Chapter 2

The next day, I walked into a sportsbook, placed five thousand dollars on the counter, and announced the exact result already burned into my memory.

When I walked out of the sportsbook, my fingertips were trembling.

No matter how it turned out, I knew one thing.

Until yesterday, I had been willing to give up my future for Adrian.

But now, I only wanted to choose myself.

However, while I was walking home, I faintly heard Adrian’s voice coming from the direction of the park.

“Sienna, I’ve missed you so much.”

“Your sister is finally gone today. She’s always clinging to me and interrupting our time alone together.”

A soft gasp came from Sienna, followed by the faint sound of clothes brushing against each other.

“Adrian, don’t say that about Elena. I’ll get angry.”

Adrian laughed softly, his voice filled with tenderness.

“Alright, I won’t say it anymore. Let’s not talk about her.”

After the wet sound of their kiss faded, Sienna asked in a quiet voice,

“Adrian, when will I finally be able to be with you openly?”

Adrian fell silent for a moment before answering softly.

“Sienna, we can’t let Elena know about us yet. If she finds out, she’ll fall apart.”

Sienna’s voice was filled with sadness.

“I understand. Elena has always cared about you so much. She definitely won’t be able to accept it.”

“She may have a bad temper and be insecure and suspicious, but she is still my sister. Even if she doesn’t like me or my mother, I still don’t want to hurt her.”

“As long as she’s happy, I can remain your secret lover forever.”

Adrian let out a pained sigh.

“Sienna, how can you be so kind? You’re the one who’s suffering the most.”

I could not listen any longer.

I turned around and walked home.

To say that I had no feelings for Adrian would have been a lie.

After my father remarried, he moved us away from our old home.

Adrian was the only person who continued to stay in contact with me.

He was always worried that my stepmother would mistreat me and repeatedly reminded me to be careful.

“Elena, your stepmother doesn’t look like someone who will treat you well. You need to protect yourself around her.”

“Your father isn’t someone you can rely on either. He’ll definitely favor your stepmother and your stepsister.”

“And your sister… she’s much more calculating than she appears. Stay away from her, or one day you’ll help her count the money after she sells you out.”

“If anything happens, you have to tell me. I’ll protect you.”

Later, he even chose to attend the same high school as me just so he could protect me.

But everything I once believed in had already changed long ago.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to push all the pain away.

Since Adrian had chosen someone else, I no longer wanted him.

My life had only just begun.

The Argentina versus France final was about to begin.

When I returned home, I turned on the livestream and touched the betting slip in my pocket, my heart filled with both anxiety and anticipation.

The intense final was underway when the front door was suddenly pushed open.

Sienna walked in holding Adrian’s hand.

The moment Adrian saw me, panic flashed across his face. He immediately released Sienna’s hand, causing her to lose balance and hit the corner of the table.

Sienna cried out in pain.

She was about to complain when she looked up and met my calm gaze.

Her expression froze for a moment.

Then, she quickly put on an innocent smile and walked over, sitting beside me and acting sweet.

“Elena, why are you home alone? Where did you go this morning? Adrian and I looked for you everywhere.”

Adrian quickly hid his guilt, then frowned with a mixture of concern and confusion.

“What are you acting up about now? You disappeared for the entire day. Do you know how worried Sienna and I were?”

I only answered calmly, “My phone died. I didn’t notice.”

Adrian froze. He clearly did not expect such a cold response from me.

The smile on his face faded slightly, and a trace of impatience slipped into his voice.

“Elena, are you mad at us for asking you to change your application? Are you regretting it now?”

“But this was your own choice. If you truly didn’t want to do it, no one could force you.”

“How can you agree one moment and then act like this afterward?”

“Besides, weren’t you the one who wanted to stay with me in the first place?”