Chapter 3

Leo forgot that I was twenty-two now, not an eight-year-old child anymore.

I could read electronic devices, use navigation.

So even without the watch, my soul could find its way home accurately.

The reason I didn't come back, why I stupidly followed the modified location, was because I understood: I was superfluous in this family.

Leo was a terrible actor. When I got lost as a child and was finally found, he would scold me with a stern face, but his voice was full of worry and concern.

It was the same now.

Two days ago, I asked him what was so fun about the small mountain village, and why we weren't going home since New Year's was approaching.

He smiled at me, but his eyes were full of guilt.

"No rush to go home. I finally have time to spend with you, let's enjoy a few more days."

I sensed something was off then, but I didn't say anything.

Until he asked for my watch, saying he wanted to take a picture so he could buy one for Chloe too.

I took off the watch and handed it to him. His fingers trembled as he tinkered with it.

Even after he put the watch back on my wrist, his grim expression didn't improve one bit.

I smiled and asked, "Leo, this watch is so old-school. You should just get Chloe a new one, or she'll be upset."

Leo couldn't even look me in the eye.

"It's fine, we'll just get this one."

I became even more certain he was hiding something.

That night, I took off the watch and inspected it carefully.

Sure enough, I found the location had been changed.

Though on the surface, the address still looked like our home in the city, if you clicked on it and did a quick hack, you'd find the GPS was set to a forest outside Oakwood Village.

Leo probably just picked a random spot, not realizing it was a forest.

My heart plummeted to hell in that instant.

But I didn't go to him, and I didn't ask.

Because I knew he was in a difficult position too.

Chloe always found me unbearable, and with her 'depression,' she'd threaten to kill herself at the drop of a hat.

He'd been torn between me and his biological sister for nearly ten years; it hadn't been easy for him either.

The next morning, Leo didn't come to knock on my door as usual.

I knew he had probably gone home.

So I went out too, following the location on my watch.

On the way, a villager recognized me:

"Aren't you from the city, here on vacation? Your brother left early this morning. Are you leaving too? Where are you headed?"

I swallowed the bitter pill in my heart, forcing a smile. "Home."

The villager frowned.

"The road to town isn't this way. Don't go any further, there are wolves, snakes, and traps in that forest."

I smiled and said, "It's okay, I'll be careful."

Even if it was hell, if Leo wanted me to go, I would.

The villager gave up and went home.

I had planned to leave the watch at the designated spot so Leo wouldn't worry, and then leave the forest to find somewhere else to live.

Who knew I hadn't walked more than a few steps before I fell into a trap.

There was no cell signal, and I couldn't call for help.

I fell into despair, completely helpless.

Even worse, there was a poisonous snake in the pit.

That night, I was bitten and died.

...

"Stella's watch signal is gone!"

Leo's frantic voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

He was staring at his phone, face grim, then he got up to get dressed.

"Stella won't be in trouble, will she? No, I have to go find her!"