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"Don't say you missed her calls.In this phone-obsessed world,you saw them!"
"Ethan!Why didn't you pick up?That was her final cry for help!"
I floated toward Jake,wanting to hug the only person who had spoken for me,but I passed through him.
I was dead,separated by worlds.
Sighing,I said,"Enough,Jake.It's over."
Ethan's eyes blazed, as he stared at my body."No matter what I did,how cold I was,I'm her brother.Her body's mine to claim,not yours!"
Jake was about to retort when Ethan's phone rang.
Sophie's voice came through.
Whatever she said,Ethan glared at Jake and stormed out.
I sighed,propping my chin.Even in death,I couldn't outshine Sophie.
Jake's voice followed."Ethan,your adopted sister isn't as sweet as she seems."
Back home,Ethan burst into Sophie's room.
"Sophie,your hand—how is it?"
Sophie looked pitiful and said nothing.
Ethan softened."I told you,no kitchen work.Cooking's not for you…"
He grabbed her hand to check the wound.
Sophie's eyes darted,hiding it."Ethan,it's nothing,just a small cut…"
Despite her protests,Ethan insisted,then he laughed."This is the'deep,bloody'cut?It's already healed."
Sophie hugged his waist,sheepish."Sorry,Ethan.You were gone,and I felt unsafe.I just wanted you home."
Ethan gently freed himself,saying nothing,and returned to his room.
Soon,news of my cancer death spread at home.
They ate and lived as usual,but the table lost its warmth.
No one cried or spoke.
The silence was eerie.
Sophie broke it."Mom,Dad,I'm still here!Don't be so down.I'm worried."
Mom's eyes reddened,resolute."Let's move."
"I keep thinking of that ungrateful girl here.Let's start fresh,anywhere."
Sophie lit up."Really?Amazing!"
Ethan and Dad nodded quietly.
"When,Mom?"
"Day after tomorrow."
They didn't bother pack much,just gathered all my stuff—photos,mementos—and burned them.
I crouched by the flames,watching as they consumed the family pictures, one by one. So ruthless.
Sophie stared at the blaze,with a faint,triumphant smile playing on her lips.Ethan noticed it too; his eyes darkened with suspicion.
But the moment Sophie received a text from Jake, her smile vanished instantly.
