Chapter 2

I died on New Year's Day.

My soul floated out of my body and drifted back home. Finally, I understood why Leo had suddenly wanted to take me on that trip.

It turned out the "real" daughter, Chloe, wanted to celebrate New Year's without me.

The dinner table was filled with laughter and warmth; Chloe was the happiest.

"With her gone, the food tastes so much better!"

Mom and Dad looked embarrassed, and Leo frowned slightly.

"Why don't you like Stella? She never bothered you, and she's always been so considerate."

Chloe's eyes flashed with annoyance, and she raised an eyebrow, retorting:

"Why do I need a reason? Do I have to be bullied to dislike someone?"

Leo fell silent.

Ever since Chloe was found, she'd been diagnosed with depression.

At home, she was the princess, her word was law.

The slightest inconvenience, and she'd threaten to kill herself.

No one dared cross her. When I was alive, I even walked around her.

"What, you all miss her, huh?"

Seeing no one speak, Chloe threw down her forks.

"I just don't get it. I'm your real daughter! What's so great about that fake anyway?"

The atmosphere at home instantly grew heavy. Mom quickly grabbed Chloe's hand, gently soothing her:

"Chloe, don't be upset. We don't like her. It's just... we're a little unaccustomed."

"If you even mention her again, I'm running away!"

Chloe's face completely darkened. She yanked her hand away from Mom.

"If you miss her so much, then just bring her back!"

"We're not..."

"I just wanted to celebrate New Year's without her! What's so wrong with that?!"

Mom's comforting words were cut short as Chloe's emotions flared.

"I'm the victim here! She grew up in this family, enjoying everything that should have been mine. I just hate her!"

"I'm begging you, just leave her alone! I'm seriously going to break!"

Saying this, she covered her face, tears instantly flowing.

Mom and Dad's faces went pale with worry, trying desperately to comfort her.

Only Leo frowned. "For you, I changed Stella's GPS watch location."

"If she gets lost and something happens, we're all responsible."

Mom shot Leo an angry glare, signaling him to stop talking.

Chloe took her hands from her face, her chin jutted out, demanding:

"What could possibly happen to a grown person? Is she going to die or something?"

Her emotions were clearly spiraling out of control.

Leo stared at her, his face grim, for a long moment, then finally sighed.

"Let's just leave it for now. After New Year's, I'll go pick her up myself."

Chloe immediately broke into a satisfied smile.

And I, floating in the air, let out a bitter laugh.

Chloe's words were prophetic. I really was dead.