Chapter 4

"Alice, get up! Your grandma misses you and keeps asking about you. Come out and say hello."

There was no answer from inside the room.

Dad forced a helpless smile at the phone screen.

"Melinda, Alice wore herself out having fun and is fast asleep. I can't even wake her up. Let's try again another time. I'll have her call you back when she wakes up."

After ending the video call, Dad's pleasant expression vanished. He frowned deeply and slammed his phone down on the couch.

"Alice doesn't care one bit about respecting her elders. She's so ungrateful!"

Mom walked over and took Dad by the arm.

She sighed and said, "Alice has such a horrid temper. It's been three days, and she still hasn't eaten or had a drop of water. We need to set some rules.

"We can't let her think that if she locks herself in her room and goes on a hunger strike, the whole family has to beg her to eat. We can't let her get away with this."

My spirit floated near the ceiling and watched Mom and Dad with great interest.

"Oh, please. Daphne only has to skip a few meals to get the whole family fussing over her. I've gone one step further. I never have to eat again! I'm still the best."

Dad took a spare key out of the drawer, then turned the lock with force and shoved my bedroom door open.

A powerful stench hit him as soon as he opened the door. He clamped a hand over his nose and mouth, then stumbled backward.

Dad frowned.

"Alice, did you hide dead rats in your room on purpose to get back at us? You think a dirty trick like this will make us give in? What kind of nonsense goes through your head all day?"

Dad strode into the room.

"No matter what fuss you kick up today, you're cleaning this room yourself! Don't expect your mom to help you."

Mom stood outside the door, pressing her hand tightly over her nose.

"Alice, we've always treated everyone fairly in this family. Who do you think you're punishing with this stunt?

"Even if you stink up the whole room, we're not going to say sorry to you.

"You can only get away with this because you're at home. When you go out into the real world, who'd put up with your attitude? I'm teaching you how to behave!"

Dad thought the room was too dark, so he strode to the window and yanked the curtains open.

Sunlight flooded the room instantly and fell across the bed.

Dad walked over to the bed and looked at the tightly wrapped blanket. He let out a heavy sigh.

"Still pretending to be dead, huh? Fine. Let's see how long you can keep this up. You have three seconds to get up. Don't make me do it for you!"

Dad grabbed the edge of the blanket, ready to drag me up by force.

"Get up now and apologize!"

The moment he pulled back the blanket, Dad froze, and his eyes widened in shock.

He swallowed hard and fell to his knees beside the bed.