Chapter 6

• Do what? Andrea was confused.
• She was about to ask when the man suddenly let out a cold scoff.
• “You’re faking it, aren’t you? Well, I’m warning you now. You can pretend all you want but if you cause any more trouble, I’ll punish you myself. Do you understand?”
• Andrea frowned inside. What the hell was this young man telling her? In truth, Andrea was older than him. If she could count it right, she was already 32 years old when she died. On top of that, she was a mafia boss’ wife. Getting threatened by a 25-year-old flower boy and being told she would get punished by him... This kind of conversation was truly laughable.
• “Are you smiling?” The man suddenly asked, his eyes piercingly cold.
• Andrea cleared her throat. “No, no, not all.” Were teenagers these days this aggressive when talking? In any case, Andrea wasn’t going to play old and strong. At least, not until she figured out the real situation of Anna Johnson.
• She looked at the young man and said with a tone she usually used when being scolded back in Grand Z City’s training grounds, “I understand, older brother. I won’t cause any more trouble.”
• There was a look of mixed satisfaction and confusion on the man’s face. “Don’t repeat the same mistake or you will regret it.” With that, he shot one last icy glare at Andrea, turned around, and left.
• Andrea watched as he entered the room far away from hers. If her memory served her right, that was the eldest child of the Johnson family. His name was Sean Johnson, 25, and currently taking his internship as a doctor. Her eyes narrowed. “Hmm, he’s a feisty one, huh.”
• Andrea closed the door and went back to reading Anna’s journal.
• There, she found more information about Anna and her life.
• Basically, she was adopted when she was five. The Johnsons had three children by blood and one adopted which made it four in total.
• Sean Johnson was the eldest at 25, and a medicine intern. He lives in a dormitory and only comes home every weekend. The second child was named Connor Johnson, 19 years old and studying in the same school as Andrea. He was part of the basketball club. The third child was, of course, Anna Johnson. She was 18 and rarely went out except when going to school and anything related to it. She had no hobbies or interests except listening to music and reading books. The fourth child was Eunice Johnson, aged 16. According to Anna, she rarely went out of the house because of her poor health condition. She has been homeschooled all her life.
• “Poor health condition, hmm...” Andrea repeated the same words from Anna’s notebook. Then she flipped to the next page, finding a photo for the first time since she began reading.
• It was a photo of Anna and her siblings – all when they were younger.
• From that photo alone, one could easily tell they got along really well.
• Andrea tilted her head to the side. If they got along, then what happened that made them drift apart? Why was she being treated like an outcast in this household? Was it really because she was adopted?
• During dinner, Andrea learned one answer to her question.
• “I heard you came from a retreat. How was it? Did you enjoy it?” Eunice asked Andrea with a soft smile.
• She looked like the typical rich princess who looked sickly but nonetheless beautiful and graceful in all her movements.
• Andrea returned her smile. “It was so-so.”
• On the last page of Anna’s journal, she mentioned she was heading to a retreat organized by her school. It happened in a lake outside town. Maggie, Anna’s best friend, said it was where she drowned. Apparently, she slipped and fell into the lake. One disturbing thing was that she was seen by another student who didn’t help her and let her die. Fortunately, a local tourist happened to see her and saved her. At least, that story was according to Maggie. Andrea wasn’t still sure if she was exaggerating things or was telling the truth.
• Hearing the response, Eunice revealed a smaller smiler. “You look happier now. I’m glad.”
• Andrea raised her eyebrow. Happier? What does that mean?
• “Of course, she’s happier. Drake left her for Tracy,” Connor Johnson said with a smirk.
• Mr. Johnson dropped his fork and knife down. “What did you say?”
• Connor shrugged, “Nothing. It’s just that, your pretty little daughter right here isn’t going to marry the best man after all. You can cancel it now before anyone, you know, make Anna’s heart bleed and push her to end herself just like what she did in that retreat.”
• “Connor!” Mrs. Johnson reprimanded.
• Andrea sighed. Now she remembered. Connor hated her guts. He never once treated her well in school. According to that diary, it was Connor who made Anna’s school life a living hell. For some unknown reason, he always seemed to want to ruin Anna’s day. He was friends with Drake Grande, Anna’s fiancé who was good at playing the guitar and the hearts of women. Sadly, Anna was too blind to see that and still liked him hopelessly.
• “I didn’t off myself,” Andrea said.
• She looked at Connor, meeting his eyes straightly. “If you have a problem with me, you can talk to me directly. Also,” she stood up, not bothering to look at anyone’s surprised reaction.
• She turned to Mr. Johnson, “I want to cancel my engagement with Drake Grande, Dad. Not because he isn’t good enough or because I’m not good enough. Before I used to tell you that I like him and I want to marry him but that is no longer the case. My reason is different than anyone of you knows right now. I will be honest with you so please listen carefully.”
• Andrea looked at the Johnson family with a serious gaze. “In this life, I’m not going to marry anymore for the fact that I, Anna Johnson, cannot love anyone.” Except for Giovanni, Andrea wouldn’t try at all.
• “I’m saying I’m an aromantic and asexual person. I’m not interested to marry or get into a relationship with anyone. That’s why I’m telling you now. Please don’t associate me with anything and anyone again in terms of love and marriage because they will only fail.”