The year my younger brother was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, I didn’t hesitate for a second—I gave him one of my kidneys. As his older sister, it felt like my responsibility to save him. The surgery was a success. Ryan bounced back, full of life, and became the family’s brightest hope. Meanwhile, my body deteriorated daily due to severe organ rejection. The costly anti-rejection meds quickly drained our family’s savings. My parents, initially so grateful, began looking at me differently. “Lily, can’t you skip a dose? We’re barely making ends meet.” “Ryan just started his new job and has plenty of expenses. As his sister, can’t you be more understanding?” “Lily, would you quit bringing up that kidney? I told you I’d pay you back once I’m earning!” Yesterday was Ryan’s engagement party. Wracked with pain, my hand trembled and I accidentally dropped the gift from his fiancée, Chloe. In front of all our relatives, Mom *slapped me across the face*. “You just can’t stand your brother’s success! You want to drag us all down with you!” “If life’s so painful, why don’t you just die already?!” Staring at the shattered pieces on the floor, I suddenly didn’t feel like explaining anymore. I took my last breath right there in front of them—exactly what they wanted. But they never knew I’d stopped taking my life-saving medication a month earlier to save money for Ryan’s upcoming wedding. The cramping in my abdomen felt like a hand was tearing my insides apart. A coppery taste rose in my throat. I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate not to cough up blood. Mom was obsessive about cleanliness, and this carpet had just been replaced for Ryan’s engagement. If I stained it, she’d lecture me for hours. Earlier, I’d merely trembled from pain and knocked over Chloe’s expensive collagen jar. Mom’s slap hit hard across my face. It stung like hell, but surprisingly, my heart felt completely calm. Because this was the end. From now on, I’d never make her angry again. Never be a burden to this family again. I wanted to go back to my room and lie down. Passing through the living room, Ryan frowned in annoyance, brushing off his suit jacket. “Seriously, she just had to ruin a perfectly good day.” “Mom, next time relatives come over, keep her in her room. Having a sick sister like her is so embarrassing in front of Chloe’s family.” Mom gently smoothed Ryan’s collar. “Just ignore her. She’s just acting out because she’s jealous of your engagement. It’s her usual drama—she gets worse the more attention you give her.” Dad sat on the couch smoking, not even glancing my way. “Get back to your room! Don’t just stand there looking like a ghost! That dead expression on your face makes me sick!” I hung my head and whispered, “I’m sorry.” My voice was so faint it got swallowed up by the cheerful TV noise. I went back to the storage room—less than five square meters. This was my bedroom now. Ever since they cleared out the master bedroom for Ryan and Chloe after the wedding, I’d moved in here. No windows, just a creaky folding bed. I fumbled in the dark under the bed and pulled out my pill bottle. It was already empty. The doctor had warned I wouldn’t live more than a month without this medication. Today was exactly day thirty-one. Truthfully, I hadn’t wanted to die. I’d just wanted to save money. Last month, I’d overheard Mom and Dad doing calculations in their room. They were still ten thousand dollars short for Ryan’s wedding. And my year’s supply of medication cost exactly ten thousand dollars. Mom had sighed and said, “If it weren’t for Lily and her endless medical bills, Ryan would’ve been married long ago.” That’s when I decided—I wouldn’t take the medication anymore. I wanted to be the mature one for once. I wanted Mom and Dad to be proud of me, like they were of Ryan. The excruciating pain returned, worse than ever. I curled up on the folding bed, my body contorted like a shrimp. Cold sweat soaked through my clothes. Laughter and cheerful voices drifted in from outside. They were discussing wedding decorations, what kind of jewelry to buy Chloe. It sounded so lively. I wanted to go out too—just to get a glass of hot water. But I couldn’t. I was afraid I looked too terrible—afraid they’d accuse me of “faking it for attention” again. My vision started to blur. I grew colder and colder, like I’d fallen into an ice cave. I managed to pull the thin blanket over my head. That way, if Mom found me first, she wouldn’t see how bad I looked right after I died. She got queasy easily—last time she saw my dialysis needle marks, she looked disgusted. I couldn’t upset her like that. Breathing got harder—my lungs felt empty, like they’d been sucked dry. In my final moments, I thought I heard Mom’s voice. “Lily! Quit pretending and get out here to wash the dinner dishes!” Mom, this time I really can’t. Next life, I’ll be a healthy daughter. No more meds, no more bills, no more worrying you. Darkness swallowed me completely.
When I opened my eyes again, I was floating mid-air. Looking down, my body lay on that narrow folding bed. The blanket covered my head, showing only a pair of pale, shriveled hands. They were covered in needle marks and bruises—ugly, just like Mom always said. I tried to tuck them under the blanket, but realized I couldn’t control that body anymore. So people really do have souls after they die. I drifted through the bedroom door and into the living room. The living room lights were harsh on my eyes. Dinner leftovers still cluttered the table. My family sat on the couch, eating fruit. Ryan was peeling an apple, griping, “Lily’s so rude. She didn’t even come out to say goodbye when Chloe left.” “I told Chloe she wasn’t feeling well, but Chloe probably thinks I’m mean to her.” Mom scoffed, spitting a sunflower seed shell into the trash. “What’s her problem? I saw her practically sprint back to her room earlier—her legs looked fine!” “She just doesn’t want to help out! Lazy as always!” “For years, she’s used that kidney as an excuse to boss us around. Say one word, and she throws a fit.” Dad frowned and stubbed out his cigarette. “Enough,” “We’ve got to take Chloe’s parents to see the venue tomorrow. Tell her to get up early and clean the house.” “She’s a grown woman living under our roof, eating our food—no sense of responsibility.” I hovered nearby, listening. Strangely, I didn’t feel that familiar ache in my chest anymore. Maybe my heart had already stopped caring. I looked at Mom. Her temples were graying, and wrinkles creased around her eyes. She’d stressed herself sick over Ryan’s wedding. Well, it’s over now. I’m gone. They wouldn’t have that endless drain anymore—the one who only took and never gave. The money saved would pay for Ryan’s fancy wedding. Even when they had grandkids someday, they wouldn’t have to worry about my medical bills. I was actually happy for them. “I’ll go tell her to clean up.” Mom stood, wiped her hands, and headed for the storage room. My chest tightened, and I floated over to block her path without thinking. “Mom, don’t go.” “I look too awful. I’ll scare you.” “It’s late, and you have to get up early tomorrow. Don’t let me make you mad.” I waved my hands frantically, trying to push her back. But my hand went right through her. Mom didn’t notice, walked straight through me, and reached the storage room door. She banged on the door. “Lily! Come out!” “Don’t think you can hide in there! Do you want these dishes to grow mold?” Silence. No answer. Before, I would’ve rushed to open the door, put on my apron, and started cleaning. I’d always been terrified of Mom getting angry. When she got mad, she’d say she regretted ever having me. But today, no matter how hard she knocked, the person inside would never answer. Mom knocked a few more times, then got even angrier when there was no response. “Fine! Getting bold, are we?” “Giving me the silent treatment?” “Ryan, get the spare key. I’m dragging her out of there today!” I hovered nearby, panicking, circling frantically. Don’t open the door. Please, I’m begging you. Don’t open it. Not tonight. Let me keep what’s left of my dignity for one more night. But Ryan stayed on the couch, looking irritated. “Mom, why get so worked up over her?” “She just wants you to coddle her, make you feel guilty.” “If you go in there, you’ll play right into her hands.” “She’s probably just lying there faking weakness. Then she’ll start complaining about stomachaches and headaches to get money for those useless supplements.” Mom stopped knocking when she heard that. Ryan had a point, she decided. “You’re right. That girl’s full of tricks.” “Last time she said she felt sick, then guilted me into sending her two thousand dollars for medicine.” “What kind of medicine costs that much? She’s probably saving up for herself!” I opened my mouth to explain. That wasn’t supplements. It was life-saving anti-rejection medication. And one bottle cost over three thousand. I even used a thousand I’d saved from working. But no sound came out. Mom scoffed, turned around, and went back to the living room. “Not coming out? Fine.” “Starve then! No one’s gonna baby her!” “We’ll see how long she lasts! Let her rot in there for all I care!” She flipped off the living room light. Everyone went to their rooms for the night. The house fell silent as a tomb. I collapsed onto the floor, letting out a shaky breath of relief. Good. They hadn’t found me. Their words stung, but at least they’d get a good night’s sleep.
Early next morning, the house buzzed with activity. Today was when they’d finalize the hotel booking and Ryan would formally introduce Chloe’s family to his parents. Mom wore her nicest dress—the one she saved for special occasions. She even put on makeup, making her look years younger. Ryan sported a sharp suit with his hair gelled back. Dad polished his new dress shoes. The whole family grinned from ear to ear—all except the storage room door, still tightly shut. Mom laid out breakfast on the dining table. Boiled eggs, warm milk, Ryan’s favorite crispy bacon, and fluffy pancakes. The smell filled the house. I hovered by the table, staring at the steaming pancakes. Strangely, I didn’t feel hungry anymore. Normally by now, I would’ve woken up, mopped the floors twice, hung the laundry, and be sipping leftover rice porridge. Ryan sat down and bit into a pancake. “Mom, Lily still isn’t up?” “So lazy. The sun’s practically up.” Mom glanced at the storage room door, disgust flickering across her face. “Ignore her. She’s just being dramatic.” “We’ll lock the door from the outside when we leave.” “That way she can’t sneak out for food or mess up the house while we’re gone.” Dad sipped his milk and frowned. “Isn’t that overkill? What if she’s actually sick?” A tiny spark of hope lit in my chest. Dad still cared. But his next words doused it cold. “Chloe’s parents are seeing the house today. We don’t need her looking all sickly and ruining things.” “Locking her in is for the best. She won’t embarrass us that way.” So they were afraid I’d embarrass them. Right. With my purple-tinged skin and stiff body, I was quite the embarrassment now. Ryan shoveled food into his mouth, talking with his mouth full. “Exactly. Last time Chloe was over, she saw Lily taking meds and went home asking if Lily had something contagious.” “I explained forever it was from the kidney donation, but Chloe still got weirded out.” “She said someone that sick would just be a burden later. Suggested we keep our finances separate.” Mom panicked when she heard that. “Separate finances? No way! Who’ll help with grandkids? You’ll still need me and your dad!” “But Chloe’s got a point. Lily’s health is a real problem…” Mom paused, staring at the door with a complicated look. “After you two marry, I’ll find her a husband.” “We won’t need much for her wedding. Just someone who’ll cover her medical bills.” “Even if he’s divorced with kids, or older—as long as can cover her medical bills…” I hovered there, listening to them plan my future. Marry off a dying woman? Mom, you overestimate my worth. In my condition, not even a housecleaning service would hire me. Besides, I was already dead. Dead people don’t get married. After breakfast, the family—dressed to impress—got ready to leave. Before leaving, Mom made a point of walking to the storage room door. She took out a key and turned it twice in the lock. Click. The door locked from the outside. “Lily, we’ve got important guests today. Stay put and behave.” “You can wash last night’s dishes when you get hungry enough to come out.” “Don’t think a hunger strike will work. I’m not falling for it!” She tucked the key in her pocket, linked arms with Dad, and walked out. Bang. The front door closed. The house went quiet again. Sunlight streamed through the living room window, casting dust motes that danced in the beams. So warm. So bright. But it couldn’t reach the dark, cramped storage room. Or the body growing cold inside. I floated back into the storage room and knelt beside my body. Staring at the shape under the blanket. Suddenly, it all seemed ridiculous. They’d locked up a corpse. Thinking they were punishing a disobedient daughter. They thought I was in there pouting, reflectioning. But I was decomposing. Minutes dragged by. The sun crossed the sky. Light in the house faded. After an eternity, keys jangled in the lock. They were home. With guests laughing behind them. “Come in, please. This is the house we prepared for the kids.” “It’s no mansion, but it’s one of the nicest in the neighborhood.” Mom’s voice gushed with pride. My chest ached. Guests? They can’t open that door! They can’t let guests find a dead body in the house! That would ruin Ryan’s wedding for sure! I rushed to the door, desperate to block it somehow. Though I knew it was pointless.
Lots of people filed in. Chloe was there with her parents. They complimented the house—said it was nicely decorated and spacious. Mom beamed, bustling around with tea and snacks. “Oh goodness, excuse the mess. Please don’t mind it.” Chloe’s mom glanced around, eyes landing on the storage room door. “What’s this room? Why’s it locked?” Mom froze, then forced a smile. “Oh, just a storage closet. Full of old junk we never use.” “It’s a mess in there—all dusty. Not worth seeing.” I let out a shaky breath. Good. Mom was too embarrassed of me. In this moment, her shame was my protection. As long as they kept that door closed, everything would be fine. But Chloe spoke up. “Aunt Sarah, I thought Lily lived in this room when I visited last time?” “Is Lily in there? Why isn’t she coming out to greet us?” The room went silent. Ryan jumped in to smooth things over. “No, Lily moved out ages ago. Just storage now.” “With her health issues, she couldn’t live in such a small space.” He was lying. To impress his future in-laws, he’d erased me—his own sister. Chloe looked confused. “Really? I could swear I smell something weird…” She sniffed, frowning. “Smells like something’s rotting. Did a mouse die in there?” My stomach dropped. It was summer, and the storage room had no vents. Only a day and night, but the smell must have started. Mom’s face paled. She smelled it too. That sickly sweet stench of decay seeped under the door. Cutting through the fruit and tea smells in the room. “Probably an old fermented jar that didn’t seal right.” Mom laughed nervously, sweat beading on her forehead. “I’ll check it out. Don’t want it bothering you.” She hesitated, but Chloe’s dad—clearly a man who noticed things—already looked annoyed. “You should really keep better care of the place.” “With the wedding coming up, you can’t have odors like this.” Mom had no choice. She gritted her teeth and pulled out the key. Muttering under her breath, probably cursing me. “You rotten girl! What have you done now? Did you intentionally make this mess to spite me?!” “Just wait till I get my hands on you!” She was sure I was misbehaving. That I was getting back at her for last night—purposely stinking up the place to embarrass them. She stomped over and jammed the key in the lock. My spirit trembled. Mom, don’t open it. Please don’t. You’ll regret it. You’ll have nightmares. Click. The lock turned. Mom threw open the door, and a wave of putrid stench hit them. It was overpowering—like years of bitterness finally breaking free. Guests in the living room clamped their hands over their noses. Mom gagged, hit full force by the smell. “Lily! Did you… did you crap in here?! What is that smell?!” She cursed, fumbling for the light switch. Snap. The dim bulb flickered to life. The storage room’s contents were exposed for all to see. It wasn’t as messy as she’d claimed. Actually, it was quite neat. Only the figure on the folding bed lay still. A blanket pulled tight over it. And on the concrete floor beside the bed, a dark, dried stain. What I’d coughed up before I died. I’d tried wiping it with tissues, but I was too weak. Half remained on the floor. Mom froze. She stood in the doorway, hand still on the door, like a statue. “Li… Lily?” Her voice shook. Gone was her earlier frustration, replaced by terror. “Stop messing around… get up…” “Guests are here… don’t embarrass me…” She reached out a trembling hand, wanting to pull back the blanket. But her hand froze halfway, then jerked back. That smell told her what she couldn’t bear to admit. Ryan came over too, pinching his nose. “Mom, what’s her latest drama?” “Lily! Get up! Chloe’s parents are here!” When I didn’t move, my brother marched over and grabbed the blanket’s corner. “Quit faking! This isn’t funny!” He yanked hard. Whoosh. The blanket flew to the floor. My body lay exposed in the light. Curled up in pain, now stiff and contorted. My face was purple, eyes squeezed shut. Dried blood crusted the corners of my mouth. Worst of all, the swelling from stopping my meds had warped my features. Ah!!! Chloe screamed, diving behind her dad. The blanket slipped from my brother’s hand. He stumbled back, legs buckling, and collapsed to the floor. “Lily?” Mom’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She stared at me, lips trembling, unable to speak. Seconds of dead silence passed. Then a bloodcurdling scream that nearly shattered the bulb above. “Lily—!!!” Mom lunged forward like a woman possessed, grabbing my cold, stiff body. “My baby! My baby, what happened?!” “Don’t scare me like this! Please don’t!” “I’ll never scold you again! Just open your eyes! Please!” She shook me violently, as if trying to jolt me back to life. But I was already gone. Completely gone. No one to hear her words, or wash the dishes piling up on the table. I hovered near the ceiling, watching the chaos below. Mom sobbing until she fainted. Dad fumbling with 911. Ryan peeing his pants in terror. The weight on my heart finally lifted. Mom, see? I told you it would scare you. You insisted on opening that door. Now Ryan’s wedding is really ruined.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “350232”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #惊悚Thriller #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn
Leave a Reply