The atmosphere froze, and Caroline quickly spoke up, “I saw Aleah a few days ago. She might have a new bodyguard with her, probably on a business trip.”

I found this amusing. Surely no one would actually believe such a flimsy excuse.

But before I could finish my thought, Jakob clicked his tongue, irritated, and said, “Why bring her up? No one would even care if she died outside.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, swallowing the tears that threatened to spill.

But Jakob, I really am dead.

I turned away, knowing that no one could see me, but I still sought a corner to hide in.

Lights flashed before my eyes, and the crowd swirled. This birthday party was a grand affair for Caroline, one that I had never enjoyed myself.

I remembered my last birthday when Jacob had promised to take me on a seaside trip, only to be called back by Caroline’s pretense of illness midway.

He left me behind.

At that time, I stood alone on the beach, watching the sunset turn the sea into a golden hue, yet my thoughts lingered.

The missed seaside, to be seen another time.

But there would be no second chances.

I pulled my thoughts back to the present, rubbing my aching eyes, and noticed a gleaming object nearby.

I looked down and saw a beautiful, familiar ring.

It was the ring I had personally placed on Jakob’s finger at our wedding.

Now it lay discarded on the floor, vulnerable to anyone’s careless step.

I instinctively wiped at the corner of my eye, only to remember that a soul cannot shed tears.

“Carrie’s so beautiful. I wonder which lucky guy will get her someday?” someone joked.

“Oh, stop it!” Caroline playfully retorted, sneaking a quick glance at Jakob, and shyly added, “I just want to stay by Jake’s side.”

The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers.

Jakob raised a hand for silence. “Carrie is a sister I’m willing to care for all my life, but nothing more.”

Caroline’s face paled momentarily at this, but she forced a smile, her eyes welling with tears, evoking sympathy.

I felt little emotional turmoil, perhaps because having died once, my attachment to past affections had faded.

The party came to an end. Caroline hinted that she wished to stay, but Jakob took her back to the hospital, citing her poor health.

I had no choice but to follow Jakob.

The front entrance was filled with the sounds of crying and wailing, which must have meant something tragic had happened. Indeed, a bloodied figure was hastily wheeled into the emergency room. I cast a sympathetic glance at him.

Jakob, apparently disturbed by the noise, headed towards the side exit. As if guided by some divine intuition, I looked up and saw Tiana ahead, her expression somber and her eyes swollen. Beside her was a gurney, covered with a white sheet. It was evident that they were moving a body.

I didn’t need to lift the sheet to know whose body it was. I felt a pang of anxiety. What would Jakob do if he found out I was truly dead? Several scenarios flashed through my mind. Would he feel relieved to be rid of me and seek someone new? Or would he shed a few symbolic tears to maintain his image?

But would he feel any real sadness at all?

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice Jakob had stopped. I collided with his back and then passed through him effortlessly. Standing before him, I saw him holding his phone, his expression inscrutable. Jakob looked at Tiana's missed call, hesitated for a few seconds, and then dialed back.

But there was only a busy signal. He then called me.

Seeing the unfamiliar number on the screen, I couldn't help but feel a pang of self-mockery. After three years of marriage, I hadn’t even earned a contact label.

Aleah, what do you mean to him?

The call went unanswered. Jakob, growing impatient, made several more attempts. Finally, he got into his car and drove away, just as the hearse carrying my body passed by.

I whispered silently to myself.

From now on, it was truly a parting of ways.