Chapter 1

On the first day we got back together, Julian posted a photo of me on his Instagram for the first time.

He tossed the phone to me, acting like he was doing me a huge favor:

"Satisfied now?"

"Don't break up with me over such small things next time."

I looked at the so-called "beautiful photo" that I used to beg him to post.

My heart felt nothing.

Suddenly, I realized... I don't think I love him anymore.

Chapter 1

Seeing me stare at the post, Julian rubbed his brow irritably:

"I hid it from Lila. You know her condition. If she finds out we're back together, she'll get worse."

Only then did I notice the little icon below the post indicating specific people were blocked.

So, he hid it from Lila.

Rarely, I didn't feel sad or angry. Just a bit... speechless.

"You and Lila aren't related by blood. She's just your stepsister."

"If you really like her, I can let you go. Be together."

The moment the words left my mouth, I startled myself.

Ever since I discovered Lila had feelings for Julian beyond sibling love, I had been fighting her.

I never gave her a break, let alone "blessed" them.

Even this breakup was because Lila got sick and demanded Julian play her boyfriend for a day.

She demanded he post her photo, or she wouldn't do the surgery.

When I found out, Julian was as calm as ever, sure I wouldn't leave:

"It's just a photo. We didn't do anything. Stop being unreasonable."

I cried and broke up. He just said "Whatever."

Because he knew I chased him for years and never gave up. He knew I'd come back.

But I clearly felt it. This time, it was different.

Maybe my tone was too calm.

Julian stared at me for a while, frowning deeply.

When he spoke again, his voice softened:

"I didn't think it through. I ignored your feelings. I'll delete it and repost."

"No need..."

Ignoring my objection, he deleted the post blocking Lila and uploaded a photobooth picture of us.

Openly visible to everyone.

But instead of sweetness, I felt a strange annoyance rising in my chest.

Sure enough, within half an hour, Lila stormed from her dorm to Julian's apartment.

Chapter 2

It was freezing tonight, yet Lila wore a thin white dress.

Opening the door, I saw her face, pale as paper.

Julian immediately grabbed a coat and wrapped it around her: "Are you crazy? Wearing so little?"

She didn't speak, just stood there, looking at Julian stubbornly.

A moment later, she "fainted."

I watched Julian carry her to the sofa in a panic, taking her temperature, wiping her face with a hot towel.

The "unconscious" Lila opened her eyes slightly and gave me a provocative smirk.

In the past, I would have screamed.

But now, I just silently opened a game of League of Legends.

The room was quiet, except for the game sounds: "Double Kill," "Triple Kill," "Ace."

When I got a Pentakill with Jinx, I finally put down my phone.

Lila "woke up." Both of them looked at me with complex expressions.

Julian hesitated: "It's raining hard. I want Lila to stay the night."

"Okay."

I agreed readily.

Julian's face looked bad. Until I added: "I'm going back to my dorm."

He seemed relieved.

"Chloe, don't throw a tantrum now. Lila can't get wet. She has surgery next week."

He added:

"You sleep with Lila in the bedroom. I'll take the couch."

That was exactly what I feared.

Last Christmas, Julian took me home.

Short on rooms, I shared one with Lila.

Lila talked in her sleep all night, calling Julian's name over and over. I didn't sleep a wink.

That was when I discovered her feelings.

But the rain was getting heavier. As soon as I stepped out, the wind blew my umbrella away.

I returned to the apartment silently.

Seeing my mess, Julian looked amused and pained. He grabbed a towel to dry my hair: "Told you not to be stubborn..."

I dodged his hand gently: "I can do it myself."

Julian's hand froze in mid-air.

Chapter 3

I thought it would be another sleepless night, but Lila was quiet.

I highly suspected she faked the sleep-talking last time just to disgust me.

Midnight. I got up for water and found the person next to me gone.

Light seeped from the living room door crack. Whispers.

I walked to the door.

"You said you never look back. Why get back with her? What am I?"

Lila's voice carried a sob.

"I only see you as a sister."

"Sister?" Lila sneered. "You date your sister? Hug her? Kiss her?"

Julian's reply was calm and cruel: "That's in the past."

"Since Mom found out and died of a heart attack, we were over."

My heart skipped a beat.

No wonder they always had that weird intimacy. They dated.

Lila sobbed, looking up and meeting my eyes through the crack.

A strange light flashed in her eyes.

"Julian."

She lifted her chin:

"Just tonight. Don't push me away. From tomorrow, you are just my brother."

I saw Julian stiffen.

As she leaned in to kiss him, I silently raised my phone.

Intending to record it.

But I forgot to turn off the flash and sound.

Click.

Julian turned sharply, meeting my eyes.

Chapter 4

He pushed Lila away instantly and strode over: "Chloe, listen to me—"

I didn't stop recording, pointing the camera at his eyes: "Explain. I'm listening."

Confusion flashed in his eyes: "What is this?"

I turned to leave.

Julian grabbed my wrist.

"When Mom found out about us, she had a heart attack and died. Her dying wish was for me to take care of Lila as a brother."

He took a deep breath. His vow was recorded clearly:

"Being with Lila is the biggest regret of my life. Chloe, the only one I like now is you."

My gaze drifted to Lila, who sat on the floor, face pale.

"Julian..."

Her pleading whisper didn't get a glance from him.

As if she couldn't hold on anymore, she ran out crying.

This time, Julian didn't chase her.

He said:

"I was wrong before. Mom's wish made Lila push boundaries. I gave her the chance to hurt you. Sorry. Never again."

Julian held my hand gently. The warmth I used to crave passed through his palm.

But my heart was strangely calm.

Even scornful.

I didn't believe Julian would cut ties with Lila.

As long as they contacted, as long as Lila loved him, it would be a mess.

...

I guessed right. Lila bombarded me with harassment messages for days.

She sent me a burner Twitter account.

Full of records of their secret relationship three years ago.

"See? We kissed watching Titanic. We prayed at the temple to be together forever. He worked part-time for a month to buy me this bag..."

She sent a smug emoji: "Did he do any of this for you?"

I sent her Julian's audio recording.

[Being with Lila is the biggest regret of my life. Chloe, the only one I like now is you.]

Lila broke down: "He's lying! He promised on the Ferris wheel he'd only love me!"

I sent the audio again.

Lila raged: "You are just his excuse to avoid me! Because you're an orphan and chased him for three years, he pitied you!"

I copied the audio again.

Lila: "..."

Finally, she blocked me.

I stared at the red exclamation mark, thoughts drifting.

Two months ago, Titanic re-released.

I bought tickets, excited to go with Julian.

I waited all day. He never showed.

Next day, I blocked him at his apartment:

"Lila had a piano competition. I went with her."

Seeing my red eyes, he scolded cold:

"Don't call so much when you can't reach me. You almost distracted Lila."

I remembered again. Maybe because I cried too hard that day.

To make up for it, Julian agreed to go to the temple with me.

On the way, Lila called, scared of a health checkup.

Julian ditched me and took a taxi to the hospital: "Lila is afraid of needles. I have to go."

Walking back alone, I saw Lila's Instagram.

A photo of a diamond bracelet and medical report:

"To coax me for the blood draw, Brother bought me the bracelet I wanted!"

I had just reposted a lottery for that bracelet.

Lila commented then: "I like it too. But I don't need luck for it."

True. Whatever she wanted, Julian gave her.