Part 2The World Didn't Know He Was Just a Stand-In

Nathaniel Hale.

That name accompanied me throughout my entire youth.

In a daze, I was transported back to when I was sixteen, the summer I first met Nathaniel.

Those were the hardest days of my life.

My grandmother, who I had always depended on, passed away. I became like a wild dog completely off the leash, letting myself rot in the mud.

Caught in another vicious fight, my homeroom teacher issued a final ultimatum: if my parents didn't show up this time, she would report me to the school board for expulsion.

I didn't care. Leaning lazily against the wall, I said indifferently: [My dad is in Canada, my mom is in Thailand, and I can't reach either of them. Do you want me to invite my grandma up from the grave?]

[Emily Vance!]

My homeroom teacher, enraged by my attitude, grabbed me by the collar to drag me to the expulsion office.

That was when Nathaniel Hale appeared.

He hurried over and stepped in front of me. His first words were:

[I'm sorry I'm late. I'm Emily's older brother.]

Brother?

I froze, and so did the teacher.

The teacher froze because the man standing before her had a clean, sharp aura, looking like he belonged to a completely different world than me, with my messy hair and heavy makeup.

I froze because I never expected my parents to have an illegitimate child this old.

So, I was extremely resistant to him.

[Bullshit, I don't have a fucking brother!]

I cursed loudly, lunging forward to push him away.

But Nathaniel, despite looking slim and refined, easily pinned me with one hand while calmly communicating and apologizing to my teacher.

He promised that from now on, he would keep a strict eye on me.

Due to his pleading, the teacher decided to give me one last chance.

Nathaniel practically dragged me home.

On the way, he shoved me into a hair salon, getting rid of my chaotic, colorful hair and the heavy makeup.

The mirror revealed my original face.

He stared at me for a moment, then smiled and ruffled my hair:

[Look how nice you look as a student.]

I didn't dodge; instead, I took the opportunity to bite down hard on the webbing between his thumb and index finger.

I failed. He caught my chin instead.

[Tsk, such a fierce little girl?]

[Get lost! I'm calling the cops, you kidnapper!]

I mumbled my curses, my jaw held tight.

Even though Nathaniel was very good-looking, it didn't stop me from hating him, especially when he smiled—it was blindingly bright.

I cursed, kicked, and hit him.

Nathaniel didn't get angry. He let me throw my tantrum. Only when I settled down did he slowly explain: [I'm not a kidnapper. Your parents entrusted me to take care of you.]

[Bullshit. They don't care about me. Otherwise, why didn't they come back when Grandma died?]

I tried to act like I didn't care, but I still choked up when I yelled, glaring at him with red eyes.

My cheeks felt a little itchy, and a little wet...

Nathaniel fell silent. He let go of me, and after a long while, he promised:

[Once you get into college, they'll come back.]

I thought for a moment and replied: [They're dreaming.]