Chapter 4

Today, the house felt different.

Mom bought a massive, beautiful cake topped with colorful fruits and chocolates, with a "Happy Birthday" sign sticking out of it.

Then I remembered. Today was Lily’s birthday.

A lot of people came over. Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, and some relatives I barely recognized.

They brought so many beautifully wrapped gifts, piling them up in the corner of the living room. All for Lily.

Nobody asked, "Where is Daisy?"

Lily was wearing a brand-new princess dress with a tiny crown on her head. She ran around the living room, receiving everyone's compliments and blessings.

Everyone was laughing, calling Lily cute, smart, and beautiful.

Mom smiled so brightly her eyes narrowed into slits. It was a genuine smile, the kind I hadn't seen on her face in a very long time.

I smiled too, even though they couldn't see me.

It was nice. Mom was finally happy.

If my disappearance was the price for her happiness, then maybe it wasn't a completely bad thing.

Grandpa suddenly remembered something. He looked around the room and asked, "Where is Daisy?"

Mom’s smile instantly froze, replaced by heavy annoyance.

"Don't bring her up! She's throwing a tantrum in her room! She hasn't eaten or got out of bed for days, just to ruin our mood! On such a good day, don't let her come out and ruin the fun!"

Grandma sighed and shook her head. "That girl is too stubborn. Just like her father."

After that, nobody mentioned me again.

When it was time to cut the cake, Lily pointed at the frosting with her cream-covered hand. "Save a piece... for Daisy!"

Mom kissed Lily, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Our Lily is so kind, still thinking of her sister. But Daisy doesn't deserve Lily’s birthday cake. Sweetheart, you eat it all yourself."

Dad fell silent for a moment, then stood up.

"I should still bring her a piece. She hasn't eaten in days."

Mom glared at him, her tone firm.

"Don't you dare! She's doing this to protest, waiting for us to bow down to her. If we give in today, how are we going to manage her in the future? She'll become completely uncontrollable!"

Dad looked at Mom’s stubborn, angry face. His lips trembled, but in the end, he said nothing and slowly sat back down.

The living room filled with the birthday song.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

It was for Lily.

The singing was so loud, so full of joy and love.

But as I listened, the sound felt so distant, so noisy. It made the empty space where my heart used to beat feel strangely heavy.

See, Mom? I wasn't being bad.

I wasn't protesting.

I gave you peace of mind.

I will never fake being sick again, never try to steal attention, never fight with my sister, and never make you angry again.

Now, your world is filled only with Lily, and you can give her all your love.

That way, you'll be happy forever, right?

Lily carried her brand-new doll into my room.

"Daisy... get up... play with my doll..."

She reached out her tiny hand, trying to shake me awake.

But her grip slipped, and the doll fell, rolling right under my bed.

The doll's beautiful dress got covered in dust.

Lily froze, looking at her empty hands, then under the bed, and burst into tears.

Mom rushed in first, fast as a gust of wind.

She didn't even look at me on the bed. She ran straight to Lily, scooping her up in her arms.

"Daisy! Your sister came in here to play with you out of the goodness of her heart, and you made her cry?! How can you be so malicious!"

The way she looked at me was as if she were looking at something disgusting and hateful.

"Be good, Lily, don't cry. Mommy will get it for you." She sat Lily down safely on the side, then got flat on the floor without hesitation, reaching under the bed for the doll.

She felt the doll, but her hand also brushed against something else.

Something hard and square.

She pulled it out along with the doll.

It was a cartoon cooling patch box. Empty.

And next to the box was a piece of paper ripped from a school notebook. On it, written in shaky, crooked pencil strokes, were the words:

*Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I won't get a fever next time.*

She held the note, freezing.

Slowly, for the very first time in days, she lifted her head to look at the tiny, unmoving shape under the blanket.

"Dai... Daisy?"