Chapter 1

I died on my birthday, right as the candle melted into a pool of wax.

I thought death would end everything, but it didn't. Somehow, I became an invisible and intangible wisp of a ghost drifting through the world.

I always found myself uncontrollably drifting back to my ex-girlfriend, Audrey Hades. I watched her pull a failing company back from the brink of bankruptcy and build it all the way to a successful IPO. She transformed from a workplace novice to a rising star of the business world.

I watched her for three years straight, but she was never aware. She only knew that her fiancé—Sebastian Knox—had always been by her side.

I'd witnessed his frequent cheating affairs when he was out without her.

One day, I drifted with Audrey to a hotel she owned. A huge banner over the entrance read "Warm Congratulations to Hades Corporation on its Successful IPO."

It was her celebration party, and ironically, my birthday.

A few managers rushed out before she even reached the door, all with smiles and nods. Who would have thought these were the same people who'd once made her life difficult?

Behind Audrey stood a massive tiered cake, decorated with intricate piping. It was identical to the one I'd bought before I died. The memories hit me so hard that sharp pain spread through my body.

Suddenly, a shrill cry cut through the air. It was Audrey's voice.

Fighting the discomfort, I looked down and noticed that someone had accidentally spilled champagne all over her. Though his head was bowed low, I recognized the man at once. It was my younger brother, Ethan Stone.

Audrey seemed to recognize him too. "Ethan? What are you doing here?"

Ethan remained stubbornly silent and kept his head down.

Audrey let out a cold laugh. "Have you fallen so low that you're waiting tables now? Did Lucas Stone really ditch you after landing his sugar mommy?

"He's really ruthless to discard his little brother just to live off a woman."

Ethan pressed his lips together and said nothing. I knew he wanted to speak the truth, but he was holding back for my sake.

Audrey glanced at her assistant—Sarah Miller—who immediately understood. Sarah began mocking me by calling me a kept man. With her leading the tone, others joined in with the insults.

Eager to curry favor, a manager stepped forward. "We should celebrate Ms. Hades' escape from that dead weight. Though I have to say, Lucas' brother has the looks of a kept man himself."

He gave Ethan a once-over before continuing, "Didn't Lucas introduce you to a rich woman you can latch onto? You future kept man?"

His words drew light laughter from Audrey.

Pushed past his limit, Ethan grabbed the remaining champagne and dumped it over the sycophantic manager, who erupted. He shrieked and slapped his hands dramatically.

"Don't you dare talk about Lucas like that!" Ethan yelled.

He tried to lunge at the manager again to teach him a lesson, but a guard off to the side got him under control.

Audrey watched him struggle and turned to tell the guard, "Take him away and fire him."

As Ethan fought against the guard, he shouted at Audrey as they dragged him away, "You'll regret this!"

I drifted and followed him out, only to find him in a dim corner of the building. He was slumped against a wall and sobbing uncontrollably.

By then, I was weeping too. I wanted to wipe his tears away, but I was just a ghost who couldn't do anything.

For three years, I'd helplessly watched as Ethan suffered, over and over again.

…

Drifting in the air, I silently followed Ethan home. Throughout the journey, he was so distraught that a car nearly ran him over.

In that split second, I reached out to yank him back with all my might, but my hand passed straight through his body. I couldn't touch him at all.

Fortunately, the driver slammed on the brakes in time.

When he finally made it home, he collapsed onto the couch, looking utterly drained. My heart ached at the sight because this wasn't how he used to be.

A knock came at the door, and he forced himself up to answer it.

It was the property manager, who apologetically said, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Stone. This area is scheduled for demolition, so we'll need you to move out soon."