Chapter 1

From the moment I could remember, Mom called me a slut.

She'd say I was shameless, always trying to seduce my own father, stealing my mom’s man.

She’d curse me for being indecent, dressing like a tramp, always trying to pick up any guy I met.

The night before my college entrance exams, I called her, begging for help.

“Mom, please save me!”

All I got in response was the cold, unfeeling sound of a busy signal. She’d hung up on me.

A cold, desolate smirk twisted my lips.

I looked at the man behind me, his hands reaching out, contorted in a grotesque leer. I turned, and leaped from the high-rise building.

Yet, my mom, who had always hated me, went completely insane after learning of my death.

She dragged the killer, frantic, demanding he join me in my grave.

Perhaps my obsession was too deep; my soul didn't dissipate after I died.

I watched my own body, shattered and broken from the fall.

Yet, an inexplicable joy bubbled up inside me.

I was dead. Mom could finally be happy, right?

After all, she’d always loathed me, never once showing affection.

She had accused me more than once of being manipulative, saying she’d only find peace once I was dead.

Now, her wish had come true.

I drifted towards the house, hoping for one last glimpse of my mom.

Even if she didn't love me.

I don't know how much time passed, but I finally arrived at the home I hadn't stepped foot in for ages.

Mom was just as I remembered, quietly reading a book, radiating a gentle warmth.

I stood there, frozen, terrified of disturbing the scene.

I’d forgotten I was dead, afraid to even breathe too loudly.

It had been so long since I'd seen Mom not in a rage.

The few times I did see her, I had to carefully hide myself, peeking from a distance.

Mom, in my memories, had endless reprimands for me, and an unquenchable anger.

Over time, I slowly understood that she didn't like me.

I pushed down my disappointment, trying my best in everything, hoping to win her favor.

But no matter how much I did, I was eventually cast out of the house.

A sharp ache stung my eyes.

But I couldn't blink away tears like I used to.

My voice trembled as I carefully called out to her.

“Mom.”

Mom looked up, her gaze sweeping in my direction.

There was no trace of the disgust I was so used to, just simple confusion in her eyes.

It was the look I had yearned for every time I called her name.

My breath hitched, and my eyes widened involuntarily.

Mom, could she see me?

But instead of meeting my hopeful gaze, Mom looked right past me.

“What is it, Mrs. Jenkins?”

My body stiffened, and I let my hand fall, crestfallen.

Right. I was already dead, just a lonely ghost now.

How could Mom possibly see me?

“Mr. Vance said there’s an urgent matter at the company; he needs to travel out of state. He asked you to go to bed early, ma’am.”

Mrs. Jenkins delivered the message but didn't leave, hesitating before asking quietly.

“Ma’am, tomorrow is Lily’s college entrance exams. Do you... want to call her and give her some encouragement?”

Hearing Mrs. Jenkins’ words, I lifted my bowed head, a flicker of light reigniting in my eyes.

Even knowing how unlikely it was, I clung to that tiny shred of hope.

What if?

What if, deep down, Mom still cared about me?

But quickly, that fragile, unrealistic fantasy shattered.

Mom slammed her book shut, her face etched with impatience.

“Her? What could I possibly have to say to her?”

The more Mom spoke, the angrier she became, venting her disgust for me to Mrs. Jenkins.

“You know what she’s done! Shameless! How could she even think of seducing her own father!”

“She’s almost eighteen, and I have no further obligation to raise her! Our paths split long ago, and we have nothing to do with each other now!”

Mrs. Jenkins tried to defend me.

“Lily isn’t that kind of person… Perhaps there was a misunderstanding about what happened?”

Mom looked as if she’d heard something utterly unbelievable.

She slapped the table hard, stood up, and shouted.

“Misunderstanding?! Putting her underwear in her father's bag—isn't that blatant seduction?!”

“I’m her mother, how could I not know what kind of person she is?! That manipulative little witch is a master at charming people, you’ve just been fooled by her looks!”

I lowered my eyes, a sharp pain piercing deep within my chest.

Strange.

Does a dead heart still hurt?

I exhaled with difficulty.

Lily Vance, you knew this all along, didn't you?

In Mom's eyes, you were nothing but a hussy, seducing her husband.