Chapter 3

My soul was forced to follow Queenie.

I watched her swallow her pride as she roamed the small park in search of Zayn's lost dog, ignoring the scratches from the branches and the damage to her designer suit.

When the dog was finally found, Zayn invited her to dinner, but she turned him down and said, "Steven is sulking! He still won't see me. I need to buy him some gifts, then coax him in a couple of days. Can't have him upset."

This was the first time Queenie ever turned Zayn down because of me.

If it had been seven years ago, I might have been dancing with joy. Now, all I felt was heartache.

A fleeting shadow of resentment passed through Zayn's eyes. "It's all my fault. Because of my weak body, Steven had to give me one of his kidneys. Queenie, when you go to pick him up in a couple of days, bring me along! I want to thank him in person."

Of course, he wasn't looking forward to thanking me. He wanted to see if I was truly gone.

Queenie gave it some thought and, surprisingly, agreed. "You really should thank him. After all, he saved your life."

Zayn clenched his teeth until his jaw threatened to snap, but he forced a smile and nodded in agreement.

…

Two days later, Queenie arrived at the place I had lived, bringing Zayn, a group of bodyguards, and a carload of gifts.

Mom was already there with Sean, and even my father had rushed over from the construction site in his dirty work clothes, unable to change in time.

Once dignified, he now looked worn and tired. My heart ached.

Queenie, seeing him, pinched her nose in disgust. "I gave you ten million dollars in compensation! How are you still living in such misery?"

I smiled bitterly when I heard that. She hadn't given a dime, and she had deliberately ruined Dad's career as a lawyer, saddling him with massive debt. She even spread false rumors at the high school where Mom used to teach, getting her fired and stripping her of her teaching license.

Seeing Dad's incredulous expression, Queenie didn't bother asking further. In a frustrated tone, she questioned, "Where on earth is Steven? I've already come to get him personally. Tell him to stop playing hard to get."

Dad shook his head helplessly. "I'd like to see Steve too, but he really is dead!"

Queenie pinched the bridge of her nose, holding back her fury. "I admit disappearing on him for seven years was a cruel punishment, so I'll let the supposed affair slide. Once he comes out and apologizes sincerely, it'll be as if it never happened."

She assumed I was avoiding her because of guilt over an affair, but in reality, I was long dead.

Dad handed her a death certificate and said, "Steve's wound had been healing, but it suddenly became infected. Medicine and injections didn't work. Eventually…"

His eyes reddened as he spoke, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.

Queenie froze when she saw the name on the certificate. Her face turned pale.

Zayn, standing beside her, laughed. "Mr. Sutton, stop lying to Queenie to make her worry. My friends told me Steven's alive! And he even has a girlfriend. How could he be dead as you claim?"

I wanted to leap forward and strangle Zayn when I heard that. Queenie was the only woman I had ever been romantically involved with, and besides, he knew exactly why I had died.

Doubt had started to show on Queenie's face, but the moment she heard those words, her face went icy. She tore the death certificate to pieces and threw it at Dad, yelling, "Really? Even now, you dare lie to me!"

With that, she gestured to her bodyguards, then turned to Mom. "Break her other leg!"

"No!" I screamed in despair, but I could do nothing.

The bodyguards ignored Mom's struggles and Dad's protests, breaking her leg with iron rods. Her screams echoed through my ears just as they had seven years ago.

Sean's cries were even more heart-wrenching as he shouted, "Stop hurting my grandma!"

My soul ached, and I fell to my knees, begging Queenie to stop.

Seven years ago, when Queenie had heard my pleas, she generously told them to stop. Now, her eyes were dark with malice as she fixed her gaze on the entrance, grinding her teeth.

"Steven really is ruthless! Even now, he's hiding and won't come out!" she said.

I cried out, "Queenie, I'm here! Please, spare my family!"

Obviously, no one could hear me.

Queenie's cold voice then cut through the air. "Search the apartment. Search every corner! Steven is a devoted son. He won't leave his family behind. There has to be some trace of him!"

She glanced at Mom, unconscious on the ground, and then at Sean, who was crying pitifully beside her.

A streak of malice flashed in Queenie's eyes. I sensed danger and dove in front of Sean to shield him.

But in an instant, Queenie's body passed through me. She yanked Sean by his collar and threw him into a nearby pool.