Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, the world felt light.

No pain.

No heaviness.

I looked down and saw with horror that I was floating in midair.

On the floor lay a curled-up corpse wearing ill-fitting pajamas, clutching that white dress.

That was my corpse.

But I didn't have time to worry about that.

I raised my hand and saw pale, slender fingers.

I touched my face—the skin was smooth and delicate, the bridge of my nose high.

I rushed to the mirror.

The mirror reflected the vibrant, youthful Aria from seven years ago!

No scars, no grotesque red flesh.

I was healed?

Overwhelming joy instantly went to my head. I thought this was a gift from heaven, a miracle.

Was that fire just a nightmare?

Had I never been disfigured?

"Mom! Lucas!"

I shouted excitedly.

I wore that white dress, barefoot, rushing downstairs like a happy butterfly.

I wanted to surprise them.

I wanted to tell Mom I'd become that beautiful daughter again, that she could hold me now.

I wanted to tell my brother I wasn't a monster anymore, that I could stand by his side now.

The living room downstairs was brightly lit.

Mom sat on the leather sofa, handing a document to my brother with an expression as serious as if discussing a multi-million dollar deal.

Yasmin had already left.

"Send your sister to a nursing home."

Mom's voice was ice-cold.

I stopped at the stairwell, the smile on my face instantly freezing.

What?

A nursing home?

"That reality show is coming to film the pilot episode at our house next week. They'll need to install cameras throughout the house."

Mom tapped the document's terms. "She's a ticking time bomb here. If they catch her on camera, your image will be ruined."

My brother sat across from her, playing with a lighter.

"Mom, wouldn't that be too heartless?"

He frowned slightly, hesitating. "She only became like that because she saved me... And as long as she doesn't leave the attic..."

"Can you guarantee staying in the attic is foolproof?"

Mom cut him off, her voice rising. "Didn't Yasmin see her yesterday? Scared her half to death! Lucas, you're a top star! Your face is your livelihood!"

"If your fans found out you keep a monster sister at home, your commercial value would be finished! What would your sponsors think? They'd consider it bad luck!"

Monster.

Bad luck.

These words from Mom's mouth burned hotter than that fire.

My brother fell silent.

Finally, he nodded and tossed the lighter on the coffee table.

"Okay, Mom. I'll do what you say."

He paused, then added, "But don't let her know. Just have someone take her away directly. Send her far away so the media can't dig it up."

I stood between them, trembling all over.

So the so-called "family" had no room for me anymore.

So in their eyes, I wasn't just a burden—I was a bomb that needed to be disposed of.

"I won't go!"

I rushed to the coffee table, screaming at the top of my lungs. "This is my home! I'm not a monster! I'm Aria!"

I reached for the document on the table, wanting to tear it up.

But.

My hand passed right through the paper.

My brother stood up and walked straight through my body, reaching for his water glass.

He didn't notice a thing.

He just felt a cold breeze and hunched his shoulders.

"Is the AC too high?" he muttered.

I stared blankly at my hands.

Translucent.

No substance.

I turned around and looked toward the stairwell.

There was no shadow of me there.

Overwhelming despair flooded over me like a tide.

Only then did I understand.

There was no miracle.

I was already dead.

I'd become a wandering ghost.