Love's Bitter Edge (Eva and Leonard)

I had known Astrid for so long, but this was the first time I had ever seen her cry. She was sobbing so loudly that my eardrums actually hurt from the noise. "Eva, you jerk! Jack's a jerk too! Both of you are jerks!"

She wailed, her voice full of anger and frustration. "I thought you were dead! The flight was delayed, and I couldn't even make it to your funeral! I cried for days in the dorm, and everyone thought I was possessed by a ghost or something! Eva, it's all your fault!" I knew Astrid's personality. I needed to hide it from everyone at the time, so I couldn't tell her about it.

More importantly, I didn't want Jack to know about my situation. Months had passed, but it seemed like Astrid still hadn't moved on from what happened.

"I'm sorry, Astrid. I... I couldn't help it. I didn't want you to suffer. I'll make it up to you," I whispered through my tears.

Astrid suddenly pulled back and stared at me with puffy eyes. "How are you going to make it up to me? Tell me."

Her question stopped me from crying. I had been about to let out more tears, but now, I felt a little embarrassed.

"W-What do you want? I don't have much to offer..." I stuttered. "I have no money, and I don't really want to give up my life either. What should I do?"

Astrid snorted, her gaze turning dark as she glared at Jack. "You don't have anything, but my brother has everything. I'm hungry, and I want a big feast! I saw the lobsters in the fridge. I want to have them all to myself!"

She dragged me to the bedroom, leaving Jack alone in the living room. Once inside, she began lecturing me again, but this time, her tone was lighter and more joyful.

"Eva, I heard your surgery was a huge success! Thank goodness you're still alive. Honestly... you're so thin that whether you have a chest or not doesn't make a difference anymore, right?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Wow, I feel so comforted."NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Although I pretended to be annoyed, holding her hand made my heart feel warm.

The room was arranged with all the things I liked. Astrid had even bought the same brand of bedding I was used to.

"Anyway, if you need anything, just let my brother know. I'm going to start my internship soon, and I'll be coming to Erewhon too." She grinned excitedly.

"Jack wants me to come for some experience now that the McLennon family's project is starting up. We'll be able to work together again!"

Looking at her so cheerful and hopeful, I smiled and nodded.

I wasn't just out of the hospital-I was going to be working with my friends too. I hadn't even dared to dream of this just a few months ago.

Since I was out of the hospital, it seemed like I had to do something with my life.

The next day, after seeing Astrid off, Jack handed me my new identity papers. I would be known as Rinatta from now on. He said this was my chance at rebirth.

My nationality had been changed too, and I was an Erewhon citizen now. Even if Leonard tried to investigate me, he wouldn't find anything.

After everything was settled, I began

my work in Erewhon. The McLennon

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family had a company here, and now, they were expanding into the architectural design and

construction sector, which was already a large-scale operation.

I didn't have Jack accompany me to the company. His secretary, Ms. Tanness, helped me with the

paperwork at the HR department. I couldn't help but feel excited

But when I arrived at the design department, I noticed that some of my new colleagues were giving me strange, unfriendly looks.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman in the front row slammed a stack of papers onto her desk.

"Are you kidding me? Is it that easy for anyone to join the design department?" she yelled, her voice sharp and full of irritation.

"We all had to intern for at least a year before being considered for a full-time position. Why should she get to land a full-time employment contract right away?"