chapter 2

I needed to learn a way to protect myself.

If the other party turned out to be a sadist or a pervert, I had to be brave, fight back, and find a way to survive.

The next morning, I opened my phone and practiced Taekwondo using video tutorials.

After a few rounds, someone grabbed my arm from behind.

I looked up and met Eric's furious eyes.

"How much hatred do you have for Felicia that you have to force her to go to Entogow?"

I yanked my arm free in pain. "This is our family's business. It's one of your concerns. Get lost!"

He gripped me even tighter. "Felicia is so fragile. Why force her to risk her life? You're strong and know Taekwondo—nobody can bully you. Why don't you go instead?

"Shouldn't the older sister protect the younger one? Nicole, you're bullying the weak—it's cruel! You act nothing like a sister!"

I gritted my teeth and shouted, "Eric, let go of me!"

Eric didn't move, staring at me coldly. "Nicole, stop deluding yourself. Do you really think that just because Felicia is going to Entogow for the marriage alliance, I'll marry you?

"Keep dreaming! I like women who are gentle, generous, and understanding. I would never marry someone selfish who doesn't care about family ties!

"Nicole, if your mother were still alive, she wouldn't take your side either. On the contrary, she'd call you selfish and heartless!"

The way he glared at me in anger was exactly the same as in my previous life, when he and I had screamed at each other over Felicia, jumping up and down in rage.

With a loud thump, I kicked him hard.

"Eric, shut up!"

Once, he had promised Mom on her deathbed that he would take care of me this lifetime.

But later, he had broken that promise.

The kick seemed to shock him into clarity.

His gaze landed on my arm, now bruised from his grip.

The next second, he gently touched the bruise. "Nicole, I'm sorry. I was too impulsive just now…"

I moved slightly to avoid him, a mocking smile on my lips. "No need to rush before everything settles. Let everything take its course."

Eric sneered. "You're the heiress of the Chapman family. Felicia may have the same last name, but you've always suppressed her. What does she have?"

I laughed coldly.

He must be blind. She had Keith, who loved her, and she had him—he loved her too.

She had the love of two men.

Eric's almost pleading voice rang in my ear. "Nicole, I'm begging you. For the sake of you and Felicia being sisters, just let her go!"

Felicia.

Felicia.

In my previous life, that name was like a thorn in my heart I could never pull out.

Because of her, Eric and I constantly clashed, and there was never any peace.

This time, I had decided to end that miserable cycle I had grown to despise.

Eric—this time, I was the one going to Entogow for the marriage alliance.

I didn't want to repeat the same mistakes from my previous life, trapped in a marriage that neither worked nor could end.

I was determined to cut all ties with him completely.

Dad followed my advice and told only Felicia about my plan to go to Entogow for the marriage alliance, keeping it a secret from everyone else.

Eric, still left in the dark, continued to treat me like an enemy.

That evening, as I walked past the rose garden, I saw Eric and Felicia sitting across from each other at a small stone table.

Eric was fiddling with a small craft in his hands.

Felicia's eyes were fixed on him.

When she learned from Dad that I was the one going to Entogow for the marriage alliance, her bell-like laughter returned just as it had before.

"Eric, you're so talented! I didn't expect you to have such skill. Have you made these bracelets for many girls?"

Eric held a freshly made pearl bracelet, his gaze full of adoration as he looked at Felicia.

"I only make them for the people I care about."