บททั้งหมดของ The Lesser-Favored Soul Sister: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 8

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was my mother’s worried yet eager expression.“Are you Claire or Stella?”I ignored the difference in warmth in the way she said our names and answered calmly, “I’m Claire.”The three people standing by the bed immediately let out sighs of relief.A trace of bitterness flashed across my eyes.Every time I had woken up before, they had always been cold and distant, simply stating something like, “Hurry up and study,” before walking away.I never imagined that the first time they showed me kindness would only be because they needed me to take the punishment for Stella.Ash, my older brother, pressed his lips together.“Stella got into a fight with a girl at school. The other girl started it first. Stella was only defending herself.“She might have lost control and seriously injured the girl. We originally planned for Stella to take responsibility herself.“But the draw chose you this time, so…”My hand clenched tightly under the blanket. M

As my soul drifted free from the body, I finally became my own person. From now on, that body belonged to Stella alone.I floated beside my family.Ash held the short lottery stick and smiled gently. “Stella will wake up tomorrow.”Then, something seemed to occur to him, and worry crossed his face.“But Claire’s injuries haven’t healed yet. Stella’s going to feel all that pain when she wakes up.”He turned to our mother. “Mom, call the family doctor. Have some painkillers ready. Stella’s always been delicate.”My mother hurried off without hesitation.I let out a bitter laugh. Why had no one thought about treating my injuries yesterday, when I was still in the body?I had felt pain too.The next morning, Stella opened her eyes to find our parents and brother waiting beside her bed.The pain hit her instantly.She burst into tears.“Ouch! It hurts so much, Ash! Why couldn’t you let Claire finish suffering before waking me up?"My mother’s eyes immediately reddened with dist

The entire room fell into a strange silence.The three of them stared at Stella in disbelief. After confirming that it was truly her, they all sucked in a sharp breath.My mother and my father exchanged a glance.“How is this possible? How could Stella be awake? We clearly drew the long stick.”My mother frowned and looked at my brother.“Ash, did you draw the long stick or the short one? Did you make a mistake?”At that moment, the shock in Ash’s trembling eyes slowly faded. His voice was hoarse.“It was the long stick. I drew it myself.”The three of them became even more unsettled.“Why did Stella wake up? What went wrong?”Ash shook his head. His mind was a complete mess. He could not think clearly at all.He felt as though something had slipped completely beyond his control.That realization made his heart beat faster and faster until it became almost unbearable.Stella still had no idea what had happened.When she realized she had been chosen again, she immediately

“Stella!”Ash’s heart lurched. He did not even spare her a glance. Instead, he carefully picked up the oak stick, now broken cleanly in half, his fingers trembling.Stella was furious and hurt.She bit her lip.“I’m sorry, Ash. I didn’t mean to.”He looked at his younger sister, who was apologizing so meekly. For the first time, the sight of her only irritated him.He turned and hurried outside to find the wise man.His voice trembled with apprehension.“Sir, is there any way to bring Claire’s soul back?”My entire body shuddered. Fear surged through me almost instantly.‘No! I don’t want to go back!’The wise man’s gaze passed straight through Ash and landed on me. My heart skipped a beat. He could see me?“No.“I forgot to tell you something. Each of the two souls is given one chance to choose death of their own free will. Your sister, Claire, made that choice herself.”With those final words, the wise man vanished without another trace.Ash was left standing alone at