Unloved and Left to Burn

I accidentally ruined the cake at the fake daughter's birthday party. As punishment, my parents and brother locked me in the basement.

"You’ve let your jealousy ruin a perfectly good celebration. Stay here and think about what you’ve done!" they shouted.

They left me in the basement and went off to the Maldives to throw another birthday party for the fake daughter.

When a gas leak occurred at home, I was still locked in the basement. As soon as they remotely turned the lights on, the whole house exploded, taking my life with it.

After my death, my spirit drifted over to where my family was celebrating. I saw them gathered around the fake daughter on a beach. When a luxury three-tiered cake was brought out, they watched her make a wish with a smile.

The fake daughter put on a show of concern about me.

"Darling, you’re too kind-hearted. People like her deserve to be locked up and taught a lesson. Let’s see if she dares to take anything from you again," they said.

Hearing that, I completely gave up on my family.

When they returned home and saw the destroyed house, however, my parents and brother went mad.

"Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me, guys. This will be an unforgettable day for me," my younger sister Calla Yeldham said as she gazed at my parents and older brother, Harvey Yeldham. She then turned to admire the luxurious yacht.

Calla was wearing a custom haute couture gown worth millions, paired with a diamond tiara that was blindingly shiny. She looked like a princess, adored by all.

My parents and brother looked at her with nothing but love and pride. Nobody saw me standing a short distance away, quietly watching them.

Because I was dead, they couldn't see my spirit.

Even if they could, what difference would it make? I had always been invisible in this family.

"Calla is the jewel of the Yeldhams. This party alone must've cost millions."

"And that pink diamond necklace she's wearing? I saw it at an auction once. It's worth a million dollars."

"Calla is so lucky to have a family that adores her so much."

Hearing the guests murmur in admiration, I couldn't help but smirk. Right, Calla was truly lucky. The truth was, I was the Yeldhams' biological daughter, while Calla was just an imposter who stole my place. Yet, our parents only ever cared about her. They even forgot that she and I shared the same birthday.

I never got a party or gifts. Not even a slice of cake.

Calla, who was surrounded by admiration, suddenly mentioned me. "Oh, Frida is at home alone. Is that really alright? Even though she ruined my party, I believe she didn't mean to. Dad, Mom, Harvey, please don't always get mad at her on my behalf." She spoke with sincerity, her face full of concern, as if she truly cared.

Harvey scoffed. "What could happen to that worthless girl? Calla, you're too kind. That's why Frida bullies you."

My parents nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Calla. Don't worry about Frida. She's already grown up, yet still has no manners. We're just giving her a little lesson."

"Her jealousy got the best of her and she ruined your party, after all."

"Let's see if she dares try to compete with you again."

I felt a chilling coldness seep through me. A little lesson?

In their eyes, locking me alone in a dark basement and sending all the house help away was just "a little lesson." They left me alone in that big, empty house with no food or water.

It was all just a lesson.