"Ethan Keller, please, stop asking... It's all my fault. I stole you away, I'm sorry to Miss Andra, and I deserved every blow I received..." The woman's voice trailed off as she covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face in a plea for the man to cease his inquiries.
Alex watched, her lips twitching in amusement at the woman's obvious attempt to shift blame, despite it being the original host who had dealt the blows.
"No, it's my fault, not yours. I've caused you so much grief, and I'm useless..." His heart ached at the sight of her distress. He longed to love and protect her, yet it was his own actions that had brought her pain.
"Ethan Keller, you're not at fault, nor is Miss Andra. The blame lies solely with me." She sobbed.
"Tian Tian, don't cry. It's my responsibility to protect you, and I failed."
Alex, finding their protracted exchange pointless, turned to leave. But before she could take more than a few steps, the man barked, "Alex! Stop right there!"
Turning, Alex smiled faintly. "Is there something I can assist you with?"
Taken aback, he retorted sarcastically, "Alex, what game are you playing now?"
"A game? I'm hardly indulging in childish antics. Do you fear I'll strike your companion in front of you?" she replied with a half-smile.
He narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
"Rest assured, I do not resort to violence without cause," Alex dismissed his menacing gaze with a sniff. "If I did strike, it would be justified."
Enraged, he raised his hand to slap her, only to be restrained by the woman.
"Ethan Keller, let it go. This ends here."
"No! I will see justice done for you today!" Her fragile appearance fueled his protective instincts, and he refused to tolerate any harm coming to her.
"Please, Ethan Keller, don't pursue this any further..." She clung to him, tears streaming down her face, melting his resolve. "Very well, I won't pursue it. Don't cry."
Smiling through her tears, she appeared both resilient and vulnerable, eliciting a desire to shield her.
"Alex, Tian Tian is kind and forgiving, but this matter cannot be dismissed. You must apologize to her."
Apologize? What a joke. How could she apologize for something she didn't even understand?
"Why should I apologize?" Whether or not the original host was responsible, Alex would never apologize for something she hadn't done. "I don't strike without reason."
"You've caused her so much trouble, yet she speaks up for you. Isn't an apology due?" he ground out.
"Ah, I see." Alex tilted her head, feigning confusion. "Should I apologize or thank her, then?"
Stunned into silence, he gaped at her.
Seizing the moment, Alex continued, "But I didn't ask her to speak on my behalf. Why should I owe her either an apology or thanks? Besides..." She cast a dismissive glance at the woman, addressing the man, "You've already promised not to pursue it, yet you persist in demanding an apology from me. Isn't that rather unseemly?"
"You...!"
"Ethan Keller, enough!" Tian Tian interrupted, turning to Alex with a choked voice. "Miss Andra, I'm sorry... It's all my fault. I ruined your relationship with Ethan Keller... I know I should have rejected him, but... I couldn't help my feelings. I don't expect your forgiveness, only that you won't blame Ethan Keller."
Before Alex could respond, he spoke up, "Tian Tian, you don't owe her an apology. Our love is genuine, and we owe no one an apology."
"No, Ethan Keller. If not for me, you wouldn't have broken up with Miss Andra. I'm sorry to her."
"Tian Tian, your kindness is your downfall. She takes advantage of it." He sighed, helpless at her selflessness, which saw her shouldering blame for others' mistakes.
"Ethan Keller, please promise me you won't blame Miss Andra." She pleaded.
"I promise," he conceded after a moment's hesitation, unable to deny her.
With a forced smile, Tian Tian turned to Alex. "Miss Andra, I'm sorry for today. If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Alex sneered, her disdainful gaze earning her a fresh surge of anger from him. But Tian Tian's pleading gaze silenced him, and he merely glared at Alex before leading Tian Tian away.
As they departed, Alex leaned wearily against the wall, rubbing her sore shoulder. The impact had left her bruised.
Scanning the unfamiliar, bizarre room, Alex noted the strange objects within, yet they felt oddly familiar, likely due to the host's memories.
These memories now flooded her mind, revealing the life of Alexandra, this body's former occupant. Born to a wealthy Andra family and a college student, she was the sole heir to the Andra Corporation. Doted upon by her grandparents and parents, Alexandra grew up spoiled yet intelligent, showing promise as a businesswoman. Her grandfather, seeing this, sent her abroad to further her education, where she met Ethan Keller—the man who had just shoved her.