Chapter 1 My heart shattered, but I refused to let it show. Kayden and Francis, my oldest friends–the ones who’d once vowed to protect me–stood across from me, cold and unyielding, with Sharon nestled between them, wide–eyed and innocent as ever. 99 “Maybe if you weren‘ t so distant, we’d still trust you, Francis spat, … Read more
12 “Yuri, Joanne keeps asking me where you are. I don’t want to tell him he hurt you so badly. I don’t want him bothering you after you’ve died, Xavier said as he placed my favorite lilies in front of the grave before walking away. I floated behind him, and just as he was about … Read more
11 I sat on the blank tombstone, looking down at him just as he had looked down at me in his final moments. “Joanne, why are you pretending to be sorry?” I whispered. Joanne’s head snapped up. “Yuri? Is that you?” He stood and scanned the area, searching for me. It was dark now, making … Read more
10 “Then why did you get it back?” Chloe demanded, but when Joanne didn’t respond, she stormed out in anger. Joanne slumped on the sofa, staring at the pink rabbit in his hands. “Do you remember this rabbit?” I asked softly. “You helped me win it on our first date. I’ve kept it all this … Read more
9 In just a few days, my parents appeared to age rapidly. Thankfully, Xavier was there to keep them company; without him, I didn’t know what I would do. “Mom and Dad, I’m an unfilial daughter. I can’t be there to fulfill my duties. In the next life, I’ll work like a slave to repay … Read more
8 The atmosphere was strange. I didn’t understand why Joanne chose to ask that now–did it even make sense? After all, I was dead. I had no way to defend myself when I alive, let alone in this state. Chloe choked up, about to respond, when the phone rang, breaking the tension. My ashes had … Read more
7 Hearing this, I was so furious that I felt like I might explode. Joanne, how shameless can you be? Why do you still want to insult me even in death? It’s as if I never really knew him at all. Joanne took Chloe away with him. I didn’t want to follow, but for some … Read more
6 Joanne knelt in front of my house for three days until he finally passed out and was picked up by Chloe. After he left, my funeral proceeded as planned. Toward the end, Joanne finally arrived. Mom and Dad! Please let me see Yuri!” he pleaded, slamming his head to the ground. but my mother … Read more
5 Joanne stumbled his way into Civic Hospital. He finally understood, finally grasped that the phone call was not some performance I had arranged. But didn’t he want me dead? Who was he doing this for? “Nurse! There was an earthquake today. Can you tell me about the woman who was brought in?” “She’s not … Read more
There was only one death in the magnitude 4 earthquake, and it was due to excessive blood loss. As reporters covered the incident, they expressed their condolences. Chloe and Joanne watched the report intently. Perhaps it was the familiar scene or the clothes that jolted Joanne; I noticed a flicker of shock and worry on … Read more