Chapter 1The Countdown to Zero

I am a jinx who can see the countdown to my family's death.

Because both my grandpa and dad died on the day I blurted out their death times.

My three older sisters unanimously believed that my curse killed them, and they detested me.

My mom also died due to complications during childbirth, leaving behind a younger brother who received all the love and adoration from my sisters.

My sisters said my brother was a little lucky star, and since his birth, everything in the family had been smooth sailing.

But Mom died giving birth to him.

I lived in a cramped attic, gnawing on leftover bread, barely surviving until eighteen.

Looking into the mirror, I saw my own countdown. I wasn't sad; instead, I felt relieved.

I'm finally going to die!

Before dying, I only prayed to have one last meal with my sisters.

But my sister glared at me coldly, warning me not to use such tactics to attract attention.

I am a jinx; how could I be worthy of standing in front of my lucky star brother!

* * *

Since I was little, I could see a countdown hovering over people's heads.

When I first saw the numbers over my grandpa's head, I told my parents.

They just laughed, thinking it was childish nonsense, and didn't take it seriously.

A day later, when I saw Grandpa again, he was lying on the bed covered with a white cloth.

Many people were crying sadly, but I didn't understand what they were doing.

Later, I saw a countdown on my dad's head too.

When I told him, Dad's smile stiffened for a moment before returning to normal.

That night, I didn't see Dad come back from work.

I only heard the urgent ringing of the telephone.

After answering the call, Mom's face turned deadly pale.

Her belly was already very big. She ran too hurriedly and fell on the steps at the entrance.

Right at that moment, I saw the familiar 24-hour countdown appear over her head.

That day, my brother was born, and Mom died from massive hemorrhaging despite rescue efforts. I stood outside the hospital room, looking bewildered.

My third sister, Chloe, pushed me to the ground, calling me a monster, saying I cursed them.

Saying I killed Dad and Mom.

My palms scraped hard against the cold floor, oozing tiny beads of blood.

It hurt so much I wanted to cry, but looking around, no one came near me. Their eyes were filled with fear and disgust.

I didn't dare make a sound. I could only bite my lip, climb up from the ground myself, pat my little pants, and comfort myself in my heart.

I curled up into a ball in the corner, listening to the continuous crying outside the door, hugging my knees and sobbing softly.

"Dad, Mom..."

I slowly fell asleep like this. When I opened my eyes again, the place was empty.

They all left. Why didn't anyone call me? Did they not want me anymore?

I stood up in a panic, but because I had squatted for too long, my legs were numb, and I fell straight to the floor.

In the quiet corridor, only the flickering fluorescent lights accompanied me.

My body hurt, and I couldn't hold back anymore, crying out loud.

From that day on, everything changed.