Chapter 1The Star That Fell Twice

My stepbrother, Adrian, hated me for ten years after his "white moonlight"—his first love—fell to her death.

Even when I used despicable means to possess him completely, he never truly forgave me.

Until I ran away to a war-torn country in a fit of rage and got caught in a riot.

Adrian didn't hesitate. He shielded me with his body and took the bullet meant for me.

Dying in my arms, his last words were:

"I spoiled you too much."

"I truly regret... being your brother."

Everyone said I was crazy.

That I ruined Adrian—a man who was upright, noble, and full of promise.

So, I knelt on the long stone steps of the temple for fifty years.

Begging for a second chance.

This time, I will let him go.

I only pray for him to have a life of peace and happiness.

* * *

"Sophie, look at this filth you wrote. Doesn't it make you sick?"

"How could you... have these kinds of thoughts about your own brother!"

A voice I hadn't heard in a lifetime exploded in my ears.

I opened my eyes to see Adrian holding my diary, his face flushed crimson with rage.

That diary was filled with my twisted desires for him.

Lust. Obsession. Sin.

But instead of the crushing shame I felt the first time, I started sobbing with relief.

I really was reborn.

I was back to the day of our first big fight, the day he discovered my secret.

Seeing him alive, vibrant, and breathing in front of me made my body tremble uncontrollably.

Thank God.

He's alive.

Adrian noticed something was off. His anger flickered, replaced by confusion.

He pointed to the floor.

"Take all of this... and burn it."

In my past life, hearing those words made me snap. I went hysterical, pinned him against the wall, and kissed him.

Adrian was horrified. He fled, and from that day on, he drifted away from me.

That forbidden kiss broke something inside me. My obsession grew darker, and my hatred for Lily—the girl who "stole" him—festered until it caused a tragedy.

So this time, I wiped the tears from my face.

I picked up the box filled with my diaries.

"Okay."

"I'll burn them."