Reborn as the Villainess

Felix's expression softened the moment he saw Eleanor step out. He was just about to speak when his gaze unintentionally drifted down to her exposed knees, and immediately, his brows furrowed. "What happened to your legs?" The school uniform was short-sleeved with a skirt, offering no coverage for Eleanor's legs. Her knees were severely swollen, and with her smooth and delicate skin, it looked even more alarming.

Eleanor glanced down at her knees, only then realizing they were swollen. But she brushed it off calmly. "I must've banged them during a few dance moves where I had to kneel on the floor. It's nothing-should be fine by tomorrow." Felix, however, was filled with concern. He crouched down and gently massaged her knees, asking in a soft voice, "Does it hurt?"

Eleanor wasn't the type to make a fuss. A little pain like this was nothing to her. "Not really."

"They're swollen this badly, and you're saying it doesn't hurt? You're just being stubborn!" Felix's eyes reddened with worry. On top of that, having just come back from his second chance at life, he couldn't help but recall, every time he closed his eyes, the image of Eleanor lying lifeless in a coffin. The terror of that memory nearly swallowed him whole.

"No... We're going to the hospital!" Felix insisted firmly.

Eleanor blinked. "It's really nothing. Well, just a bit of swelling, that's it. I swear it doesn't hurt-"

Felix cut her off. "No way. We're going to the hospital!"

Eleanor didn't figure out what was going on with him today. He was acting so out of character, almost as if something was bothering him. Just as she was about to ask, she looked up and met his eyes-his heartache was clear, and they were so red it seemed like he might burst into tears at any moment.

Completely exasperated, she sighed and gave in. "Alright. Fine. We'll go to the hospital."

It was only then that Felix relaxed, and the tension in his body eased. He crouched down again and gently said, "Hop on. I'll carry you out."

"Huh?" Eleanor hesitated once more.

"Hurry up," Felix urged her. "If you don't let me carry you, I'll just princess-carry you out of the school." He sounded dead serious, not at all like he was joking.

Eleanor imagined the scene for a moment. During Aloria High School's busy after-school rush, the school's star student, Felix, was carrying a filthy girl out. The thought alone was enough to make her think it could end up as headline gossip.

was s just about to scoop her up in his arms when she Seeing her hesitation, Felix assumed she didn't want to be carried. He panicked and quickly climbed onto his back. "Alright, alright! I'll let you carry me!"

Satisfied with that, he smiled, the happiness unmistakable on his face. Even his eyebrows lifted in joy.

Eleanor lay on Felix's back, growing more suspicious the longer she thought about it.

She reflected. 'Felix has been acting way too weird today. Why's he suddenly treating me so well? Even Janet and Liam know that Felix usually dotes on Gloria the most. By all logic, shouldn't he be comforting Gloria right now?" Unable to hold it in any longer, Eleanor curiously asked, "What's going on with you today? Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? This really isn't like you."

Felix's body noticeably tensed up when he heard her question. After a brief pause, he responded in a voice filled with grit, "I

12:43 Sat, Nov 2 o Chapter 54

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was an idiot before, couldn't see people for who they really were. From now on, you're the only sister I have, and I'll always look out for just you!"

His words were harsh and filled with frustration, as though he were biting out each one.

Felix's explanation wasn't only for Eleanor's benefit but also a reminder to the soul that had been given a second chance-to never repeat the same mistakes and to protect the girl on his back this time. Eleanor was taken aback by Felix's words. "Felix, you don't have to talk about yourself like that..." Though, deep down, she couldn't deny that he had been a bit of an idiot before.

After she said that, Felix didn't say anything else. He simply lowered his head and quietly carried her forward.

Suddenly, Eleanor felt a drop of water land on the back of her hand. She looked up at the sky and thought in confusion, "The sun hasn't even set yet. Where'd the rain come from? Wait... Maybe it's not rain... Considering a particular possibility, she leaned forward in disbelief. Sure enough, she saw Felix's red, swollen eyes, still misty with tears. Her eyes widened in shock. "Felix, are you crying?"

Caught by her, Felix became a bit flustered and quickly turned his head away, stiffly denying it. "No. I'm not crying," he replied, his voice still tinged with a nasally sound and a hint of sobbing.

At that moment, Eleanor suddenly found Felix rather cute. She couldn't resist teasing him further, "Did I comfort you so much that you got all emotional and started crying?"

She was just joking, hoping to lighten the mood, but to her surprise, he actually muttered, "Yeah." Now completely dumbfounded, she was at a loss for words.

She finally managed to say, "You don't really have to cry about it. After all, you already admitted you were a dumbass. If I didn't treat you well after that, I'd be the one in the wrong, wouldn't I?" Felix was left speechless.

*****

Maybe it was because of the audition, but Gloria didn't take the Vanderbilt family's driver's car home, and Felix didn't ask about it. He simply took Eleanor to see the doctor about her leg before heading straight home.

Even though Eleanor kept insisting her leg was perfectly fine, and that she could even get up and dance, Felix wouldn't believe her. He insisted on carrying her the whole way. So there they sat in the car, locked in a silent standoff. She rubbed her forehead, sounding completely exasperated. "Felix, I'm really fine. It's just a short walk. I can make it inside." Felix's expression remained stern. "No way. The doctor just said you shouldn't be doing any strenuous activities." "Walking isn't strenuous!"

"When I say no, it means no. Come here. I'll carry you

down."

"I don't want to..."

In the end, the driver, unable to watch any longer, boldly stepped forward to mediate. "Ms. Vanderbilt, Mr. Vanderbilt is worried about you. Please let him carry you down. Although the walk isn't long, there's a section of the path with gravel. It'd be bad if your leg got hurt again."

Eleanor glanced at Felix, who was standing stiffly by the car door looking unusually determined, as if he would stand there forever if she didn't agree. Suddenly, she realized that maybe Felix, who had always been at odds with her before, wasn't so bad after all. With a sigh, she gave in and stretched out her arms. "Alright. Fine. Carry me." She figured, since everyone here was family, it wouldn't be a big deal if anyone saw them.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Felix's cold expression instantly brightened. He happily stepped forward and carefully scooped Eleanor into his arms with case. "You know what? I think you should stop walking altogether. I'll carry you to and from school from now on. Since we're in the same class, it'll be pretty convenient."

Eleanor let out an exasperated sigh and replied, "I just hurt my legs. It's not like I lost them. And what if I need to go to the bathroom? Are you going to carry me there too?"

She only wanted to challenge Felix's macho attitude, but she didn't expect him to actually frown and seriously consider the question.

After a moment, he came up with a solution. "How about we hire two maids to follow us around at school? If you need to go to the bathroom, they can carry you."