“How’s the act going to end this time? Is he going to pretend to be a corpse again to scare us?”
“No, you won’t see him again. I already cremated him and scattered his ashes at sea.” Clara tugged her sister’s arm. “Sis, let’s just ignore Ethan. He’s putting on this grand show because we’re watching. If none of us react, he can’t keep acting.”
My father snapped angrily, “From now on, stay in your room and reflect on what you’ve done! When you finally come to your senses, apologize to your brother—or don’t eat!”
“Bear the pain, no matter how much it hurts. We won’t call a doctor until you apologize to him!”
With that, everyone crowded around Lucas and left together.
At the door, Lucas turned back and mouthed, You’ll never beat me.
Facing his taunt, I felt no anger anymore.
Because soon, I’d finally leave this place—return to my real world, reunite with Noah, and live the carefree life my brother promised me.
At first, I wanted to die quietly in my room. But after what they did, I decided to disgust them one last time.
I climbed onto the roof of the villa, overlooking the huge swimming pool below.
My family was laughing, tossing a ball in the pool with Lucas.
I sat at the roof’s edge, pulled out a fruit knife, pressed it to my wrist’s artery, and slashed without hesitation.
Blood gushed instantly.
Someone screamed from below, “Someone’s going to jump!”
Everyone looked up.
Mom panicked. “Ethan! What are you doing? Come down!”
Dad sneered. “Ignore him! Even if he jumps, he’s not forgiven until he apologizes to Lucas!”
My sister frowned. “Ethan, isn’t this act over yet? We’re sick of it!”
Lucas cried again. “Why’s Ethan doing this to me? Is he trying to prove I hurt him by dying?!”
“I can’t defend myself anymore—might as well die too!” Clara hugged him. “Lucas, that’s exactly what he wants.”
Then she yelled at me, “If you’re going to jump, then jump already! Stop pretending!”
“If you dare jump, I, Clara, will take your surname!”
As blood drained from me, my vision blurred.
With my last strength, I shouted, “Then listen carefully—my surname is Harris!”
And I jumped, crashing into the pool like a stone. Blood splashed, dyeing the water crimson.
I floated face down, blood blooming around me, staining the pool red.
