Chapter 3

"Sorry, I missed our anniversary. Susan's dog went missing, and you know she's crazy about that dog. I was worried she'd totally lose it, so I stayed with her for a while. Let me make it up to you with a gift, okay? Let's just count that as our anniversary."

I couldn't help but laugh. I blocked Isaac's number, and only then did the sour feeling in my heart ease a little.

Once someone's gone, the whole world suddenly acts like they loved her all along.

Soon, I would disappear from this world.

Maybe they never loved me, but the guilt of hurting someone who's no longer here is its own kind of torment, isn't it?

I printed out the divorce papers and then wrote my farewell letter.

Just then, I got a text from the agency I hired to fake my death.

[Dear Miss Gallagher, your flight for tomorrow is confirmed. To avoid any trouble, please remember to bring your money and ID.]

I picked up my phone and replied, "Got it."

Only 24 hours left until I disappear for good.

I had barely woken up when Clinton and Halle hauled me out to celebrate Susan's birthday.

In the car, Halle reminded me, "Susan specifically asked for you to be there, so don't mess things up today, okay? Just let her have a perfect birthday."

For the past four years since I moved back home, it was always Susan who got a proper birthday party.

But when it came to my birthday, nobody ever mentioned it. The butler would hand me a plain bun with a candle on top, like that was supposed to count as a birthday.

Still, I'd close my eyes and make a wish, hoping my parents stayed healthy, and Isaac got everything he wanted.

Now, I just didn't care anymore.

I leaned my chin on my hand, staring out the window without a word. I was heading back to pick up my stuff anyway, so I figured I'd just hitch a ride.

Susan came out, grinning from ear to ear, but I just shot her a frosty look. "Let me through."

Ignoring Clinton and Halle's annoyed looks, I walked right past her, went upstairs to my room, and dug through my drawer until I found the red string bracelet Lindsay had given me.

It was cheap, just a few dollars, but it was the only birthday present I ever got.

As I headed downstairs, Susan stood at the turn of the stairs, waiting for me.

She glanced at the red string bracelet in my hand and smirked, "So you came back just to dig up that worthless little trinket? You really are a hick. Even moving in with the Gallagher family couldn't hide that broke, low-class aura of yours."

I didn't respond and just kept walking.

But out of nowhere, Susan charged at me. I instinctively grabbed her wrist. "What are you trying to pull?" I asked.

She shot me a smug, victorious smile. "Matilda, you'll be running off with your tail between your legs. I'm the one and only heiress of the Gallagher family, and the real Mrs. Isaac!"

The very next second, she leaned back dramatically, shrieking as she tumbled down the stairs.

Clinton, Halle, and Isaac, who'd just appeared out of nowhere, all looked totally panicked.

Susan lay in Isaac's arms, her face deathly pale, her voice weak. "Matilda, I told you I wasn't going to fight you for Isaac. Why didn't you believe me? Why did you push me..."

Halle's face flushed with rage. She stormed upstairs and gave me a slap across the face. She didn't hold back, and my cheek stung like fire.

"Haven't I treated you well enough? Ever since you came home, we've always put you first. Why do you always have to make trouble for your sister, who never even tries to compete with you?"

Isaac picked Susan up and gave me a look colder than ice. He didn't say a word, but his eyes said everything I needed to know.

Back then, I'd be a mess, scrambling to explain myself. Even if I stumbled and fell over and over, I'd still run after them, desperate to prove I was innocent.

Now? I just stood there, emotionless, watching them hurry Susan away like I didn't even exist.

Clinton, usually the picture of kindness, was frantic as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me off to the hospital.

After the doctor said Susan's wrist was broken, Clinton, protective as ever, clenched his teeth and landed a heavy slap across my face.

I tasted blood on my lips, licked it away, and let out a light, almost unconcerned laugh.

"One slap from each of you. I guess that settles the score for giving birth to me," I said.

"You unfilial child!" Clinton yelled, his face flushed with rage.

He was so mad he didn't care how he looked and lunged at me, ready to hit me again, but Isaac stepped in and stopped him.

Isaac's eyes were filled with worry for Susan, and when he glanced at me, all I saw was disappointment.

"Matilda, I used to think your little tantrums were just you being spoiled. But now you've actually pushed Susan down the stairs? Your jealousy's out of control. You're downright cruel and selfish! I'm really disappointed in you. Say sorry to Susan, right now," Isaac said, his voice cold and full of disappointment.

Susan sat in her wheelchair, playing the frail victim. "Isaac, Matilda's done this before. I'm used to it. Don't let me ruin things between you and Matilda."

Isaac's guilt only deepened. "Mom, Dad, I'll take care of all of Susan's daily needs for the next couple of days. Just think of it as me making up for what Matilda did."

Pretending it didn't hurt to be misunderstood? That was just a lie.

I forced down the ache in my chest and said quietly, "Isaac, you're supposed to be the smart one here. Can't you see through Susan's lousy little performance?"