Semua Bab When I Die: Bab 1 - Bab 7

My family strapped me to the cold metal chair on the fifth day of Vanessa's disappearance."Please, Claire," my mother Mrs. Vitale begged, her voice shaking. "Tell us where Vanessa is."Five years. Five years since I'd returned to this family, and still, my own mother loved Vanessa more than me.When I was six, I vanished from a family gala. The Vitals turned the city upside down trying to search me, till they found nothing. In despair, my parents adopted Vanessa—a replacement daughter. Now that I was back, I'd become the replacement instead."I don't know where Vanessa is!" My voice cracked from days of repeating the same plea.Father smacked a letter against my cheek. "Stop lying! Vanessa's letter makes it clear—you know where she is!"Actually, I'd read the letter. Vanessa's dramatic goodbye: "I'm not your real daughter. I shouldn't steal Claire's place anymore." A masterpiece performance.Across the room, my mother's sobs echoed.Then came the voice that still haunted my dreams—L

Tears streamed down my face—whether from the headache or the flood of memories, I couldn't tell. I forced my eyes open, desperate to escape the past.Dr. Mercer stood over me, taking notes. Around me, my family removed their helmets, their expressions unreadable.Lawrence wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "Look, Vanessa was just a kid being a kid. Don't take it so personally.""Claire, darling," Mother said in a soft tone, "your sister's always been naughty. We'll talk to her."Father cut in, "Doctor, we have two more extractions. Find my daughter first."The doctor bowed. "Please be patient, Mr. Vitale. The subject is remarkably cooperative. I am sure we will succeed."As they reattached the helmets, the machine reactivated with an unstable hum. My mind swam through murky darkness as fragmented memories began to surface.This time, the memory was in Mother's bedroom. She was burning with fever.She lay in bed, moaning softly from time to time.Father was away on business,

The ambulance delivered me to the family's private clinic. Tubes snaked across my body, monitors beeping beside me. I didn't move, didn't speak, not even a string of consciousness remained. My family waited anxiously outside the emergency room.Mother was sobbing. Father stood silent. Lawrence kept demanding answers from the assistant doctor. "What the hell happened? Tell me she'll be fine!""Please remain calm," the assistant doctor reassured him. "The chief physician will explain everything shortly."Then the lead doctor finally stepped out, his expression serious. "She has an advanced brain tumor. It's been growing for a long time. Did anyone notice her collapsing? Nosebleeds? Or headaches?"A heavy silence fell. Then, like a dam breaking, the memories flooded back to them.Mother whispered, "She—she would leave the dinner table suddenly. Vanessa said she was just picky, that she hated our food—"Father held his breath. "At the gala last month, she passed out. Vanessa told everyone

Lawrence shoved Vanessa's gun arm aside. The gunshot rang out—missing its target."How dare you shoot at your father!" Mother screamed.Vanessa's face covered with rage. "You forced me to this! I was supposed to be your only daughter! Then Claire came back—that bitch! Even dead, you still choose her over me! I hate you all!"As she raised the gun again, Lawrence kicked it from her grip with quick speed, twisting her arm behind her back fluently.Vanessa laughed wildly, even as he restrained her. "Or what? You'll lock me up? Hurt me? Go ahead. But remember—you'll lose your only remaining daughter！""This is for Claire," Lawrence yelled in fury. "You're finished."Father didn't hesitate. "Take her back. Lock her in the cellar."Vanessa was dragged to the family cellar and locked away. They made sure she suffered coldness, darkness, and loneliness. Father visited sometimes, and after, her screams lasted hours. But the Vitals had stopped listening. Finally, her cries faded into silence.My