Chapter 1
In the sixth year of my marriage to James Bennett, I, Emily Bennett, died.
He didn't like me. In fact, he hated me.
So, a month after I died, he only found out about my death from someone else.
*****
I died, but my soul didn't fade away.
Instead, I was pulled by some invisible force to Bennett Group.
James was still at the office, working.
He was talking business with a young, beautiful woman.
She was my full-blooded sister, Sophia Brooks.
Sophia was also the woman James loved.
James only married me by chance.
"James, you really aren't going to invite Emily along?" Sophia teased.
James' brows knitted, like he couldn't even stand hearing my name.
He didn't bother to look up, his voice flat as he replied, "No."
Sophia smiled, her eyes glinting with satisfaction at his answer.
She was talking about the Bennett Family's dinner at the Manor.
The Bennett Family held a monthly dinner at the Manor.
Back then, I used to go back with him for those family dinners.
But since Sophia returned, I hadn't attended a single Bennett Family dinner.
Sophia's phone buzzed with a message.
"James, Liv texted, asking where we are. Everyone's waiting for us," she said.
James set down his pen and stood up.
"Let's go," he said.
They drove to Bennett Manor.
Sophia sat in the passenger seat, chatting with James about work and their childhood memories.
I sat quietly in the back seat, listening to them. It almost felt like I was invisible, a silent observer in their world.
There was never a dull moment between them. They always had something to talk about, and the air was lively.
It was nothing like when James and I were together. Even after six years of marriage, things between us always felt distant and awkward.
As Sophia talked about their childhood, I sat quietly, listening.
These were memories I never got to share.
I didn't grow up with the Brooks Family.
Right after I was born, my parents sent me to live with my grandmother.
I grew up with my grandmother.
When we got to Bennett Manor, nobody in the Bennett Family found it odd to see James and Sophia arrive together.
It was as if my absence didn't matter to anyone.
After all, I hadn't shown up for a family dinner in six months. By now, everyone was used to it.
Olivia Bennett, James' sister, ran over and grabbed Sophia's arm, grinning from ear to ear.
"Sophia, you're finally here. I've been waiting forever," she said.
Then she turned to James with a playful smile. "Blame James, the workaholic, for making us late."
James didn't react at all. He sat down in his seat, expressionless.
Sophia beamed. "See, we're here now."
Olivia was James' sister, and Sophia's best friend.
Ever since I married into the Bennett Family, Olivia never treated me kindly.
Every time we met, she'd always have some snide comment ready for me.
James' Mother, Helen Bennett, was fond of Sophia. She greeted her warmly, like she was her own daughter.
Even if I tried not to care, watching the Bennett Family treat me so differently from Sophia still hurt.
Aside from Bennett's grandpa, Arthur Bennett, who was the only one to show me any kindness, everyone else in the Bennett Family ignored me.
But I knew Arthur was only nice to me because the marriage of James and me was to ward off James' illness.