Chapter 1

When I collapsed, the back of my head struck the edge of a table, causing blood to flow ceaselessly.

My vision went dark, and my body was slowly losing warmth.

I struggled with all my might and screamed, "Mom! Help! Save me…"

Yet, the complications I suffered due to my near-death experience at eight years old were now obstructing my attempts to seek help.

I collapsed limply to the floor, my entire body convulsing. I retched as my stomach roiled.

It felt as if my throat was clogged with mud. I couldn't even make a sound.

At the same time, my mother, Andrea Alston, was hugging my younger brother, Evan Gunn, and kissing his forehead with pride written all over her face.

She exclaimed, "You're the best, Evan! I knew you could do it, unlike Jasper, who's always sickly and burdening our whole family. But forget it—we're celebrating today, so let's not mention him anymore."

My chest throbbed with pain, and tears fell from the corners of my eyes.

Mom didn't know that the backup batteries had all long since worn out.

I could never bring myself to mention it because I hated seeing how hard my father, Ethan Gunn, worked to earn money.

I thought that a single battery would be enough, not expecting this sort of situation to happen today.

I did my best to grab hold of the bookshelf near me in an attempt to make some noise that would attract Mom's attention.

A second later, the entire bookshelf came crashing down.

I sighed in relief. With a noise that loud, Mom would definitely come to check in on me.

However, Mom simply startled at the noise and mistakenly assumed that I was throwing a tantrum.

"Jasper Gunn! What are you pulling? I simply borrowed your heart battery for a bit, and you're throwing such a huge tantrum!"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"When did I ever not do right by you? Our whole family is working hard for your sake! We've neglected Evan for ten years to focus on your well-being! Have I still not done enough?" she asked.

She rushed over to my room with keys in hand, planning to open the door. She yelled, "If you have anything to say, tell me to my face! Why are you quiet?"

Unexpectedly, the fallen bookshelf wedged the door firmly shut, and she couldn't get it open no matter what.

"I brought you the heart battery, so open the door, Jasper!"

Yet, I could no longer fill my lungs with air.

I was completely blue in the face, and my lips had turned purple. The corners of my mouth were smeared with vomit.

I tapped on the floorboards with the tips of my fingers in a bid for help, but the sound it made was too faint for Mom to hear.

When Mom failed to receive a response from me, she hurled the battery at my door, trembling with rage.

"So, you're going to be petty, are you? Fine! Are you happy seeing me rage? I sacrificed so much for you, only to end up with such a selfish, self-centered child! I know that you're just jealous that Evan scored better than you! You disappoint me, Jasper!"

My heart had almost stopped beating completely, yet the pain was just as excruciating as ever.

Inwardly, I was yelling frantically, "Mom, no! I scored the highest in the entire city and wanted to surprise all of you with my results! I'm not jealous of Evan!"

But now, the surprise had become a scare.

Evan tugged on Mom's arm and said consolingly, "Mom, don't be angry anymore. I'm here. Jasper's just caught up in the moment. I'll have a word with him later, and things will be fine."

Mom's rage vanished in an instant, and she pulled Evan into her arms.

"My dear Evan, you're my most thoughtful child after all. If only Jasper were half as sensible as you, I'd die happy."

My consciousness slowly faded away, my strength completely exhausted.

My eyelids grew increasingly heavy, and the blood spilling across the floor was close to reaching the door.

Just as I thought my life was about to end, someone opened the front door with a bang, and I heard Dad's voice call out, "Jasper! I'm home!"