The room was silent.Neither of us spoke.
Then a beep—Nathan had hung up.
I let out a bitter laugh.

Even God’s screwing with me,not letting me die in peace.
I paused my suicide plan,bandaging my wrist to slow the bleeding.
I opened my phone,hoping to find someone to collect my body.
As I scrolled through my contacts
,I had less than a hundred.Half were random acquaintances from online deals.
I came across my sister’s profile

.
On impulse,I checked her social media.
A grid of photos showed our family celebrating her birthday,all smiles.
I didn’t dare to like it.

Like a kid without candy,I spied on happiness that wasn’t mine.
Today was also my birthday---just a few hours apart from hers.
But growing up,the family only remembered hers.
Mine was forgotten.
It didn’t matter anymore.
I’d give them what they wanted.They just had to collect my body,and I’d never bother them again.
I opened the family group chat and typed carefully
“Anyone there?If you see this,please come to 304 Garden Street to pick up my body.Okay?”
I stared at the screen,hoping they’d pity me enough to help.
I waited,and waited.
Then I saw Mom and Dad leave the chat.
I was made the group admin.
In desperation
,I typed again:
“Please,I’m begging.If someone sees this,just reply.”
Finally,a responsecame.
Brother:“Can you stop already?”
My sister followed:
“Sorry,sis.My fault.I knew it was your birthday,too.Don’t be mad—I’ll get Mom,Dad,and the brothers to find you.”
Second Brother:“Ignore her.”
Second Brother:“If she wants to die,let her.”
Their words froze my blood.My last shred of hope shattered.
I wiped away my tears and left the chat
As I moved to shut off my phone,my eldest brother called.
I answered,numb.
His furious voice roared,“Enough!Delete those messages.Don’t you know it’s your sister’s birthday?You’re pulling this stunt to ruin it?”
His words left me breathless.
I forced myself to stay calm
.“Fine.I’ll delete them.”
I opened the chat and retracted my messagesHalfway through,notifications popped up:
Second Brother,Eldest Brother,and Younger Brother left the group.
Only my sister remained.
She sent photos of her birthday gifts,gloating.
“Sis,want these?I have plenty.I can give them to you.You won’t mind,right?We’re family—mine is yours.”
I knew she was taunting me.
In the past,I’d have fought her,and she would have tattled to Mom.
Now,I didn’t care.
I disbanded the group.
Slumping to the floor,blood loss made my reflection in the mirror deathly pale.
I curled up in the dark,hugging myself.
I realized—I had no home.