Laurel stood by the window staring down at the bustling city, her gaze was distant and her hands were tucked in her pockets.
She still couldn't comprehend the fact that she had another soul living inside of her. 'Isn't this the same as being possessed?'
She removed her hand from her pocket and began nibbling on her fingers, a habit she normally does whenever she was under stress and couldn't find a solution.
'Although the pendant is from my grandfather, what about if it is demonic? Is this my imagination? After all, I was dead, or could it be the venom from the monsters? Should I go to a priest and get a deliverance?'
Laurel shook her absentmindedly. 'Maybe I'm overreacting, it hasn't gotten to the point of exorcism yet.'
She let out a deep sigh, she wanted to inform her close ones about the incoming danger, but Ling Xuan had refused. If she informed them behind her back they might have a fall out again, and she might lose her second chance.
'But doesn't this make me a coward, they are my friends even if I no longer have a family… yeah who am I kidding, I'm an orphan after all…'
Laurel's brows furrowed deeply. Camile was her only family, one she had managed to find in the orphanage. They had grown up together and promised to be each other's support til forever.
Camile never got the chance to know her family, she was dropped in the orphanage when she was a baby, unlike Laurel who at least experienced parents' love until she was ten.
That was why the betrayal stung harder than a knife piercing through her heart… her only family caused her death and even smiled while executing it.
Knock. Knock.
The knocking on the door snapped Laurel back to reality, she realized her cheeks were wet with tears. She hurriedly wiped the tears off, a part of her glad that Ling Xuan hadn't picked on her.
She turned to the door, a faint sad smile tugged at her lips. "It's time." She muttered under her breath.
…
Laurel descended the grand stairs elegantly, her soft pink gown complemented her skin. One would call her a fairy if not for the deadly gaze in her eyes.
In the Waynes' sitting room, Camile sat on a couch with her head lowered, her expression was meek and soft. Beside her was the heir to the Lennox company, Chris Lennox, commonly referred to as the scarlet beauty.
Chris Lennox was born with very fragile health. He had been pampered like an egg by the Lennox family, and his skin was pale and spotless, earning him the name.
Camile gently pressed her hands over Chris's hand. "My sister will be here very soon, I can't wait to introduce her to you."
Chris nodded without uttering a word. His eyes were stern and devoid of emotion.
Opposite them were the Wayne family. Jade, who couldn't bear to keep her mouth closed, finally opened them. "Who would have thought that Wayne's home would be opened to low lives, not only do we have to deal with one, but now comes another."
Camile pressed her lips into a thin line. She blinked away the shame from her eyes before wearing a smile. "Jade, we are family now, when are you going to accept my sister?"
Laurel walked into the conversation, and the moment Camile saw her, she rushed to her feet, abruptly pulling her hands away from Chris'.
"Sister." She called out happily, embracing Laurel.
Laurel froze in her spot, she didn't know what to do, should she push her away, or should she play along?
Laurel removed her hands. "Sister," she replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Camile was taken about by her cold gesture, but she quickly brushed it away, and held Laurel's hand, pulling her to Chris.
"This is my fiancé, Chris Lennox," she said with a beaming smile, she turned to Chris. "Chris, this is my sister, Laurel Wayne."
Laurel's gaze met with Chris, and at that moment she felt a strange tug in her chest. The memories of how he died resurfaced in her mind, even his child did not survive the apocalypse.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lennox," Laurel replied calmly.
"Sister, where is your husband?" Camile asked with her smile faltering a bit as she looked towards the stairs leading to the upper floor.
"Why are you looking for my husband, Camile?" Laurel asked, observing her sister's expression. She couldn't believe all these while her sister's eyes were always on her husband, yet she failed to see it.
"Oh, I thought it would be nice to introduce our man to each other, what? Do you think it is wrong of me to do so?" Camile asked with an innocent expression.
Jade cleared her throat, gaining the attention of the two sisters. "I thought it was just us," she said stressing the 'us' as she looked at the other family members. "But it seems like she is also being treated quite unkindly.
And I have to give it to you sisters, one got married to the Waynes and the other to the Lennox family, you guys are quite capable. Camile did you sleep your way to status too?" Jade chuckled mockingly.
"And there is a rumour going around, what is it again? Hmmm…"
"Could it be the one that the heir of the Lennox family would die in three months' time, or is it the one that states that he could no longer perform in bed?" Felicia added in the same mocking tone, before they burst out in a fit of laughter.
Camile's lips wobbled, before tears streamed down her cheeks. "Don't you say that about my Fiancé, and the rumours are not true. Chris is very nice and a good person, you shouldn't say that about him."
Laurel clenched her fist tightly. She turned to Chris, but he remained quiet, almost as if he wasn't the person they were talking badly about.