After realizing I was the designated "Evil Villainess" of this story, I decided to stay far away from the gloomy, brooding antagonist. Why? Because for the next five years, we were destined for a toxic, love-hate train wreck. He was supposed to hate me for forcing myself on him, and I was supposed to resent him because I was in love with someone else. But just when I thought I’d successfully ghosted him... The introverted, socially anxious villain suddenly grabbed the hem of my shirt. His ears were burning red, and he stammered: "Hannah... c-can I... sleep with you? If I don't... I'll die..." Suddenly, a stream of live-chat comments floated across my vision: [LMAO, the villain has a condition where he needs physical contact with the villainess to survive! Who's forcing whom now?!] [I declare this the greatest illness ever for an introvert! He never talks, but when he opens his mouth, he wants to bang!!!] [Bang or die trying! Such a yandere setting!] 1 I met Liam Thorne at a club. At the time, I was heartbroken because my childhood crush, Julian, didn't like me back. When I saw Liam, I mistook him for a new host the club had hired. Without a word, I dragged him into a private VIP booth. The people inside started catcalling and whistling, while Liam stood there, completely frozen. He struggled, trying to break free, his brows furrowed in genuine anger. "Let... let me out!" I cornered him, slamming my arm against the wall beside his head. My other hand touched his chest ambiguously. The person under my hand trembled. His fake aloofness dissolved into fine, terrified shivers. "I'm not..." I pulled out a Black Card and pressed it against his lips, silencing him. "Drink with me. The money is yours." My friends cheered from the sofas. "Hannah, you really are something. Even in heartbreak, you're chasing tail." "Hey handsome, our Hannah just got dumped. Take care of her, and we'll tip you extra." I found them annoying, so I kicked everyone out. I pushed Liam onto the sofa. His hair was thick and black, falling obediently over his eyes. A pair of thin-rimmed black glasses hid a gaze that was usually sharp, now panicked. I grabbed Liam's collar and pressed a bottle of wine to his lips. Just as I was about to force it down his throat... A row of glowing text suddenly appeared before my eyes. [Here we go! The evil villainess is about to force herself on the Big Bad.] [This wine is drugged. It was meant for the male lead, but the villain gets it instead. Tonight, sparks fly. Later, it's a pure hate-drama: she forces, he resists; she's cruel, he's vengeful.] [I love this toxic trope! Too bad they have a tragic ending—one dead, one crippled. Fits the character design though.] [The villain is the unloved illegitimate son of the Thorne family. Due to his environment, he's currently a withdrawn mute. The humiliation he suffers today will be repaid tenfold in the future.] Wait. Drugged? I would never do something like drugging someone! I have standards! I sobered up instantly. My hand shook, and the red wine poured all over Liam's collar instead of into his mouth. His breath hitched from the cold liquid. His deep eyes glared at me with stubborn humiliation. He bit his lower lip hard. His pale neck was stained deep crimson. His thin white shirt turned transparent, sticking to his skin. I scrambled off of him and coughed awkwardly. "Uh, um... I'm drunk. You can go." 2 After Liam left, I sorted through my thoughts. Since our future ending was so tragic, I needed to stay the hell away from him. But you know how it is—once you notice someone you never cared about before, you start seeing them everywhere. Later, I found out he and Julian (the Male Lead) were in the same major. Since I was always following Julian around like a lost puppy, I kept bumping into Liam. "What are you looking at?" Julian leaned on the edge of the pool, following my gaze. Liam was soaking in the corner at the far end of the pool, alone. He seemed to see me. Although it was far, I felt his calm, deadpan eyes tremble slightly before he looked down again. College swimming classes were slack; everyone huddled in groups to chat. Because of Liam's withdrawn personality, no one went near him. I looked away. "Nothing." Julian narrowed his eyes, his gaze landing on Liam with disdain. "Him? The Thorne family's bastard. Unloved. Heard you messed with him at the bar the other day? Nothing happened, right?" "N-no, nothing." Julian looked at me inquisitively, then smiled that charming smile that used to make my knees weak. He brushed my fingers resting on the pool edge. "Come down and play." [Ahhh stop flirting, Julian! You belong to the Heroine!] [It's okay, even though the Male Lead and the Villainess are childhood friends, Julian hasn't realized his feelings yet. He's flirting without knowing it.] [Male Lead is for the Heroine. Hannah, just go lock yourself up with the Villain!] So, Julian was the Male Lead. In the plot flashes I saw, Julian wavered between me and the Heroine, flirting ambiguously with both. Our love quadrangle came with a heavy price. I retracted my fingers. "No thanks." I needed to stay away from Liam and Julian. 3 I got up to swim elsewhere. But I heard a commotion near the deep end. "Yo, isn't this the Thorne bastard? Why are you in class today?" "Did you do what I told you the other day?" "Why aren't you talking? Mute?" A few guys surrounded Liam. Liam clenched his hands by his side, eyes cold and unapproachable. His back was slightly hunched, like a thin sapling trying not to snap in the wind. "Move." The guys sneered. "Or what? Do you know who you offended?" They pushed and shoved. Suddenly, a look of agony flashed across Liam's face. Before being pushed into the water, his gaze seemed to linger on me for two seconds. He didn't seem to know how to swim. He thrashed a couple of times before sinking like a stone. The guys on shore laughed, not realizing the severity. Seeing the surface calm down, I dove in. I grabbed Liam underwater. His eyes were closed, his face cold and proud, like a sleeping prince frozen in ice. His upper body muscles were lean and tight, mesmerizing me for a second. Feeling someone grab him, he opened his eyes slightly, then closed them again. He looked in extreme pain, probably from lack of oxygen. He thrashed weakly, his whole body pressing against mine. No time to think. I pinched his chin, pressed my lips to his, and slowly gave him air. Liam's eyelids fluttered. His withdrawn nature made him want to pull away, but instinct made him cling to me. I held the back of his head and gave him a full breath. We surfaced, gasping. Liam coughed, wet eyelashes drooping, chest heaving violently. Whether from anger or shame, I couldn't tell. The guys on shore gathered around. "Hannah, are you okay? Why save him?" I climbed up, furious. "What's your problem? If he died here today, none of you would get away with it." "It's not like he can't swim. Why come to class if he can't?" "Shut up!" Liam barely moved. Maybe he really was a terrible swimmer. Besides, with his personality, if he could climb up himself, he wouldn't let someone save him. Let alone let me kiss him like that. But... his lips were soft. I rubbed my lips with my knuckles, lost in thought. [Ooh ooh ooh, reminiscing already?] [Wait, the plot changed? I remember in the original, Liam climbed up pathetically, and Hannah stood on the shore mocking him.] [Yeah, and nothing happened at the bar either.] [Liam CAN swim! What happened to him just now? Why did he sink?] [What's with the Male Lead? Why is Julian looking at Hannah like that? He looks... dark.] I turned around and saw Julian staring at me. His eyes were calm, but strangely eerie. 4 I left immediately, putting distance between myself and Julian. Ten days later. Late at night, friends called me out for drinks. Before entering the booth, I heard Julian's voice. "Jules, what's going on with you and Hannah?" "Nothing. I was just mad she risked herself to save a random guy and left without a word." "So concerned... seems like you care." "Tsk, don't talk nonsense. She's just a little sister to me." "Real sister or step-sister? We outsiders can see clearly." "Shut up, I'm not an animal." [See? I told you. Julian is just worried. He doesn't like Hannah.] [Of course, Julian belongs to the Heroine forever. Hannah, go away.] The bullet comments were right. I turned and left. I went back to campus. Bored, I wandered around the track. Unknowingly, I walked to the outdoor basketball court. Someone was playing alone. Slow movements, long shadow. Jump, shoot, three-pointer. Swish. It was Liam. Makes sense. He hates people, so he plays at night. He didn't play with the usual swagger of a teenager. His movements were precise but restrained. He stopped, took off his glasses, and lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. The glimpse of his lean waist was not only slightly erotic but also kind of cute. Remembering the spicy scenes from the original novel involving that waist, I shook my head violently. I stepped on a soda can. Crunch. "Who?!" Liam looked over alertly. "Just passing by! Leaving now!" "Wai—" We spoke at the same time. Liam seemed to be preparing to say something, looking at me nervously. Suddenly, he fell to his knees. He clutched his chest, his face twisting in agony. Eyes half-open, blurred with pain. Breathing rapidly like a dying fish. I ran over. "Liam, what's wrong?" He leaned into my arms, sweat rolling down his cheeks. His wrist lay limply on my shoulder. He stared at me for a moment, as if gathering every ounce of courage he possessed. He choked out: "S... sorry." Then he pulled my neck down, and his lips pressed against mine. A very clean, wet, hot kiss. Liam stayed obediently pressed against me, panting lightly, until his breathing steadied. I was stunned. Before I could react, I heard voices nearby. "Holy sh*t!" I looked up and saw a group of people... and a dark-faced Julian. "What are you doing?" Julian's gaze was pitch black. His words weren't sharp, but they carried a heavy pressure. "Little Hannah didn't come to the party so she could make out here..." someone teased. Liam gripped my sleeve tightly. He turned his head, avoiding everyone's gaze, but burrowed closer to me. His ears were bright red. I frowned. "You guys scared him." [LMAO, the villain has a condition where he needs intimate contact with the Hannah to survive! Who's forcing whom now?] [He learned to force a kiss without a teacher! But he kissed so obediently, scared and shy, hiding in her arms.] [Usually, it's the guy holding the 'innocent' girl saying 'You scared her.' This reverse operation is so satisfying! Boss lady energy!] Liam and I stood up. He looked at Julian through his lenses. Amidst the timidity, there was a possessiveness I hadn't noticed before. "Hannah, he's an illegitimate..." Julian paused. "Even if you mess around, don't mix with him..." "I don't care." I felt my hem being pulled tighter. Julian looked shocked. "You don't care? Do you not care about me either?" I was confused. "Aren't you my brother? Why should I care about you regarding who I date?" Julian choked. "I just... don't want to see you with someone like him. Uncle Han wouldn't agree either." "You're overthinking it. My dad respects all my wishes, Brother." Leaving Julian pale-faced, I dragged Liam away.
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