ManyWriters

My stepsister falsely accused me of triggering her allergy, so my three siblings confined me to a small, stuffy basement and secured the entrance.
I feebly knocked on the basement door, pleading with my brothers to release me.
James, my eldest sibling and a business magnate, harshly reprimanded me before departing:
"It's terrible enough that you constantly torment Lily, but intentionally giving her seafood knowing her allergy? Were you attempting to end her life? Remain there and contemplate your actions!"
William, my second brother and an up-and-coming musician, and Henry, my third brother and a brilliant artist, both scoffed:
"Someone as cruel as you is still making justifications and acting like the victim? You can just stay there and face the repercussions!"
With those words, they carried my quivering stepsister Lily in their arms and hurried her to the medical center.
As the air gradually depleted, each inhalation became more difficult until I eventually perished in that basement.
Three days later, when my brothers came back home from the hospital with Lily, they finally recalled my existence.
However, by that time, I had already died from lack of air in that confined basement.
I lost my life due to oxygen deprivation in that cellar.
When I regained awareness, I found my spirit floating beside my three brothers.
They had just returned to their grand house. James and William were carefully assisting Lily, speaking to her with affection:
"We're so relieved we got you to the hospital in time. Your recovery is progressing well."
Henry doted on her with evident worry:
"The physician mentioned your body is still fragile and requires proper sustenance."
He then eagerly presented Lily with a substantial portion of meat.
A household employee tentatively spoke up: "Young sirs, Miss Rachel hasn't made any noise in the basement for three days now..."

Suffocated by Sibling Suspicion, A Ghost's Revenge

"Why are you all idling about? Fetch that ungrateful child immediately. And bring the punishment rod as well. If Rachel hadn't deliberately added seafood to the dish, how could Lily have ended up hospitalized for three days?"


"It's high time we established order in this house!"


The servants, too afraid to object, hastened towards my location.


I let out a despairing chuckle. My brothers had already deemed me guilty without even looking into the matter.


Three days prior, Lily mentioned being hungry, so I kindly offered to prepare a meal for her.


She even provided a small package of spices, saying that's what she wanted. I sampled it and it seemed ordinary.


Who could have anticipated it contained her allergen?


James is supposedly a business prodigy, yet he failed to see through such an obvious plea for attention? If that's not preferential treatment, what is?


In my brothers' eyes, I would never measure up to stepsister Lily. My sense of isolation grew.


But it was of no consequence now. I had already perished in that basement. Now my brothers could lavish all their affection on Lily.


"Young master, we've been calling for Miss Rachel repeatedly, but there's been no answer at all."


"We can't detect any signs of life from within!"


James' brow furrowed deeply as he stood up abruptly, his face etched with anger:


"What new scheme is that troublesome girl plotting now? Does she think she's too good to apologize to Lily?"


"Has she still not grasped the gravity of nearly taking your life this time?!"


Lily gently pulled on James' sleeve and said mournfully:


"Big brother, it's fine. I'm just a parentless child. I don't deserve big sister's apology."


"Employing such a petty tactic for attention – does she truly believe I can't see through it?"


"She must think herself so clever, assuming if she plays deaf and dumb she can evade consequences. It appears the punishment I administered was too lenient!"


"Come on. Force her out here. I want to see how she tries to hide now. She must kneel and beg Lily's forgiveness!"


Chapter 4