Chapter 2

Angela's words were exactly the same as in my previous life.

I watched as her cheeks quivered with excitement, and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach.

This was the very face that I saw when she left me soaking in the bathtub, distorted like a demon.

I forced a smile, one that looked genuinely curious and a little envious. "Really, Angela? What are the comments saying?"

Angela paused, clearly surprised by my reaction.

In my previous life, I would have already started frowning and arguing with her by now.

But she was quickly swept up in even greater excitement, babbling, "They say Dale and I are destined to be together. They say he might look bad, but he's only ever nice to me.

"If we just follow the script, sneak into the woods, go through some misunderstandings, he'll fall head over heels for me, and I'll marry into a rich family and become Mrs. Jenning, the envy of everyone!"

She grabbed my arm and shook me. "London, do you believe me? You do, right?"

I looked into her eyes, and all I saw was her being totally obsessed with some fantasy future, not a hint of sisterly affection for me.

I nodded, my voice full of just the right amount of longing. "Of course, I believe you. Why wouldn't I? Angela, you're gorgeous and smart. You were born to be the main character of this world.

"The chat's got it right. Dale's family is loaded, and he's super handsome. You two are basically made for each other!"

Angela totally let her guard down, smugly tilted her chin up. "I knew it. You're the best, London! Alma keeps saying I'm just imagining things. How can she say that?"

Just then, Alma came out of the kitchen with a plate of sliced fruit. Hearing that, she shot me an impatient glare.

She said, "London, what kind of crazy ideas are you putting in Angela's head now? Angela, stop daydreaming and just focus on your finals. That's what matters!"

In Alma's eyes, Angela was always the innocent, delicate princess who needed to be protected. No matter how wild her ideas were, they were just "daydreams."

To Alma, I was always the scheming one, the one who led Angela astray.

I lowered my eyes, hiding the cold mockery in them, and said softly, "Mom, Angela's telling the truth. She really can see those signs. Maybe her luck really is about to change."

Alma slammed the fruit plate down on the table and shoved a piece of apple into Angela's mouth. "Eat your fruit. Real or not, I think all that studying has fried your brain. London, stop encouraging her nonsense!"

Angela grumbled, "Mom, you just don't get it. The chat said Dale will be waiting for me in the woods tomorrow. That's the big moment when we finally meet alone for the first time!"

Alma just called her shameless, thinking Angela was just being a silly fangirl, then turned and went back to the kitchen.

Angela stuck her tongue out at me and lowered her voice, "Ignore Mom. She doesn't get it. London, will you come with me tomorrow? I'm kind of nervous."

Last time, I flat-out refused and even tried to lock her in the house.

This time, I took her hand, my smile sweet and harmless. "Of course, Angela. I'll go with you. I have to be there to witness such a historic moment."

The next day, after school, Angela put on her favorite white dress, her cheeks dusted with blush.

Her hand gripped mine, both nervous and excited, as she dragged me toward the abandoned woods behind the school.

She whispered in an excited squeal, "The chat's blowing up again. They say Dale's about to show up, and they're telling me to get ready!"

Trailing after her, I kept my gaze sharp, scanning the area.

Sunset painted the deserted woods in a bloody gold, the patchy light and shadows like a thousand eyes lurking in the gloom.

It only took a few minutes before a tall guy in pricey casual wear, cigarette hanging from his mouth, sauntered out from the far side of the woods with his crew trailing behind.

It was Dale.

He had that trademark, devil-may-care smirk on his face, his gaze sliding over Angela with blatant appraisal and undisguised contempt.

Dale said lazily, blowing out a smoke ring, "Well, you actually showed up?

"Are you the one who's been telling everyone you like me, Angela?"

His crew behind him burst out laughing.

Angela's face flushed instantly, not from shyness, but from excitement.

She clearly took this kind of humiliation as the male lead's signature way of showing he cared.

"The chat's blowing up!" she squealed.

She gripped my arm so tightly her nails almost broke the skin. "They say he's just playing hard to get. They say that deep down, he's actually thrilled. They're telling me to make the first move!"