They Pawned My Health For Her Happiness. And Now I’m Dead Chapter 01

They Pawned My Health For Her Happiness. And Now I’m Dead Chapter 01

Halloween. Luca walked into a mysterious pawn shop.

Behind him were my parents and my best friend, Iris.

Iris held up my pajamas.

“Same as before. Pawn her sense of direction for three months.”

“Make sure she can’t find her way home.”

My mother pulled out the stuffed toy from my childhood.

“Swap it for three months of her memory. Make her forget us for a while.”

My father held up the wooden horse he’d carved for me with his own hands.

“For the next five years, she won’t be able to have children.”

My husband Luca stepped forward with our wedding ring.

His voice was low,

“And even if she does get child by some chance—she won’t carry it to term.”

My mother paused. Then nodded.

“Luca’s right. That way, Celine’s child will be born safely.”

“For the next five years, he’ll grow up without any threats.”

Their movements were practiced. Like they’d done this countless times before.

I watched. A chill crept up my spine.

No wonder this morning, when I drove home—

First, I forgot which way to go.

Then I forgot who I was supposed to see.

And then, in one moment of confusion, a truck hit me head-on.

I died on my way home.

A dull ache hit me.

I watched them leave.

Then a hollow voice echoed beside me:

“Dead people don’t let go easily.”

“You take their things, they might take you.”

—

“It’s Halloween. Are we really not inviting Nova home?”

Celine’s voice broke the silence.

I snapped back to the moment.

Only then did I realize—I’d followed them home.

I was just a spirit now. None of them could see me.

“It’s better if she doesn’t come,” my mother said without hesitation.

“Besides, we have you, Luca, Iris. Celine. That’s more than enough.”

Celine shoved a bite of pumpkin pie into her mouth and took over.

“Exactly. Celine, you’re three months away from giving birth.”

“Don’t waste your energy on outsiders.”

My father had a pile of hospital bags next to him. He turned and said gently,

“Don’t worry about your sister. I’ll have Luca send her a box of candy.”

“We haven’t completely forgotten her.”

“Then just send her the ones Celine doesn’t like.”

my mother said immediately, pulling out a bag of candy.

I froze and looked over.

Candy corn. My least favorite. I never liked sweet things.

And some nasty-looking novelty candies.

A lump stuck in my throat. My head felt like it was about to burst.

Luca came out of the bedroom.

He passed the couch, bent down, and kissed Celine’s forehead.

“Your parents are right. Your health comes first now. Everyone else can wait.”

My mother clearly liked Luca’s attitude.

She carried the roasted chicken to the table and rushed over to help Celine.

The candy they’d said they’d send me got knocked to the floor.

They stepped on it. Crushed it under their shoes.

My mother glanced down. Muttered under her breath,

“Crushed. Oh well.”

Then she walked away without looking back.

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my body. Hovered in midair.

Looked down at all of them—every face wearing a smile.

What a lively scene.

But all I felt was cold.

My vision started to blur.

I thought about how hard I’d worked recently.

All the Halloween presents I’d bought.

And how this morning, I’d been so excited to drive home—

Only to get hit by a truck on the way. Killed. No body left intact.

I felt ached so badly I started shaking.

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself.

What a joke I was.

—

After dinner, I followed Celine into the bedroom.

The decor was completely foreign now.

Except for the red roses in the vase.

I always loved white roses. I’d told Luca a hundred times.

But he always said white roses were too plain.

He’d ignore my pleas and throw them out. Then replace them with red.

Years of marriage. He never once gave me a single white rose.

I used to think he just thought white roses weren’t pretty enough.

Now I realized—

Someone else liked red roses.

Celine leaned toward the bathroom. My eyes followed.

A cup of warm water sat on the counter, ready to use.

Pregnancy-safe toiletries on the left.

A towel hanging on the right.

Thoughtful. Attentive.

Luca never liked anyone in his private space.

So who prepared all of this?

I didn’t even need to guess.

But back then, it was different.

I’d get sudden attacks. Cramps everywhere. Vomiting nonstop.

I’d beg him, eyes red, to get my medicine.

His reply was always the same, “You’re an adult. Handle it yourself.”

Muffled voices drifted in from the hallway.

My parents and Celine sat together, flipping through sticky notes in their hands.

I drifted over and looked down.

My whole body froze. I started shaking.