[5]

“How much money do I have right now?”

Rio slammed on the brakes. My body jolted forward, only to be snapped back by the seatbelt. I whipped my head toward him, shooting a sharp, deadpan look. “You nearly got us killed,” I said calmly.

He scowled, clearly annoyed, but then let out a dry, humorless laugh. “That’s the kind of question you should probably ask when I’m not behind the wheel.”

I didn’t bother replying. Just shrugged—maybe he’d still give me an answer. After a long sigh, he finally did.

“Your money’s still there … just not as much as you might think.”

“Details?” I asked softly, but with enough weight in my voice to make it clear I expected him to continue.

“Most of it went toward Adam’s hospital bills. His treatment wasn’t cheap, and you insisted on paying for everything out of pocket. Then you cleared up the rest of your dad’s debt. I still don’t get your logic on that one. Of all people, you should’ve known that selfish old man didn’t deserve it.”

I listened in silence, letting his words settle. Part of me was busy trying to piece together everything he was saying—trying to make sense of this life Vanessa had been living. A life that felt miles away from anything I could’ve imagined. I could only hope this creeping dread was just paranoia.

“And the rest?” I asked.

“Barely enough to cover your acting classes. You got a new film offer, but you know how that goes—auditions, callbacks, nothing’s guaranteed. At the very least, you need a decent supporting role to get noticed by another production house. Meanwhile, the money from your singing channel or content platform is still too little to really count on.”

I gave a slow nod. “So basically, I’ve been working my ass off… but the results haven’t matched the effort? Because I’ve had too many responsibilities?”

Rio didn’t answer right away. But after a pause, he said, “You don’t usually ask about things like this. Not that I mind you wanting to know—on the contrary, it’s just…”

He glanced at me as he settled into a steadier pace on the road. Maybe weighing his words before speaking again.

“I’m glad you’re starting to care about what you have, Vanes,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Was I really that indifferent about my own income?” I couldn’t help asking in the end—no, I needed to ask. His words didn’t sit right with me at all.

“Not indifferent,” Rio chuckled. “More like... neglectful. You never cared how much money was spent or where it went. It’s like you were living as some kind of machine—earning, performing, and all you needed in return was to be fed.”

God, seriously? How miserable was Vanessa’s life?

“Maybe it’s time I started caring, Rio. Especially if it involves my future—and the people I want to protect.”

He went quietly for a little longer this time. “Did that accident scramble your brain or something?”

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked with a soft laugh.

“No. Not at all,” Rio cut in quickly, almost too eagerly. “It’s just... your dad’s still the one managing all the money flow. Every endorsement payment, every gig—from tiny stage shows to radio appearances—even your competition winnings. If you’re done ignoring your finances, you’ll have to go through him first.”

“I see.” I fell into thought for a moment. “Then you’re going to help me, Rio. Because starting today, I want to know everything. I don’t want to be the last person to find out what’s going on in my own life.”

Rio turned to look at me with a strange expression. Just briefly—he had to keep his eyes on the road. Ever since the accident, he’d been driving with this heightened alertness. I wasn’t even allowed behind the wheel anymore. He was scared... afraid something bad might happen to me again.

“That accident really did mess with your head,” he muttered with a long sigh.

I gave him a faint smile. “Maybe.”

I shifted in my seat, leaning back until I was more comfortable.

“Or would you rather attend my funeral instead?”

“Vanessa, don’t say like that! Jesus!” Rio cried, half panicked. “Don’t even joke about it!”

I laughed at his reaction.

From the moment I’d opened my eyes in Vanessa’s body, slowly adjusting to this life so unlike my own as Paula, Rio had never once left my side.

Annoying, overbearing, loud—but underneath all that, his heart was full of warmth and loyalty. He cared. Deeply.

Vanessa was lucky to have someone like him.

How about me?

***

The house wasn’t big, but it felt warm. The walls were painted pale white with soft green accents around the windows. There were no crystal chandeliers, no glossy marble floors like in my old home. But the scent of wood—from the floors, the furniture—made the place feel… alive. Human. Simple, but real.

I stood at the threshold for a while, just taking it all in. The living area was small, cluttered with bits and pieces of Vanessa’s life scattered here and there—like someone used to always being in a rush.

“This place is mine?” I asked, curiosity threading my voice.

“Well—no. I mean, you’re renting it,” Rio said, giving me a puzzled look before letting out a long sigh. “Right. The doctor did mention your memory took a hard hit.”

I didn’t respond. Just let the silence hang.

“Yeah… you could say it’s your home. Not fancy, but it’s safe. Comfortable,” Rio added, setting a folder down on the small wooden table. “That’s your temporary schedule. Tomorrow there’s a press conference at ten in the morning. Hotel Savira, second floor conference room. A few reporters will be there. They’ll ask questions mostly about the accident and your official statement regarding the amnesia.”

I nodded slowly, running my fingers along the surface of the table. Rough at the edges. So different from the smooth marble ones I used to arrange flowers on.

“I’ll pick you up an hour before the conference. I hope you’ll find time to read the script—because even if you tell the truth about the accident, there’s still a reputation to protect.”

Another quiet nod from me. But my eyes drifted toward something else.

“Is… someone else living here with me?” I asked, pointing at the room beside mine.

“Oh—yeah. Of course.” Rio gave his forehead a light slap. “Adam lives here. You haven’t forgotten your only little brother, right? The one you love more than anything in the world?”

Right. Adam Khiel. Vanessa’s younger brother. The only reason I’d agreed to help her in the first place.

“He told me he’d be home late today,” Rio continued. “He’s been taking extra classes. He missed a lot during his treatment and recovery. You’re the one who insisted he catch up, remember? Most of your money went into that—his lessons, regular checkups, meds, therapy. The rest you used to pay off your father’s debts. What little was left went into your acting classes for the next film.”

I stayed quiet, letting it all sink in.

“Adam doesn’t need to be in the hospital anymore. His doctor said he’s well enough to resume normal life at home—though that’s only been for about a month or two,” Rio added, almost like he was answering a question I hadn’t asked yet. “But he still needs regular therapy. His condition isn’t entirely stable. There’s a risk of relapse, and if that happens… it could be dangerous. So everything needs to be watched—his diet, his sleep, his daily routine.”

“Thank you for explaining all this to me.”

Rio laughed softly. “I know I sound harsh. But... the truth is, you don’t have much of a choice but to keep working hard, Vanessa. I know you rarely complain, but you need to understand where things stand. This is your life now.”

I gave a single nod. No response, no complaints, not even the urge to argue. Instead, I found myself beginning to understand—just a little—what kind of life Vanessa had been living.

“I think that’s all I needed to say.” Rio stood, tidying up a few of his things. “I’ve still got some errands to take care of. Jihan will pick you up tomorrow. We’ll just meet straight at Hotel Savira. That okay with you?”

“No problem,” I replied without hesitation.

“Alright, I’m heading out. The spare key’s under the cactus pot. Don’t forget to eat. And…”

He paused, unsure for a second before continuing, “If you need to talk, you know who to call.”

“Thanks again, Rio. Really. Your help means a lot.”

He laughed. And just as I walked him to the door, he suddenly pulled me into a hug. Tight. Warm.

“Thank you for coming back to us, Vanessa. Do you know how scared we were of losing you?”

I stood frozen—because I’d never been held like this before. Never embraced with this kind of care. Was that how they felt? That afraid of losing Vanessa?

If it were the other way around—if Paula had survived and Vanessa had died—would I, Paula, have received a hug like this?

I doubted it.

In fact, if that had happened, I would’ve just faded further into the shadows, buried even deeper in despair. It might’ve been easier to beg for death than face that kind of emptiness.

And yet… here I was. Still breathing. Still alive.

Why had I been given this second chance?

Then, faintly, Vanessa’s voice echoed in my mind—still lingering, still clear.

"Use me well. I’m sure you’ll know what to do. And please… don’t break your promise. Take care of my brother."

Was she right? Could I really use her life to take revenge?

But how? How was I supposed to seek vengeance when the life she lived… was so far out of reach for someone like Orlando Gilbert?