I Quit The Birthday Hide-And-Seek

When I floated out of the closet, I saw the closet door bending due to the tight metal wire wrapping around it.

The curve looked like my smile.

That was the version of myself that I hated the most.

The doctor had said that I had Angelman syndrome.

My facial muscles would involuntarily force a strange smile when I was about to cry.

In the living room, I heard their muffled discussion.

To me, their voices sounded like they were underwater.

“By the way, Ruby looks absolutely terrifying. Why were we cursed with such a child?”

My father sounded really tired.

I frowned and shook my head fiercely.

No, that was wrong.

My ears must have fooled me after passing out for that long.

My father loved me the most.

In the past, whenever Jolie Anderson ganged up with other kids to laugh at me for being a fool, I only stood there and smiled no matter what they did to me.

My father would hit her with his belt.

“How dare you laugh?

“If Ruby didn’t let you have the chance to receive treatment, you’ll be the fool now!”

He was right.

Not long after Jolie and I were born, we were both diagnosed with Angelman syndrome.

I had a later onset with milder symptoms.

Hence, when there was only one spot left for the imported medicine trial back then, it was naturally given to Jolie.

My parents said that I could afford to wait until Jolie recovered.

They thought I could wait until they had a little more cash and when they had more time to take care of me.

However, the doctor said it was too late. No medicine could help with my symptoms.

With that, I was forever stuck at the mental age of eight years old.

I hung my head and heard my mother sigh too.

“It’s really tough on Jolie. This is the first time she has had a good birthday after all these years.”

I was suddenly puzzled. Was Jolie not happy every year on her birthday?

Her birthday wish was to have the presents that belonged to me.

I had already given my drawing book and teddy bear to her.

The only thing left was the dress on me.

Was that why my parents had locked me up to punish me?

I subconsciously glanced over at the living room.

It was not the first time I had an out-of-body experience.

Last time, it had happened when I fell into a fountain.

It had also happened when I was accidentally locked outside the balcony by Jolie.

However, for both times, my parents had immediately noticed what happened to me.

Then, they would carry me in their arms anxiously as they ran out.

After a while, I would be able to return to my body.

However, for some unknown reason, I felt a nagging sense of fear.

Before the dining table, my parents were seated on either side of Jolie.

My mother pulled out a piece of tissue paper to wipe the cream off Jolie’s face. She suddenly teared up.

“How I wish Jolie’s my only child.

“Then, we wouldn’t need to eat cake in secret like this!”

My father quickly comforted her.

“I’ve already contacted the countryside. Once we send Ruby away, our lives will return to normal.”

Jolie cheered happily after hearing that.

“Yay! I don’t have to see Ruby ever again!”

I felt a hollow feeling in my heart as I floated mid-air.

It turned out that they were so happy to get rid of me.

I stared at the three of them as they got into a group hug.

I grimaced.

If I did not try to return to my body, would they be so happy forever?