Chapter 1

On his deathbed, Dad warned my sister and me.

Whoever betrays you, never choose forgiveness.

Always leave them behind.

So when my sister abandoned me for the ninth time to comfort our stepdad's depressed son, I didn't cry or make a fuss. I simply ordered 999 gallons of gasoline online.

My childhood sweetheart saw it and mockingly asked, "Planning to set yourself on fire to join your dead dad?"

My sister, feeling guilty, tried to explain: "After learning his dad and our mom had an affair, Nolan became depressed. His emotions are unstable. You need to be understanding."

My childhood sweetheart chimed in: "I don't know why you insist on dragging Nolan into the mess of the older generation. You're so petty."

"Besides, I've told you that once Nolan's depression gets better, I'll fulfill our childhood promise and marry you."

This time, I didn't argue with them.

They had no idea I had scheduled a fake death service.

I'm looking forward to the reactions of those present at Nolan's birthday party next week after my appearance as a charred corpse.

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After emerging from the fake death institution, I went to my father's grave once more.

It was only then that my sister Vienna's call hurriedly came through: "I'm sorry, Yen. Nolan's depression flared up again. I was afraid something might happen to him, so I've been keeping him company to cheer him up until now. I completely forgot about Dad's death anniversary. I'm heading over right away..."

Hearing the voice on the other end of the line, I instinctively glanced at the social media post Nolan had shared just minutes ago.

In the grid of nine photos, my sister Vienna and my childhood sweetheart fiancée Melody were surrounding him like stars orbiting a planet.

The three of them wore faint smiles, their happiness spilling across the screen.

I looked back at the black and white photo of Dad on the tombstone, a sharp pain stabbing my heart.

Would Dad know?

The daughter he had cherished and protected was once again forgetting his death anniversary, all for the son of the home wrecker who had destroyed our family.

I recalled the day Dad passed away, that stormy night when my sister and I knelt before his grave, wailing in anguish, swearing we'd never forgive.

How laughable it all seemed now!

My eyes were lifeless as I parted my cracked lips: "Sister, this is the ninth time already. If you really can't make it, just forget about it."

For the first two years after Dad's death, my sister would still come to pay respects with me, her eyes rimmed red...But in the third year, when Nolan got a fever at school, she took a six-hour bus ride to see him. She stayed by his bedside in the dorm for three sleepless days, missing Dad's death anniversary as a result.

In the fourth year, we had already arrived at the cemetery gates when my sister suddenly received a call that Nolan had gotten into a fight and landed in jail. She shoved everything into my hands, awkwardly made excuses, and left without looking back.

In the fifth year, Nolan was diagnosed with depression.

From then on, he could have an episode at any time, making my sister and even my fiancée Melody bend over backwards for him.

Finally, I asked bitterly, "After all these years, do you even remember where Dad's grave is?"

Without waiting for a response, I hung up abruptly, letting the cold cemetery wind blow over me.

At last, I turned my gaze to my father's tombstone—

"Dad, you were right all along."

"Now, I want to leave. Is that okay?"