Chapter 4

Luna's POV

Mom had raised her phone, but it wasn't aimed at me. Instead, she was aiming it at Stella.

"You look so pretty, my dear Stella. Do another pose. That's right. It's no wonder you're my daughter," she said.

A long time passed before I slowly floated behind Stella as Mom continued to shower her with praise. I tried a few times, but I couldn't bring myself to smile as wide as before. In the end, I just looked at the camera and held up a peace sign.

Mom snapped the photo. Tears spilled down my face even though I was smiling. My voice sounded light even to my own ears as I mumbled, "This is still the first time that you're taking a photo of me, Mom."

Unfortunately, although it was the only time that she had taken a photo of me, I didn't show up in the photo.

I silently floated behind Mom and Stella, watching as they tried different games and rides that I hadn't seen before. The huge clock tower in the middle of the amusement park kept ticking. Finally, when the clock struck 12, fireworks exploded in the sky.

Mom kissed Stella's cheek as the fireworks exploded overhead.

I just watched them this time. I didn't try to move closer like I would in the past, vaguely realizing that I seemed to have died.

In the past, Mom was the only one whose hearing seemed to be faulty. Everyone else could still hear my voice. However, at that moment, it seemed that no one could hear me. My mind spun, but my body was drawn to Mom against my will. I couldn't leave even if I wanted to.

When the fireworks show ended, Mom and Stella walked past a shoe shop that was having a sale. Mom suddenly halted her footsteps.

Stella stumbled a little when Mom suddenly stopped walking. She pouted in displeasure and asked, "What are you doing, Mom? Why did you suddenly stop walking?"

Mom hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why don't we buy a pair of leather shoes for Luna? I think she mentioned several times that there are holes in her shoes. We could buy a pair of shoes for her to compensate her.

"If not, she's going to make that face—the one that says the whole world owes her—if she finds out that I took you out to play by yourself."

Stella bit into her popsicle. She frowned impatiently upon hearing Mom's words, saying, "No need for that. It's not the first time we've left her at home and gone out to have fun by ourselves. She would have caused a fuss a long time ago if she wanted to.

"Besides, you can just pretend to be deaf just like before if she does question you. She's a fool anyway. You've lied to her for so many years that she actually believes that there's something wrong with your hearing!"

Mom's expression suddenly stiffened.

I blinked and also froze on the spot.