A vendor was enthusiastically introducing his
products and then he mentioned me.
“Your older daughter is really a good person.
Last time, I felt a little unwell and almost
fainted. She was the one who sent me to the
hospital. I wanted to thank her, but I can’t
find her.”
Г
“Go ahead and pick whatever you want. It’s
free. Consider it as my thank you to her.”
“You are so lucky. I would be the happiest
person if I had such a kind kid!”
Mom’s expression was stiff. She was
uncomfortable hearing people praise me.
She was more accustomed to the praise of
Kevin and Brittany.
“She’s not that great. She is very rebellious
towards our family.”
The vendor chuckled. “Kids can be like that,
throwing tantrums is just their way of asking
for attention. As adults, we need to be more
understanding.”
く
Mom looked stunned, her face slightly pale.
She had never treated me like a child, and
she had never been understanding toward me.
Then, the phone rang. It was the police.
She finally knew I was dead!
I floated in front of my mom, watching her
expression.
Mom, are you sad? Are you suffering?
But I saw nothing.
Her face was calm. After buying the
groceries, she went home silently.
I laughed at myself.
<
I shouldn’t have expected anything!
Mom, you really don’t love me at all.
I hate you so much!
The Funeral Home
Everyone gathered at home, sitting in silence.
Only my mother was running around. She was
cleaning, doing the dishes, never stopping.
Until the plate she was holding slipped,
shattering into pieces. The loud crash echoed
in the silence.
She stared at her bleeding finger, dazed.
Dad said angrily, “Enough! Stop acting like
this! We need to go and bring her body
back.”
“Dad, why are you so mad? It wasn’t Mom’s
fault.”
Brittany pouted, walking over to comfort
Mom.
“Everything happened so suddenly, Mom. It
scared you, right? Don’t be sad. You still have
99
me.”
Mom looked at her. Her younger daughter
had a perfect makeup, and she was vibrant
and beautiful.
She was nothing like me. I always went out
barefaced, cool and aloof.
<
Her eyes flickered and for the first time, she
didn’t respond to her daughter.
Usually, she would have praised her to show
her appreciation.
Brittany bit her lip, her outstretched hand
frozen in the air.
Early the next morning, they went to the
police station.
The police offered a few words of comfort
and then took them to see my body.
“The perpetrator threw the body in the lake. A
fisherman found the body by chance.”
When the white sheet was pulled back, I was
unrecognizabile
Г
My body was swollen, with a lot of rotten
flesh, it was so gruesome.
Brittany immediately turned away, covering
her mouth and almost threw up.
Kevin and my dad also gasped and turned
away, unable to look.
Only my mom was staring, unblinking,
scanning every inch of my wounds.
The police sighed, briefly explaining the
situation.
“The perpetrator’s name is Mark, he has been
arrested. He is a loner. He has some
psychological issues. He has been observing
your daughter for a month, it was a
premeditated act of revenge.
99
<
“The reason seems to be related to your
younger daughter!”
When Brittany heard his name, she panicked. “Officer, it’s not my fault. I broke up with him years ago, and I haven’t had contact with him
since.”
“I’m married now. You can check!”
The police nodded but had a policewoman
take her away for questioning.
“Where is he? I want to see him.”
