The next day, the bright red sun shone down on my corpse. However, no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't warm it.

It was the second day of the New Year, and we were supposed to visit Grandma.

I heard Dad say, "Why don't we bring Sharon along? It's the New Year. Mom always misses her the most."

I felt a glimmer of hope. Were they finally going to notice I was gone?

However, Mom sounded irritated. "Don't bother. My luck's been awful these days. It's definitely that jinx's fault!"

As I was dead, I couldn't shed a tear, but I desperately shouted, "Dad, Mom, please, check on me! I'm dead. I won't bother you anymore!"

They couldn't hear me.

When we arrived at Grandma's house, I couldn't hold back my sadness any longer. I rushed to her, but I passed right through her.

Yeah, I was dead. I could never hug her again.

"Where's Sharon? Why isn't she here?" Grandma asked.

Mom smiled. "Mom, Sharon's got the flu. We didn't want her to give it to you, so she stayed home. She'll visit once she's better."

I rubbed my dry eyes. Grandma could never see me again.

"Erin, be kinder to Sharon. Don't listen to Mr. Reyes' nonsense. She's your daughter. You don't want to regret it later."

Mom seemed annoyed. "I know, I know. Don't worry about it."

Grandma sighed.

I heard my cousin, Katie Woods, ask Siena, "Hey, Siena, is that jinx from your family not coming?"

"No, she's not coming. My family has been unlucky lately. She's staying in the old house, hiding away."

Katie seemed relieved. "Good. I don't want to be anywhere near her. It's the New Year. Don't need to catch any bad luck."

My lips curled up in a humorless smile as my heart sank into a cold void.

When I used to visit, only Grandma would secretly give me snacks and allowance. The rest of them would bully or ignore me.

Once, they even kicked me out into the cold.

I cried until snot ran down my face, but they were happy. They were sure they'd win at their game later.

"Call Sharon and ask if she's eaten yet," Grandma told Mom as she tapped her cane.

Grandma still remembered me.

Mom frowned, about to refuse, when her phone rang.

"Hello, Erin? Did you move? Did you clean up everything here? It smells terrible." It was Phoebe White, the neighbor.

I sighed. The sunlight, combined with the underfloor heating, was speeding up the decomposition of my body.

"Smell? Sharon's still there. She's probably done something bad again! You don't need to worry about it. I'll call her and yell at her later!"

I screamed, "No, I'm dead! Mom, please, go home and check on me! I'm getting more grotesque!"

Mom called me, but as expected, no one picked up the phone. It had run out of battery and shut off.

Frowning, Dad stood up and said, "I should go back and check on her."

I was ecstatic and nodded vigorously.

However, just then, my uncle, Melvin Shelton, called Dad over. "Don't go yet! We're missing one person for the game. Just stay a little longer. It won't take much time!"

I felt a wave of terror. I prayed for Dad to refuse.

Dad hesitated, then set down his coat.

I lowered my head in disappointment and listened to their lively chatter and cheerful laughter.

When would they finally remember me? When would they realize I was dead?

Would they be sad when they found out? Would they regret it even a little?

Probably not. They'd probably just be glad.

After all, I was dead, so they'd never be unlucky again.

Dad drank too much that night. He didn't end up going to the old house to check on me.

The next morning, when he finally got up, I urged him, "Dad, it's time to check on me now!"

Suddenly, his phone rang.

"Michael! Get over here! There's a problem with the business!" His partner's voice was frantic.

Dad hung up the phone, and just like that, I was forgotten again. He rushed off in a hurry.

Mom had heard the phone call too, and she looked worried. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

"Please, God, let everything be okay."

I also folded my hands in a silent prayer for Dad.

However, there wouldn't be any problems because I was dead. I wouldn't be able to affect them anymore.

This time, everything would turn out fine.

Still uneasy, Mom tried to brew some calming tea. It was on the top shelf of the cupboard, so she stood on a stool to reach it.

Then, she slipped and fell off the stool. The pain made her wince.

I wanted to help her, but I was powerless.

"What's going on? What the hell is Sharon doing? When I see her, I swear I'll beat some sense into her!"

Upon hearing her words, I withdrew my hand.

Was it really all my fault?

Just then, Siena suddenly shouted, "Mom, Mr. Reyes is here!"

Mom forgot her pain. She quickly stood up and rushed out.

"Mr. Reyes, please take a look at our new house. Is there something wrong with it? Our luck's been bad lately. Is it because of Sharon? Is she still living too well?"

Mr. Reyes, the so-called shaman, strolled through the house, rubbing his goatee.

I followed him, curious.

I was already dead. Could he still blame me for all this?

Suddenly, he fixed his gaze on me, then quickly started counting on his fingers.

I jumped in surprise. Could he see me?

His brow furrowed as he mumbled to himself, "No… This isn't right. The timing, the direction… Did I miscalculate back then?"

Mom anxiously asked, "What is it, Mr. Reyes? Is that jinx causing trouble in our new house again?"

I stared at Payton too.

Payton shook his head sharply, then looked at Mom. There was an unusual hint of confusion and embarrassment in his eyes.

"Mrs. Bell, I-I may have made a mistake. When that child was born, was there heavy rain and thunder at midnight?"

Mom froze for a moment. "Yes, there was. I had a difficult birth, and there was thunder and rain."

"Oh no!" Payton slapped his thigh loudly. "She's not a jinx. She has a hidden star in her fate!"

"Hidden star?" Mom was confused.

"A hidden star won't take away your good luck. It can bear bad luck!" Payton spoke rapidly, as if he needed to correct himself.

"People born with this fate unknowingly absorb the misfortune of those close to them. She has to suffer for you to have good luck because she takes on all the bad luck herself!"

Everyone stood frozen in shock.

I was confused. Was that it? I wasn't a jinx? I didn't bring bad luck? Instead, I took on their misfortune?

What did my last ten years mean, then?

Just then, Dad came back and overheard. He shouted, "Quick, go get Sharon!"

I followed them as they rushed out.

Were they finally going to find my body?

When they arrived at the old house, they climbed the stairs quickly and opened the door.

An overwhelming stench hit them all at once. They covered their noses and gagged.

And finally, they saw me.