The Echoes of a Shattered Box Chapter 1

The moment my adopted sister pushed me off the roof of that 99-story building, I watched my family rush to protect her, and a sudden, profound realization hit me.

All the love and expectations I craved were just chains I used to deceive myself.

When those chains shattered, I found myself reborn from a pool of blood, back to when I was fifteen.

In this life, watching my parents bring Chloe into our home again, I didn't throw a hysterical fit fighting for their affection.

My parents' blatant favoritism, my brother's exclusive indulgence toward her, and the gentle affection of my childhood sweetheart—I didn't care about any of it anymore.

But why, this time, were they the ones crying and begging me to just look at them?

* * *

I stood at the top of the stairs, running my fingers over the cold handrail.

In the living room, my parents were leading a timid-looking girl.

She wore a faded, washed-out jacket and anxiously surveyed this unfamiliar, luxurious home.

"Don't be afraid, Chloe. This is your home from now on."

My mother's voice was gentle and cautious as she lightly stroked the girl's hair.

In the past, that kind of careful, tender affection would have made me crazy with jealousy.

Right now, my heart was empty; I felt absolutely nothing.

"This is your brother. He specifically took time off from college to come back and meet you."

My father introduced him with a beaming smile.

My brother, Liam, who had rushed back from out of town, pulled a beautifully wrapped gift box from his backpack:

"Welcome to our family. This is a little something for you."

Those usually aloof eyes were now brimming with an indulgent, doting smile.

I watched this scene expressionlessly, like watching a play that had nothing to do with me.

No anger, no jealousy, not even a ripple of emotion.

Chloe timidly accepted the gift. Looking up, her still slightly chubby face was written with gratitude and nervousness. She was such a good actress.

If I didn't know that ten years later, she would use these very hands to violently push me off the roof of a 99-story building.

But even recalling that moment, my heartbeat remained steady.

Hatred? I didn't really feel that either.

It was all just an objective fact.

"Nora, come down and meet your sister."

My mother finally noticed me standing at the top of the stairs, her tone carrying a hint of expectation.

I silently walked down the stairs.

Four pairs of eyes instantly turned to me.

"Hello."

I spoke, my voice as calm as a pool of stagnant water.

There were no hysterical demands of "Why did you bring her back?" like in my past life, nor sharp, crying screams of "This is my house!"

Those emotions that once tore me apart felt as if they had never existed.

Or rather—they truly didn't exist anymore.

Chloe seemed frightened by my coldness; she shrank back behind my mother.

"Nora."

My mother sighed.

"It's Chloe's first time here. Can't you say a few more words?"

"Nothing much to say."

I turned to walk back upstairs.

Behind me, I heard my mother's awkward explanation:

"Don't mind her. Nora has always been afraid of strangers since she was little. That's just how her personality is..."

I didn't even have the interest to turn back for a glance.

Whatever they said, whatever they explained, it had nothing to do with me anymore.

I pushed open my bedroom door, shutting those voices out.

The room looked just as I remembered.

Everything was paused in the summer I was fifteen, as if the bloody plunge from the high-rise was just an absurd dream.

I calmly surveyed the room. There was no warmth of coming home, nor the joy of regaining what was lost.

I just felt this was merely a temporary place to stay.

In a week, my sophomore year of high school would begin.

I planned to board at the school.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

It was Liam.