Chapter 10 She Knows Full Well That I Am Already Dead

• After Carter left, Luke lingered by the cold, empty riverside, staring at his phone.
• The screen flickered with notifications, but none were from me.
• He was probably thinking about the past. I'd noticed long ago how his attitude toward Anna had shifted, and it upset me more than I liked to admit.
• But each time, after my anger flared, I'd wonder if I was being petty. Anna was his stepsister, after all. There was nothing wrong with him being kind to her.
• So, I taught myself to overlook it, constantly doubting my feelings, convincing myself I shouldn't let small issues disrupt the fragile peace between our families. I was always the one to make up with him.
• It had been 24 hours since my last message.
• I'd been missing for a whole day.
• With a frustrated grunt, Luke tossed a stone into the river. "Splash."
• "Go ahead, throw your tantrum. Let's see how long you last this time," he muttered, his voice cutting through the quiet.
• I stood beside him, a bitter smile on my face. Even at my worst, I never stayed away more than three days.
• He thought he had me figured out, certain I'd never cause any real trouble.
• I watched his handsome face, now clouded with frustration, and my mind drifted back to when we were 12. At summer camp, during that terrible rainstorm, I got trapped on the mountain. Luke risked a landslide to come find me.
• I'd sobbed when I finally threw myself into his muddy arms, terrified something could've happened to him because of me.
• He just smiled, even covered in dirt. "I couldn't leave you up here. The thought of you being scared made me want to grow wings and fly to you."
• Back then, I didn't understand love. All I knew was his embrace was warm, and I wanted him to protect me forever.
• Now, even though this mess was his fault, he felt no guilt. He thought I was the one being unreasonable.
• Once someone's heart changes, even their breathing feels like an offense.
• By the fourth day after my death, Luke finally started to panic.
• He opened our chat thread, staring at the last voice message he'd sent.
• My phone was still off.
• "Mr. Bolton, your coffee." Roy placed a cup on the desk, hoping to snap him out of it.
• Luke hadn't realized he'd been staring at his phone for half an hour.
• Four days. Even if Chloe was furious, she should've cooled off by now.
• He stood abruptly, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.
• "Mr. Bolton, you have an important meeting coming up," Roy reminded him.
• "Reschedule it." Luke didn't even glance back.
• He drove straight into the city and found Megan Gardner.
• "Ms. Gardner, someone's here to see you," a colleague called out.
• Megan hurried over, her face hardening when she saw Luke. She'd been my best friend since high school, forced into teaching by her parents, but always on my side.
• She understood my pain and barely contained her contempt. "What do you want?"
• "Chloe's with you, right?" Luke snapped. "Tell her to stop this ridiculous scene. It's embarrassing for everyone."
• Megan's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. "What the hell are you talking about, Luke? Are you delusional? You were the one who ditched her at the wedding. She had to apologize to everyone. Who's causing the scene here?"
• Megan's words hit Luke hard, making his face darken.
• "I don't owe you an explanation. Just call her and tell her to come home!"
• It was only then that Megan realized I hadn't been home for days. She didn't waste time cursing Luke and instead asked, "Chloe hasn't come home?"
• "Don't play dumb. You're her best friend. Every time we fight, she runs to you," Luke said, his tone sharp.
• It was true—Megan was my closest confidant. I couldn't open up to anyone else but her.
• That's why Luke assumed I'd been with her this whole time.
• Megan's expression shifted. "What the hell are you saying? My grandmother's dying. I went back to my hometown after the wedding and just got back today. What happened to Chloe? Did you piss her off again, you jerk?"
• Luke stared at her tired, bloodshot eyes, the dark circles beneath them, her chapped lips. It was obvious she hadn't slept for days—she wasn't lying.
• Chloe hadn't been with her. So where had she been for the past few days?
• Luke turned and stormed off, but Megan's voice chased after him. "Luke, if something's happened to Chloe, I won't let you off the hook!"
• I reached out, wanting to brush the stray hair from Megan's face, but my hand passed right through her.
• I sighed helplessly. "Megan, I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. You have to be happy."
• I couldn't touch her anymore. She'd never hear my voice again.
• Suddenly, I was yanked away, pulled back to Luke's side as he answered a phone call while driving. When he hung up, his face looked grim.
• He dialed Roy. "Roy, look into Chloe for me—"
• I let out a bitter laugh. The man I'd loved for years was only now, on day four of my disappearance, starting to care.
• By now, my body was probably starting to rot.
• Before Luke could finish the call, Anna flung open the car door and threw herself at him.
• "Luke! Why've you been avoiding me these last two days?" she whined, pouting like she was the one who'd been wronged.
• Luke, not wanting their relationship to be exposed, hung up on Roy.
• He seemed exhausted, too drained to deal with Anna.
• "Anna, I've got a meeting. If it's not urgent, I need to head back to the office."
• She clung to his arm, refusing to let go. "But Luke, my art exhibit opens today! Aren't you going to support me?"
• It was like he finally snapped out of his fog.
• He'd been so absorbed in work these past few days that he not only ignored Chloe's disappearance but also forgot about Anna's art show, which she'd been preparing for over a year.
• "That's my bad. Let's go."
• I glanced at the phone he'd tossed aside and gave a bitter smile.
• So many years wasted on the wrong man.
• Anna's art exhibit was at the Lagoon Gallery—the very place I'd always dreamed of showing my own work.
• Ever since we were kids, Anna and I had both loved to paint.
• My father, Tyler Sander, had even arranged for us to be mentored by the former dean of Centria University of Art & Design.
• The dean always said I was the most talented student he'd ever taught.
• But in a family like mine, painting was just a hobby.
• My parents wanted us to focus on business, to either run the Sanders family company or, when we got married, be supportive wives—not airheaded artists.
• I'd spent years painting in private, hoping one day I'd have time to open my own gallery.
• But that dream died with me. Now, Anna was living it out.
• She and I were always different. When my parents found her after years of searching, they spoiled her endlessly.
• If she wanted the stars, they'd try to pull them from the sky. She never had to bear any real responsibility.
• I followed Luke and Anna into the gallery, feeling a knot of bitterness in my chest.
• I'd died so suddenly, with so much left undone.
• Inside, I heard the crowd's murmurs of admiration. "Ms. Sander's work is extraordinary. She's so gifted."
• "She's truly blessed with talent. This Lotus Dreamscape is just breathtaking."
• Lotus Dreamscape?
• I looked up—and my blood froze. The painting in front of me was mine.
• I scanned the gallery, my heart sinking further. It wasn't just that one. Several pieces—my pieces, from the basement studio—were scattered around the room.
• Anna had stolen my work and passed it off as her own.
• How could she? She wouldn't have dared unless she knew for sure I was dead.
• It was her. She must've been the one who hired someone to kill me.