Chapter 292

She’d pleaded with Rose: “Can’t Kieran and I just be siblings?”

Rose coldly replied: “I won’t allow any woman that close to Kieran—regardless of her identity.”

Rose’s possessiveness over Kieran bordered on pathological. She forbade even appropriate closeness between him and his biological sister.

Essentially, Rose wanted to be the only woman in Kieran’s orbit—the sole focus of his attention.

Her cordial relationship with Clarissa existed solely because Kieran maintained distance from his cousin. Superficially siblings, they rarely exchanged more than pleasantries.

Rose welcomed such detachment.

Had Clarissa and Kieran been close? Rose would’ve expelled even this blood-related cousin.

Hearing this, Alarieka felt sheer disbelief and dread: “Don’t you find this obsession pathological? How can you resent Kieran’s own sister?”

Rose laughed then—a honeyed, chilling sound. “You think my feelings are disgusting and irrational, right? Admit it: you’re really wondering whether Kieran would tolerate such possessiveness.”

Alarieka had indeed thought exactly that.

What followed wasn’t a physical slap, but a psychological blow.

Rose’s laughter turned coquettish and saccharine: “You have no idea, do you?”

“I told Kieran about my feelings long ago. Care to guess what he said?”

Alarieka’s pupils trembled as Rose enunciated each word deliberately: “Kieran said, ‘Whatever you want. I’ll go along with your wishes.’ He promised he’d do anything I asked.”

“See how well he listens to me?”

Rose covered her mouth with a giggle, her gaze pitying yet triumphant.

Only then did Alarieka realize the depth of Kieran Argent’s partiality toward Rose, shattering her presumptuous assumptions. Even without romantic feelings for Kieran, Rose would never tolerate her presence. And Kieran would inevitably distance himself at Rose's request. Her past fantasies crumbled into dust.

Alarieka sighed, recalling the chaos of her past life. Having died once, she should cherish this second chance rather than dwell on bygones. She drained the water glass from her nightstand and burrowed back under the covers.

The following days passed uneventfully. Neither Kieran nor Rose appeared to disturb her, and online controversies gradually subsided. Though busy, Ms. Wyatt called to assure her issues were resolving. School rumors also faded, with teachers ceasing their calls. Only Ms. Wright visited twice—once checking on her recovery, once relaying the administrators’ message.

School leadership urged her to focus on healing before returning, emphasizing her stellar performance as last month’s top scorer who’d outscored second place by a wide margin. They pinned their hopes on her becoming the province’s National Exam Top Scorer—a publicity coup for the institution.

Jaylene reported better earnings at her Fried Oreos stall, profits nearly tripling. Everything seemed upward trending.