The Suffering Heroine

1
I was reincarnated as the tragic heroine of a romance novel, and my overbearing CEO boyfriend had a dear sister who was perpetually hospitalized.
In the middle of the night, his phone rang again. He threw on his clothes in a hurry. Claras not feeling well. I have to go see her.
According to the script, I was supposed to cry and beg him not to leave.
Instead, I just watched his retreating back and felt a yawn coming on.
The moment he was out the door, I called his arch-nemesisthe one with the chiseled eight-packand invited him over.
The next morning, I timed it perfectly for when I knew hed be at Claras bedside and video-called him.
Seeing his face darken instantly, I drawled, Whats wrong? You went to take care of your sister, didnt you? The house felt so empty, I just found someone to keep me company. Is that so strange?
And dont get the wrong idea. Its a purely platonic friendship. Im very tired, Adrian. Could you please not be so unreasonable?
Before he could explode, I hung up.
After all, if you can have a little sister, why cant I have a big brother?
The moment the call ended, a dead silence fell over the living room.
Larry Ryder raised an eyebrow, leisurely tying the belt of his bathrobe, concealing the sculpted planes of his abdomen.
He let out a low chuckle, his voice laced with the undisguised glee of a spectator. My guess? Mr. Vance will be back in ten minutes, tops.
I leaned back languidly against the sofa and took a sip of red wine. Ill bet five.
The words had barely left my lips when the front door slammed open with a deafening bang, as if it had been kicked in.
Adrian was back.
His eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving with rage. His gaze first sliced across the perfectly composed Larry, then landed on me, his voice squeezed through gritted teeth. Seraphina, youd better give me an explanation!
I swirled the liquid in my glass, feigning ignorance of his volcanic fury.
An explanation for what? I lifted my eyes, my expression a mask of innocence. I just had a friend over to hang out. Whats wrong with that?
A friend? Adrian scoffed as if Id told the worlds most hilarious joke. He stalked forward and seized my wrist. A friend who keeps you company in a bathrobe?! Seraphina, have you no shame?!
The disappointment and fury in his eyes threatened to swallow me whole. If I were the original Seraphina, my heart would be shattering right now. Id be crying, pleading, trying to explain.
But Im not her.
I calmly pulled my hand from his grip, rubbing the red marks on my wrist. My tone was light, dismissive. Adrian, dont be so unreasonable. We just watched a movie together. He just got out of the shower. Your constant suspicion is exhausting.
Every single word was a line he had used to placate the original Seraphina countless times.
Adrian choked, his face a mottled canvas of white and red. He looked as if he couldnt believe those words were coming from my mouth.
Beside me, Larry let out a perfectly timed sigh and shrugged helplessly. Adrian, please dont mind me. Sera and I have always been like this. Shes never really seen me as a man. But since you seem to hate me so much, Ill just go.
His performancea masterclass in passive-aggressive manipulationwas impeccable.
I immediately grabbed Larrys arm as he pretended to leave, turning a reproachful gaze on Adrian. Why are you being so hostile to him? Adrian, when did you become so petty?
Petty? Adrian was shaking with rage. Hes a man, in our house, in the middle of the night! And youre defending him!
And Clara? I finally revealed my endgame, a sweet smile playing on my lips. Isnt she a woman? She calls you in the middle of the night, and you go running without a second thought. Why dont you ever mention the impropriety of a man and a woman being alone in a room together?
I took a step forward, looking directly into his furious eyes, pinning him in place with my words.
If you can have Clara as a sister, why cant I have Larry as a brother? You cant have it both ways, Adrian.
Adrians lips moved, but no sound came out. Trapped by his own twisted logic, he was rendered speechless. Finally, he just turned and slammed the door behind him.
Silence returned to the living room. I let out a breath I hadnt realized I was holding and turned to Larry. Thank you. Sorry you had to be part of the show tonight.
Larrys playful demeanor vanished. He poured himself a drink and looked at me, his expression complex. Seraphina, do you remember the university debate tournament? You were my opponent, and you argued me into a corner.
I paused.
He gave a self-deprecating smile. Even back then, I thought you belonged in the sunlightconfident and proud. Not trapped in this golden cage, letting your light be extinguished for a man.
He set down his glass and looked at me, his gaze serious. Its Adrians loss that he doesnt cherish you. Im not helping you for the drama. I just think you deserve better than this.
I looked into his sincere eyes, and the deep-seated resentment of the original soul within me felt a flicker of solace.
He was right. I didnt deserve this.
And that poor woman deserved a much better ending.
I touched my chest, my resolve hardening.
Just wait.
This was only the beginning.
It was time for the villains of the story to suffer, just as the heroine had. Doubly so.
Adrian didnt come home the next day.
I was more than happy for the peace and quiet. I even had a good nights sleep for the first time in ages.
It wasnt until evening that the villas front door opened again.
Adrian walked in, supporting a frail figure. It was the woman I had seen in countless photographs: Clara Lane.
She wore a plain white dress, her face pale. She looked like a delicate white lotus, swaying in the slightest breeze.
Adrian avoided my probing gaze and set her suitcase on the floor. The doctor said Clara is still very weak and needs to rest, he announced. Shell be staying here from now on, so I can take better care of her.
He paused, then added, Just make an extra portion at mealtimes. Its not much trouble.
Clara chose that moment to offer a weak, fragile smile. A triumphant glint flashed in her eyes as she looped her arm through Adrians. Adrian-brother insisted, she cooed. He was just so worried about me being alone. I hope his wife wont mind.
She drew out the word wife, her tone dripping with unconcealed provocation.
Just as I was about to speak, a sharp pain lanced through my chest.
It was the primal scream of the original Seraphinas shattered soul.
She was urging me, screaming at me to demand why Adrian would bring this woman into her home, to throw her out immediately.
The intensity of the emotion nearly overwhelmed me.
I took a deep breath, pressing a hand to my chest to soothe the turmoil within.
I suppressed the wave of resentment and stretched my lips into a brilliant smile. Mind? Of course not! Why would I mind? Welcome, little sister Clara.
My enthusiasm stunned both Adrian and Clara into silence.
Pretending not to notice their shock, I continued warmly, Adrians right. You need to be looked after. And itll be nice to have someone else around. It gets so lonely here by myself.
My tone shifted, and I clapped my hands together as if struck by a sudden, wonderful idea.
What a coincidence! I was just about to tell you, the house is about to get even livelier!
Adrians brow furrowed. What do you mean?
I gestured toward the door. My dear brother Larry is having his company and his home renovated at the same time. Its a dusty mess, and I was worried about his health. I couldnt bear the thought of him living all alone in a hotel, so Ive invited him to stay with us for a while.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
I pressed the remote, and the door swung open to reveal Larry, casually pulling a silver suitcase behind him.
Dressed in stylish casual wear, he took in the scene in the living room and raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise.
Well, look at this. A full house. He winked at me, then turned his gaze to Adrian, whose face had darkened like a thundercloud. Adrian, I hope you wont mind my intrusion for the next little while.
The air in the living room seemed to freeze.
Claras smile was plastered to her face, and Adrian looked like hed just swallowed a lemon.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
The war began the very next morning, in the kitchen.
Clara was up at the crack of dawn, a pink apron tied around her waist, presenting Adrian with a bowl of painstakingly prepared congee.
Adrian-brother, try this. I simmered it all night, she said, her voice a soft murmur. I just hope your wife likes it. She seems to be a late riser.
I ignored the barb in her words and walked straight to the stove, taking four eggs from the refrigerator.
Adrian frowned, his tone laced with command. Clara made you breakfast. Sit down and eat.
I paid him no mind, turning on the heat and adding oil to a pan.
With a sizzle, the fragrant aroma of frying filled the air, a stark contrast to her bland, watery porridge. I expertly cracked four eggs into the pan, frying them to a perfect, sunny-side-up finish.
I plated two for myself and two on a separate plate.
A vein throbbed in Adrians temple. Seraphina, he said through clenched teeth, do you have to be like this?
Like what? I pierced a yolk with my fork, watching the golden river flow out. I took a slow, deliberate bite before looking up at him with an innocent smile. You have your sisters breakfast of love, and I have my high-protein meal. Oh, and by the way, I gestured to the other plate, these are for my brother Larry. Hes taking me for a heavy weightlifting session later, and well need the energy.
With that, I picked up both plates and, ignoring their stunned faces, walked into the villas home gym.
Larry was already there, finishing his warm-up. A fine sheen of sweat coated his bronze skin, the air thick with the scent of raw masculinity.
Your energy supply, I said, handing him the plate.
He took it and started eating without ceremony.
An hour later, Adrian appeared at the gym door, his face a thunderous mask. He had probably come to confront me, but the sight before him froze him in place.
I was struggling through my last set of weighted squats, my energy nearly spent.
Larry was standing directly behind me, his shirt off, sweat trickling down his defined abs. His hands were placed firmly on my waist, his hot palms pressing against the thin, sweat-dampened fabric of my workout top.
I cant I cant get up I panted.
Dont give up, Larrys voice was a low, magnetic hum right next to my ear. Feel the power in your glutes. Thats it Ive got you. Dont be afraid.
His chest was almost completely flush against my back, moving with me, the position intimate and seamless. From Adrians angle, it looked as if he was holding me in a full embrace.
CRACK!
Adrian couldnt take it anymore. He slammed his fist into the doorframe.
Larry and I both turned. My face was flushed from the workout, while Larry slowly straightened up, wiped the sweat from his chest with a towel, and gave Adrian a provocative look.
Trouble sleeping, Adrian?
Adrians eyes were murderous. He stared at the damp imprints of Larrys hands on my waist, his Adams apple bobbing, but he was speechless.
What could he say?
That it was improper for a man and woman to be so close? His dear sister was sitting in the dining room.
That our position was indecent? He had personally massaged Claras sprained ankle just last night.
Watching his face contort with a rage he was forced to swallow, I felt a sliver of the original souls resentment begin to dissipate.
Still breathing heavily, I flashed Larry a grateful, sweet smile. Thank you, Larry-brother. Having you here gives me so much strength.
Adrians fists clenched so tightly I could hear the knuckles crack.
Late that night, I had just stepped out of the shower when my bedroom door was thrown open.
Adrian stood there, reeking of alcohol, his eyes bloodshot.
He stalked toward me, his scent and the smell of liquor engulfing me. Before I could react, he had me pinned against the wall behind the door.
Seraphina, his voice was hoarse, edged with fury, what the hell do you want?
He didn't wait for an answer. His scorching lips crashed down on mine.
The kiss was an invasion, a punishment. It was less a kiss and more a beasts bite.
I wrinkled my nose in disgust and, when he tried to deepen it, I wrenched my head to the side.
He froze, his chest heaving as he fought for control.
After a long moment, he buried his face in my neck, his voice suddenly laced with a raw, wounded tone.
Do we have to be like this? You were never like this before.
I almost laughed out loud.
When the original Seraphina had poured her heart out for him, he had ignored her. Now that I was giving him a taste of his own medicine, he was the one feeling wronged?
I placed a hand on his chest, feeling the frantic drumming of his heart through his shirt. Are you jealous? I whispered.
His body went rigid.
He snapped his head up, his eyes boring into mine in the dim light. His lips parted, but no words came out.
Finally, as if I had struck a nerve, he let me go and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
The next day, I was at the citys most exclusive luxury boutique, picking out a tie clip for Larry as a thank you for his stellar performance.
When I went to pay, the cashier handed my black card back to me apologetically. Im sorry, maam. This card has been frozen.
Before I could say anything, my phone buzzed.
It was a text from Adrian, dripping with condescension: When you figure out how to be a proper wife, you can come and talk to me. Until then, all of your cards have been suspended.
He thought he had me.
He thought, just like the original Seraphina, I would panic, lose my mind, and come crawling back to him, begging for scraps.
I glanced at the text and a contemptuous smile touched my lips.
I pulled out a second phone and made a call.
Mr. Davies? Its Seraphina Lockhart. The trust fund my mother left me Im activating it. Now.
At three oclock that afternoon, I stood on a stage, bathed in the blinding light of flashbulbs.
Dressed in a sharp, white power suit, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Larry Ryder, unveiled as his most important new business partner.
I smiled brightly for the cameras. I knew Adrian would see it.
After the successful press conference, Larry handed me a glass of champagne. Congratulations, Seraphina. A brilliant counterattack.
Just as I was about to toast him, the phone in my purse began to vibrate violently.
I pulled it out. The screen was filled with missed call notifications. More than twenty of them. All from Adrian.
I ignored it and was about to turn the phone off when it lit up again. This time, it was the private line from the Vance family estate.
I answered.
There was a second of silence, then a stern, aged voice boomed through the speaker.
Seraphina, have you had your fun yet?!
The Chairmans voice was as imperious as ever, as if I were still the meek little thing the Vance family could control.
My fun? I scoffed. Mr. Chairman, is your memory failing you? Your son brought his dear sister into my home and cut off my finances, and you have the nerve to say that Im the one causing trouble?
He was clearly taken aback by my sharp retort.
You
Me what? I cut him off. Go manage your incompetent son. As for me, from this day forward, Ill do whatever makes me happy.
I hung up just before his thunderous roar could erupt from the speaker.
For the next few days, an eerie calm settled over the villa. Adrian, surprisingly, didnt go running to Clara. Instead, he seemed to be trying to mend things with me.
He knew the annual Starlight Gala was approaching.
It was the biggest event of the year for the citys elite, and the Vance family could not afford to lose face.
On the night of the gala, I slipped into a flame-red mermaid gown I had prepared long ago.
Adrian stood behind me, fastening a diamond necklace around my neck. His reflection in the mirror was a storm of complex emotions.
After tonight, lets talk, he said, his arms wrapping around me from behind, his voice almost a plea. Send Larry and Clara away. We can
He never got to finish his sentence.

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