Chapter 1
The system once told me that if my family forgot me completely seven times, I would have to leave this world forever.
The first time, they left for my sister Emily Forrest's lavish birthday party, locking me inside while I was delirious with a high fever and convulsions.
The second time, my mother emptied all the cash from home to pay Emily's sponsorship fee, forgetting it was the deposit for my heart surgery.
The third time, at an important family dinner, my father proudly pointed to my brother Alex Forrest and Emily as his only children when introducing them to relatives.
The fourth time, Alex brought back blessing bracelets for everyone from a business trip. Even the golden retriever got one, but not for me.
The fifth time, my boyfriend, Jack Rivers, stayed with Emily on the last day of the year because she was afraid of thunderstorms, letting me wait at the station in below-zero temperatures until dawn.
Each time the system asked if I confirmed leaving, I shook my head, eyes teary, clinging to a foolish hope that next time, they would remember me.
The sixth time was when the family moved into a large villa.
My mother called me, who was standing in the empty old house, her voice tinged with a rare hint of guilt.
"Mia, we've been so swamped these past few days that we completely forgot to have the moving company notify you. Could you grab a cab and come over?" she said.
Her tone was so gentle that my heart ached, and I nearly chose forgiveness once more.
Then, dragging my heavy suitcase to the doorstep of the new house, I saw the polished brass nameplate engraved only with the initials of the four of them.
Curled in our mother's arms, Emily cooed, "Good thing we didn't add Mia's initials. Once she gets married someday, it would just take up space."
Everyone laughed adoringly.
No one noticed me standing in the cold for half an hour.
In my mind, the system's voice rang out for the seventh time, cold and final. "Ding. Oblivion condition triggered. Host, confirm departure?"
Staring at the warm, golden light spilling from inside, I gave a small, firm nod.
Inside, the family huddled close, wrapped in their shared warmth.
Outside, I no longer needed anyone to remember me at all.
*****
The system said in my mind, "System Command Acknowledged. World Severance Procedure initiated. Countdown: 120 hours. Host's life signs will deteriorate progressively until final cessation."
I turned and began dragging my suitcase down the mountain road. The winter wind clawed at my face, stealing the last traces of warmth from my body.
I hadn't gone far when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
My mother Miranda Forrest's voice crackled through the line, thick with complaint.
"Mia, where are you? Your sister was kind enough to give you the bedroom next to the master suite. She even made the bed with fresh sheets herself. The whole family is waiting to have a late-night snack with you," she said.
Gripping the phone, I stared at the dark asphalt under my feet, my voice flat. "I'm not coming."
Silence stretched for a few seconds on the other end before Miranda's tone sharpened. "What's gotten into you now? Being difficult? You couldn't be bothered to help with the move, and now you're standing up the entire family? After we all waited for you?"
I said, my gaze fixed on the inky darkness of the winding road ahead, "This isn't about being difficult. That new house was never meant to have a place for me.
"My name isn't on the doorplate. Showing up would just make me an extra guest."
Another pause. Her voice grew strained with impatience. "Are you still hung up on that? Emily was right. You'll get married and leave someday anyway. What does it matter if one name is missing?
"You just can't stand to see her happy, can you? You have to ruin this for everyone."
Instead of arguing, I ended the call and blocked the number.
A cheap hotel on the outskirts of the city became my shelter for the night.
The room held only a narrow single bed and a rickety nightstand.
In the bathroom, I bent over the sink to splash cold water on my face. A sudden warmth bloomed in my nostrils.
Pressing a wad of tissue to my nose, I leaned against the tiled wall as a deep, throbbing ache settled in my chest.
*****
The next morning, I took a bus back to the old house to retrieve my ID and the few keepsakes my grandmother had left me.
Pushing open the worn security door, I found Alex and Emily standing in the living room.
Emily waved her hand in front of her face. "Alex, the dust in here is awful. Did Mia ever clean up at all when she lived here?"
Alex brushed a speck from her shoulder, his expression darkening as he noticed me. "So you hung up on Mom, and now you're hiding out here? Do you have any idea how upset she was? And blocking her number? Really mature, Mia."
I walked past him into my old bedroom and started rifling through the desk drawer for my documents.
Emily followed, her eyes wandering around the room.
They landed on the wooden frame on the desk.
It was the only photo I had of me and my grandmother, my most treasured possession.
Without a second thought, she reached for it.
"Put it down." The words left my mouth, quiet but firm.
Emily's hand jerked back. The frame slipped from her fingers, hit the floor, and shattered.
Jagged glass shards scored a deep line across my grandmother's photographed face.
Emily took a quick step back, her eyes instantly growing teary. "Mia, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. You startled me."
Alex was across the room in three strides, pulling Emily behind him.
He snapped, glaring at me, "What's your problem, Mia? It was an accident. Stop acting like the world's ending over some old picture."
With that, he pulled out his wallet, yanked free a few hundred-dollar bills, and tossed them onto the desk beside me.