Chapter 1: The Birthday I Never Lived to Celebrate

The day I died was the same day as my twin sister’s birthday party.

She was in tears and was wrapped up in my boyfriend’s arms.

My mom was seething with anger and kept calling me over and over again.

My brother was clearly upset and sent me a text saying, "You’re so selfish. You just can’t stand to see anyone else happy."

Even my usually quiet dad was furious and said, "She’s nothing but an ungrateful brat."

I touched my chest. Thankfully, it did not hurt anymore.

……

Ever since I was little, my grandma always told me, "There’s no one better than a mother."

But I always felt like she was lying to me.

When I was eight, my mom took forever to come pick me up.

When we finally got home, I saw her comforting Gwen Lincoln, my twin sister.

We looked almost identical, except I had an extra mole beneath my left eye.

"Mom, who is she?"

"She’s Kate, your sister from the countryside."

Their dissatisfied questioning and cold response left me with a sense of unease.

From that moment, "countryside" became my label, creating a gap between us.

My brother, Zac Lincoln, glared at me with disgust, as if I were an intruder in his home.

Back then, I wanted to ask my grandma what was so great about having a mom.

And now, it was supposed to be our birthday party. But really, it was Gwen’s engagement party.

After greeting the guests, my mom slipped to the stairwell, calling my phone over and over.

By the fifth call, my phone was turned off.

My mom was seething with anger and she yelled, "Kate, you’re too much! I’m your mother!"

Zac overheard and came over, supporting her arm. "Mom, don’t waste your time on someone like her. She’s just bad luck."

"Today is all about Gwen’s engagement. She’s not important."

"Only Gwen is kind enough to still think about her, even when she’s being so difficult."

When my mom heard Gwen’s name, a smile finally appeared on her face.

She sighed and patted Zac’s hand. "Gwen is so thoughtful. How can two daughters be so different?"

"When I gave birth to them, I almost died from the blood loss."

"And Gwen… She was malnourished in the womb and sickly after she was born. She barely made it."

"Even the doctors said she was a miracle."

A chill ran through me. I had heard all of this countless times since they brought me back home.

If it weren’t for my grandma, I was sure they would have abandoned me completely.

Zac comforted my mom. "She grew up in the countryside, she’s not fit for the spotlight."

"But for Gwen’s happiness, I had to bring her here today."

My mom nodded and followed him into the hall. "It’s such a shame for Gwen."

I did not think Gwen was suffering at all. Otherwise, why would she have thrown me in the basement?

……

I drifted into the makeup room and finally saw Gwen.

Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes as she pouted, leaning into Orion Smith’s arms.

Her delicate makeup made her look pitiful.

"I’m so silly. It would’ve been so nice to just have a birthday party. Why did I have to choose today for the engagement?"

"Kate didn’t come. Do you think she’s still mad at me?"

"After all, you used to be her boyfriend, and she loved you so much."

Orion gently stroked her back, his eyes full of sympathy.

As soon as he heard my name, his face twisted in disgust.

"Someone like her shouldn’t even share the same birthday as you."

"Just thinking about her love makes me sick."

"And this engagement? It has nothing to do with her."

I smirked. Didn’t Gwen choose today just to humiliate me?

"But she’s still my sister. I’d really like her blessing," Gwen muttered softly.