My brother, Liam, was my target. All I needed was for him to spend one birthday with me before I turned eighteen. Just one, and the mission would be complete. But Liam hated me. He hated me for being born, for supposedly killing our parents. More than once, his words had cut me to the bone: "Olivia, why wasn't it you who died that day?" I never dared to hope he'd celebrate with me. Until today, my eighteenth birthday. My last chance. Gathering every shred of courage, I dialed his number, my heart a trembling bird. "Liam," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "please, could you spend just one birthday with me? Just one? Otherwise... I'll die." His voice, when it came, was laced with venom, utterly devoid of care: "Then die. And be quick about it." The line went dead. A desolate, bitter laugh escaped my lips. Alright, Liam. As you wish. … That night. Liam, who had been celebrating his adopted sister's birthday, was called back. It was he who performed the autopsy on my body. 1 “Host, this is your last chance.” “If your brother, he still won’t…” The System’s voice trailed off. I knew it couldn’t bring itself to finish the sentence. It had been with me since birth, a constant companion for eighteen years. Even a cold machine could develop feelings. Yet my own brother, my only blood relative, hated me with such intensity. I pressed my lips together, gathering my courage, and dialed Liam’s number. But it was Chloe’s cheerful voice that answered. “Olivia? Is everything alright?” My heart clenched. Chloe. Liam’s… adopted sister from the orphanage. But in his eyes, she was the true sister, wasn’t she? Swallowing the bitter tang of jealousy, I asked, my voice hoarse, “Is Liam there?” Chloe’s voice vibrated with excitement. “He’s about to set off fireworks for me! It’s my birthday today!” I froze. Even though this wasn’t the first time Liam had celebrated Chloe’s birthday, my heart still gave an inevitable, painful twist. 2 Liam had adopted Chloe on my seventh birthday. From that day on, my birthday became hers. Every year since, he’d take her out to celebrate, leaving me behind. I never dared to ask him to stay, let alone to celebrate with me. I slowly raised my head, watching the clock hand sweep across the wall. My time was running out. “Put Liam on the phone.” Chloe’s innocent tone barely concealed her smug pride. “What do you want Liam for? He pulled half a month of all-nighters just to get three days off to celebrate my birthday!” I bowed my head, the bitterness in my heart deepening. Liam was willing to spend three days celebrating with Chloe. Would he agree to spare three minutes? Three minutes to share a slice of cake with me? “Chloe, who is it?” Liam’s voice cut through my thoughts. “It’s… it’s Olivia.” A rustle, then the phone was in Liam’s hand. “Hello?” Fear and tension choked me. For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Until Liam’s impatient voice cut in, “If you’re not going to talk, I’m hanging up.” “No—” I blurted out, my voice raw. Swallowing hard, I pleaded, my words barely a whisper, “Liam, could you… could you spend one birthday with me? Just this once?” My heart hammered in my chest, a frantic drum of hope and dread. After a long moment, Liam spoke. His tone was like ice, freshly forged and sharp. “How dare you even think of celebrating your birthday?” My heart instantly froze. All these years, I’d grown accustomed to his coldness. But now, facing imminent death, my eyes welled up, blurring my vision. I choked back a sob, begging, “Just this once, Liam, please, I’m begging you, just this one time, will you celebrate with me?” In my panic, to add weight to my plea, I blurted out the System’s existence. “Otherwise… the System, the System will erase me. I’ll really die, Liam.” 3 The sound of my own ragged breathing and pounding heart filled the silent room, shockingly loud. I clutched my phone, waiting for Liam’s verdict. It might have been only a second, but it stretched into an eternity. Finally. His voice, cold, hateful, and utterly indifferent, came through. “Then die. And be quick about it. You killed Mom and Dad. Your death would be a fair repayment.” I froze. Every single one of Liam’s words was a gleaming, sharp blade, stabbing my heart, again and again. Tears streamed down my face, uncontrollable. I’d known it, deep down. I should have known I didn’t deserve a birthday. But still, a sliver of hope had clung to me. After all, we were the only two people in the world bound by blood. We were supposed to be siblings, relying on each other. But my brother… he still wished for nothing more than for me to die. Fine. Truth be told, I didn’t really want to live either. 4 A barely audible sigh echoed in my mind. “Host, do you… want to try one last time? Go find Liam, even if he just stays with you for a minute. I’ll petition headquarters; it’ll count as him spending your birthday with you.” I forced a bitter smile, thanking the System for its kindness. “No need.” What would be the point? To be so utterly despised by my closest, my only relative? What was the meaning of living on? I’d known since childhood that Liam hated me. The System had told me everything: how Mom had suffered complications during my birth; I was supposed to die. But she hadn’t wanted me to, she’d fought with all her might to bring me into the world, trading her life for mine. That very night, Dad, distraught over Mom’s death, had been in a car accident. And so, from the moment I was born, I carried the guilt of having killed both our parents. Liam’s hatred for me was boundless. But Liam. I lost Mom and Dad too. Just like you. 5 The clock struck eleven. I snapped back to reality, wiping away my tears. Gently, I untied the pretty ribbon on the cake box and lifted the transparent lid. The sweet scent of cream filled my nostrils. Before I died, I wanted to taste a birthday cake. After all, I’d never had one before. And I wouldn’t get another chance. I took out the ‘18’ birthday candles and carefully placed them on the cake. Then, I pulled a lighter from the drawer. The wind outside blew in through the open window; I tried a few times, but the candles wouldn’t light. I stood up, walked to the balcony, and prepared to close the window. Just then, a spectacular firework burst forth in the inky night sky. A cascade of light rained down. So beautiful. I stood by the window, letting the night wind whip through my oversized, thin dress, and seep into my hollow, desolate heart. One firework after another soared, trailing silver tails, erupting into a million glittering stars in the sky. Sixteen in total. Chloe was sixteen this year. As the last embers faded, a drone formation slowly ascended, spelling out eight words: “Happy Birthday, My Sister.” The wind was so strong, it stung my eyes. How wonderful. Chloe, cherished by her brother. How truly fortunate. 6 The wind howled in my ears. I took a step forward. This lifetime, I had never known love. Next lifetime— Never mind. Let there be no next lifetime. 7 I took another step. My body leaned out over the railing. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, I plunged forward, falling straight down. Liam. Goodbye. 8 The height of the fall meant my death was gruesomely stark. My soul floated in mid-air. Even I, seeing myself, found the sight unbearable. My face was a mangled ruin, joints dislocated, skin and bone separated. I was like a dirty, broken, unwanted rag doll. Thankfully, it was late, and few pedestrians were out. Someone must have called the police. The wail of sirens grew louder, approaching rapidly. I looked up. Lights flickered on in surrounding apartments, and curious faces peered from windows. “Host, it wasn’t time yet,” the System whispered, its tone tinged with regret. I knew what it meant; it wasn’t yet midnight. “It doesn’t matter,” I murmured. “Half an hour wouldn’t have made a difference anyway.” “But I detect your brother’s car heading this way,” the System continued. “Perhaps he’s coming back to celebrate your birthday.” Really? I looked at my pathetic, lifeless body, cordoned off by yellow tape. All I could think was: Liam will be happy I’m dead, won’t he? Investigators were still documenting the scene. Sure enough, Liam’s car drove through the complex gates. “Host, your brother really did come back,” the System said, sounding genuinely mournful. “If you hadn’t jumped early, you could have completed your mission.” My heart, however, felt little stirred. Perhaps after death, emotions simply faded away. My soul drifted uncontrollably towards Liam. He stepped out of his car, Chloe close behind him. She was on tiptoes, craning her neck, eager to see the scene. Liam gently pressed her head into his chest, his voice filled with a tenderness I had never once heard directed at me: “Don’t look, Chloe. It’ll scare you.” 9 Chloe nodded obediently, then nestled closer in Liam’s arms, whining playfully, “But Liam—you promised to stay with me past midnight!” Liam’s expression softened into one of pure indulgence. He stroked Chloe’s hair, comforting her. “Be a good girl, Chloe. Liam will be back to celebrate with you as soon as he’s done.” Chloe pouted, grumbling unhappily, “It’s all because of that person who jumped! Why couldn’t they jump earlier or later? Why now?” Hearing her, Liam lightly tapped Chloe’s head. “Chloe, show respect for the deceased. As a medical examiner, it’s my duty to perform autopsies and assist with investigations.” So that was it. Liam had only been called back to dissect my body. Not to celebrate my birthday. It was fine. Truly. I hadn’t held out any hope. Chloe shook Liam’s arm, muttering, her head still buried against him, “I know, I know. I just want you to spend more time with me, Liam!” Liam’s expression was one of helpless affection as he gently squeezed her cheek. Floating there, watching the scene of deep sibling affection unfold before me, I felt a pang of envy. I had never once acted childish or affectionate with Liam. And he had never once been so gentle with me. Between us, there had only ever been his raging hatred and my careful, timid existence.
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