My Sister Had a Death Countdown, But Mine Hit Zero First Chapter 04

My Sister Had a Death Countdown, But Mine Hit Zero First Chapter 04

Helen’s face went stiff. 

“She… she’s in her room doing homework.” 

Helen avoided Nora’s eyes and lowered her head. 

She began organizing the silver–white ribbons in 

the basket. Nora said nothing. She only looked at 

her. 

“Doing homework?” 

“I’ll go see her.” 

“Nora!” 

Helen shot to her feet. 

“Ava is… throwing a tantrum. I told her to stay in 

the storage room and think about what she did.” 

Nora froze. 

“What did you say?” 

She asked each word slowly. 

“You locked Ava in the storage room?” 

“Knowing tomorrow is Stella’s…” 

Helen’s voice faded until it was barely there. Nora’s 

expression hardened. She stood up so fast that 

her body swayed. Helen tried to support her, but Nora shoved her away. 

“Helen!” 

Nora’s voice shook. 

“Ava is your daughter too!” 

Helen opened her mouth and wanted to say something. But Nora cut her off. 

“Yes, I know Stella has suffered since the day she was born. She was born with that cursed 

countdown from the Moon Goddess. I know you pity her. I know you want to give her the best of everything and let her leave in peace.” 

Nora’s voice rose higher and higher. Tears shone in her eyes. 

“But what about Ava?” 

“Has Ava not suffered too?” 

“What has she ever gotten since she was little? Stella’s old clothes. Stella’s leftovers. Even your 

love was something she could only watch from 

outside the door!” 

“Helen, have you forgotten she’s a child too?” 

Helen tried toefend herself, but her voice had no 

strength. 

“I didn’t…” 

“Both girls are good girls. Both of them!” 

Nora’s voice choked. 

“But as parents, don’t you owe Ava something? 

Doesn’t she deserve to be loved too?” 

Helen collapsed into a chair and covered her face. 

Her shoulders shook hard. 

“And now you won’t even let the sisters see each 

other one last time?” 

Nora’s voice was rough with grief. 

“Stella will be claimed by the Moon Goddess 

tomorrow. Ava is her only sister, the sister she has 

protected since childhood.” 

“How is Stella supposed to leave in peace?” 

“Do you want her to leave with regret?” 

Helen’s broken voice slipped through her fingers. 

“I only wanted Stella to be happy on her last day.” 

“I didn’t w.. Ava to upset her…” 

Late that night, Stella’s bedroom door stayed shut. 

“Go get some sleep,” Nora finally said hoarsely. 

“You still have to be up early tomorrow.” 

Helen moved, as if she wanted to say something. 

In the end, she only shook her head. 

“I can’t sleep.” 

Marcus didn’t move either. 

Nora sighed and stopped trying to persuade them. 

She stood up and walked to the storage room 

door. She crouched down and spoke gently 

through the crack. 

“Ava, Grandma is right here with you.” 

“Don’t be afraid.” 

My tears fell again. Time passed second by 

second. The fire in the fireplace slowly dimmed. A 

heavy silence settled over the room. Outside the 

window, the sky slowly turned pale. Dark blue 

turned gray, then faded into the pale light of dawn. 

The first beam of morning light passed through 

the glass window. It fell onto the old floor and lit 

the dust floating in the air. 

Nora stood up and walked to Stella’s bedroom 

door. She raised her hand to knock. But her hand stopped in midair. After hesitating for a long time, she only said softly, “Stella, it’s time to get up.” 

A small sound came from inside the room. The 

door opened. 

“Grandma, Dad, Mom.” 

Stella spoke softly and gave them a faint smile. Helen rushed to her feet and ran over to hug her. 

She held Stella as if she could keep her alive by holding on hard enough. Marcus also walked over. 

His hand trembled as he gently touched Stella’s 

hair. 

“Stella…” 

Helen’s voice was shattered. 

“I’m okay, Mom.” 

Stella patted Helen’s back softly. 

“I’m really okay.” 

Nora stood to the side and watched quietly. She 

watched for a long time. Then she suddenly 

remembered something and turned sharply 

toward the storage room. 

“Ava!” 

Her voice was especially clear in the quiet 

morning. 

“Hurry! Let Ava out!” 

Only then did Mom and Dad remember me, the 

daughter they had left locked in the storage room. 

They broke into tearful smiles. 

“Yes, yes! Let Ava out!” 

“Stella is okay. This is the Moon Goddess’s 

blessing. It’s a happy day!” 

Helen held Stella’s hand. Marcus walked in front. 

The three of them rushed toward the storage 

room. Their faces still carried the wild relief of 

surviving a nightmare. 

But when Marcus reached the door and pushed it 

open, his face suddenly changed. He pulled his 

hand back sharply. Then he murmured, “No… no, 

this isn’t right.“