Chapter 3 Hatred

A faint ache stirred in Andrea's chest. She hugged him gently.

"Darius, you and Dad are my only family," she said softly. "I'll protect you both-no matter what."

Darius opened his mouth to say something more when a knock sounded at the door again.

"Andrea, are you really okay?"

Andrea released her brother. A soft, harmless smile curved her lips as she answered gently, "I'm fine, Sandra. You can come in."

The door opened.

A slender figure stepped inside.

Nineteen-year-old Sandra was undeniably beautiful. She strongly resembled her mother, Melinda-large, watery eyes, a delicate nose, pale pink lips, and a small, refined face. Dressed in a white wool dress that hugged her figure just right, she moved with effortless grace, every gesture calm and composed.

Like a lily in full bloom-pure, quiet, and seemingly untouched.

Everyone was fooled by that appearance.

Everyone except Andrea.

Andrea's smile brightened, but her eyes were icy.

Sandra... we meet again.

"Andrea, are you feeling better?" Sandra asked, concern written clearly across her flawless face.

Andrea studied that beautiful expression-every trace of worry carefully rehearsed. For a brief, violent second, she wanted nothing more than to rush forward and tear her throat out.

But no.

She couldn't rush this.

Every ounce of pain she had suffered-she would return slowly, piece by piece.

Digging her nails into her palm, Andrea forced the storm inside her back down and smiled. "I'm much better now. Sorry to make you worry, Sandra."

Sandra visibly relaxed, the tension leaving her brows. She spoke gently, almost reproachfully. "You really scared me. Falling into the lake in the middle of winter-do you know how dangerous that was? Thank goodness someone passed by and saved you. Otherwise..." She trailed off, eyes full of lingering fear.

Every word sounded sincere. Caring. Exactly like a devoted younger sister should.

If Andrea hadn't already lived one lifetime, she might have believed it again.

A trace of mockery flashed through Andrea's eyes, though her smile remained soft. "Alright, alright. I know I was careless. Stop embarrassing me-Darius already gave me a long lecture."

Darius stood off to the side, watching Sandra's performance with thinly veiled irritation. Remembering his sister's earlier warning, he held himself back instead of snapping like he usually would.

He snorted. "Next time, don't tell people I'm your brother. I don't have a sister this dumb."

Andrea huffed twice, pretending to be offended.

Sandra immediately stepped in to smooth things over, seamlessly changing the subject-though in her heart, she wished nothing more than for the siblings' closeness to crack.

"Oh, right," she said as if suddenly remembering something. "Andrea, Senior Steven came to see you. We should go downstairs."

Andrea blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Steven? Who's that?"

Sandra stepped closer and linked arms with her, smiling gently. "Andrea, Steven is quite well-known at our school. How could you forget him? Besides-he's your lifesaver."

A lifesaver?

More like a carefully staged trap.

Andrea remembered that day clearly.

She had been sitting by the lake, reading, when she suddenly felt a heavy shove against her shoulder. Before she could react-splash-she was in the water.

She struggled. Screamed for help.

No one answered.

Icy water flooded her lungs. The suffocation had been unbearable. She had truly believed she was going to die-until a hand grabbed her arm.

In her previous life, she had dismissed it as an accident.

This time, she was certain.

She had been pushed.

And the one behind it was Steven-carefully setting up a hero-saves-the-girl scene to get close to her, to earn her trust.

Andrea lowered her gaze, as if thinking hard. After a moment, realization slowly spread across her face.

"Oh-no wonder the name sounded familiar," she said softly. "He's the student council president, right?"

Her lashes fluttered, a hint of shyness appearing on her face. "Sandra... are you saying Senior Steven is the one who saved me?"

Sandra's perfect smile stiffened for the briefest moment.

"Yes," she replied gently. "He's been very worried about you. That's why he came to check on you personally. Let's go downstairs-he's been waiting."

"But I haven't changed yet," Andrea said, glancing down at herself. She shook Sandra's arm playfully. "Why don't you go keep him company first? I'll change and come down in a bit."

"Alright," Sandra said with a soft laugh. "Hurry up, okay?"

She turned and left.

Her lowered lashes hid the thick jealousy burning in her eyes.

...

In the living room, a young man and woman sat at opposite ends of the sofa, chatting softly. From time to time, Sandra's gentle laughter drifted through the air.

Andrea steadied herself, forcing down the tidal wave of hatred threatening to break loose, and slowly descended the staircase.

Hearing her footsteps, Steven looked up.

A flicker of unmistakable amazement flashed through his deep-set eyes.

The woman walking down the stairs moved with unhurried grace. Her long, wavy hair spilled naturally over her shoulders, catching the light with a soft sheen. She wore a red dress-bold, vivid, like flames licking through the air-so striking it made people instinctively hold their breath.

Every movement carried a quiet allure.

Yet her dark, gem-like eyes were cool and distant, an unsettling contrast-like an angel wrapped in a devil's skin. Beautiful in a way that stole the air from one's lungs.

Andrea studied Steven in return.

That face-truly handsome. No wonder she had been so completely captivated in her previous life. Even now, looking at him with nothing but hatred in her heart, she had to admit it.

A beautiful shell.

Only twenty-two years old, yet already composed and self-assured beyond his years. His smile was warm, almost springlike-but in those deep eyes, Andrea saw it clearly.

Ambition.

Greed.

A faint smile curved her lips.

'Steven... you like taking from others, don't you?

Then wait and see how I destroy everything you want.'

Steven rose to his feet with perfect manners, his smile flawless, voice gentle and smooth.

"Andrea, how are you feeling now?"

"Much better," Andrea replied softly, a faint blush blooming across her pale cheeks. "Thank you for your concern. Senior... I still haven't properly thanked you for saving my life."

"It was nothing," he said modestly. "Just a small effort. As long as you're safe, that's what matters."

Andrea casually glanced at Sandra.

Catching sight of Sandra's stiffened smile, Andrea's own grew deeper. She blinked playfully, her voice carrying a hint of light teasing.

"To you, it may have been nothing-but to me, it was an enormous favor. Senior, if you don't mind, I'd like to treat you to dinner to show my gratitude."

Steven declined politely.

Andrea tilted her head, feigning mild indignation. "If you refuse, it'll feel like you're looking down on me."

"...In that case," Steven said with a soft chuckle, "I suppose I have no choice but to accept."

His smile remained warm, his tone gentler now-almost indulgent.

Clatter.

Sandra accidentally knocked over her teacup. Tea spilled across her dress. Her face paled as she forced an awkward smile.

"Sorry... you two continue talking. I'll go change."

Andrea watched her hurry away, mockery flickering through her eyes.

So Sandra had already liked Steven back then.

In her previous life, she had even foolishly asked Sandra for advice on how to pursue him.

Stupid beyond saving.

After Sandra went upstairs, she never came back down.

Andrea had no interest in staring at Steven's hypocritical face any longer. They agreed on a dinner time, exchanged a few polite words, and Steven soon took his leave.

Andrea stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching his tall figure disappear into the distance.

In her previous life, she had watched him leave like this too-only back then, her heart had been full of anticipation for their next meeting.

Now?

There was nothing left but hatred.