Chapter 1

Three years after I died, Stella Porter finally remembered I existed.

She was crushing it in business now, while I was stuck as a ghost with no shot at reincarnation.

She showed up at my place, eyes sweeping the empty living room. Then, sharp as ever, snapped at my mom, "Tell Kyle Johnston to get out here."

Mom shook, barely getting the words out. "My son's already dead."

Stella laughed, cold and fake. "Dead? Kyle? Please. He's too selfish to die. Let me guess—Harvey's dying, and now Kyle's playing dead to guilt-trip me?"

She shoved past her and started tearing through the house.

Didn't matter how hard she looked. I wasn't there.

Mom just stood there and said, "Kyle really is dead. You want proof? Go visit his grave."

Stella's face twisted. "You really think this stunt's gonna work? If he doesn't show and sign the papers, don't blame me when your meds stop coming, old lady."

Mom didn't say a word.

Stella scoffed, dropped the divorce papers on the table.

"Keep playing tough. It's useless. Get his signature in three days, then call me. We'll wrap this up at the courthouse. If not..."

Her stare turned icy—colder than I'd ever seen. "Don't count on surviving."

She slammed the door so hard the walls shook. I just stood there, drowning in silence.

She was seriously willing to threaten my mom just for a divorce.

But in Mom's eyes, there was this quiet warmth I'd never noticed before. She didn't say a word, just waited for Stella to leave, then pulled out this old photo of me as a kid from the drawer.

Her fingers traced my face. "Kyle, Mama's coming to be with you soon," she whispered.

There was no way I could divorce Stella.

And yeah, just like that, a few days later, she cut off all of Mom's medical support.

My mom was old, with serious heart issues, high blood pressure, diabetes—so many complications.

Treatment could've kept her going.

But only I knew—she hadn't taken a dime from Stella in three years.

The illness was in her bones by then. She'd been ready to go for a while, but she couldn't let herself.

Not when her son, who gave everything, was treated like garbage.

So she held on. Stayed alive for one reason—waiting for Stella to actually regret it all.

***

A week went by. Mom didn't say a word.

Stella finally snapped and called her, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Your son's really pulling a move—using you for sympathy to dodge a divorce. I'm telling you, even if you drop dead, I won't feel a thing! Tell Kyle to sign already!"

Mom clutched my photo tight, nails digging into her palm.

"Stella," she said quietly, "I told you. Kyle's already dead."

Stella let out a cold laugh.

"Fine, play it that way. You think he can hide forever? If he won't come out, I'll drag him out myself."

Bitterness hit me hard.

You wanna find me?

God, I wish you could.

But when you do... I hope you're ready for what you find.

Then, a weak male voice cut in on the call, followed by a cough.

"Stella, did Kyle say anything? Is he mad? Is he... waiting for me to die?"

Stella quickly set the phone down and leaned toward him.

"Don't worry, just rest. I'll divorce him and marry you."

Harvey Arden shook his head, voice barely holding together.

"I know Kyle must hate me. And he should. I'm not trying to steal you—I just want you with me before I go."

Every word felt real. Every word hit like a punch.

Like I was the one wrecking someone else's love story.

And I knew—Stella would never choose me.

"Harvey, seriously? I love you. Kyle doesn't even deserve to be in the picture. Don't worry—if I have to, I'll dig up his corpse myself and get that signature."

She made sure to say it loud, just so Mom would hear. Then she hung up, ice-cold.

The dial tone hung in the air like a slap.

I felt it—Mom's heart cracking wide open.

But she stood up anyway, wiped her tears, and smiled through the pain.

"It's alright, Kyle. I'll be with you very soon."