The Night He Didn't Hear Me

The night I was murdered, I screamed out for Jake’s name with every agonizing breath.

Meanwhile, Jake was at the dazzling graduation gala, escorting my stepsister, the fake heiress.

“She still hates me, I guess that’s why she didn’t come,” my stepsister, Lily, said with a pitiful pout.

Jake dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry about her, Lil. Don’t let her ruin your night.”

Now, as a ghost, I finally accepted that Jake didn't love me.

But after I died, Jake did the unthinkable – he swallowed my ashes.

(1)

The night I died, Jake, along with my parents, were all at the university’s grand ballroom, celebrating my stepsister’s graduation.

My spirit hovered, watching my mom call me repeatedly, each attempt unanswered. She huffed and complained about my lack of manners.

My dad, with a cold look on his face, snapped, "Text her. Tell her if she's not here for Lily’s graduation, she’s no daughter of mine!"

They didn’t actually want to see me. They just wanted my presence to make their precious Lily’s graduation seem more perfect, like I was an accessory to her success.

Before I turned twelve, I was an orphan.

Then, a fancy car whisked me away to the Miller's mansion.

I thought fate had smiled on me. After twelve years of wandering, I was finally getting a home.

But as I passed their bedroom, I overheard them talking.

“Do you think maybe she’s… a little slow?” my mom whispered. “How can she be so dense? Lily picks everything up so fast."

"She’s been living in the sticks, what do you expect?" my dad answered dismissively.

“We should’ve just left things be, kept her in that hick town. I don't know why your mom insisted on bringing her back. Look at poor Lily, she's been in tears all week because of her. It’s breaking my heart."

My dad agreed, “I know, we’ve invested so much into Lily. She’s talented, well-behaved… she should be our real daughter, not her.”

My mom’s voice was laced with venom. "I don't care, Lily is my real daughter. That other one, we'll just keep her around to satisfy your mother’s dying wish.”

Dad sighed. “Keep it down…”

“Why? That little dummy won't understand.”

I knew they thought I wasn't as good as Lily.

I couldn't dance, play an instrument, speak fluent English, or even have a proper American accent.

I wasn't as pretty or charming as Lily, who could please everyone and make them feel good about themselves.

I was a bit slow, struggling to learn anything new.

I thought that eventually they'd see my efforts, until they tried to get rid of me again.

On my thirteenth birthday, they took Lily and me to the local amusement park. A big family outing, for once.

That day was the park's annual parade, and a wave of people surged forward. All the parents held onto their kids.

My parents reached out at the same time, but they grabbed Lily.

I got lost.

I frantically searched the park, running, desperate to find them, until the sun began to set.

I slumped onto a bench, catching my breath. I heard my mom’...