No Trace of Love and Hate

My brother and I sat together, pouring out our grievances and venting our frustrations. But in my sorrow, I failed to notice how his expression grew darker by the second.

It turned out that Alessia was a student he had personally sponsored. Struck by her remarkable beauty, my brother had taken it upon himself to send her to film school.

Upon hearing my complaints, his only thought was the possibility of losing the woman he cherished.

With a sigh, he tried to reason with me. "No matter what happens between you and Nicholas, don’t drag Alessia into it."

Fury burned inside me. I confronted Alessia, demanding that she stay away from my fiancé.

Unexpectedly, she wept and slapped herself as she kept saying that she was sorry and that she wanted to make amends for her sins. Then, without warning, she bolted toward the street.

Panicked, my brother and Nicholas chased after her. I followed close behind.

Just as she reached the road, the accident happened. My brother and Nicholas instinctively shielded her with their bodies.

When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the night before my debut.

That same night, my brother ordered the staff to change my debut press conference to Alessia’s.

Nicholas even went out of his way to attend just to support her.

They both believed they had failed Alessia in the past life. And if they were given a second chance, they would do everything in their power to make it up to her.

Disillusioned and heartbroken, I made a decision. I would leave.

The night I packed my bags, my brother dismissed my departure as nothing more than a childish tantrum.

"The world outside isn’t as gentle as you imagine. You were raised too sheltered, too naive. Maybe it’s time for you to experience hardship."

"Only then will you understand how difficult life was for Alessia. Only then will you stop seeing her as your enemy."

It had been three years since that night.

And now, today, I had returned only to find myself face-to-face with them once more.

I never imagined our reunion would unfold in such a humiliating way.

"Nicholas, Matteo, you’re both here! Having you both by my side makes me feel so much safer."

"It’s overwhelming to be at such a grand event… I just hope I don’t make any mistakes. Will you lend me some strength?"

Alessia’s voice rang out, light and sweet. She stood before them in a black floor-length gown, still carrying traces of her youthful innocence, her tone playful and coy.

She lifted her delicate hand, making a small, encouraging gesture toward them.

The moment she did, both men’s eyes lit up.

Nicholas, who had been interrogating me just moments ago, suddenly put distance between us. His voice softened.

"You’re already a movie queen, yet you’re still this nervous? Don’t worry, no matter what happens, I’ll be here for you."

As he spoke, he reached out and placed his hand lightly over the back of Alessia’s.

"Matteo, why are you just standing there? Come on!"

The moment her touch landed, my brother’s face flushed an unnatural shade of red. He fumbled with his words. "Co–coming…"

The way he looked at Alessia was filled with pure admiration.

I recalled a moment from my past life when I once saw the name he had saved her under in his phone. Beautiful Flower.

I had asked him in confusion why he would use such a simple and unremarkable nickname.

He had merely chuckled and said nothing.

But now, I finally understood.

Alessia Bellucci was a flower he had nurtured with unwavering care.

He had watched over her as she grew. He had witnessed her bloom into brilliance and watched her become a dazzling star.

His gaze was so radiant, so full of devotion, that I had to look away.

Alessia, seemingly oblivious to my presence, continued speaking as if the world revolved around her.

"I accidentally sprained my foot backstage just now. Luckily, someone caught me in time."

She deliberately exposed her delicate side face to the reporter's camera.

"And when I turned to thank him, I found out that he was none other than Victor Lexington, the mysterious investor from Rosendale! He even said that I was the star of his dinner party tonight."