14
As I left the competition grounds, I coincidentally ran into Julian.
Both his legs were broken, his lower body a bloody mess.
“Anya Sterling, I…”
Julian, lying on the ground, reached out to me, but Caleb violently slapped his hand away.
Caleb’s wolf ears were upright, his beast eyes fixed on Julian, practically devouring him.
I raised my hand to soothe Caleb, who was shielding me.
“Ignore him. Let’s go.”
I suspected Julian hadn’t just broken his legs, but his mind as well.
In this life, Julian and I had almost no interactions, so why was he blocking my path now?
But the next second, Julian’s words nailed me to the spot.
“Anya, you’ve been reborn, haven’t you?”
His voice was extremely low, audible only to the two of us.
I stared at Julian for a few seconds, then told Caleb to wait for me by the side.
Caleb’s eyes instantly turned red, and his tail drooped.
He pursed his lips, then silently walked to a nearby tree, his gaze at Julian almost feral
enough to tear him apart.
Julian, oblivious, pointed at Caleb, his voice trembling:
“Anya, why is he with you? Don’t you want me anymore?”
My face was devoid of expression. I stepped on his hand.
“What he does is none of your business.”
Julian’s face twisted slightly. Enduring the pain, he flashed me a fawning smile.
“Anya, listen to me. I’ve remembered everything from the previous life. I’ve finally realized my true feelings.
<
“The person I truly love isn’t Valerie at all, the person I love is…”
His ears flushed red. He didn’t finish, instead looking up at me with hopeful eyes.
“Anya, forget about him.
“Take me with you. I won’t ever leave you again.”
I raised an eyebrow, finding it even more baffling.
Julian didn’t seem reborn; he seemed insane.
“Julian, do I need to remind you how I died in my previous life?”
Julian froze, the light in his eyes slowly dimming.
“I… I’m sorry. I was crazy. I was possessed.
“Back then, I just wanted to prove myself to Valerie, that’s why I did those disgusting things.
“But I never meant to hurt you. After you died, I avenged you. Anya Sterling, I love…”
I sneered, cutting him off:
“Avenged me? Then why didn’t you just die yourself?
“Julian, you were the direct cause of my death.
“What, your legs broke, and now your brain’s broken too?”
Julian was speechless.
I walked around him, heading towards Caleb.
Behind me, Julian’s trembling voice echoed.
“Anya, my legs are broken, and I lost the competition.
<
“Valerie won’t want a cripple like me anymore. I’ll die.
“Can’t you… pity me?”
My steps faltered. I turned back.
Seeing the flicker of hope ignite in Julian’s eyes once more, I scoffed.
“And why would I need to?”
Julian’s face was pale, completely drained of color. He bit his lip, muttering lowly,
“I’m still useful. I’ll prove it to you…
“I’ll definitely prove it to you.”
