Chapter 5

The next morning.

The sunlight was beautiful, golden rays spilling through the villa's floor-to-ceiling windows.

For the living, this was a beautiful day.

For the corpse in the attic, this was a day of decay.

I floated by the attic window, looking at the stiff corpse on the bed.

After one night.

Livor mortis had already appeared on the body.

That white dress hung loosely on the frame, making it look even more eerie.

That face, under the sunlight, was grotesquely terrifying, with white foam still at the corners of the mouth.

The eyes were wide open, dying with grievances unresolved.

There was movement downstairs.

My brother hadn't slept until noon as usual.

He'd even put on a "no-makeup" look, his hair styled perfectly, wearing a cozy beige sweater that made him look warm and harmless.

He held up a selfie stick, flashing a perfect smile at his phone camera.

"Good morning, my Little Universe."

"Today I promised to show you my family—my sister."

The live stream instantly filled with hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Comments flooded the screen:

"So handsome! Love you!"

"Lucas is such a good brother, taking care of his sick sister!"

"I heard his sister's in poor health. That must be hard!"

Mom was downstairs, off-camera, but couldn't help whispering instructions: "Remember not to film her face! Whatever you do, don't film her face! Keep the blanket tight!"

My brother made an OK gesture and put a finger to his lips for the camera.

"Shh—my sister's still sleeping. Little lazy bones."

He lowered his voice with an indulgent tone.

His voice was so tender it made me want to vomit the dinner I didn't eat last night.

He climbed the attic stairs step by step.

Each step landed on the tip of my heart.

The wooden stairs creaked.

Closer and closer.

Closer and closer.

He pushed open the attic door.

Because the windows were sealed shut and the air didn't circulate well.

A strange smell permeated the room.

Mildew, medicine, and a faint trace of... the smell of decay.

My brother clearly smelled it.

He frowned slightly, a flash of disgust in his eyes.

But for the sake of the live stream, he forced himself not to cover his nose and maintained that perfect smile.

"My sister hasn't showered in a few days. She's a bit lazy."

He joked to the camera, trying to ease the awkwardness.

The comments filled with "hahaha" and "brother is so tolerant."

He walked to the bedside.

He didn't kick the bed frame or yell loudly like usual.

Instead, he gently patted the blanket covering "me."

His movements were tender, as if handling a treasure.

"Aria, time to get up for breakfast."

"I brought you milk, and it's still warm."

The person on the bed didn't move.

Only deathly silence.

Comments began appearing:

"Sister seems so aloof."

"Is she uncomfortable from being sick?"

"Don't wake her up. Let her sleep."

To prove their sibling bond and show his meticulous care to his fans.

My brother decided to add more drama.

"Stop being lazy. The sun's shining on your butt."

He smiled and adjusted his phone camera angle, aiming at the lump on the bed.

"Say hi to the fans."

He reached out his hand to pull back the blanket.

I floated in the air, coldly watching all of this.

Lucas.

Since you want to be famous so badly.

Since you want to be the perfect star in your fans' hearts so much.

Then I'll grant your wish.

His hand grabbed the corner of the blanket.

He pulled hard...