Allan had been drinking and staggered slightly as he walked. “You’re still sensible. If Ada were even half as sensible as you...”
“Wait, I’ll call her down right now to apologize to you. Don’t think she can just leave this house without saying sorry.”
He dialed my number. The phone rang—but the sound came from upstairs.
Allan’s face darkened, as though he had expected it, and he staggered toward my bedroom door.
“Ada, didn’t you say you were leaving? What, changed your mind now?”
“I’m warning you—if you don’t have the guts to leave, then stop threatening me. That nonsense doesn’t work on me.”
Still, I said nothing. Allan grew more irritated, raising his voice in frustration:
“Now you’re ignoring me? Fine, Ada! You’ve really grown bold. If you’ve got the guts, then don’t speak to me ever again!”
He stormed off and slammed the door behind him with a bang.
The anxiety clutching my chest finally eased a little.
I thought he’d notice something—that I wasn’t breathing, that something was wrong.
But he didn’t.
I smiled bitterly. The brother who used to worry over a single lost hair didn’t even notice I’d died right in front of him.
I drifted restlessly through the living room, circling the space, watching the moon fade and the sunrise. Another day had come.
A group of visitors arrived early—several of our cousins.
After our parents passed away, they made an effort to stay close to us. I knew they were trying not to upset Allan.
“Allan, I heard Leigh is getting engaged to the youngest Glen?”
“Yeah, it’s set for next month. Don’t forget to come to the wedding, Third Brother.”
“Of course. We’ll make time for it.”
The other cousins chimed in.
“Leigh’s impressive—getting the Harrison elders to agree. I heard they’re picky, especially with their youngest son’s marriage.”
Allan, proud, poured tea and smiled smugly. “That’s because Leigh is exceptional. Anyone else would’ve been rejected flat-out. No chance of marrying into the Harrison family.”
When it came to Leigh, Allan was never short on praise. He could go on endlessly, head to toe.
But he didn’t mention me at all.
Only my eldest cousin thought to ask. “Where’s Ada? I heard she’s been home a lot lately. Haven’t seen her.”
“Don’t even bring her up,” Allan replied, annoyed. “She’s mad at me, said she’d run away. But when I didn’t react, she’s just sulking in bed.”
“I don’t know where she got the nerve to threaten me. Let’s see how long she plans to lie around.”
His tone shifted sharply at the mention of me, filled with dissatisfaction.
He launched into a long criticism.
I stopped listening. It was the same things: I was selfish, I caused our parents’ deaths, I was a burden—not as kind or obedient as Leigh.
All I wanted now was for him to realize I was dead.
To bury me.
I didn’t want to be tormented by his favoritism for Leigh—even in death.
Fortunately, my eldest cousin soon headed upstairs and opened my door.
“Ada, stop sleeping. Come talk to your cousins.”
Seeing no response, he stepped closer to my bed.
I sat up and waved desperately at him. “Cousin, please, stop—don’t take another step.”
One more step and he’d see the truth:
That I wasn’t breathing anymore.
But just as he was about to reach me—
Someone grabbed his arm.
It was Allan.
His face was full of irritation. “Ada, did you digest all your books like a dog? Your big brother’s talking to you—why aren’t you responding?”
Seeing that I still didn’t move, my eldest cousin’s face showed concern. “Ada might have a fever, otherwise she wouldn’t be this quiet. Let me check her forehead.”
As he spoke, he reached out and placed the back of his hand on my forehead.
