ce my life had ended. I floated above my lab, a silent guardian of my own demise. The air was thick with t

ains of classical music. It was a stark contrast to the grim tableau below. My spi

ng in the spotlight. Kyle, my father, usually so reserved, was surprisingly animated, a rare

e filled with an unfamiliar warmth, a pride I had neve

"A new surgical gown, darling," she cooed, her eyes shining with adoration.

she? I hope she's not upset. I truly didn't mean for my celebration to overshadow her award." She

Always overthinking. Besides, your new gown will look even better on display. Pe

. My room? Already

er voice laced with feigned

sister. It's her duty to share. Besides, she spends all her tim

y Jetta's new gown up the stairs. "I'll take it, Jetta. You

cold and phantom, welled in my spectral eyes, though they could never fall. I felt a profound, ach

's so sensitive, so prone to dramatics. I hope she's not planning anything foolish, just to

red his throat. "She's probably just sulking, Jetta. You know how she

so... academic. Not real medicine, like yours, darling." She smiled at Jetta, dismissing my life's work with a f

that gene sequencing project? Took her forever." She chuckled, a light, tinkling sound. "But she did it. In her own slow, steady way." The barest hint o

rely concealed satisfaction. She always knew how to twis

to explain complex concepts. She was charismatic, charming, a natural leader. But brilliant? Not in the way they imagined. The family, however, had

week-long grounding and a lecture from Kyle about respecting others' property. He had made me scrub the entire house,

silent devotion in his eyes that had never been there for me. I had seen it for a while now, furtive glances, touches that lingered too long. But I had pushed it away, convinced myself i

fted instantly. My name, and the brief, dismissive mention of my absence, vanished from their conversation like smoke. The

, embellishing details, painting herself as a tireless hero. Kyle and Beverly nodd

heir fiancé, remained a silenced spectator, a ghost i