Chapter 2 The Truth Behind the Lie

My family and Willow drove home after the wedding.

I floated in the corner of the living room, watching them take off their shoes as they strode inside.

Lennox and Maya were still carrying bags of gifts they claimed they'd prepared for me long ago.

Meanwhile, Willow held a brand-new document and the diamond ring I'd spent five years preparing to give her.

We'd been in love for five years. We started off innocent and inexperienced, what with having met during college, and eventually transitioned to the steady lifestyle we'd built together as working adults. I'd imagined our future together countless times.

I'd worked hard to build a secure future for us, dreaming of putting a ring on her and spending the rest of my life with her.

Yet, I'd never dreamed that the proposal and future I'd longed for would come crashing down before me in such an absurd way.

Willow stopped outside my bedroom and knocked twice, her slender fingers barely tapping the door.

"Declan, open the door. Stop being difficult," she said softly.

The room remained silent. No one answered.

"Declan, I know you're upset about what happened today. Please open the door. Can't we just talk?"

I stared at the diamond ring sparkling in her hand. The last of my hope drove me to raise my hand, longing to touch the tenderness I'd waited so long for.

Unfortunately, my ghostly fingers passed straight through the cold ring box and the back of her hand. I felt nothing. I couldn't touch a thing.

Willow called my name again and again. She didn't leave even as her patience wore thin.

Sadly, my body continued to lay motionless on the bed. There was no way I could answer her any longer.

Maya approached from the living room, looking displeased.

"All we asked was that he stay home and rest for half a day. What's the big deal? He's making such a scene over it. How immature!"

Willow turned and forced a faint smile, trying to soothe her.

"Please don't be upset. Declan's just jealous because the whole family went out without him. I'll smooth things over with him."

Maya slammed the document onto the coffee table, her eyes turning red.

"I knew something was wrong with him the day he came home! How many times have I explained it to him? If Weston fails his mission, he'll die! And yet Declan insists on arguing and making a scene. I can't believe he would demand attention at a time like this!"

Maya grew more agitated as she spoke, tears streaming down her cheeks.

I instinctively raised my ghostly hand to wipe away her tears upon seeing her tears.

"Mom, I wasn't lying. Weston and I went out together that day. We got into a car accident, and I died at the scene… At least now I won't be a burden to you anymore…" I trailed off in resignation.

Lennox immediately stepped forward and pulled the distraught Maya into his arms, gently comforting her.

"Declan's always been too stubborn for his own good. He'll come around eventually."

Then, Lennox picked up my favorite race car cake from the coffee table and handed it to Weston.

"I'll get your mom upstairs so she can rest. Once Declan opens the door, talk some sense into him. Don't let him get stuck in his own head."

Weston took the cake from him. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll make sure to talk things through with Declan."

Finally, he turned to Willow, wearing a warm, polite smile. "Willow, go get the surprise ready. I'll handle Declan."

Lennox and Maya left the living room, followed by Willow. Weston was left standing alone outside my bedroom in the large quiet space.

His gentle smile slowly faded, and the warmth in his eyes gave way to a cold, dark expression.

"Don't blame me, Declan. You've always been better than me at everything ever since we were kids. Your grades were better than mine, and Mom and Dad only had eyes for you. Even the woman I've had a crush on for years only has eyes for you.

"When I called you a liar and accused you of trying to win everyone's attention, it was never because you'd done anything wrong. You were simply too dazzling, and you kept getting in my way."

I hovered in midair, suddenly realizing the truth.

It took me dying a second time to understand why my family had refused to believe me all along. Weston had carefully set the whole thing up from the start.

Sure enough, Weston suddenly smashed the race car cake into his own face nary a second later, smearing cream across his cheeks.

Then, he clenched his jaw, turned sharply, and brutally slammed his head against the wall beside him.

The dull impact shattered the silence of the living room. Blood immediately welled from his forehead and trickled down between his brows.

His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor. A second later, he burst into loud, anguished sobs.

I had to hand it to him, his cries truly were shrill and pitiful. "I'm sorry, Declan! I was wrong! This is all my fault! If you're angry, hit me or yell at me, but please, don't stay mad at Mom, Dad, and Willow!"