Chapter 317: You think I’m in pain

“Big sis, what are your plans for today?” Betty asked once it was just the two of them left. Shawn had already left for work, and the apartment felt unusually quiet.

Anna let out a long sigh and leaned back against the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. They were still at Shawn’s place, doing absolutely nothing, and the question only highlighted how directionless her day felt.

“I was supposed to meet Kathrine,” Anna said, irritation creeping into her voice as she glanced at her phone again. “But that girl isn’t answering any of my calls.”

She scowled at the screen, glaring at the missed call log as if it were personally offending her. She had wanted to ask Kathrine about Norma, but her sister’s sudden silence was doing nothing but fueling her frustration.

Betty noticed the look on Anna’s face and pressed her lips into a thin line. “I never knew you were close to your sister,” she muttered.

The sadness in her tone made Anna blink. Even she hadn’t expected that.

Anna turned to look at her properly. “I thought that too,” she admitted slowly. “Especially considering the memories I had of her weren’t exactly… pleasant.”

Betty looked genuinely surprised. “But you both seem close,” she said.

Anna laughed softly, shaking her head. “That surprises me too.” She paused, then added lightly, “But since she isn’t causing any harm, I suppose it’s fine.”

If only Betty knew how Kathrine had turned out in her past life, Anna thought. The resentment, the rivalry, the way everything had once revolved around Daniel. Betty would probably despise her then.

Betty frowned, clearly struggling to make sense of Anna’s words. There were moments when Anna said things that felt oddly out of place, as if she were speaking from experiences Betty could never see.

In the end, Betty only sighed inwardly and reassured herself as she always did.

Big Sis has always been strange, she thought. That’s just who she is.

“By the way,” Anna said casually, though her tone sharpened just a notch, “when are your classes starting?”

Betty’s expression shifted instantly. The confusion vanished, replaced by something far more cautious. It was subtle, but Anna caught it.

Too easily.

It was only then Anna realized how long Betty’s break had actually been. The shoot had lasted a month, yes—but this silence was stretching far beyond that.

“Betty,” Anna said calmly, “look at me.”

Betty stiffened before slowly turning her head toward her. “Hahaha, big sis, why are you staring at me like that?” she laughed awkwardly. “You look like you’re about to attack me.”

“I might,” Anna replied coolly, crossing her arms and lifting her chin. Her eyes searched Betty’s face, unblinking. “If you don’t answer me properly.”

Betty swallowed.

“What are you hiding?” Anna asked, no longer bothering to soften the question.

The smile on Betty’s face faltered. Anna had already helped her resolve the issue at the academy. There should have been no reason for this hesitation. And yet, here Betty was, dodging again.

Anna’s jaw tightened.

Does Shawn know? Is he hiding things from me too?

The thought sent a sharp flash of anger through her, her eyes flickering dangerously as she waited for Betty’s response.

“Speak,” Anna said quietly.

This time, there was no humor in her voice at all.

Betty felt a wave of nervousness wash over her, cold and sudden. Her thoughts drifted back to the day she had crossed paths with Theo again.

Despite the dean’s warning, the hostility in his eyes had never faded. Every time their paths crossed, there was something unsettling in the way he looked at her. He never said anything outright, never did anything that could be reported, but the silence itself carried weight.

One part of Betty wanted to ignore him completely, to focus on her studies and pretend he no longer existed.

But another part of her always sensed it. The quiet resentment. The simmering hatred he hadn’t been able to let go of.

After the day Anna had beaten the life out of his friends, things at the academy had changed. Most of Theo’s circle had backed off, suddenly too busy minding their own business to bother her again.

With Theo, however, it was different.

He watched. He waited. And that was what frightened her the most.

Betty clenched her hands in her lap, her shoulders tensing as she sat there in silence, knowing she could not keep this from Anna much longer—especially not with that piercing gaze fixed on her now.

But she also knew she could make her worry when she already had a lot on her plate.

Betty blinked out of her thoughts and suddenly laughed, a little too loudly.

“Wow, look at you,” she said quickly, pointing at Anna. “Interrogation mode already? Do you want me to confess my crimes too? Because I swear I didn’t steal Shawn’s snacks. Okay… maybe just one.”

Anna didn’t smile.

Betty felt her throat dry but pushed on anyway, plastering a grin on her face. “My classes are fine,” she added breezily. “Everything is fine. The academy is fine. The people are fine. I am very fine.”

She even gave a thumbs up, wobbling it slightly.

Anna raised a brow.

Betty laughed again, rubbing the back of her neck. “Okay, that sounded suspicious, didn’t it?” she said quickly. “I just mean… you know how I am. I panic over nothing. Overthinking should be my major.”

She stood up suddenly and stretched dramatically. “Anyway! Since I’m still technically on break, how about we do something fun today? Shopping? Food? I vote food. Stress eating is very therapeutic.”

Anna’s eyes never left her face.

Betty avoided them on purpose, busying herself with grabbing her phone, scrolling aimlessly. “See? Totally normal. No dark secrets. No evil bullies plotting revenge. Just your cute, innocent little sister who absolutely does not have a problem.”

She smiled brightly, then glanced at Anna, hoping—praying—that the joke would be enough to make her drop it.

But deep down, Betty knew. Anna never missed what people tried hardest to hide. And that was kept her alert the whole time.

***

Meanwhile, back at the club, Ethan half guided, half carried Kathrine toward a quiet resting area. She had barely touched the bench before she burst into laughter again, her head falling back as if the whole incident were the best joke she had heard all day.

“I almost died,” she said between laughs. “Did you see that? Very dramatic. Ten out of ten fall.”

Ethan stared at her like she had completely lost her mind. “You flew off a horse, Kathrine,” he said, incredulous. “You’re supposed to be crying. Or at least blaming me.”

“I might later,” she replied cheerfully. “Right now it’s hilarious.”

He shook his head, utterly defeated, as he crouched in front of her with the first aid kit. “You’re unbelievable,” he muttered, taking her hand gently.

The moment the antiseptic touched the scratch on her palm, Kathrine hissed. “Okay—maybe don’t pour the entire bottle on it.”

“You’re laughing one second and hissing the next,” Ethan said dryly. “Pick a personality.”

“I’m versatile,” she shot back, then laughed again when he glanced up at her with a warning look.

“You know,” he said while carefully applying the medicine, “most people apologize after giving someone a heart attack.”

She tilted her head, watching him. “Oh, was that a heart attack? Sorry.” There was absolutely no remorse in her voice. “But admit it. Your life just got a little more exciting.”

He snorted despite himself. “Exciting is one word for it. Traumatizing is another.”

Kathrine grinned, completely unbothered. “Relax. I survived. Barely. This scratch will be my battle scar.”

Ethan wrapped the bandage around her hand, tightening it just enough to be secure. “Next time,” he said firmly, “we’re doing something safer.”

She leaned closer, eyes sparkling. “You say that now.”

He looked up at her, catching that expression, and for a moment he forgot to respond. Then he scoffed lightly, shaking his head.

“Laugh all you want,” he said. “You scared me back there.”

Her laughter softened at that, turning quieter, warmer. “I know,” she said gently. “But thank you for helping me”

Ethan rolled his eyes, but the smile he tried to hide betrayed him completely.

Once he was done, Kathrine suddenly jumped to her feet.

“So what’s next?” she asked, her eyes shining like a child eager for another adventure.

Ethan was quick to shake his head. “That’s enough for now.”

Kathrine’s smile faltered, her brows knitting together. She had only just begun to enjoy herself, and his sudden decision made her pout.

“Why?” she asked, watching him rise to his feet. Her gaze followed his, landing on her hand.

“You think I’m in pain?” she asked lightly as she noticed his concern.

“No,” Ethan replied, turning fully toward her. “But I’m scared you might end up getting hurt even more.”

Though riding the horse had been his idea, regret now tugged at him. Fake dating or not, Kathrine was his responsibility for the moment, and the thought of her getting hurt sat heavily on his chest. It was something he knew he would not be able to forgive himself for.

Kathrine opened her mouth to protest, but Ethan spoke again before she could. He stepped closer, his voice softening, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes.

“But there is something else we can do.”

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