Chapter 1

A storm hit hard during our cruise.

My younger brother pushed me into the sea.

He snatched away my life vest.

After the rest of the family was rescued, my mother complained.

"Where's Daniel?" she demanded.

"Where did he run off to?"

My father scoffed.

"Forget about him," he said.

"He had a life vest on. He'll be fine."

My older sister, Chloe, pulled my younger brother, Justin, into her arms.

"Our little Justin is so well-behaved and sweet," she cooed.

"When will Daniel ever be as easy to handle as you?"

They stood on the dock, shouting my name.

They cursed at me, telling me to hurry up and get out.

But I couldn't.

I was already dead.

At the bottom of the ocean, lost to the light.

The ship went down.

My parents, my sister Chloe, and my younger brother Justin were wearing life vests.

They floated on the surface, waiting for rescue.

Their hands were tightly clasped together.

They didn't let go of each other until they were pulled ashore.

Only when the rescue crew counted everyone did they realize someone was missing.

A rescue worker frowned.

"Aren't you a family?" he asked, his voice stern.

"How could you lose your son and not even notice?"

My mother pursed her lips in annoyance.

"That Daniel is always like this," she said.

"He's always hiding somewhere."

"Once, we went to the amusement park. The whole family was there before we realized he was still at home."

"Why can't he just open his mouth and say something?"

"He's so introverted and gloomy."

"Just not likable at all."

But she was the one who forgot that time.

I had told her I needed to use the restroom.

I asked them to wait just a moment.

When I came out, I saw only the back of their car.

They drove off, leaving me in the dust.

I screamed until my throat was raw.

I called out for Mom, again and again.

My nose burned with the taste of blood.

But they didn't stop.

Not even for a second.

That was when I finally understood.

I was disposable in this family.

My voice was something they simply couldn't hear.

Then my sister Chloe said coldly.

"That ungrateful brat," she spat out.

"He didn't even bother to check in with us."

Justin cuddled closer in her arms.

He softly told her not to be angry.

Chloe stroked his hair, a pleased look on her face.

"Our Justin is so well-behaved," she murmured.

"So pure and considerate."

"When will Daniel ever be as easy to handle as you?"

Justin sighed, sounding a little hurt.

"Maybe my brother just doesn't want to see me," he said softly.

"He never seems to like me much."

"But he shouldn't be so difficult."

"Doesn't he know we're all worried about him?"

Hearing Justin's words, my father's face softened.

He comforted him tenderly.

Then he turned and shouted, his voice filled with fury.

"Daniel!" he roared.

"Where the hell are you?!"

"Your brother is so worried about you!"

"Get out here now!"