Chapter 4

Mom's smile faded. She pointed at my closed bedroom door. "She's in her room, throwing a tantrum."

Then she raised her voice. "Stella, come out! It's New Year's Day. I'm not going to punish you."

I wanted to shout, "Mom, I'm right here. I don't feel pain anymore. Luna isn't sick anymore, either."

But no one could hear me.

Inside the room, my body was still curled up on the cold floor.

Mom frowned. "Stella, did you hear me? Come out!"

Luna slipped out of Grandma's arms. "Stella, come out! I don't blame you. Grandma misses you."

Mom waited a few seconds, then her expression darkened. "Forget it, Ruby. Just let her be. She's getting more rebellious. We've spoiled her."

Grandma stared at the closed door, then shook her head. "Stella… used to be well-behaved. How did she become like this? Luna is already sick, and she can't even show some consideration…"

My chest instantly tightened.

I wondered if Grandma was disappointed in me too.

Back then, whenever she saw my wounds, she'd secretly wipe away her tears and tell my parents, "You can't do this. It's not fair for Stella."

But now…

After all, it's all my fault. I didn't protect Luna and let those boys bully her.

I wanted to go over and grab Grandma's hand. Just like when I was little, I wanted to rest my head on her lap and tell her that I didn't misbehave. I only gave my life to Luna and wanted her to live.

But I couldn't touch her.

Grandma sighed again and took Luna's hand. "Luna, my sweetheart. You have to stay healthy—"

Suddenly, Grandma's eyes locked on Luna's wristband. "Luna, why is your wristband flashing?"

My soul trembled with excitement. Grandma saw the notification that the lifespan transfer was successful.

They were going to find out that Luna would live a long time. That way, everyone would be happy and have a wonderful New Year's Day!

But Dad only glanced at it. "It's just updating its data. That's normal."

Then, he grabbed his coat. "Mom, Clara, I've already booked the restaurant. Let's have dinner outside. It's more lively."

"How about Stella?" Aunt Clara asked hesitantly.

"Leave her!" Mom said coldly. "She'll come out once she's hungry. Let's go."

I followed them, joining them for one last New Year's Day dinner even though they couldn't see me.

When we arrived at the restaurant, our relatives were already there. The place was packed.

"Oh, Luna's here! Come here and let me take a look at you," said one of the relatives, Aunt Heidi.

"Luna is looking much better! Thank goodness!"

Everyone crowded around Luna, greeting her and asking how she was doing.

I floated among them. No one mentioned me.

The waiters began serving the food. Everyone laughed and chatted. The atmosphere was very lively.

Then, Dad's phone rang.

"Am I speaking to Mr. Carter? I'm calling from the pain-transfer wristband support team. We've detected that the wristband you purchased has completely stopped functioning because—"

Dad hung up without listening to what he was about to say and rushed to Luna's side.

Everyone was freaked out by the words "completely stopped functioning".

Mom lunged at Luna and grabbed her wrist. "Luna, how do you feel? Do you feel any pain?"

Dad looked at her with concern.

The room instantly went silent.

Mom suddenly turned to Dad. "It's Stella! It must be Stella! She broke the wristband. She's trying to kill Luna! How can she be so cruel? We wasted all those years raising her!"

The relatives began to murmur. "Stella seemed like a well-behaved child…"

"She's already six! She should know better by now. How could she do something so reckless?"

Those words stabbed at my heart. They hurt a thousand times more than the wounds I got from the sun.

I didn't… I really didn't break the wristband… I'd only transferred my lifespan to Luna.

"Let's head home now!" Mom held Luna, her eyes red. "I want to see what Stella is trying to do!"

With a grim face, Dad grabbed his coat and followed them.

I floated behind them, watching them rush out of the restaurant.

As soon as they got home, Mom rushed straight to my bedroom door. Without hesitation, she lifted her foot and kicked my bedroom door open.

"Mom, don't go in!" I wanted to stop her. "The way I look now will scare you and Luna!"

But Mom walked right through me.

Her voice was filled with rage. "Stella, are you trying to kill your sister? Why did you—"

Before she could finish, her voice began to tremble.

"St-Stella? What… what happened to you?"