Part 1The Boy in the Floral Dress

When I was four, my sister and I fell into the river. Only I survived.

From that day on, Mom hated me.

At night, she would try to force colorful "candies" into my mouth, but Dad always stopped her in time.

Later, I grew my hair long and wore floral dresses, trying to live as my sister's shadow. Only then would Mom look at me.

Three years later, Mom got pregnant again.

She said my dead sister, Chloe, was coming back.

I was happy for her. Chloe is coming back. That’s good...

That means this family doesn't need me, the replacement, anymore.

I found the "candy" Mom tried to feed me years ago and swallowed it quietly.

* * *

The bitterness of the "candy" spread in my mouth. I bent over, dry heaving, acid mixing with saliva.

This was the rat poison Mom hid in the back of the closet three years ago. Back then, she would sit by my bed late at night, eyes empty, whispering:

"Why aren't you dead yet?"

Now, I was fulfilling her wish.

I was wearing a girl's floral dress. The hem was frayed. It was Chloe's old dress, too small for me now.

But Mom said... I had to wear it to look like Chloe.

Laughter came from the living room. It was a gentle sound I hadn't heard in years.

She was touching her belly, talking to Dad:

"The doctor said it's definitely a girl. Look how stable the pregnancy is." Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "Finally... I don't have to look at that debt collector's face anymore."

I wanted to see Mom's smile one last time.

As soon as I reached the door, Dad saw me. He frowned. "Noah, why aren't you doing your homework?"

His gaze swept over my floral dress and quickly looked away, as if seeing something painful.

Mom turned and saw me. Her smile froze instantly. "Who let you out? Your hair is short again. Didn't I tell you to keep it long like Chloe's?"

She walked over quickly and poked my forehead hard. "Always causing trouble. When Chloe is born, if you dare bully her, I'll break your legs."

I shrank back. The red mark on my forehead stung.

The "candy" in my stomach began to dissolve. Waves of pain hit my abdomen, making me bend over.

Dad wanted to help me, but Mom stopped him. "Don't touch him. He's probably faking it for sympathy."

I bit my lip and said nothing, slowly shuffling back to my room.

Every step felt like knives twisting in my gut. My limbs went numb, and my hand shaking as I held the doorframe.

I lay on the bed, my body twitching uncontrollably.

The door opened. Dad came in with a glass of warm water.

He put the glass on my nightstand and hesitated before saying, "Noah, your mom is pregnant and emotional. Don't take it to heart."

I shook my head, but could only let out a weak groan. Dad's figure started to blur.

Dad sighed. He tucked me in. "Sleep well. You'll feel better tomorrow."

He closed the door when he left. The room went silent.

I pulled out the doll from under my pillow. It was Chloe's favorite.

The fabric was worn shiny. I cleaned it every day.

Mom said it was Chloe's, so I had to protect it. Last time a classmate took it, I fought and got beaten up to get it back.

Gradually, my vision blurred. I hugged the doll tight and closed my eyes.

Mom, Chloe is coming back. You don't have to suffer looking at me, the replacement, anymore.

This is good.