A sudden change in behavior.

“Did something happen to Lemira? She’s completely given up on herself.”

“More like she’s stopped pretending. This is probably the real Lemira.”

Lemira, overhearing the murmurs, didn't seem to care. Dropping her backpack by her desk, she laid her head down and drifted off to sleep. She slept through the entire morning. At noon, Evelina walked into the classroom, her arm hooked to an IV drip. Her appearance instantly garnered the sympathy and concern of their classmates.

Lemira just frowned and shifted to a more comfortable position to continue her nap. But soon, someone banged on her desk. Annoyed, Lemira looked up, her eyes fierce. Standing before her was Evelina, flanked by her ever-present sidekicks, looking impatient.

Lemira narrowed her eyes. Those two were always stirring up trouble for Lemira, spreading rumors and even lying to her brothers about her.

Evelina spoke softly, “Lemmy, what do you want for lunch? I can get it for you. Please, don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Lemira replied coldly, “I don’t need your help.”

One of Evelina’s sidekicks snapped, “Lemira, don’t be so ungrateful. Eve is sick now.”

“Exactly, you should be the one taking care of her at school; she’s sick because of you.”

Evelina coughed weakly, “Stop it, you two. I can take care of myself. I’ve always been alone. Let’s not make her angry.”

“Eve, you’re too kind. That’s why people walk all over you.”

Fed up, Lemira stood to leave the classroom, but as she did, Evelina hurried after her, knocked over the IV stand, and fell onto the broken glass.

The commotion gave Lemira a headache. Before she could react, darkness enveloped her, and she fainted.

When Lemira woke up, she was greeted by the sharp scent of antiseptic. Was this the school infirmary?

“Your temperature is 102°F. Were you trying to roast yourself?”

Lemira noticed a man in a doctor’s overall, tall and thin, wearing a mask, his eyes utterly indifferent. She recalled that he was the new school doctor, attracting a lot of girls’ attention. He seemed to have a sharp tongue, and hadn’t been at the school long.

Lemira sat up, feeling much better, thinking the IV drip must have taken effect.

“Can I go now?” Lemira lowered her eyes.

“Wait for a guardian. I don’t want to be responsible if you collapse on your way home,” Orion Everhart replied casually from his chair. He certainly had a sharp tongue.

Lemira uttered, her voice hoarse, “I don’t have anyone.”

Just then, Caspian’s voice echoed with concern, “Eve, are you okay? How did you get hurt so badly?”

“Caspian, it was just a small accident. Don’t blame Lemmy. She didn’t mean it. It was my own clumsiness that caused the IV stand to fall.”

But one of Evelina’s sidekicks quickly twisted the story, “That’s not true! Evelina was just trying to help her get lunch, and Lemira, out of spite, caused her to fall.”

Fury ignited within Caspian as he loudly demanded, anger evident in his voice, “Where is Lemira? Come out here now! How could she let Eve worry about her like this? She should have been the one hurt in that accident, not making Eve’s life miserable.”

Lemira’s smile was laced with scorn as she heard this familiar scenario unfold, just like in her past life—whatever Evelina said was right.

Suddenly, the curtain beside Lemira’s bed was yanked open, revealing Lemira’s pale face and sickly lips as she looked up.

“Lemira…” Caspian stopped, noticing Lemira’s state.