Chapter 2

I finally arrived at the new house.

I wasn't worthy to be here while alive, but maybe I could at least visit now that I'm gone.

Wow, this place was beautiful.

As I gazed at Dad, Mom, and Siena, my heart ached. I never even got to see them one last time before I died.

Mom didn't seem happy, though. She frowned, looking confused. "What's going on today? I was winning big earlier, but I ended up losing everything!"

Dad grumbled, "Same here! I was just one number away from winning the lottery! I was so close! This is driving me crazy!"

Siena joined in, yelling, "Me too! I've been losing non-stop in the game I'm playing. I can't win no matter what!"

I froze, instantly sensing trouble.

Over the past ten years, I had become quiet. I didn't even dare smile. I was just like a shadow in this house.

If Siena broke a cup, they'd naturally look at me.

When Dad's business wasn't going well, the house's low energy turned into silent judgment directed at me.

I learned to lower my head before they even sighed.

At meals, I was always the last to sit at the table. I also took the least amount of food.

If anything good happened—graduations, raises, even winning a pair of socks in a supermarket raffle—I would immediately retreat to my room.

I feared my happiness would cancel out their good luck.

This time, it wasn't me. I was already dead. How could I affect them now?

Yet, it seemed that their beliefs were deeply ingrained.

As expected, Mom's face grew darker, as if she had figured something out.

"It must be Sharon! What has that brat done now? That jinx! She won't stop until she ruins us!"

I shook my head desperately. "It's not me! Really, it's not! I've already suffered enough."

Siena was furious. "It's definitely Sharon. She's such a jinx! Mom, don't let her come here! If she does, we're doomed!"

I turned away in despair, heading toward my room to check it out. I had been so excited about my new room here.

In the old house, my room was always dark and damp as hell.

However, after circling the house, I couldn't find it.

Finally, in a cramped storage room, I found a pitiful little bed.

This room was even worse than my old one. It didn't even have a window, and I couldn't see the fireworks.

The bitterness in my chest hit its peak.

They really didn't want to make things any better for me.

When I went back to the living room, I heard Mom trying to call me on the phone.

Unsurprisingly, no one picked up.

I told Mom in my mind that I was already dead. They wouldn't be unlucky anymore.

"That jinx! She won't even pick up the phone! She's definitely hiding something." Mom angrily hung up the phone.

"Mom, don't send her food, and don't give her any money. Let her starve for a few days. That's the only way our luck will turn around."

Mom's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "I'll go to sleep, then go back to playing poker tomorrow. My luck's bound to change!"

I was shocked and yelled out loud, "No! I'm dead! If you don't deal with my body soon, it'll start to smell! Please, just come check on me!"

Of course, they couldn't hear me, and they went off to sleep.

Helpless, I went back to the old house.

I looked at my stiff body. My face was no longer just pale. It was turning black.

I sighed.

I felt bad for myself, but maybe it was better this way. At least now I wouldn't have to suffer anymore.

I wouldn't have to live so cautiously and face their indifference, blame, and insults.

They also no longer had to worry about me affecting their luck.