Chapter 2

Jacob and Evelyn were at the kindergarten, celebrating Children’s Day with Asher. Anyone who saw them would think they were the picture-perfect family.

Xander did not blame them. Instead, he came to scold me, the one just waiting for death.

A wave of indescribable frustration welled up inside me. Xander had been the first target I tried to win over.

He was my older brother, three years ahead of me. Growing up, he had always treated me like I was something precious. When I was ten, the system excitedly informed me that his affection level had reached 90%. Just a little more effort, and I could return home.

But then Evelyn showed up.

She was the daughter of our housekeeper. After an argument between us, she fell down the stairs, her body covered in bruises.

Xander stood at the doorway, staring at me with a coldness I had never seen before.

"Nina, when will you stop acting like a spoiled princess?

"The older you get, the more vicious you become."

His words were like a sharp blade stabbing into my heart, twisting painfully.

The system told me his affection had dropped to 50%, and that the chances of success were slim.

The system was right. After that day, Xander became increasingly distant, and his affection kept declining. He even suggested my parents send me to boarding school, just to keep me away from Evelyn.

"Xander, what are you doing here?"

Ever since I was sent to that nightmare of a boarding school, I had never called him "brother" again.

"Your tricks are pathetic. Did you forget this hotel belongs to our family?

"You booked a room here just to make sure I’d come, didn’t you?

"Why don’t you just die already? And quit acting like you deserve to be called my sister!"

Even though I had long since given up trying to win him over, the mockery and disdain in his voice still cut deep.

I held onto the hope that he might still have some affection left for the little sister he had watched grow up.

So, just like when we were kids, I tugged at his sleeve, hoping he would help me fulfill one last wish.

"Xander, could you please kill me?"

But before I could finish, he shoved me away in disgust.

I had not braced myself and fell to the ground, feeling lost and unsure.

"You should have died a long time ago. But do it far away from me. I’m not cleaning up after you."

I had been so wrong.

There was no way Xander had any feelings left for me.

I pushed myself up and stood tall, staring at him without fear.

I had not really looked at him in so long.

The once gentle and handsome brother who doted on me had now become more distant and colder.

Without warning, I slapped him across the face.

In my attempt to win him over, I gave up the inheritance my parents left me, just to give this fake heir the resources to get back on his feet.

But he just coldly said, "You owed me this."

I did not owe anyone, least of all him.

With that thought, I raised my hand, ready to slap him again. However, this time he caught my wrist.

"Nina, you’re insane."

He was furious, his entire body radiating anger, and his eyes were practically on fire.

I used to be terrified when he got mad, but now I just laughed.

"Yeah, I’m insane. What are you going to do about it?

"Kill me?

"If you have the guts, go ahead. Kill me! Do it!"

I stepped closer, pushing him to his limit, but he backed away.

Xander’s pupils shrank as he released my wrist.

"You’re truly wicked. Even in death, you want to drag me down with you."

Then he turned and left, nearly fleeing the room.

I glanced at the red marks on my wrist and chuckled softly.

I thought he would be the one to help me go home.

But he wasn’t.

After getting myself together, I headed to Oliver Smith’s boxing gym.

Oliver was the real heir and had been my deskmate in high school.

After I was sent to boarding school, he was the only light in my life.

He used to stand up for me when I was bullied. He barged into the girls' bathroom to save me. He even argued with teachers on my behalf. And for me, he exposed the fact that he was fighting in underground boxing matches.

"Nina, I don’t know why, but when I look at your face, so similar to mine, I feel an overwhelming urge to protect you.

"I’ve always wanted a sister. Let me protect you, okay?"

I thought I would successfully win him over.

But just when his affection level hit 95%, Evelyn transferred to our school.

Once again, she appeared in front of me and my target.