Chapter 1

Because my older sister, Olivia Foster, said she wanted the whole family to go climb a snowy mountain together, Mom made me tag along, even though I was burning up with a fever.

Halfway up the mountain, Olivia and I both started showing signs of altitude sickness, one after the other.

Mom didn't give a damn about me. She stubbornly handed the last oxygen tank to Olivia, even though her symptoms were barely noticeable compared to mine.

When the rescue team rushed over, I desperately pleaded with Mom to save me first.

But she just shot me a look full of disgust and said, "There's not enough room in the car for everyone. Quit pretending to be sick just to get some attention, and don't delay Olivia's treatment."

In the end, I died miserably on that vast, endless snowy mountain.

That was the end of a life where I was never loved.

*****

The heavy snow quickly buried my body. I watched as my soul slowly separated from my corpse, and then a beam of white light whisked me away to the hospital at the foot of the mountain.

I found myself back beside Mom, but she couldn't see me at all.

I let out a bitter laugh. Like it ever mattered whether she could see me or not.

She never really saw me, not even once.

"Olivia, how are you feeling? Are you still feeling bad?" Mom asked.

Mom watched Olivia with such concern, like she desperately wanted to take her place and suffer instead.

The door slammed open, and Dad hurried in with a bowl of hot soup, rushing straight to Olivia.

His voice was anxious. "Olivia, are you feeling any better? I had the innkeeper make you some chicken soup. Drink it while it's hot. It'll help you feel better."

"Her symptoms are mild. She just needs a bit of rest and she'll recover soon. You don't need to be overly concerned," the doctor said.

After giving a quick check-up and a few instructions, the doctor left.

Olivia said, "Mom, Dad, I'm okay. It's just..."

She gave a couple of dry coughs, and when she saw Mom and Dad hovering over her with worry, a flash of satisfaction flickered in her eyes that she couldn't quite hide.

With an innocent look, she mentioned me, "Where's Cheryl? It's snowing so hard outside. I'm honestly worried about her."

Seeing Olivia about to get out of bed to look for me, Mom rushed over to stop her.

Mom's face was twisted with disgust as she said, "Cheryl has always been faking things to get my attention. She knew you weren't well, and still tried to fight you for the oxygen tank. Honestly, she's unbelievably selfish.

"She actually dared to use her own health as leverage against us. Well, let's see if she really dies now that things didn't go her way."

I stared blankly, and then reached up to touch my cheek. It was covered with tears.

Just as she wished, I really died this time.

All because Olivia wanted the whole family to climb that snowy mountain, Mom dragged me along even though I was burning up with a fever, sending me straight into the freezing winds.

Before we set out, I could barely stand. I stared as Mom ripped open a pack of hand warmers and carefully pressed them onto Olivia, making sure she was comfortable.

Dad couldn't go up the mountain because he was terrified of heights, so he took off his scarf, wrapped it around Olivia, and then handed her a hiking stick he'd prepared, afraid she'd get cold or worn out.

Maybe Mom was in an unusually good mood today, because halfway up the mountain, for once, she didn't hand the bread to Olivia first. She actually gave it to me.

I felt like I'd won the lottery, taking the bread and just about to eat it, when suddenly my head started spinning and my throat tightened up, making it impossible to breathe.

"Mom, I can't breathe," I managed to gasp.

Right then, Olivia called out, too. Without hesitation, Mom grabbed the last oxygen tank from her bag and handed it straight to Olivia.

Even when the rescue team showed up, she heartlessly left me behind, saying there wasn't enough room for everyone.

But I knew Olivia was totally fine. She'd gone out partying at bars more than once whenever Mom and Dad were away. Her health was never really a problem.

Only Mom and Dad were still buying her act. Maybe they loved Olivia so much that they never questioned her for a second.

I knew I could never measure up to Olivia, so I never dared to hope for Mom's love.

But I never thought Mom would actually leave me behind on that snowy mountain, turning a blind eye to my pleas for help.

I should've stopped expecting anything from her ages ago. I was born just to save Olivia, and even dying was only for her sake.

What I never expected was that even after my death, I'd be forced to witness just how warm and caring Mom and Dad could be toward Olivia.

It was downright cruel.

Olivia watched as Mom and Dad defended her against me, their faces full of righteous indignation. Her satisfaction grew, and she put on an innocent, aggrieved face.

She said, "Mom, Dad, it's all my fault for being sickly and making you worry so much. Cheryl only resents me because you've always taken care of me.

"If I'd been born as healthy as she was, maybe she wouldn't have held it against me for so many years."

"Olivia, this isn't your fault at all." Mom hurriedly grabbed Olivia's hands, trying to soothe her. "I know you're kind and mature, always trying to keep the peace. If anyone's to blame, it's Cheryl.

"She's grown up now, but she still acts like a child, always fighting for attention. When she comes back, I'll make sure she gives you a proper apology."

Dad jumped in, "That's right. She needs to apologize. Someone so petty will never get anywhere in life."

Mom said, "If Cheryl hadn't pushed you into the pool back then, making you burn with a fever for a whole day and night and leaving you with that chronic illness, your health wouldn't have been so bad."