"Go on," Jade Quinn said calmly, her tone steady even though a bitter swirl of nausea twisted in her stomach. Just hearing Ethan Ford's name made her want to retch—almost as if the memories from her past life were warning her.
Across from her, Lila Quinn's red lips curled ever so slightly before she lowered her voice like she was about to share the world's gentlest secret.
"Sister… I looked into it for you," Lila whispered, eyes darting around as if she feared someone might overhear. "It seems Ethan Ford really doesn't like women. The rumors around the city are true. Ethan Ford might… actually—"
She paused dramatically, covering her mouth with fake shock.
"—really can't do it! Sister, I promise I didn't try to seduce Ethan. I was just helping you. After all, you're so outstanding. Ethan isn't worthy of you at all."
Her voice trembled like she was embarrassed for Jade.
Her acting skills… a little too good.
Jade stared at Lila, expression blank, even peaceful.
In her past life, she would have believed every word from this white-lotus actress. After all, Lila had always been the "kind, gentle" sister who smiled softly while stabbing her in the back.
But Jade was reborn now.
She knew Lila Quinn's masks better than anyone.
Lila thought Jade still hated Ethan Ford. She thought Jade would happily swallow this lie and turn against her own husband.
Poor thing.
She didn't realize the game had changed.
"Ethan doesn't like women?" Jade repeated slowly. "But we… last night…"
Her words trailed off, but the implication was loud enough to echo down the hallway.
Anyone with a brain would understand what that meant.
Lila froze. Her eyes widened so much Jade feared her fake eyelashes might fall off. "W–wait… you mean… you and Ethan Ford actually…"
She couldn't bring herself to finish.
She didn't need to.
Jade let the silence answer for her.
The look on Lila's face? Priceless.
"And the clothes you bought for me before were such terrible quality," Jade added carelessly, tugging at the white shirt she wore. "They tore apart so easily that I had to wear Ethan's clothes this morning."
Her fingers brushed the sleeve, and she inhaled lightly.
"But this shirt smells good. I like it."
"You're wearing Ethan Ford's shirt?!"
Lila's face twisted instantly, her mask cracking. Jealousy surged so violently she forgot to pretend for a moment.
Jade raised a brow.
"Ethan is my husband. What's wrong with me wearing his shirt?" She tilted her head. "Or… do you want to wear it too?"
That single sentence slapped Lila harder than a physical blow.
Her expression snapped back to gentle innocence within a second—her signature move.
"Sister, what are you saying?" Lila forced a soft laugh. "I was just surprised! You always asked me to chase after Adrian Fang for you… Did he do something to upset you? Tell me, I'll teach him a lesson!"
Jade almost clapped at the smooth transition.
This woman could win awards.
But the moment Adrian Fang's name left Lila's mouth, a cold shiver crawled up Jade's spine—a familiar, warning kind of cold.
It meant one thing.
Someone was standing behind her.
Someone tall. Someone with a dangerous presence.
Someone who had heard everything.
Before she even turned around, Jade already knew.
Ethan Ford.
Of all times.
Lila must have sensed it too, because she hurried to change the subject. "Sister might just be tired. She didn't mean anything—"
But Jade was done playing.
"Eat too much today? What does this have to do with Adrian Fang?" she snapped. "It's normal for me and my husband to sleep together. If you really want to know why, I'll tell you."
She leaned closer, voice sweet but sharp as a blade.
"It's because of you. I could have slept in with Ethan until noon, but you kicked the door open at dawn to disturb us. Can't you sleep? Or must you stop others from sleeping too?"
She exhaled sharply, as if releasing all the irritation she had held in.
The cold presence behind her seemed to freeze.
Lila looked like someone had electrocuted her. "S–sister…"
"Don't call me sister," Jade said with immediate disgust, waving a hand. "It sounds gross."
A warm hand suddenly touched her back.
Jade jerked away on instinct—she hated being touched. But when she turned and finally saw the man behind her…
She froze.
Tall. Sharp-jawed. Dark-eyed. Handsome in a way that made breathing difficult.
Ethan Ford.
He was staring at her with a stormy expression, thin lips pressed into a hard line.
Jade swallowed.
Hard.
"E-Ethan… Why didn't you say anything?" she stammered. "I didn't know you were there."
She didn't know he had touched her back either—if she had, she might've died on the spot.
His expression didn't soften.
In fact, he looked gloomier.
"Ethan… Mr. Ford," Lila said softly, stepping forward like a pitiful angel. "My sister didn't mean it. Jade never liked people touching her. Except for Adrian Fang—he once held her hand. Other men can't get close to her."
Her voice trembled with "concern."
Her eyes sparkled with innocence.
Jade wanted to gag.
How Lila managed to play the innocent fairy while scheming like a snake was truly a mystery.
Lila lifted her eyes to admire Ethan—who indeed stood like a god descended to earth.
Perfect.
Powerful.
Unattainably handsome.
Too handsome, actually, for Jade's past self to have wasted his feelings.
No wonder Lila hated her.
But Jade had a surprise for her today.
"Adrian Fang?" Jade scoffed with a smirk. "You mean that man who stalks me all the time? Lila, are you insane? With someone like Ethan Ford right here, do you think I would be interested in that short, ugly, broke loser?"
Ethan's eyes flickered.
A small, uncontrollable smile pulled at his lips.
She was making him laugh.
Lila, however, looked horrified. "But sister, you always said—"
Jade lifted a hand, cutting her off.
In her past life, she would've blushed whenever Adrian Fang walked by. She would've twisted herself into a pretzel to impress him.
And for what?
To die because of his betrayal.
To be framed by the "gentle" sister beside her.
This time, never again.
Lila must have sensed something was off because her mind was racing visibly behind her eyes. Then her gaze landed on Ethan, and the realization dawned.
She thinks I'm acting to protect myself in front of Ethan.
Amusing.
Lila cleared her throat, batting her fake eyelashes. "Sister, maybe I misunderstood. Don't be angry."
"Angry?" Jade stepped forward sweetly and placed her small hand on Ethan's arm, almost leaning on him. "If you can roll out of here right now, maybe I'll stop being angry."
She didn't have time to babysit Lila today.
She had just been reborn. She needed to fix her relationship with Ethan before everything spiraled like it once had.
Her previous self was an idiot.
She knew that now.
Even her best friend, Mu Fan, had said, "You're insane, Jade. Ethan Ford is the kind of man women dream of, and you're chasing a useless clown like Adrian Fang?"
They stopped talking after that fight.
But now Jade finally understood.
She had been insane.
"Sister, how can you say that?" Lila's eyes glossed with fake tears. "I came all this way just to see you!"
Of course she did.
She studied film and acting for a reason—her entire life was one flawless performance.
"No need. I'm fine. You should go," Jade said coldly. "If you stay longer, Auntie will have to disinfect the house again. It's a waste of bleach."
Lila choked.
Ethan blinked.
Jade smiled sweetly.