Chapter 3

As time passed, everyone learned that Marissa was quite adept at being charming. But only towards Leandro. When I didn't leave much food on her plate, finished some of my homework, or stayed awake during a class, I'd cast big, grape-like eyes toward Leandro and say, "Brother, am I amazing?" and rub my head against his hand. Leandro couldn't help but fondly pat my head. Over time, without me needing to hint, he would spontaneously pat my head or pinch my cheeks. So, everyone came to know that there was a lady from the Sawyer family named Marissa, who had returned to Veridge, and she was the little sister whom Leandro doted on. In reality, only I knew that Leandro was so kind to me from the beginning out of guilt. He had taken my place, enjoyed the resources the Sawyer family offered, and, of course, the motherly love from Mrs. Sawyer. His level of affection for me was equal to his sense of guilt. Mr. Sawyer and Mrs. Sawyer didn't have to put on a facade, they didn't have to save face for anyone, and I easily integrated into their circle with Leandro's help. I attended Veridge College as an arts student, alongside Leandro. Cynthia, on the other hand, managed to secure admission to Veridge College thanks to her connections with the Sawyer family, even though her grades were not that great. She returned home with her mother to complete some formalities. Leandro had pulled some strings to make this happen for her. Returning to the present, Leandro held my hand, and Cynthia looked at us with a hint of sadness. "Leandro, since you danced with Marissa for the opening, you can't refuse me for the four-handed pieces later," Cynthia said, with a smile, but her eyes were red. She had a naturally pure appearance and spoke with restraint. Coupled with her pretend-strength expression, it instantly elicited sympathy from those watching. Leandro thought for a moment and, seeing Cynthia's pleading expression, nodded, "Okay." I withdrew my hand from Leandro's. "Go ahead, Brother," I said with a smile. Leandro and Cynthia sat side by side at the piano, playing Chopin's pieces together in perfect harmony. The stage lights shone down on them, making them appear as a perfectly matched couple. I heard the sounds of people taking pictures around me, and the murmurs like, "What a perfect couple!" and "Oh my god, this is so adorable," echoed intermittently. I remained silent, watching the two of them on stage. Until suddenly, my head was filled with a sharp pain. Amid the exclamations from the surrounding crowd, I fell to the ground. In a daze, I saw Leandro hurriedly running down from the stage to pick me up. "Mary!" This was the last word I heard before losing consciousness. A flood of memories surged into my mind. I realized that I had been living in a romance novel all along. Leandro was the male lead, Cynthia the female lead, and the story mainly revolved around their childhood friends who reunited. As for me, I was the villainess, constantly meddling in the relationship between the two main characters, creating misunderstandings. Later, my true colors were exposed, Mr. Sawyer and Mrs. Sawyer were also disappointed in me, disowning me as their daughter. I was left with no resources, and Leandro gave me some money to live on my own. Eventually, rumors and gossip took a toll on my reputation, and I passed away due to a heart attack. The main characters ended up living happily ever after. However, these memories were just an outline, not a detailed account of the events. Once I had sorted through these memories and opened my eyes, I found myself staring at the hospital ceiling. I struggled to raise my hand, attempting to sit up. Only then did I realize that Leandro was slumped over in a chair beside my bed, sound asleep. Dark circles adorned his eyes, indicating his fatigue. Instinctively, I reached out to touch his eyelashes, which then moved to trace his high, straight nose. At that moment, Leandro's eyes opened, and he looked at me before gently grabbing my restless hand. "Mary," he said with a slightly hoarse voice, "you fainted for a whole day and night. The doctor said it might have been a heart issue due to emotional stress, so you need to rest." I mumbled in agreement, and suddenly, I noticed a figure at the door. So, I wrapped my arm around Leandro's waist, burying my head against his chest. With a quivering voice, I said, "Brother, I don't want to stay in the hospital. Take me home." Leandro instinctively held me and gently rubbed my long hair, agreeing to my request. The figure at the door stiffened for a moment before turning and running away. It was the female lead, Cynthia. Leandro called the family driver to pick us up, and he soon fell asleep in the car due to exhaustion. I idly scrolled through the school forum, and now the discussion was about Leandro jumping down from the stage to carry me, and there were even photos of me fainting in his arms. In the novel, the piano duet performance by the male and female lead hadn't been interrupted by me. It became a sensation on campus, spreading as a delightful tale from Veridge College. But now... "Ah, Leandro's sister is so cute. Their bond is incredible, and Leandro looks so worried."