Chapter 4: She died

『 "I like Morris…"

"No matter what I do, why wouldn't you look at me even once?"

"I should be gone. Goodbye…"』

Jade’s POV

I was already lying on a soft bed when I woke up. Looking at the ceiling and the surrounding with the blinding pink, this must be my room in the mansion. 

'Room…?'

I looked around just in time to see the door opening. I hurriedly closed my eyes. 

I heard rushed footsteps entering my room. Not just one pair of feet were walking inside. Guessing by its sound, there must be a few people who entered my room. 

I heard someone moving next to me and feeling the pulse on my wrist. I couldn’t see what was happening or who this person was, but it must be a doctor. After that, the person put my hands inside the blanket again. 

"Madam, she's already fine. I’ve already checked her condition, and there was nothing wrong.” 

“Then why did my daughter faint? You’re still calling yourself a doctor?” 

When I heard that certain voice, I felt relieved at once. It was because that voice belonged to the person I loved the most. 

‘Mom.’ 

I sneakily opened my eyes and looked at her back facing me. It was really mom.

“Madam, the young lady has woken up!” 

The back that was facing me turned around and looked at me with a worried expression on her face. She touched my forehead and cupped my face. It was the same pair of warm hands that I loved. 

I couldn’t help but feel my tears flow down on my cheeks. It was just one day but I already missed her. I didn’t know that I would miss her this much although I used to hate it whenever she nags me. 

I stared at her as if trying to etch her face in my mind. 

'Maybe I should've eaten first before finishing the book.'

As I thought of the book, my head began to ache once again, though not as intensely as before. I now know why I am being like this. This was because I transmigrated into a book I was reading before I fell asleep. That was also the reason why I was drawn to Rosine’s pendant earlier and felt familiar about everything. 

Besides the fact that my brothers and dad now had different attitudes towards me, I’m still thankful that I am living with my family here. More than that, mom stayed the same. 

Mom sat beside me as she caressed my hair and my face. Her voice was soft as she spoke. 

“Jean told me that you fainted in school earlier. Are you feeling alright now?” 

“I’m alright mom.” 

She took my hand into hers and looked at me fondly. 

“Did you know that Jean was very worried about you earlier?” 

“Oh… he was?” 

“Of course, ah! Why wouldn’t he worry about his fiancée?” 

“...” 

I was speechless. 

'Ah, I forgot about that.'

The book I was reading was called 《The Male Lead's Lover》. It was a story filled with crappy cliché, and I also don’t know what I ate to read that kind of book. Maybe I was momentarily out of my mind and bought that book in the bookstore, or maybe I was asleep as I picked that book on the shelf. 

The character I loved the most in the story was the villainess. And now that I have come to realize everything, I am that villainess. I was set on the path of death from the very beginning. However, since I am now in this body, Heather Jade Aczen, I won’t let anything, or anyone, lead me to death – not even Jean. 

Jean and Heather were originally engaged to each other in the beginning of the story, having also grown up together. They knew each other like the back of their hands. On a particularly sunny day, the day I was transmigrated, the female lead Rosine Vista, made an appearance in their life.

From that fateful day, Jean kept noticing Rosine’s best traits and comparing it to Heather’s flaws. Eventually, he broke their engagement and married Rosine in a grand manner. Broken hearted by that, Heather went to the bridge to vent out everything. 

Despite what had happened, she was left with no energy to do anything to them, even after the man she loved was taken away from her. She didn’t even plan on revenge. But without any conscience, the main characters killed her with their own hands, watching with relish as she took her very last breath. 

I was so angry with the author for the ending given to Heather. Why did the author let Heather suffer so much yet died in the end for the sake of the main characters’ happy ending? Heather was the only one with humanity. 

But right now in the present, I am Jade and Heather at the same time. I felt happy as mom warmly held my hands and helped me sit. 

‘So I fainted upon realizing that this world exists within a novel’

The sudden surge of memories was too much for me to handle, so I lost consciousness. And about Jean….. 

That’s just how he was described in the novel – cold and aloof. I didn’t expect much of him ever since meeting him. Even though I had no idea about our relationship when I first met him, his cold demeanor doesn't bother me. I believe it's better if he consistently acts as portrayed in the novel.I don’t expect for him to suddenly become kind just because I fainted once. 

I sat on my bed thinking over things. I’m still not used to ordering someone to run an errand for me. I stood up and went to my drawer, taking out a notebook and a pen. I need to jot down whatever I remember from the story. 

“Heather died… she died… after she died….” 

I angrily ruffled my hair and put down the pen. I couldn’t think of anything other than Heather’s death. If I’m not wrong, the story had already started yesterday when I went to school with Jean. 

‘Fortunately, I was able to avoid Rosine yesterday, or else there would be big trouble.’ 

I already avoided two things as Heather. First, the supposedly heated argument between Rosine when she fell down. Jean should have helped Rosine stand up from the floor, which supposedly sparked their romance. 

Second is when Heather should have supposedly kicked Rosine’s table and had Jean help her clean the mess. Thankfully, I am Heather now and I didn’t do that. 

So, my life should be better than the original Heather. 

‘But I like my name Jade better.’ 

As I was caught up in my thoughts, I did not feel someone’s presence behind me. 

“What are you doing?” 

“Ack! You scared me!” 

I turned around and saw Jean wearing a pair of casual clothes, his hands inside his pocket. He had an indifferent expression on his face. I didn’t really expect him to come here. 

‘Honestly, it would be better if we don’t see each other anymore.’ 

But how can I do that when we are bound with an engagement? Why did our parents even think of this outdated thing? Will there be a time when we can actually dissolve this thing? Do I even have the ability to do that? 

I looked down to the paper in my hands. I quietly stood up and put the paper back into the drawer before looking back at him. 

‘How does Heather act around him again?’

Not too cold, not too friendly. 

“... You’re here.” 

“Weren’t you waiting for me?” 

“Me? Waiting for you?” 

“Aunt told me. That’s why I came here.” 

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. This world is already annoying, and he is making it worse. What is he even saying?

In my world, mom would always tell me that I don’t need boys in my life. That I should just study hard and get a decent college degree. 

Oh, this life has become a real mess. This is making me feel like my whole life now has been reserved. What a life! 

"Ahem. So why did you come here?"

Don't tell me you were worried?

“I was worried when you fainted yesterday, so I told Aunt to give me a call once you’ve woken up.”

“...”

Is this the end of the world? 

Although he said that, he was looking at me with his usual indifferent expression. How could I know if he was sincere or not? 

Right, Jade, he’s just a character. Don’t bother yourself about him.

“You can see that I’m fine. Right, have you eaten?” 

“Not yet. I was waiting for you to wake up.” 

“Alright then. Let’s go down. It’s already time to eat dinner.” 

I shook my head and turned around, heading for the door.