?


    Now, I realize how childish I''ve been.


    My death wouldn''t hurt any viins; it would only bring endless sorrow and despair to those I care about, breaking them over and over again.


    With all the strength I could muster, I lifted my hands to cup Colin''s face, managing a weak smile. "Colin... long time no see."


    Long time no see.


    My Colin.


    Colin''s body stiffened for a moment, and as he closed his eyes, hot tears fell on my eyshes.


    Why such a crybaby...


    You wouldn''t guess it from his brawling days.


    "I''ve prayed countless times, hoping nothing would happen to you..." Colin whispered, his voice trembling.


    "So, even geniuses believe in a higher power, huh?" I smiled weakly.


    He smiled back. "Not in a higher power... but when you''re feeling empty, you need something to hold onto, Phoebe."


    I stared at him, suddenly remembering a small incident buried deep in my memory.


    A seemingly trivial event, yet so vivid in my mind.


    I remembered a high school ssmate whose grandmother, despite knowing there were no gods, prayed fervently every day for her granddaughter''s health, battling cancer. She climbed the mountain, step by step, without rest, to pray for her granddaughter''s recovery.


    Our ssmates mocked the girl, calling her grandmother superstitious and foolish.


    Back then, I couldn''t understand it either.


    That girl, clearly on the brink of death, remained cheerful every day.


    I asked her: "Does your grandmother''s praying really help? There are no gods in this world."


    She answered with a smile: "My grandmother is my guardian angel."


    I was stunned, unable toprehend her words.


    But now, I understand.


    From the moment they started seeing me as Phoebe, I somehow became their ''guardian angel''.


    So, I have to stay alive.


    Stay alive until Colin doesn''t need me anymore.


    "You can''t be with her... don''t even


    look at her, just look at me.


    Whatever I look like, that''s what you


    should like..." I said possessively, insisting Colin couldn''t look at


    anyone else.


    I never thought I''d be jealous of my own face one day.


    "Okay..."


    He always indulged me so easily.


    ...


    After my little bout of jealousy, I passed out again.


    But this time, it felt more like falling asleep.


    No worries, no fears, just peaceful sleep.


    It felt wonderful.


    "Damn! Son of a bitch." I wasn''t sure how long I''d slept when I was roused by cursing.


    It was Finn.


    He had a way with words.


    "Watch yournguage, there''s a high schooler here," Bran reminded Finn.


    "Shouldn''t you be cramming for


    exams2Go back to your crib, k


    Finn snapped back, obvious ide


    fout mood.


    When I opened my eyes, I saw Bran, nearly six foot three, with a dark smile approaching Finn, grabbing


    him by the back of his shirt. "If you''re gonna lose it, do it somewhere else."


    UMS


    Then he tossed Finn out and mmed the door shut.


    Bran dusted off his hands and turned to Colin, who was sitting by the bed with a grim aura. "So noisy."


    Colin, his eyes still red, looked intimidating.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He nced at Bran, his voice deep. "You, out too."


    Bran just said "Okay," and obediently left, carefully closing the door behind him.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!