Chapter 3
"Your eyes," Stephanie said, locking her gaze on Destinee's, "and your chin. It's like you were made from the same mold."
Destinee took a half-step back, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes, but she quickly steadied herself. "Come on, Stephanie, don't joke around. It's just... just a coincidence."
The comments read: [She's freaking out.]
[Does she know something?]
[In the novel, she didn't find out until later. She shouldn't know yet, right?]
[Maybe she's awakened as well?]
Stephanie didn't push the issue any further. She just smiled and said, "Is that so? Maybe I got it wrong."
Destinee quickly excused herself and left, her dress catching on the threshold as she hurried out.
[She's totally rattled.]
[Stephanie's move was slick. She planted doubt right away.]
[Things are about to pick up.]
[The System: Emotional value +500.]
Millie stood off to the side, looking a bit dazed. "Miss Morrison, why did you say that to Destinee just now?"
Stephanie picked up her coffee cup and blew softly at the surface.
She said, "Nothing. I just wanted to make sure some people lie awake at night, thinking about it."
The sky was slowly darkening.
In his study, Porter was busy with paperwork when he suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and looked out toward Stephanie's courtyard.
For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off today.
'She's been way too calm,' Porter thought.
It was so calm that it was like she just didn't care anymore.
He frowned, then lowered his head, and continued reviewing the official documents.
But somehow, he just couldn't get the words right. Everything he wrote felt off.
The night before she left the Montgomery family, Stephanie sat by the window, watching the last traces of sunset fade into the night.
The floating comments above her head were sparse now, nothing like the flood during the day—guess it was late, and readers from the other world were probably heading to bed.
But Stephanie couldn't sleep.
[The System: Current emotional value: 3,421. Still 6,579 points away from 10,000.]
It was still not enough.
She'd tried it earlier. She purposely asked Porter, "Will you miss me when I'm gone?" The comments went wild, and her emotional value spiked. But after she said it, Porter just froze for a second, then walked off without saying anything.
She figured he'd show some kind of reaction.
But he didn't even glance back.
[Porter is seriously clueless.]
[He probably hasn't caught on to his feelings yet.]
[I'm freaking out. Stephanie's about to leave, and he's still acting dumb.]
[Brace yourselves, the big moment's coming up.]
Stephanie thought, 'Is this the big moment?'
She sat up straighter and looked up at the comments overhead. But instead of dropping any spoilers, the comments were just blasting: [Wait.]
The door was gently pushed open.
Millie came in carrying a tray of snacks. "Miss Morrison, you haven't eaten all day. At least try to have a little."
Stephanie shook her head. "I don't feel like eating."
"Miss Morrison..." Millie set the tray down and knelt at her feet, tears streaming down her face. "Please, take me with you. I've been with you since I was little. Wherever you go, I'll follow, even if it means dying by your side."
Stephanie looked down at the sixteen-year-old girl.
In the original story, after Stephanie died, Millie was thrown out of the Montgomery family by Porter, left to fend for herself on the streets, and ended up freezing to death that winter.
A comment floated by: [Loyal to the end, eventually dies protecting Stephanie.] That was what everyone remembered Millie for.
"Millie," Stephanie said, reaching out to help her up. "You don't have to throw your life away for me."
"I'm not scared of dying." Millie insisted.
"I know you're not," Stephanie said, looking at her. "But I'm scared you'll die."
Millie froze.
[Aww, Stephanie is so sweet.]
[She's so good to her maid, but Porter is totally clueless.]
[Is Millie really going to die later? Please, don't be too cruel to her.]
Stephanie glanced at the comments overhead, and a plan suddenly formed in her mind.
She said, "Millie, after I leave, go find Anderson Vinson."
Millie said, "General Vinson? But he's from the Northvalen, Miss Morrison—"
"He's not just any Northvalen," Stephanie said, lowering her voice. "He's the next King of the Northvalen. Just tell him... I sent you."
The comments exploded: [Whoa, is Stephanie plotting something?]
[Anderson hasn't even appeared yet, right?]
[Foreshadowing this early—genius move.]
[Millie's arc is back in play.]
Millie didn't really understand, but she nodded anyway. "I'll remember, Miss Morrison."
"And one more thing," Stephanie said, pulling a letter out from under her pillow. "Give this to Porter after I'm gone."
Millie took the letter, her eyes welling up again. "Miss Morrison, why don't you give it to Mr. Montgomery yourself?"
Stephanie just smiled and didn't answer.
The moonlight spilled across her face, making her smile look so delicate it might fade away at any second.
[What's she thinking?]
[What's in the letter?]
[I'm dying to know—just open it already.]
Too bad, the audience didn't get to see what was inside the letter.
Millie tucked the letter away and asked, "Miss Morrison, do you have any other instructions?"
"No, that's it. Go on, get some sleep," Stephanie said.
Millie slipped out, gently closing the door behind her.
Stephanie was alone in the room.
She stood up and walked to the mirror, looking at herself. Three years ago, her face had been pale and thin, her eyes full of nothing but despair. Now, she was still slender, but her eyes had changed.
Now, there was a spark in her eyes.
It was the light of finding her way home.
"System," Stephanie wondered silently. "If I die, will I finally get to go home?"
[The System: Finish the mission, and you can go home. Current progress: Make Porter regret it so much he can't stand it. Regret level: 12%.]
'Just 12%?' Stephanie thought.
She was about to risk her life in a marriage alliance, and he was only 12% regretful.
A golden comment floated by: [Don't rush. Porter's real heartbreak is still ahead. Let things simmer for a while.]
Stephanie thought, 'A golden comment? That's not like the others.'