Chapter 3

3.

Since Tessa was faking her illness, the tests obviously showed nothing.

After a few days of observation, Mother personally handled her discharge papers.

Dad called a private chauffeur to pick her up, and Zane spent all morning waiting in line just to get her favorite pastries.

I wasn't surprised. Their love for her was bottomless.

On the way home, Zane mentioned me again, his brow furrowed in deep disgust.

"Mom, Dad, Avery is crossing the line. She hasn't even shown up to see Tessa."

"She caused this mess, and now she's refusing to take any responsibility!"

Dad took a deep breath, his face grim. "She's disgraceful. She doesn't deserve the Sterling name."

"When she slinks back home, I'm going to teach her a lesson she'll never forget!"

His words felt like a knife in my heart.

Mother had always hated me because my birth was difficult and triggered her postpartum depression.

She thought I was a bad omen.

When Tessa was born, I wasn't even allowed in the room because they didn't want my "bad luck" near her.

As Tessa grew up, she treated me like a servant, demanding I play whatever games she wanted.

Once, during a family picnic, Tessa ignored my warnings and ran off to fly a kite.

She tripped and scraped her forehead. It was a tiny scratch.

But Dad didn't hesitate to slap me across the face, knocking me to the ground.

"I told you to watch her! You're useless! What do we even keep you around for?"

It was as if my only purpose in life was to serve Tessa, the center of their universe.

There were so many moments like that.

Once, she wanted a doll that my parents had given me for my birthday years ago.

It was one of the few things I actually cherished.

Tessa decided she wanted it, so she made it look like I was bullying her.

One second she was demanding the doll, the next she was wailing at the top of her lungs.

Mother rushed in and scooped her up. "Tessa, honey, what's wrong?"

Tessa squeezed out a few crocodile tears. "I'm sorry, Mommy. It's my fault. I made Avery mad..."

Mother glared at me with pure hatred. "Avery, you're always causing trouble! Tessa is so patient with you, and this is how you treat her?"

"I think I've been too soft on you!" Dad bellowed as he walked in.

Before I could say a word, he grabbed a cane and beat me until my skin was bruised.

The physical pain was nothing compared to the heartbreak.

I begged him to stop, but I only got more insults.

Meanwhile, Tessa sat in Mother's lap and gave me a wicked, innocent little smile.

That was the moment I learned to just give in and let her have everything.

Just like now, Tessa's few casual lies had already convicted me in their minds.

Even as a spirit, the phantom pain in my chest was very real.

My soul followed them back to the house.

As soon as they walked in, Mother began fussing over Tessa's bed.

"Lie down, sweetheart. You shouldn't overexert yourself!"

Tessa patted her stomach. "I'm starving after that long drive!"

Dad immediately went to the kitchen to cook her favorite gourmet meal.

"Of course, baby. Daddy will make you a feast. Just wait a few minutes!"

Zane, knowing exactly what she wanted, set up her tablet so she could watch the most popular teen drama.

They were a happy, bustling family, and I was the ghost in the corner.

Tessa looked toward my direction and smiled triumphantly.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Zane ran to open it.

A handsome young man in a white shirt stood there, holding boxes of Tessa's favorite snacks.

It was Morgan Shaw, my childhood sweetheart and the boy I was supposed to marry.

Tessa's eyes lit up. She ran to him barefoot, acting shy and excited.

"Morgan! What are you doing here? Did my brother tell you I was sick?"

"I'm fine now, you didn't have to worry!"

Morgan gave her a doting smile and ruffled her hair.

The high school heartthrob, who was usually cold to everyone, was acting like a smitten puppy just to make her smile.

He had never looked at me like that. Not even once.

Tessa pulled Morgan into the house by his arm.

He looked around the living room and suddenly frowned.

"Where's Avery? Is she not home?"

At the mention of my name, Zane's smile vanished.

"That heartless brat? She's probably out partying somewhere to avoid being yelled at for hurting Tessa!"

Mother joined in, her voice sharp. "I regret ever giving birth to her. If she doesn't want to come back, she can stay gone forever!"

"Don't let her ruin your mood, Mrs. Sterling," Morgan said smoothly, like a perfect gentleman.

Mother looked at him with appreciation. "You're such a good boy, Morgan. You and Tessa make such a better pair."

"Don't waste your time on someone with Avery's character. Tessa is the one who's truly special."

Tessa blushed and playfully nudged her mother. "Mom! What are you saying?"

But her grin was wide and satisfied.

Morgan laughed. "You're right. Next time I see her, I'll end things properly. I won't let it be awkward for Tessa."

The whole family nodded in approval.

They threw a party that night to celebrate Tessa's recovery.

In the middle of the laughter and music, I felt a void in my chest.

I reached up to clutch my heart, only to remember I didn't have one anymore.

Even though I was used to being the outsider, the sheer emptiness of it all was suffocating.

The next morning, Mother woke up feeling restless.

She tried calling my number again.

The line just rang and rang until it went to voicemail.

She lost her temper and sent a voice message on WeChat.

"Avery, you've really grown a pair, haven't you? Blocking my calls?"

"I'm giving you one last chance. Get your ass home and beg for your sister's forgiveness, or don't bother coming back at all!"

I wanted to tell her, "Mom, I'm dead. I can't come back."

But she couldn't hear me.

She sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window for a long time.

Suddenly, her phone rang. My name appeared on the screen.

Mother looked relieved for a second before answering with a scream.

"Avery! So you finally decided to call? Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in? I'm going to―"

A stranger's voice interrupted her.

"Hello? Is this Avery Sterling's family? We're calling to notify you that if the body isn't claimed soon, we will proceed with the cremation per protocol..."

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