. Don't worry, I will never protect her again. From now on, I don't have a daughter named Camille!"

With that, the crowd gathered around my body on the stretcher.

I lay there motionless, my unblinking eyes staring blankly at the sky.

The bystanders murmured in sorrow, pitying a young life ended so brutally.

Suddenly, a sharp, mocking laugh shattered the solemn silence.

Everyone turned in shock, wondering who could be heartless enough to laugh at a murder victim.

Mom clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she could barely stand straight.

"Oh, please! You all went to college, yet you fall for such a cheap trick? She obviously put on special effects makeup to win your sympathy!"

She walked up and kicked my lifeless body hard in the ribs.

"Get your ass up right now!" she barked. "I don't have time to play your stupid games!"

"You've gotten bold, haven't you? Falsely accusing your own sister! Look how terrified she is! Get on your knees and apologize to Chantel right now!"

When I didn't move, she kicked and shoved my corpse even harder.

My attorney, Evelyn Cross, couldn't take it anymore.

She rushed forward and shoved Mom back with fury in her eyes.

"Are you insane? She's already dead! Why won't you let her rest? What kind of mother are you?"

Trembling with rage, Evelyn pulled the coroner's report from her briefcase and slammed it against Mom's chest.

She also held out the printed text messages between Chantel and me, which was solid proof of the premeditated crime.

Chantel's pupils shrank, and she clenched her fists in panic.

If Mom looked at them even once, the truth would be exposed.

In the next second, Mom tore the papers into shreds and tossed them into the air.

The white scraps fluttered down like funeral paper.

Evelyn shook with anger, but Mom only sneered coldly.

"Do you take me for an idiot? As if I can't spot forged evidence! Camille paid you to do this, didn't she? How pathetic of her to go to such lengths just to slander her sister."

"Save your breath," Mom added dismissively. "I know my daughters better than anyone. My ruling stands. Chantel is innocent."

With that, she took Chantel by the hand and walked away, completely ignoring the horrified crowd.

No one could believe those words had come from a biological mother.

The entire room fell into a stunned silence.

I let out a bitter, silent laugh.

I should have known. She never believed me.

I sank onto the ground, watching Mom's resolute silhouette fade into the distance.

Suddenly, I felt that being dead wasn't the worst thing after all.