Chapter 2

My spirit remained trapped in the living room, forced to watch their cozy family gathering.

Father, who usually went to bed early, was wide awake and sitting with Serena as she opened her graduation gifts. Mother browsed for stunning dresses online, promising a completely new wardrobe for Serena's graduation trip.

"Mother, I already have so many clothes. My closet is completely full," Serena said in a sweet voice.

"Then we'll just put them in Maya's room. She is always so focused on her duties that she never buys new clothes anyway, so she doesn't need the closet space."

"Are you sure? Maya might be upset."

Mother frowned. "Serena, you don't have to be so timid. This is something Maya should do for you as your older sister."

Caleb sat nearby, diligently shelling pistachios for Serena.

I couldn't say a word, leaving me to simply watch the warm scene unfold.

It turns out that a spirit can still cry.

The warmth belonged entirely to them, while the loneliness was mine alone.

"But Maya still isn't back, and she isn't replying to my texts," Serena said, her voice sounding pitiful. "Do you think she's still mad at us? I feel so terrible celebrating without her here."

At the sound of Serena's voice, the three of them finally shifted their attention away from her and remembered me.

Father frowned instinctively. "Don't mind her. She just wants everything to revolve around her. When will she ever grow up?"

A flicker of impatience crossed Mother's face. "It's just a Crescent Valor Honor. They give one out every two years. Doesn't she know Serena's college graduation only happens once? Why must she throw a tantrum on a day like this?"

Serena pouted playfully at Mother. "Mother, don't say that. Maya will be sad if she hears you. She had to practically beg for that award... oh, did I just say that out loud?"

Despite her innocent tone, the triumph in her eyes was impossible to hide.

I knew Serena was never as innocent as she pretended to be.

Growing up, her grades were never as good as mine. Even though Father, Mother, and Caleb adored her and always put her first, Serena would still occasionally fabricate evidence to claim I had plagiarized.

Each time, Father would punish me without a second thought.

From a young age, I told myself that one day I would find my own mate. I just wanted to feel what it was like to be someone's first choice, even if only once.

But I never imagined that two years after meeting Julian, his heart would also start to drift toward Serena.

I should have been sad, but perhaps I was already numb. My soul was simply too hollow to feel even a ripple of pain.

The housekeeper brought out a platter of desserts, all of them Serena's favorites. Naturally, the conversation shifted away from me.

"Serena, college must have been tough. Here, have more of your favorites."

Father and Caleb kept passing her food, and soon her cheeks were stuffed like a chipmunk's. She smiled brightly, boasting about her college achievements. She had already landed an internship at a top investment bank on The Sterling Exchange, making her future look boundless.

Father and Caleb listened intently, showering her with praise.

Meanwhile, I just floated silently to the side.

The clock struck one in the morning, and I still hadn't appeared.

Mother seemed to feel a sudden pang of guilt and finally remembered me. She placed a few slices of strawberry tart—a flavor Serena disliked—onto an empty plate and handed it to Caleb.

Her expression was a little unnatural. "Caleb, save this for Maya. She can have it when she's done with her tantrum and comes home. We don't want her thinking we only favor Serena. See? We saved some just for her."

I stared at the slices of tart, feeling absolutely nothing.

Caleb thought for a moment, then reached out to take the plate.

Suddenly, Serena shrieked and snatched her hand back from where it rested near a gift.

"Mother, it hurts! This gift—it's made of silver!"