登入The heavy makeup on the girl’s face looked strange to Claire, but she ignored it. She answered her question with a nod and a smile. “I hate fall. Leaves are scattered everywhere—it’s so dirty and unsanitary,” the blonde girl ranted, clapping her hands as if she’d just touched something filthy. Gradually, Claire began to feel uncomfortable being near her. Suddenly she was reminded of Rose, whom Arsen had described as flirty yet still classy and not tacky. Without realizing it, she turned her head to look at the blonde girl’s appearance. Too short and alluring. She quickly turned her face away and closed her eyes, not wanting to meddle in other people’s business. It was better to recall her reaction after meeting Sergio last night, and the voice she’d heard earlier in her mind.Judging by the way she spoke, it was definitely Rose. She had no idea why that voice had echoed in her mind. She’d tried concentrating and hoping to hear it again countless times, but to no avail. Just like no
Laura instinctively stepped back as Sergio approached her, and without realizing it, her hips bumped into the long countertop with two sinks on top. One of her hands fumbled for the wooden drawer beneath the counter just in case, even though a dirty thought had briefly crossed her mind.Sergio kept coming closer until they were finally standing right up against each other. Laura’s heart was beating faster and faster, especially when he leaned down to bring their faces closer. The warm breath brushing against her face made her close her eyes, waiting for what was to come next. A few seconds passed in complete silence, until the loud shatter of glass startled Laura and made her reflexively open her eyes. Sergio’s cold gaze was the first thing she saw, and gradually her heart began to sense that something was off about all of this.“Sergio, I… want to clean the kitchen,” Laura said, her body tense. Her hand immediately pulled open the top drawer closest to her feet, searching for anyth
Juan watched Tania, who was laughing happily because Leo had brought her a set of Barbie dolls and accessories. He didn’t want to interfere in their affairs, as that might ruin the mood. The ringing of his cell phone diverted his attention from their interaction, which looked just like that of a couple—it turned out Tania couldn’t resist the man’s charm. Ever since Leo’s arrival yesterday, the girl had been mostly quiet, gazing at him with a shy expression. At least that gave him a moment of relief, since his daughter had stopped whining and begging Arsen to come over. “What’s going on?” he asked as he answered the call from Andreo.[Claire told me that last night she went to Sergio’s apartment in Portland with Arsen. Laura was there with a swollen face, as if she’d just been beaten by Sergio. What’s going on? Should I report this to the police?] Andreo’s voice sounded panicked on the other end of the line. “Are you sure Sergio did it? If we report it to the police now, he might t
“My mother is Juan Forbes’s younger sister. A sad coincidence, isn’t it? But in this world, there’s no such thing as coincidence, because God has already planned it all long ago—even before we were born,” Josh replied, then gave a faint smile. “Yeah, you’re right. Only fools are cynical about so-called coincidences. Do they think life has to be entirely planned out and that we get to choose? If that’s the case, I’d choose not to have alter egos and just be born into a different family.” Claire snorted derisively and rolled her eyes, making Josh smile even wider—though the split at the corner of his lip made him wince. “Sergio is like a chameleon. He can change however he pleases, just like an alter ego. The only difference is that you’re unaware when your alter ego emerges, whereas he’s fully aware. In front of Andrey Ivanovic and everyone else, he pretended to know nothing about his mother’s family or that premeditated murder. He acted like an innocent little boy who knew nothing.
Arsen chuckled. “Sometimes I’m actually glad you have alter egos, because then you don’t have to face that loser with that terrified expression that drives me crazy.” “Wait, so I already faced off against Sergio? Who… I mean, I was really scared just now, and then all of a sudden I blacked out,” Claire asked, furrowing her brow as she held the side of her head.Arsen put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead, then urged her to continue on their way. “It was Kanzo who showed up, and he fought that loser using an Aikido move.” He shrugged. “I don’t know, as far as I know it was an Aikido technique. Or maybe Jujutsu. Ah, whatever. But one thing’s for sure—I’m glad it wasn’t James who had to face that loser.” “Really? Kanzo fought him? What happened?” Claire asked curiously.Arsen continued to recount the earlier incident enthusiastically, even occasionally laughing at Sergio’s antics, which he found ridiculous. He’d been annoyed that Kanzo hadn’t let him beat up the guy
“Listen, Sergio. I want you to stay away from Claire forever. Did you hear what Andreo said earlier? Your mother died because of her own actions, not because of Claire. Besides, Claire was just a little girl back then—how can you be so sure that a little girl could kill a grown woman?” Arsen cut straight to the point. “Oh, and don’t forget the fact that you raped her back then. Don’t you feel disgusted with yourself? She’s your half-sister—you’re still related by blood.” Sergio didn’t immediately respond to Arsen’s words. He was more interested in watching Claire, who looked so terrified at the sight of him that she was clutching the sofa armrest tightly. Something inside him stirred, urging him to pull the girl toward him and repeat his depraved act from the past. Especially since her physique looked incredibly alluring to him, making the temptation of lust sound so sweet to his ears. “Claire, stop being so scared! Hasn’t Paul already tamed your alter ego?” Arsen whispered as he
They chatted about many things, ranging from their college majors, hobbies, favorite movies, how Arsen had ended up in college late and eventually managed to open his own restaurant, to other trivial matters. Arsen felt that Claire was a pleasant person who could warm his heart. Her demeanor made
After seven hours of working at a restaurant that was always packed with customers, Claire was finally able to go home. She had no choice but to walk to her apartment, since public transportation had stopped running at this hour.Josh couldn’t give her a ride home tonight, and hailing a taxi—which
Claire blinked, confused by the man’s words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—I was just in a hurry to get to the café,” Claire said after snapping out of her bewilderment. She didn’t even know the man standing before her, so why was he acting as if he knew her so well? “Oh, my name isn’t Rose.” The
A week had passed since his encounter with Rose, yet Arsen still couldn’t forget her. Almost every night, he would visit his favorite bar or the places he’d once gone to with Rose, but he never managed to find her. Leo still hadn’t given him any news, and that made him anxious. It was as if she we







