Despite the growing tension, Adrian remained indifferent, his next words almost mocking. “Maddy’s eighteenth birthday is coming up in two months. Maybe you should be focusing on that instead of wasting your time on someone insignificant. Do you really think Maddy would appreciate where your priorities lie?”
Listening to Adrian's cruel words, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. His indifference sent a sharp ache through my chest, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up and spilling over. In Adrian’s eyes, I had never truly been family—just an outsider, a shadow to the sister he cherished. Perhaps that’s why I hadn’t gone to heaven yet—because I was still unreconciled with my death.
As the painful memories resurfaced, my heart ached. I thought about all the times I had been pushed aside, cast in Madilyn’s shadow.
I remembered watching Adrian as he gently comforted Madilyn during her blood test. She had always been terrified of needles, and Adrian had shielded her, covering her eyes as if protecting her from the smallest pain. That tenderness, that care—it was something I had never received.