Chapter 2

Mrs. Lawson had no idea what had gotten into Adrian. She hurried over and pulled him away from Penelope.

Penelope trembled as she hid behind her mother, faking pure terror. "What's wrong with you, Adrian? What are you talking about dying? I have no idea what you mean."

Adrian stared at her hard for a long moment, pressing his fingers firmly against her wrist to check her pulse. Only when he confirmed she was truly alive did he finally begin to calm down.

He let out a long breath, turning to Mrs. Lawson with an excuse. "I just had a terrible nightmare that something happened to Penelope. Seeing her right after waking up... I guess I was still shaken up."

Mrs. Lawson chuckled. "You've spoiled Penelope rotten since she was a kid. It was just a dream, don't scare yourself like that."

Penelope felt tears welling up in her eyes.

It was true. Adrian had always cared so much about her.

He had willingly given up a better university just for her, stayed up all night tutoring her, and always stepped up to shield her the second she got into trouble.

But ever since Moira died, he had also been the one to drag her down into hell with his own hands.

---

In the dead of night, Penelope suddenly felt a suffocating weight press down on her.

She blinked her eyes open, only to realize someone was lying right on top of her.

The familiar scent of the man sent a shiver straight down her spine. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a tender kiss to her lips.

Penelope went rigid, shoving Adrian away with all her might.

"Adrian! What the hell are you doing?!"

Adrian didn't get angry. He just looked down at her with deep, unfathomable eyes.

After a long, heavy silence, he spoke in a cold tone. "You really came back, too. If this were before, you wouldn't have pushed me away."

Penelope looked into his cold eyes in the darkness. The look he gave her sent a chill down her spine.

It took her a long time to steady her breathing before she finally spoke, forcing herself to stay calm. "Yes. I'm reborn."

"Don't you think this is a second chance given to us by heaven? Everything gets to start over now. There won't be anything standing in the way between you and Moira anymore. Adrian, don't worry. This time, I won't interfere."

Adrian glared down at her, his thin lips curling into a mocking sneer.

"You're pretending to push me and Moira together just so I won't hate you, right? Inside, you're probably plotting a dozen different ways to tear us apart, aren't you?"

Penelope shook her head frantically, her voice firmer than ever. "No, I'm not. I've thought things through. What I felt for you back then wasn't real love. I mistook my dependence on you for love, and look what kind of tragedy that caused.

"Now you and Moira can finally be together without any trouble. I promise neither my mom nor I will ever stand in your way. If you want, I'll pack up and move as far away as possible."

Adrian's brow furrowed into a deep frown, the fire in his eyes burning even hotter.

"Complete bullshit. I don't believe a single word you're saying!"

With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Back in his own room, he couldn't wrap his head around why he was suddenly this furious.

It had to be because of Penelope. She was always saying one thing and meaning another.

In their past life, she had been so hopelessly obsessed with him.

She had chosen to drive Moira to her death just to stay by his side.

Even with a second chance at life, how could she just stop loving him overnight?

He wanted to see just how long she could keep up this ridiculous act!