They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 2: Her Last Breath

From the dining room, Ebere's voice rang out again, sweet and melodious, masking her cruelty. "But, Mom, she's my sister, and today is her sweet sixteen, too. I know she's always hated me, always trying to hurt me, but I like her," she said with a mock innocence that earned a chorus of approval. "You all continue here. I'll go and give her some cake."

The room erupted into cheers of praise.

"You're too kind, Princess!"

Ebere left the dining room, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she made her way toward the storage room.

From her place beneath the stairs, Nnenna felt her heart sink. 'Cake? Giving cake to someone severely ill?'

She wanted to lock the door, to keep Ebere out, but her body refused to move. She was too weak. Her muscles wouldn't obey her commands. All she could do was listen to the sound of Ebere's approaching footsteps.

The door creaked open. Ebere didn't bother to knock, of course. She stepped inside, closing it firmly behind her, and turned to face Nnenna with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Sister, I brought you some cake. How are you feeling?"

Nnenna stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

In the past, she might have tried to muster the strength to respond, to maintain a facade of civility. But after everything, Ebere's sabotage, her lies, her cruelty, Nnenna refused to waste her energy.

"Don't be like this, sister," Ebere chided, setting the plate of cake down on a small table and pulling up a wooden chair. "It's my birthday, after all."

words dripped with mockery. She tilted her head, studying Nnenna's pallid face, her twisted

voice dropping to a whisper. "That's good. I'll finally be rid of

sweetness giving way

began, her voice low, venom laced in every word. "I never liked you. When Father brought

favored daughter of his fallen sworn

words were daggers, stabbing into Nnenna's

never reclaim that title. Even if you could, I would never let you. Never. You would be dead before it happened, because I will

twisted into a cruel smile. "You can die peacefully now...

her dress as if to cleanse herself of Nnenna's presence. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to tell them why. I'll make sure no one will miss you." She

"Happy Sweet Sixteen, sister."

icing smearing across the rough surface. Then, without sparing Nnenna

her movements precise. Ebere reached up, scattering

gown, creating jagged rips along the edges, and added shallow scratches to her face with

with her handiwork, she

is wrong with

tears welling in her eyes as she sprinted toward the dining hall. She threw herself into her eldest

made an exception this time. He lifted her into his arms, allowing her to bury her face in his shoulder as she sobbed. Others rushed

up and... and hurt me! I-I

calm face. He hated noise, and the chaos surrounding this

sight before them. Servants flooded the