Chapter 3

After the original Kai was found, he transferred to Chloe and Brandon's school. But Brandon didn't want the original Kai to share a ride with him, terrified that someone would discover he wasn't a biological Stone. The original Kai always went to school alone. Over the past six months, thanks to Brandon's subtle hints, he'd endured no small amount of bullying. But that poor kid endured it all in silence. He probably knew that even if he spoke up, no one would care. And his family would never believe Brandon had incited it.

The moment I pulled my textbook from my desk, I saw a fake cockroach taped to the cover. The group waiting to see me squirm were already secretly covering their smirking mouths.

If it were the original Kai, he would have definitely suffered in silence. But for me, dealing with these kinds of issues was routine. I just wanted to quietly wait for death here, but if they insisted on provoking me, I wasn't some pushover they could walk all over.

I snatched up the textbook with the cockroach and walked towards the girl who was closest and enjoying the show. I slammed the textbook against her face. Before she could even shriek, I dumped out all the books from her desk and found an identical textbook.

The original Kai's image in class had always been quiet and unassuming, never speaking up. Today, with my flushed face, I drew the silent attention of many classmates. Now, with my usual lack of presence, I was causing such a commotion. The classroom instantly fell silent.

The girl recovered from her shock and lunged at me like a madwoman. I grabbed her hair, my voice ice-cold. "What happened before, I'll let it go. But don't you dare mess with me again." With that, I shoved her away and returned to my seat, slumping over my desk.

Not only was my stomach burning, but I also felt a faint nausea, like I was about to throw up. My forehead remained furrowed in pain, unable to relax.

This isn't right. It shouldn't have progressed this quickly. This was already the advanced stage.

The next moment, a warm hand firmly grasped my arm. Harper was suddenly by my desk, her brow furrowed, her voice low but laced with an undeniable authority. "Get up. I'll help you to the infirmary."

I tried to pull away, but realized I didn't even have the strength to stand. My body uncontrollably slumped against her.

"Don't try to be tough," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear.

Just as we stumbled out of the classroom, Chloe rushed forward, blocking our path, her face twisted in fury. She saw me, tightly supported by Harper, almost leaning on her, and her face grew even colder. Her words were like daggers. "Kai Stone, what are you doing? Class is about to start, and you're out here messing around with a girl!"

"See? No class, no class at all. You'll never be anything like Brandon."

My heart suddenly twisted in a sharp pain. Emotions that weren't mine flooded my chest, dense and overwhelming. The pain intensified. A metallic taste filled my mouth. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly bowed my head.

Harper felt my sudden intensified trembling and the increased weight against her. She lifted her head, her gaze sharp as daggers, piercing Chloe. Her voice was ice-cold: "Are your eyes just for show? Can't you see he can barely stand? Get out of the way!"

She didn't bother with Chloe anymore, moving one slow step at a time towards the infirmary. Each step was accompanied by a suppressed groan in my throat and the excruciating, tearing pain in my stomach. She turned her head slightly, quickly glancing at my paper-white, sweat-drenched face. A rare tension laced her voice: "Hang in there. We're almost there."

Just as we reached the infirmary door, I finally couldn't hold it in. I shoved her away violently and lunged for a corner trash can.

"Ugh—"

I hadn't eaten anything all morning, so all that came out was acidic fluid mixed with blood from my stomach. Some of it splashed onto Harper's clean shoes.

I clung to the edge of the trash can, so weak I almost collapsed, but I watched Harper step forward without hesitation, firmly supporting my arm again, as if the stark filth didn't exist. She didn't say a word. Instead, with her free hand, she very naturally, with just her fingertips, gently wiped away the lingering traces of blood and water from my mouth. The movement was so quick it almost felt like an illusion, yet the touch was searingly clear.

The school nurse rushed over, hearing the commotion. Harper quickly and concisely explained, "He suddenly has severe abdominal pain, can't stand, just threw up, and there's blood." She helped me onto the infirmary bed, watched me lie down, then took half a step back.

Through my blurry vision, I saw her silhouette standing by the bed, slightly out of breath.

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