Steven was the type who preferred action over words. When we finally managed to stop him, I saw Yasmin being carried out by someone. Her dress was stained with blood.
Michael looked irritated. He carried Yasmin over and left with a grim expression.
1 observed the intriguing subtle dynamics between Michael and Yasmin with great interest. It appeared that Michael was getting fed upâquite typical of a player.
Knowing Michael well, I predicted that if Yasmin kept bothering him, she would soon experience the kind of torment he once put me through.
âSteven, letâs go,â I said, taking Stevenâs hand and leading him away.
As we walked outside the hotel, I observed Michael handing Yasmin over to his friend. He didnât accompany them to the hospital.
I held onto Stevenâs arm. There was a sarcastic smile on my face. âSteven⦠You see, people change, and that fickleness is disgusting.â
âNoâ¦â Steven rejected my statement.
I looked up at him.
âI wonât change,â he said. Avoiding eye contact, his fair cheeks turned slightly red.
Hearing that, I was stunned for a moment. Then, the mockery in my smile intensified.
What was it that he was claiming he wouldnât change? The fact that he was taking me as a substitute for someone else?
âIf you wonât change, why are you so kind to me? Weâve only known each other for a few days, right? I questioned.
Steven and Stephany hadnât known each other for long either.
âBecause youâre Stephanie,â Steven suddenly said seriously.
Hearing him say my name in such a way made my chest tighten. It was clear he was still treating Stephany as a substitute.
âStephanieâ¦â I murmured. I always knew Steven was calling for Stephanie instead of Stephany.
âWhat if youâve mistaken me for someone else?â I cautiously probed, fearing he might react aggressively like last time.
âI know youâre Stephanie.â He reached for my fingers and stated firmly, âNo matter how you change, I will always recognize you.â
He looked too serious, and his intensity was making me a bit uneasy.
No one would believe me even if I admitted that myself. Even Rachel couldnât recognize the Everyone was a skeptic nowadays. There was no belief in ghosts or spirits. I died, but somehow, I was reincarnated in someone elseâs body. If I were to say this, people would probably think I was mentally ill and send me to a psychiatric hospital.
But Steven, the widelyâproclaimed lunatic, firmly believed that I was Stephanie, Was he deluding himself, or had he genuinely discovered something?
âHow⦠How did you find out itâs me?â I asked in a low voice.
Steven held my fingers tightly and said softly, âThe moment you opened your eyes, I knew you were Stephanie,â
It was clear his words were just a delusion of a lunatic rather than a true discovery.
âI just know⦠you are,â he said, insisting. His voice was slightly trembling I didnât dare to provoke him further. If he wanted to consider me as someone else, Iâd let him. I just wanted to know the truth.
âItâs okay if you donât remember meâ¦â Steven hugged me. âIâll stay with you.â
As if he was forgiving me for something, he softly said he would be with me.
My heart was beating at a strange pace. It was a feeling I had never experienced before.
He was saying I didnât remember him. Did I forget him? Did he play a role in my life? Why couldnât f remember at all?
The driver came to pick up Steven and me. Coincidentally, we witnessed Michael leaving Yasmin alone to head to the hospital. He drove away with an uneasy expression.
Leaning on my chin, I stared out the window and kept an eye on Michael.
âYou want to know where heâs going, donât you?â Steven asked. He then instructed the driver, â
Follow him.â
I looked at Steven in surprise. This guy was indeed something else⦠Could he read minds or something?
I didnât say anything and quickly averted my gaze. I was too afraid to look into Stevenâs eyes.
He really seemed like one of those shamans from the 19th century. Just a glance could make one feel uneasy and frightened. Those eyes of his seemed capable of drowning a person.
The driver discreetly followed Michael as he drove toward the outskirts.