Chapter 1

My brother, Gale Henderson, was the obsessive villain in a tragic romance novel, but he doted on his little sister even more. He loved me more than he had ever loved the female lead, Anna Umbridge.

On my first day of kindergarten, I got into big trouble.

Anna was threatening to throw herself into the river, but Gale left her there and rushed to the school to clean up my mess.

From then on, he spent every day either bailing me out or on his way to bail me out. Before long, his life no longer revolved around Anna.

Then one day, the school called my guardian after I got into a fight with a classmate.

My brother stormed in, then froze when he saw the other child's mother.

It was Anna, the woman he had loved for years but could never have.

I lowered my head and did not dare make a sound. I was terrified that seeing her would bring back his old feelings.

Anna gracefully played with her hair and looked down on me as she said, "It was only a fight between two kids. She doesn't look badly to hurt me. For the sake of what we once had, have your sister apologize, and we can consider this settled."

My older brother's expression darkened. "Are you insane? Who do you think you are, comparing yourself to my little sister?"

Chapter 1

The new transfer student introduced herself at the front of the classroom. She timidly said, "Hello, everyone. I'm Bella Umbridge. I hope we can all get along."

The moment I saw her face, alarm bells rang in my head. When my older brother Gale was younger, he had nearly ruined himself over a woman named Anna.

After breaking up with her boyfriend, she threatened to jump off a building late one night. Gale stayed with her on the roof until morning, only to learn that she had done it to make her boyfriend jealous.

When her boyfriend showed an interest in animals, Anna decided she wanted a cat. Gale carefully picked out a gentle kitten for her. But once she got pregnant, she abandoned the cat without a second thought.

Gale brought the cat home, and it still lived with us.

By the time I started kindergarten, I was getting into all kinds of troubles every day. Fighting and breaking things became routine until every parent at the school lodged a complaint against me.

Gale had no choice but to distance himself from Anna and spend his days cleaning up my messes.

I had seen a photo of Anna on his phone before, so I knew we were in trouble as soon as I saw the transfer student.

Then I heard her name.

Bella Umbridge.

My heart sank. Anna's daughter was named Bella Umbridge.

Mrs. Smith glanced around the room before finally turning to me. "Pearl, Bella can sit next to you for now."

I immediately stood up to my feet. "I'm too disruptive. I might be a bad influence on her, so she should sit with someone else."

Mrs. Smith waved me off impatiently. "Just sit together for now. We'll switch seats in a few days."

Bella then came over and sat down, but I shifted away from her.

She pulled things out from her backpack and slammed them onto the desk, making a huge racket.

What was wrong with her? Maybe she had some kind of mental illness? I moved even farther away, worried that she might pass whatever she had on to me.

Without warning, she slammed her backpack down. Then, she buried her face in her arms and started crying.

A student behind us whispered, "Pearl, did you bully the new girl?"

I stared at her, too stunned to react.

Bella jerked her head up and glared at me with red eyes. "Do you hate me? Do you think you're better than me?"

I froze. "What?"

Her voice rose to a shriek. "You do think you're better than me! You refused to sit with me in front of the whole class! What gives you the right to humiliate me like this?"

I frowned. "I said I'm difficult and didn't want to be a bad influence. What did I do wrong?"

As a villain in this story, was I not even allowed to avoid someone?

Bella sobbed as she threw all kinds of accusations my way. "It's my first day, and I made a mistake on my paper. You saw that I didn't have an eraser, but you refused to lend me one because you wanted to laugh at me! You even rolled up your sleeve so I'd see the diamond bracelet on your wrist. You were showing off!

"Your name is Pearl, so you think you're special? You get to be a precious pearl, and I'm just a belladonna! A mere plant!"

I was speechless. How was I supposed to know she did not have an eraser? I had not even looked at her. As long as the bracelet was on my wrist, I could wear it however I wanted since it was mine. What did that have to do with her? And if she hated her name so much, she could ask her mother to change it. What did that have to do with me?

Her string of accusations immediately made me remember her mother Anna.

Years ago, Gale had taken Anna to an expensive restaurant, and she accused him of using his money to humiliate her for being poor. Another time, Gale missed her call because he was working late. So, she sent him dozens of messages accusing him of not loving her anymore. She then blocked him and refused to forgive him until he stood in the rain outside her apartment all night.

Like a mother, like a daughter. They had the same sensitivity to take offense at everything.

My temper flared, and I rolled my eyes. "Are you crazy?!"

Chapter 2

Bella froze at the insult I threw at her. Then her shoulders began to shake, and she sobbed so hard she almost fainted. She made it look as if I had bullied her in front of everyone.

The other students could not help but start whispering among themselves.

"Isn't the new girl a little too sensitive? She started crying because Pearl didn't offer her an eraser?"

"Pearl has a temper, sure... But what did any of that have to do with her name?"

"Pearl always wears that bracelet. I never even noticed whether it had diamonds."

Bella only cried even louder. When the class president realized things were getting out of hand, he ran to the office for the homeroom teacher, Mrs. Smith.

Mrs. Smith quickly came over. She looked at Bella who could barely breathe through her sobs, while I sat there with rage written all over my face.

She slammed her hand on the desk and started scolding me. "Pearl, can you go one day without causing trouble?"

I was furious and I had just wanted to explain "It was her..."

"Be quiet!" Mrs. Smith roared and refused to listen to my explanation. "Everyone in this grade knows about your temper. You cause trouble every day! Apologize to Bella right now."

I did not move.

Why should I apologize?

Mrs. Smith lost her patience. "You won't apologize? Fine. I'm calling your parents!"

Normally, that would not have scared me. Gale had been called to the school so often that neither of us cared anymore.

But this time was different.

Bella looked so much like Anna that I was getting uneasy. What if Gale saw her and started thinking about Anna again?

I took a deep breath and forced down my anger.

Then I lowered my head. Then, as I gritted my teeth, I said, "I'm sorry."

-

I spent the rest of the day seething. As soon as the final bell rang, I bolted from the classroom.

I sprinted through the school gates and threw myself into the passenger seat of Gale's car. He was so shocked that he almost dropped his cigarette. "Is a monster chasing you or something?"

"Just drive. Hurry up!"

He stared at me. "What happened? Did you beat up another kid? Or did a dog chase you?"

"Just drive. Why are you asking so many questions?" I growled.

Gale frowned. "Pearl, tell me the truth..."

I ignored him and reached for the steering wheel. Seeing that he had no choice, he finally gave in and stepped on the gas, pulling away. Through the window, I spotted Bella walking out through the school gates.

That was close. Gale had almost seen her.

He steered with one hand and asked, "Alright. Talk. What trouble did you cause today?"

I looked guiltily out the window. "Maybe I just wanted to get home early and do my homework."

"You? Homework? You won't do your homework even if the world's survival depends on it." Gale said as he ruffled my hair. "Pearl, when are you going to stop making me worry?"

After we got home, I did not tease the cat or break anything. That alone made Gale suspicious. He sat down on the couch and started playing his game on his phone while I pretended to reach for the remote and extended my neck to peek at the screen.

He noticed, flipped the phone facedown, and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on? Just tell me if you need money."

"I was only checking what you were doing," I said, pretending nothing had happened.

"I'm busy saving for your bail," he said irritably.

I moved behind the couch. "Gale, is there anyone you like right now?"

I did not dare ask whether he still thought about Anna. What if he had almost forgotten her, and my question made him remember her?

Gale paused, then flicked my forehead as he said, "I spend every day bailing you out. When would I have time for anyone else?"

I let out a sigh of relief inside of me. As long as I kept them from meeting, Gale would not go back to his old self, right?

Chapter 3

The next day, I decided to stay far away from Bella. However, she refused to leave me alone.

After class, Bella went to the water dispenser. On her way back, she suddenly slipped. The whole cup of water poured over my head. Water soaked my hair and clothes, along with my books on the desk.

Luckily, the school dispenser only held warm water, so I was not burned.

My temper flared, and I kicked my chair aside. "Are you blind?!"

Bella hunched her shoulders and gave me an innocent look. "It was an accident. Why are you being so mean…? I know you didn't like me from the start, but I really didn't do it on purpose."

I let out an angry chuckle. "You didn't do it on purpose? Then how about I throw you into the fountain downstairs and say I didn't do it on purpose?"

Bella froze, then crouched down and started crying. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have bumped into you. I'm new here. I don't know how things work. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

The girl in front of us tugged at my sleeve. "Pearl, let it go. She apologized and she's new here too."

Another girl chimed in. "Exactly. Look at her crying. She probably didn't mean it."

I clenched my fists, too furious to speak. I was the one who had been drenched, yet everyone acted as if I was being the bully.

I had always had a short temper. In the past, I would have slapped her by now. But the thought of the school calling Gale made me hold back.

All I could do was kick the desk as I returned to my seat, trying to wipe my clothes and books dry as I gritted my teeth. I told myself I only had to endure her until the teacher changed our seats.

That afternoon, Mrs. Smith walked into the classroom with a grim expression. Bella followed her, wiping away tears.

"Pearl, stand up," she said coldly.

I had no idea what was happening.

Even if Bella had complained about the water, my clothes were still wet. How could she possibly be in the right?

Mrs. Smith slammed a hand on her desk. "Bella's money for her tuition fees are missing. Have you seen it?"

I sneered. "Why are you asking me? She's the one who lost it."

Bella hid behind Mrs. Smith as if she were afraid of me. "I didn't say she took it. I only said I left it in my backpack, and only the person sitting next to me could have seen it..."

She glanced at me, then quickly lowered her head.

My temper immediately flared up. "What are you saying? I never even looked inside your backpack!"

Bella trembled and cried. "I never said you took it. Why are you so upset…? My mother saved for a long time to get that money. Pearl, please give it back."

The room immediately turned against me.

"Pearl is always fighting. I didn't know she was a thief either."

"No wonder she looked ready to kill Bella over a little water. Maybe she felt guilty."

"That doesn't make sense. Isn't her family rich?"

"Who knows? Maybe she just wanted to bully her."

I stared at them in disbelief. "Do you think my family needs her money? Do you really think I stole it, or have you all lost your minds?"

"Pearl! Watch your tongue and attitude!" Mrs. Smith shouted.

Between sobs, Bella kept going. "Look at her. She had a problem with me since my first day. She even insults me right in front of you..."

Another girl stepped forward. "She's right. Pearl looked terrifying just now like she was about to hit someone. Everyone knows Pearl has a bad temper. She's bullying the new student on purpose."

I shook with rage. "Lies! You bumped into me on purpose and poured water on me first!"

The suspicion and disappointment in Mrs. Smith's eyes only deepened. My reputation was so bad that no one believed me.

I stared at Bella and spoke through clenched teeth. "You say you brought the tuition money. Did anyone see it? Maybe you never had it. Maybe you came here to frame someone and make them pay your tuition."

Bella looked humiliated and cried so hard she nearly fainted. "You stole my money, and now you're calling me a liar. Will you only be happy if I'm dead?"

Mrs. Smith looked at a girl who was gasping as she sobbed then at the other girl who was filled with violent fury

The amount was too large for Mrs. Smith to settle on her own. With a frown, she said, "The amount is too big and this is beyond my pay grade. Call your parents here."

Chapter 4

My heart sank.

Bella's parents? Wasn't that Anna? If Gale came to the school, he would come face-to-face with her.

I pressed my lips together, sick with frustration.

Then I made up my mind. "You don't need to call my guardian. I'll pay for it."

Mrs. Smith stared at me. "Pearl, do you know how much this school's tuition costs?"

I frowned. "It's only a few thousand dollars. I'll pay her with my allowance, and this will be the end of it."

I then quickly added, "I can give her the money, but I didn't steal it."

That was my bottom line. I was willing to pay to settle the matter, but I would never admit to stealing.

Mrs. Smith frowned as she weighed her options. If I paid, she could avoid more trouble too. However, Bella refused to accept it. "Look, Mrs. Smith! She's guilty! Why would she pay if she didn't steal it? This isn't just about the money. It's about character. There's a thief in our class. If she steals my tuition money today, what will she steal tomorrow?"

Still crying, she called her mother.

Anna arrived soon afterward.

After Mrs. Smith gave her a brief explanation, Anna twisted Bella's ear and started yelling. "You stupid girl. How could you lose your tuition money? Do you know how long it took me to save that? How many times did I tell you to keep it with you??"

I stood there in stunned silence.

This was the woman Gale had once loved so desperately?

Strangely, my first reaction was disappointment.

This was it?

Was Gale blind all those years ago?

Bella covered her ear and pointed at me. "She did it! She stole the money!"

Anna looked me up and down. Her expression changed when she noticed the expensive brands I was wearing. Contempt filled her expression in that instance. "You're the one who stole it? Where are your parents? Is this how they raised you?"

I tried to control my anger. "I already said I didn't steal anything. But if you need the tuition money, I can cover it for you for now."

My words struck a nerve in Anna and she immediately lost control of her emotions. "You didn't steal it? Then why would you pay? You're obviously guilty! You're a thief! You're already stealing at your age instead of learning right from wrong."

Then she sneered. "You must have taken it! The money could be in your backpack right now!"

She snatched my backpack and dumped everything onto the floor. I clenched my fists as my belongings scattered everywhere. She searched everything yet she had found nothing, as expected.

Anna still refused to give up. She then narrowed her eyes on me. "You hid it under your clothes, didn't you?"

I took a step back. "I told you I don't have it."

She moved closer with a sneer. "It's on you. You're afraid I'll find it."

That was ridiculous!

I naturally would not agree with what she wanted to do!

But she immediately grabbed my collar and started cursing at me. "Refusing to take off your clothes proves you're guilty! Take them off right now, you little witch!"

Her nails scraped my neck, and it was so painful. Why did I need to suffer such humiliation? My temper exploded in that instant.

To hell with keeping them apart! To hell with holding back!

I raised my foot and kicked her hard in the stomach. "Get off me, you lunatic!"

Anna stared at me in disbelief.

I had been fighting since I was little. I clawed at her before she could recover too.

She screamed and slapped me hard across the face. "You little witch. How dare you fight back?"

Suddenly, footsteps pounded down the hall and toward the classroom. I turned and saw Gale running toward us with a dark expression. I covered my face and said nothing as guilt twisted in my stomach.

Gale had come after all. He had seen Anna. And Anna, who was choking me, let go of my neck. She smoothed her hair and gave him a shy smile.

Gale walked into the room, several bodyguards in black followed him.

Anna's eyes lit up the moment she saw my older brother. Her vicious look vanished. Suddenly, she seemed so frail and helpless.

Her voice turned sickly sweet. "Gale..."