Sweetheart, Do You Still Love Me

"It was never like that," Slevin said, taking a deep breath. "I only have one sister, and that is the kind-hearted and innocent little girl I found by the corner of the street."

To his surprise, Nyla burst out laughing when she heard that. "Kind? Innocent? Why would you think that is me, Slevin? Even though I looked unaffected by all the bullying, which was all to avoid being pestered by them, I swore deep down I'd have revenge the moment I was strong enough. I will kill them all and make them pay for every wound I suffered.

"Slevin, I have not been innocent and kind for a very long time. Just as I thought my life would end in misery, you suddenly appeared by my side. You chased them away with your harsh words, then brought me to a home that was like a castle. How could I not fall in love with you?

"I thought you felt something for me. After all, I'm quite pretty. I never thought that you would call me shameless when I finally mustered up the courage to confess my love to you. My mind has been twisted from the very start, so your words undoubtedly dealt a fatal blow."

He had not thought she'd have that sort of thought process. In his mind, he thought she would be happy since he had brought her home, fed her, sheltered her, and given her a life she would never dare to dream of before. Not once did he think she would still be stuck traumatized.

Guilt flashed in his eyes. He was about to speak when Elspeth coldly chuckled.

"Has Slevin ever done anything wrong to you? He brought you home in hopes that you could improve your own life and grow to be a considerate person. Who could have known that you would grow up to be so ungrateful?"

Nyla gritted her teeth in anger when Elspeth emotionlessly interrupted her nearly successful attempt at swaying Slevin.

"What? Upset?" Elspeth continued. "In my eyes, you're only using your depression to be greedy and just keep on taking and taking from others. You only go on about how he did not give you the concern you deserve, but does he have a duty to provide you with that? He has done his duty. You're just a greedy, insatiable, and bottomless pit."

Nyla had always placed herself in the role of a victim. Elspeth's words had Nyla staring at Slevin in disbelief with eyes shimmering with tears. "Don't believe her nonsense, Slevin. I'm not that kind of person. I never thought you were bad to me. Don't be fooled by her lies," she exclaimed.

As for Slevin, he had been drowning in his own guilt the entire time, but Elspeth's statement caused realization to abruptly dawn on him.

Elspeth was right: what duty did he have to pacify Nyla?

They were not at all related by blood. In a moment of weakness, he had brought her into his home, given her his name, endless spending money, and constant love. He did not expect her to cause a huge problem for him.

He took a few steps back while looking at her with a detached stare. "You disappoint me, Nyla. From now on, you are no longer my sister."

Panic shined bright in her eyes. She had not expected a few words from Elspeth to be enough to cause a rift between her and Slevin.

Elspeth had even made Slevin disown her.

No. If I am not Nyla Damazio, then I'll have nothing. No! She raised her head with a decisive look on her face. Finally, she asked, "Are we really past the point of no return? Can you not treat me the same as before?"

Slevin firmly nodded. "I cannot."

"What if I don't want to date you anymore? I only want to be your sister." Nyla had not expected him to be so unwavering in his decision. In her panic, she offered a compromise.

He shook his head, exhausted. "Forget it, Nyla. We are done as siblings."

With a mocking smirk on her lips, she shot back, "We are never through as long as I decide we are not."

This is all Elspeth's fault!

Before she appeared, he would never have spoken to Nyla that way. In one swift and vicious move, Nyla pulled out a knife that had been tucked in the back of her belt and hysterically stabbed Elspeth.

Elspeth was unable to react in time. As the sharp knife was about to sink into her chest, she screwed her eyes shut in fear. However, the pain she was anticipating did not happen. Her eyes snapped open to find that Slevin had moved to stand before her and grabbed the knife while her eyes were closed.

Blood slowly dripped from between his fingers.

His forehead was covered in a sheen of cold sweat.

Nyla had been so surprised by what happened that she immediately let go of the knife out of shock. "Why did you rush over, Slevin? I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't..."