Chapter 2

Hope flared anew in my heart. Dad loved me the most, so he would definitely make it his first priority to check in on me.

The sound of footsteps drew closer.

I curled up and struggled to open my eyes through the excruciating pain.

It almost felt like some warmth had returned to my body.

However, before Dad could get close, Evan ran over and threw himself into Dad's arms.

"Dad, you're finally back! I missed you!" he shouted.

Dad frowned and was just about to push him away when Mom piped up with a smile, "Evan did quite well in his college entrance exam. He might be able to get into an elite college."

Dad replied happily, "Really? That's great! What would you like as a reward, Evan? I'll buy it for you."

Evan pursed his lips and said with a laugh, "So long as you and Mom are healthy, there's no better reward in my eyes!"

Dad looked moved, while Mom wiped tears from the corners of her eyes.

Meanwhile, I was lying in a pool of blood on the other side of the door.

I wanted to call for help, but the metallic yet sickly sweet blood clogging my throat prevented me from saying anything.

Dad looked around before finally asking, "Why don't I see Jasper? Is he alright?"

Mom pursed her lips and replied, "Jasper? He's sulking in his room because he's envious of Evan's grades. He thinks he's above everything now. He completely refused to answer me no matter how much I yelled at him."

After a moment's silence, Dad sighed and walked over to knock on my room door.

"Jasper, it's me, Dad. Could you please open the door? I bought your favorite cake for you. It's alright if you didn't score well on your test. I'll always love you anyway."

Behind the door, I was completely covered in blood, and my face was a dangerous purple.

Tears mingled with blood slid beneath the collar of my shirt.

I thought, "I'm sorry, Dad. It's my fault. I shouldn't have been a burden on all of you. I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."

Still, no sound came from my room.

After waiting a moment, Mom finally couldn't stop herself from kicking the door harshly.

"Jasper Gunn! Did you die in there or something? Where are your manners? Your father's talking to you, yet you're completely ignoring him! He's suffered so much for your sake! Is this how you repay him?"

I couldn't help but scream inwardly, "Mom! Open the door, and you'll be able to see me!"

Dad hurriedly restrained Mom and said, "Keep your voice down. Jasper's still in a foul mood."

Mom grabbed hold of him and led him back to the master bedroom.

"Let's all ignore him and go! He can put on airs all he wants! I'll be impressed if he can really refuse to talk to us for the rest of his life!"

The sound of their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

I'd used up the last of my strength.

My artificial heart beat one last time in my chest before stopping forever.

When I next opened my eyes, I was no longer lying on the floor.

I felt weightless, and the pain that'd been tormenting me for such a long time was completely gone. Warmth surged through my chest, and I rushed toward Mom and Dad.

"Mom, Dad, I'm no longer sick! I won't be a burden to you both anymore!" I cried.

However, my hand passed straight through Mom's body.

I looked at my translucent fingertips, belatedly realizing that I was already dead.

Mom was sobbing with her hands over her face.

"Is Jasper trying to be the death of me? How am I supposed to go on if anything happens to him?" she asked in a choked voice.

I bit my lip, reaching out to try and wipe her tears away.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Don't cry. It's my fault for always making you worry."

Yet, my fingers slipped straight through her face.

Mom looked up abruptly, her expression vacant, and asked, "Ethan, you don't think something's happened to Jasper, do you? This won't do! I have to check on him!"

Dad stood up alongside her.

"How's that possible? Don't overthink it," he said.

Just then, Evan stealthily flipped the circuit breaker back into position in the living room.

He hung his head and whispered apologetically, "Jasper, please don't blame me. I just wanted Mom and Dad to look my way. I'm sorry."

I looked on in shock. After a while, I smiled bitterly.

It turned out that the power outage was a lie fabricated by Evan.

A moment later, Evan abruptly lifted his hand and slapped himself hard. He staggered two steps back, willed himself to shed tears, and then ran crying to my parents.

"Mom! Dad! Jasper hit me!" he wailed.