Chapter 2

Her brow relaxed.

"The doctor said this course of medication will help you sleep soundly, and Osman will wake up feeling better tomorrow."

"He needs an early start tomorrow, so you should rest early today."

"Is his ski trip more important than my birthday?"

Alice paused for half a second, her gaze hardening.

"Davis, don't compare things like this."

"I'm not comparing."

"You are. Every time you bring up Osman, you act like I owe you something."

I looked at her. "Don't you?"

Her expression stiffened, then her voice softened, "He's a part of you. Don't always get hung up on little things."

"I know it's hard for you to take the medicine, but once you've recovered in a few days, I'll take you to the beach to celebrate your birthday, okay?"

She promised a future, then stared at me for a few more seconds.

"You're unhappy about your birthday today, isn't it because of the cake?"

I said nothing. The cake was a Strawberry Napoleon, Osman's favorite, but I'm allergic to strawberries.

When Alice picked out the strawberry for me, she said, "See, I remember you like sweets."

She did remember, but she remembered the wrong person.

"I'll have my assistant order you a new one tomorrow."

"No need."

"Now you're just being dramatic." She raised a hand, intending to caress my face.

I flinched. Her hand missed, and her expression instantly turned cold. "Davis, you've taken the medicine. Don't throw another tantrum."

My mom's hushed voice came from outside the door: "Alice, did Davis take it?"

Alice glanced at me. "Yes, he did. Davis is asleep; you both should get some rest too."

"Thank you for your trouble." My mom's voice was gentle.

Alice closed the door, the click of her heels fading into the distance.

Once I was sure she was gone, my mom sighed in relief. "That's good."

My dad's voice was cold. "After tonight, the medication will completely suppress the core personality. Osman finally won't have to suffer anymore."

My mom quickly said, "Keep your voice down! What if Alice finds out the truth and gets soft, ruining everything?"

"If she knows we're drugging Davis, our alliance with the Andersons would be ruined!"

"What are you afraid of?" My dad snorted. "Dr. Peter said if we drag this out any longer, we'll lose both of them."

"Osman is outgoing, lively, and incredibly charming. Only he can take over our Williams family business and secure the Anderson alliance."

"Davis's gloomy nature would only drag down the entire family!"

Just outside the door. I listened to my own parents' secret judgment, the bitterness in my throat slowly rising.

Soon after, pain began in my chest.

It wasn't a sharp, cutting pain; it was like fine needles piercing my brain, meticulously pulling out my memories and consciousness one by one.

I bit down on the bedsheet, convulsing with pain, every breath tasting of blood.

In the middle of the night, Alice returned.

I closed my eyes, hearing her walk to the bedside.

"Davis, are you alright?"