Chapter 3

I didn’t go home. I drove to the cemetery.

After burying Lily, the System’s voice echoed in my mind.

It sounded urgent. “Host, you have three hours until erasure. Aren’t you going to fight for it?”

I shook my head, calmly accepting my fate.

Unconsciously, nine years had passed since I arrived in this world.

Nine years. I was so tired of living.

I couldn’t count how many times Serena had pierced my heart.

Last month, on our ninth wedding anniversary, she actually agreed to celebrate with me for the first time.

Lily was thrilled, clapping and cheering.

I was so excited I couldn’t sleep all night. The next day, I woke up early and prepared roses, candles, a necklace, and a table full of all her favorite dishes.

I truly believed that our little family of three would finally have a happy meal together. But then, she suddenly received a SnapChat message about Julian having a stomachache. In a panic, she rushed out to bring him medicine.

Before she left, she condescendingly tossed me a, “Happy anniversary.”

As always, I swallowed my resentment. I didn’t stop her.

I didn’t want to argue in front of Lily.

Sensing my disappointment, Lily decisively FaceTimed Serena.

She sweetly asked, “Mommy, Daddy seems a little unwell. Can you come back and keep him company?”

Serena roared at her, “Did your dad tell you to say that?! You’re so young, and you’re already learning to lie and trick people with your dad!”

“I don’t have time for him right now! Don’t bother me!”

Lily quickly covered the microphone, afraid I’d hear and be sad.

Even though her mom had just yelled at her and she felt a little wronged, she acted like a tiny adult, comforting me. “It’s okay, Daddy. Don’t be sad. Lily is here to keep Daddy company.”

My eyes stung, and I fought back tears. “With Lily here, Daddy isn’t sad.”

Countless incidents like this had left my heart shattered and riddled with holes. It was only Lily’s love that had kept me going.

Now that Lily was gone, I truly couldn’t bear it anymore.

Before I died, I FaceTimed my friend Caleb to tell him I was leaving this world.

I gave him the cemetery address, asking him to bury me next to Lily.

Father and daughter, side by side, neither of us alone.

“I never truly belonged in this world. Leaving… isn't it a kind of release?”

“Is it because of Serena?”

I didn’t confirm or deny it.

He quickly understood, his voice husky with emotion. “You brat, don’t you dare forget me, even when you’re gone.”

“If, and I mean *if*, Serena ever asks about me, just tell her to come to Lily’s and my grave.”

The System and I had agreed: after my death, I would lose my physical body and become a wisp of a soul, able to float around Serena.

Perhaps it was out of stubbornness, but I desperately wanted to know Serena’s reaction when she learned the truth.

Would she repent?

Would she admit her mistakes?

Or would she remain indifferent, unbothered?

After hanging up, I received a SnapChat message from Serena.

“Where are you? Come pick me up at the hospital, now.”

“I’m coming home, alright?”

Her imperious tone made it sound like her willingness to return was some colossal act of grace.

Out of spite, I typed out one last message:

“When you get home, don’t open the closet in Lily’s room. I’m afraid you’ll regret it when you see what’s inside.”

She replied quickly.

“What are you rambling about? What is there for me to regret?”

Serena kept messaging me, urging me to pick her up, but she never got another reply.

By the time she FaceTimed me, I was already dead.

That feeling of being ripped from my physical body… it was truly unbearable.

I floated over to Serena.

To my surprise, she hadn’t stayed at the hospital to care for Noah. She actually intended to go home.

After waiting for my call to go unanswered, she reluctantly called a cab.

As soon as she got in, she received a call from Lily’s school teacher.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Serena, I know you’re busy, but Lily’s father’s phone has been unreachable, so I had no choice but to call you.”

“We teachers are all very saddened by Lily’s passing. Please accept our condolences. When do you have time to come to the school to pack up her belongings?”

Serena’s eyes glazed over, her mouth agape. She couldn’t utter a single word for a long moment.

“Hello? Mrs. Serena, can you hear me?”