Two months after I died, my parents finally remembered they didn't take me with them on their way back from camping.

Dad frowned impatiently, complaining, "Couldn't she just walk back? What's the big deal?"

My stepbrother, Brian Lowe, opened our chat, sent a smug emoji, and typed: "Hope you die out there. Then Grandma's inheritance will be mine and Ari's."

Yet he got no reply.

Mom said coldly, "Tell her if she shows up on time for Grandma's birthday party, I'll drop the matter of her deliberately pushing Ari into the water."

They refused to believe I hadn't walked out of the woods.

After the search and rescue team scoured every nook and cranny, my body was finally found in the wilderness, deep within the woods.

***

Since they couldn't reach me and were pressed by Grandma, my family reluctantly stood in front of a shabby rented building. That was where I lived.

Brian covered his nose. "Why does this jinx live in such a dump? Mom, Dad, I don't wanna go in!"

"Fine, fine. You two head back first. We'll deal with it."

My adopted senior sister, Arianna Lowe, clung to Mom coquettishly, feigning concern. "Meg is so unreasonable. She won't answer calls or texts, making you two come all the way here."

Mom said, "I'll teach her a lesson when I see her!"

Her eyes flashed with hatred as she dragged Dad inside.

After climbing four flights of stairs, they panted at the door of 401.

After they knocked on the door, a shirtless middle-aged man opened the door. "What do you want?"

Dad flew into a rage instantly. "What's your relationship with my daughter? Why are you living here?"

Mom stormed in, snapping irritably. "Meghan Lowe! Get the fuck out! You've got some nerve, living with a man without telling us?"

As she spoke, a pregnant woman walked out.

"You've got the wrong place. We moved here two months ago."

Mom's eyes flickered with impatience. "This is the address my daughter gave us. How could we be wrong?"

The middle-aged man, infuriated by Mom's unyielding attitude, hauled her out. "Fuck off! You don't even know where your own daughter lives. Are you even qualified parents!"

Remembering something, the pregnant woman hurried to add, "Are you referring to the previous tenant, Meghan?

"The landlord said she owed a month's rent and vanished, so he rented the place to us."

Mom's eyebrows shot up in anger. "She didn't even bother to inform us before moving? Making us come all this way for nothing. What an unfilial brat!"

They turned to leave in a huff, just as the landlord returned.

Learning who they were, he immediately demanded payment.

"Settle her overdue rent and remove the personal belongings she left behind. I don't want them messing up my space!"

Stunned, my parents followed him to the storage room where my things were kept.

Neglected for two months, everything was coated in dust.

Dad spotted some clothes I often wore. "These are hers."

Mom's face hardened. "Did Meghan do this on purpose? Leaving a pile of junk for us to clean up after her?"

The landlord, unable to hold back, chimed in. "It's not junk. Just her daily belongings. There are photo albums and ID cards, too. She was a nice girl, so I kept them safe."

Mom scoffed, stepping back to cover her nose at the thick mustiness.

She pulled out her phone and called me directly.

Getting no answer, she left a message: "Meghan, are you done throwing your tantrum? Your dad and I are at your apartment. Come back now!"

Her typical arrogance was evident, and the disgust in her eyes was utterly undisguised.

She didn't find it odd that I hadn't replied to Brian's WhatsApp messages either.

After all, Arianna had long turned Brian against me.

But I'd never ignored Mom's message before.

Mom ran out of her patience.

She turned to Dad sharply. "Forget her. Let's go. This place is filthy beyond words!"

The landlord's eyes flashed with anger. "Hey, watch your mouth!

"Are you taking her stuff or not? If not, I'm throwing it all out."

He'd resigned himself to not getting the rent.

Mom didn't glance back as she stormed off.

The landlord shouted after them, livid. "Do you have no conscience? Your daughter's been missing for two months. Aren't you scared something happened to her?"

Mom scoffed. "That jinx is tough as nails. Nothing could happen to her!"

Back home, Mom called Grandma. "Mom, why bother with that unfilial girl? Just leave all your assets to Ari and Bry. Forget about Meghan."

My soul hovered nearby, a bitter laugh escaping me.

Mom, I was your only biological daughter. Why did you hate me so much?

Grandma was so enraged that she could barely breathe. She said on the other end of the line, "How could I have raised such a heartless child like you?

"I haven't heard a word from her in two months, not since I went abroad. I worried myself sick the whole time, and now I'm back, I still can't reach her!

"You must have wronged her. I just know it!

"She lives with you, doesn't she? Put her on the phone right now!"

Mom faltered, glancing nervously at Dad beside her.

Two months ago, Brian had a sudden whim and casually suggested camping in the restricted area of Galvan Valley.

Despite knowing how dangerous it was, I was looking forward to the chance to bond with my family during the camping, even taking time off work specifically.

No one expected Arianna to fall into the water.

As soon as she was rescued, she accused me of pushing her.

Mom had slapped me hard several times, ignoring my desperate explanations, and left me stranded in the wilderness. They never knew. I never made it out of the woods.

After two months of ignoring me and now unable to reach me, Mom still lied calmly to Grandma. "She's the one who's unruly, always jealous, refusing to get along with her siblings. Who knows where she's run off to now."

I wondered when Mom started disliking me and started seeing me as a vicious monster?

When I was raised by Grandma, my parents only visited occasionally only after Grandma repeatedly pressed them.

But without Arianna and Brian around, their attention, though reluctant, was at least mine alone.

Back then, I'd been content with that.

Later, they'd offered to take me in themselves. I'd thought they finally wanted to give me a warm home.

But later, I realized I was just an outsider, an afterthought in my own family.

Their house wasn't as grand as Grandma's villa, but Arianna had a room filled with Barbie dolls and beautiful dresses.

Because Arianna hated seeing me in the designer clothes Grandma bought me, Mom and Dad had stuffed them into a tattered box in the corner, forcing me to put on Arianna's castoff clothes instead.

Brian had a full set of high-end football gear and the latest electronics, but when I'd begged for a computer, which I needed for studies, my parents had agreed casually, then never followed through.

When I was alive, I'd always groveled, desperate for just a scrap of their attention.

Now, I no longer had to humiliate myself for that meager warmth.

Grandma, after threatening to donate all her wealth to charity if she didn't see me soon, hung up in a fury.

Mom's face darkened instantly, as if storm clouds were gathering.

Dad crushed his cigarette butt. He complained, "She's always been nothing but trouble. We never should've taken her in."

Mom sank onto the sofa, her expression grim. "It's time we put our foot down. Letting her run wild like this will only lead to more problems later."

With that, Dad picked up his phone and called me personally.

It was a rare gesture from a patriarch.

To his surprise, the number he'd been searching for a long time didn't ring at all. Every call went straight to a shutdown notice.

His face soured. "That unfilial brat's hiding on purpose! Does she think our family can't survive without her? Who does she think she is?

"I'd like to see how long she can keep this up!"

Brian just came downstairs.

Hearing their anger, he chimed in casually, "Mom, Dad, don't stress. That jinx cares more about Grandma than anything. She'll definitely show up for the birthday party."

At that, Mom and Dad finally relaxed, their brows unfurrowing.

Brian grabbed the TV remote, planning to watch his usual sports game, only to accidentally switch to the local news channel.

A bold headline blared across the screen: "Hiker Finds Female Body in Galvan Valley; Area Under Indefinite Full Lockdown."

The host also urged the public to avoid going to the dangerous area to prevent further accidents.

Brian sat up straight. "Galvan Valley's banned?"

Mom's brows furrowed suddenly, as if a thought had struck her.

Brian jumped up from the sofa, slapping his thigh in excitement. "Awesome! So our camping trip there was the last one ever?

"My classmates will definitely be jealous. They didn't even get to go before it's blocked!"

Only then did Mom's tense expression ease.

"Enough of that. You're not a kid anymore. Did you pick out Grandma's birthday gift yet?"

Dad, who'd been glum, also relaxed. "This time, you and Ari must say something nice to cheer her up."

Brian scoffed, "Meghan always picks a good gift for me every year. Grandma will love it. No need to worry."

Then he wandered off to watch his game.

At the sound of my name, Mom's eyes flashed with disgust again. She turned and retreated to her room.

After sitting on the bed for a while, she picked up her phone on a whim, opening our chat.

No more new messages.

Our last conversation felt like a distant memory.

Those brief little exchanges now looked so unfamiliar.

An unreadable emotion crossed her face. After ten seconds of hesitation, she sent a long voice message: "Meghan, get back here by tomorrow, and I'll let you move home.

"If you keep hiding, I'll cut off our tie!"

She threw the phone aside and lay down to sleep.

My soul stood beside her. I felt like crying, but no tears came.

I graduated half a year ago. My parents missed the graduation ceremony they'd promised to attend, all because Arianna had scraped her knee.

When I'd complained softly about it after returning home, they'd kicked me out, saying I was an adult now, so I should live on my own.

I'd hidden it from Grandma, afraid she'd scold Mom again.

I didn't even dare ask Grandma for help finding a job.

Mom had always known that I'd craved her and Dad's approval all my life.

That was my weakness.

She was sure that since she threatened to cut off our relationship, I'd always come crawling back to apologize.

But now, her threats meant nothing.

Because I'd been dead for two months.

Mom woke up as evening fell.

She picked up her phone, only to find two messages from her best friend, Maliyah Melton.

"Whitney, I just remembered your family went camping in Galvan Valley not long ago. Are you all okay?"

"What about Meg? I called her, but no one answered."

Seeing Maliyah's message, I felt a flicker of warmth.

Over the years, besides Grandma, Maliyah was one of the few who'd truly cared about me.

I'd always told Grandma only good news. When I was sad, only Maliyah would pat my shoulder and comfort me, "Your mom just hasn't come around yet. She loves you."

I'd believed that.

But on the day I died, I'd called Mom over and over, only to be hung up on every time.

That was when I realized some things in this world were just "white lies."

Maybe it was stubbornness that kept my soul lingering around Mom after I died.

Or maybe it was resentment.

I didn't want to watch her, Dad, Brian, and Arianna be happy without me.

Mom rubbed her brows and replied, "I have no idea where she's run off to. Come with me to my mom's birthday party in a couple of days, will you?"

Maliyah had always been close to our family.

So she agreed right away.

She even added that she'd brought me the hand-embroidered silk scarf I'd been wanting for ages.

Mom hesitated as she typed her reply.

She knew that the custom scarf I'd asked Maliyah to buy was for her.

Earlier that year, I'd subtly asked her what she wanted for Mother's Day. She'd brushed me off, just showing me a video she'd scrolled past on her phone.

I'd remembered it instantly.

The next day, there was still no word from me.

Grandma showed up at the door early in the morning.

"Grandma!"

I floated over in shock.

After I died, I'd tried to visit her countless times, but my soul seemed tied to Mom, unable to leave.

Thankfully, she'd come.

Just seeing her one last time would be enough. I no longer had regrets.

Before I could even brush against her, Brian darted over, calling out affectionately, "Grandma!"

All these years, Brian had used my relationship with Grandma to curry favor with her.

With my silent acquiescence, Grandma had long accepted this unrelated boy as her grandson.

She never put on airs with children.

She just took his hand and patting it gently as they sat down. "You're so grown now, yet still so loud and rowdy. Where's your sister?"

"Sis!" Brian shouted.

Arianna came running out at once. "Grandma, you're here!"

Grandma's eyes, filled with anticipation just moments before, cooled instantly.

She merely hummed in response, her voice lacking any warmth.

Mom's brows furrowed. "Mom, Ari's greeting you. Why are you so cold to her?"

Upon hearing Mom's words, Grandma said, unsatisfied, "How I treat her is my own business. Stay out of it. Just look at her usual conduct. There's not an ounce of charm or decency about her."

Mom indeed doted on Arianna.

At Grandma's tone, she grew agitated. "Mom, Ari's a good kid. Can't you be a little more tolerant?"

Grandma's face flushed with anger as she pointed at Mom. "You always defend her! Don't you even know how she has bullied others? I just don't like her. So what?"

Mom stood her ground, hands on her hips, and confronted Grandma head-on. "Ari never bullied anyone! You're targeting her like this because that fool Meghan ran her mouth to you, didn't she?"

In truth, I only cried once in front of Grandma.

Grandma had defended me. After that, Mom punished me by making me copy "I'm sorry, Arianna" hundreds of times.

My hand ached so badly I could barely hold a pen, and I never dared to complain again.

Ever since I'd been taken to live with my parents, Arianna had hated me.

She'd always pick the perfect moment to hit me on purpose, then collapse to the floor the second Mom and Dad appeared, lying that I'd pushed her.

She'd tear up my finished homework, getting me scolded by teachers.

She'd hide my schoolbag, leaving me scrambling to avoid being late.

She'd doodle on my clothes, making me a laughingstock in front of my classmates.

Seeing how Mom took her side, Arianna only bullied me more.

I'd poured out my grievances to my parents, but their response was always the same, accusing me of being unreasonable and overreacting.

My heart ached with injustice, but I never complained again.

As we grew older, at family events, Arianna pulled even more tricks to solidify her position in the family.

On Mom's and Dad's birthdays, she'd always suggested that everyone go out for a fancy dinner without me.

During holiday trips, I was always left to watch the house.

Eventually, my parents grew used to sidelining me. And I started to believe I deserved nothing more than to be their helper.

***

In the living room, Grandma and Mom argued back and forth, the air thick with tension.

Finally, Dad stepped in to mediate. "Whitney, your mom's getting on in years. Don't make her angry. We're family, after all. No need to make a fuss over trivial things."

Grandma had never been entirely satisfied with Dad, but she'd grown to tolerate him for Mom's sake and mine.

But she'd never accepted Arianna, her adopted granddaughter.

Her sharp gaze lingered on Arianna for a brief moment before drifting away, as if even looking at her was a chore.

Grandma asked, "Where's Meg? I'm taking her back to stay with me for a few days."

Back then, Grandma had opposed Mom and Dad's marriage, fearing Mom would suffer with Dad's meager means.

Mom had gotten drunk one night, only to be raped by a thug, and later found out she was pregnant.

She was still young, with far better prospects ahead.

But to punish Grandma, to make her feel guilty, she insisted on having me.

When I was three, Mom caught a glimpse of Dad's features in my face and rushed to get a paternity test.

The results confirmed I was truly Dad's flesh and blood, not the thug's.

Overjoyed, Mom reconnected with Dad.

Yet they always saw me as a blemish on their pure love. They sent me to live with Grandma when I was little, then moved far away.

At the time, Dad had just divorced his ex-wife, and their son, Brian, was already two years old.

Mom poured all her affection into this stepson.

Feeling they'd missed out on four years of parenthood, they adopted four-year-old Arianna from an orphanage.

They doted on this adopted daughter endlessly, spoiling her rotten, and were willing to give her whatever she wanted.

I was clearly the product of their love, yet I'd become a forgotten afterthought in this family.

Unable to make me show up, Mom turned to Grandma. "Since you're here, let's eat first."

Grandma scanned the house, her tone calm but firm. "Where's Meg?"

A flicker of helplessness crossed Mom's face. "Didn't I tell you? Meghan's throwing a tantrum. There's nothing I can do if she refuses to show up."

Grandma's brows furrowed. "What happened?"

Mom hesitated, skipping over the Galvan Valley incident entirely.

With a dismissive look, she said, "It's just her father, and I missed her graduation ceremony. She's been holding a grudge ever since."

Grandma's face darkened instantly. "I asked her when her graduation was, but she wouldn't tell me. How could you skip it as parents? Everyone says a graduation ceremony is as important as a wedding to the kids."

Mom opened her mouth to defend herself, but she didn't know where to begin.

How could she admit that they skipped it just because Arianna had scraped her knee and refused to let them leave?

That would only make Grandma dislike them more.

Silence fell over the table, broken only by the faint steam curling from the dishes.

Dad spoke up, trying to defuse the tension. "Guys, don't just stand there. Let's eat."

Grandma didn't want to quarrel with her only daughter, so she relented and took a seat.

Rarely getting to dine together, Mom was in a good mood.

She brought out imported drinks, pouring a glass for everyone.

Grandma frowned, chiding her gently.

"You still drink sugary drinks after having uremia? Meg already donated a kidney to you once. Do you expect her to give you another?"

Mom's hand holding the glass froze. She looked up sharply.

"What are you talking about, Mom? When I had uremia, it was Arianna who donated her kidney! How dare you make up such lies in front of the kids? You shouldn't do that as an elder!"

Mom's gaze was intensely serious.

Grandma shot to her feet, livid. "You fool! I told you not to keep that ungrateful girl. How can she lie about something like this?"

Arianna burst into tears. "Stop fighting. Mom, Grandma says Meg donated the kidney, so she did. Please don't be angry."

Somehow, her words only strengthened Mom's belief that Grandma was stirring up trouble.

Mom snapped, her patience exhausted. "Mom, I didn't want it to come to this. But if you're so determined to favor and can't even be fair, then please leave."

I sobbed silently.

That year, when Mom had uremia, it was I who donated my kidney anonymously.

But I didn't know why it turned out to be Arianna donated it.

Though Grandma had guessed the truth. I'd begged her not to say anything.

Because I'd wanted Mom's love to be pure, not tangled up in guilt.

Grandma had already carried guilt of her own for opposing Mom and Dad's marriage and for inadvertently leading to Mom's tragedy. She'd indulged Mom ever since, feeling she owed Mom.

So she'd kept my secret.

Mom knew none of this.

So when Grandma mentioned it today, Mom couldn't and wouldn't believe it.

The meal ended in total discord.

As soon as Grandma left, Mom's phone rang.

The screen lit up with one name: Meghan.

As soon as Mom answered the call, she launched into a tirade. "You damned girl. Can't you stop stirring up trouble with your grandma and making me angry?"

A deep male voice came from the other end. "Hello, are you a family member of Meghan's?"

Hearing the stranger's tone, Mom frowned.

"Yes? Why do you have Meghan's phone?" Her voice turned cold.

"We found Meghan's ID and phone in a rental property. Please come to the police station to confirm the details."

At that, Mom's brows relaxed. "That troublemaker really did move without a word. She's always finding ways to hassle us."

She hung up and resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

Arianna's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Mom, was that about Meg?"

"The police called. They found her phone and want her family to claim it. No hurry, I'll go after dinner."

Arianna put on a worried expression, speaking quickly. "Mom, let me go! Meghan's my sister, after all."

Mom praised her for being sensible and agreed.

I stood beside Mom, my soul filled with despair. "Mom, if you let her go, no one will ever find me."

Mom suddenly shuddered slightly.

She paused mid-bite. "Bry, turn up the air conditioning. I suddenly felt chilly."

Arianna returned soon after with my ID and phone.

Mom asked casually, "What did the police say?"

"They said the rental's tenant was a thief who stole Meghan's things," Arianna lied smoothly.

Mom nodded indifferently.

Arianna patted her hand reassuringly. "Mom, if Meg wants to come back, she will. She's an adult now. You don't need to worry so much."

Coldness flashed in Mom's eyes. "That damned girl! Her phone got stolen, and she couldn't even borrow one to tell us?

"She's working now. Can't she afford a new phone?"

She turned to Brian with a soft tone. "Bry, let Grandma know. Otherwise, she'll keep fretting that something happened to that jinx just because she can't get through."

Mom forgot. I wasn't Arianna. After graduation, I had to support myself entirely.

I'd only been working a short while, and every penny of my salary had gone into that custom-made silk scarf for her.

Arianna noticed Mom's indifference to me, and a flicker of joy crossed her eyes.

She hooked her arm through Mom's and bounded upstairs happily.

The next day, Maliyah arrived with the scarf.

Its exquisite embroidery was lifelike, the edges trimmed with delicate lace.

Mom's face softened, rarely showing such fondness.

Maliyah explained with a smile, "I pulled a lot of strings to get this master embroiderer. Meg specifically insisted on rose patterns. I knew right away it was for you.

Maliyah laughed apologetically, "Oh no, I ruined her surprise! Quick, call her over. I'll apologize in person."

Brian snatched the scarf from Mom's hands. "This is nice! I'll give it to Grandma as her birthday gift."

Maliyah froze, her expression darkening. "Bry, that's your sister's gift. Give it back."

Seeing Mom make no move to stop him, Brian grew bolder. "That jinx didn't pick out a gift for me this year. I had no idea what to get Grandma. This is perfect!"

Maliyah's temper flared. "Whitney, I don't want to meddle in your family's business, but how can Bry call his sister a 'jinx'? And that scarf..."

"Just let Bry keep it," Mom cut in casually.

"But..."

"The birthday party is in two days, and he still hasn't prepared a gift. What else can he do?" Mom reasoned.

Her eyes lingered on the scarf for a moment.

She turned to Brian. "Go get a box to wrap it."

Maliyah snapped, "No! Meg spent three months saving up for this..."

"That's enough!" Mom interrupted sharply. "They're all my kids. I shouldn't play favorites. Come on, let's head to my mom's. I'm her only daughter. I should've been there sooner."

As I saw Maliyah's crestfallen face, my soul ached as if bleeding.

Grandma only invited close relatives and friends to her 60th birthday party.

At the party, my parents kept glancing around, clearly looking for me.

Even Brian seemed a little uneasy. "Dad, Mom. Meghan really isn't coming? Did something actually happen to her?"

Arianna patted his hand to soothe him. "Don't talk nonsense. Meghan's an adult now. What could possibly happen?"

Her words instantly eased my parents' worries.

Mom let out a sigh. "If that brat doesn't show up, relatives and friends will nag that your dad and I are terrible parents."

Hearing that, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

So that was it.

I'd naively thought their restlessness came from worrying about me.

Brushing off the thought, Mom turned to Arianna. "Take this chance to give Grandma your birthday gift later. She'll never embarrass you in front of everyone. It's the perfect moment."

Arianna's eyes lit up, and she nodded excitedly.

Grandma was a successful entrepreneur in the city, wealthy and well-respected.

Back when my parents abandoned me to live with Grandma, she'd been so furious that she refused to support them financially at all.

In recent years, she'd only started giving Mom money regularly because they'd taken me in.

But most of that money ended up spent on Arianna and Brian.

Mom always lied to me, saying, "Grandma loves you so much. She must send you money secretly."

But the truth was, Grandma thought I was still too young to manage money. She also assumed Mom, as my biological mother, would never shortchange me. Plus, I'd never complained about it in front of her. So Grandma never gave me a single extra cent.

Arianna knew perfectly well: a shrewd businesswoman like Grandma must have made a will.

She'd always dreamed of winning Grandma's approval as Brian did, of living the life of a wealthy young lady.

And I, Grandma's only biological granddaughter, became her biggest obstacle.

She was convinced Grandma would never truly like her as long as I was around.

That was why she treated me like a thorn in her side.

Arianna navigated through the crowd carefully with a sweet, innocent smile as she made her way slowly toward Grandma.

Guests around them nodded approvingly, praising Mom for raising such a sensible, graceful daughter.

Before Arianna could speak a word in front of Grandma, a voice shouted from the crowd.

"The police are here!"

The joyful birthday party was abruptly interrupted.

Grandma's brows furrowed. She was about to protest when several police officers walked in, their expressions grave.

One of the officers scanned the crowd. His gaze lingered on Arianna briefly before settling respectfully on Grandma. "Sorry to disturb your birthday party, Madam Perry.

"We found a female body in Galvan Valley. Preliminary investigations suggest homicide. Some of the victim's characteristics match your granddaughter, Meghan. We hope you and your family will cooperate with further verification."

The words hit like a thunderclap. Grandma's face paled instantly. "What?"

The officer continued, "Meghan's parents and siblings, you need to come with us."

Dad froze in shock. "Officer, there must be a mistake! A lot of tourists have visited Galvan Valley."

Mom shook her head frantically. "That's right. You must have mixed up someone else! My daughter is tough as nails. Nothing could happen to her!"

Brian let out a cold snort, his tone sarcastic. "Well, that jinx was always running around causing trouble. She probably got herself into some mess again. Now, she's even ruining Grandma's birthday party!"

As soon as he said that, Mom shot him a furious glare. "Shut up!"

Grandma stumbled slightly, muttering through trembling lips, "Meg... My Meg..."

She swayed backward, and nearby relatives and friends rushed to steady her.

Mom and Dad forgot everything else, darting over to Grandma's side.

Amid the chaos, Arianna quietly took a few steps back.

Her hands twisted tightly at the hem of her dress as she inched toward the door, almost imperceptibly.

But she'd barely taken a few steps when a police officer stopped her.

"Mom! Dad! Help!" she screamed in desperation.

Mom's eyes widened with panic. "The body you found in Galvan Valley can't be my daughter!

"If you insist on questioning us, fine, we'll go make statements. But leave her alone!

"She's just a kid! If you're trying to scare her, I'll file a formal complaint!"

Even now, Mom was still clinging to her delusions...