Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

Jade Carlson could almost be considered the prime suspect in the murder of Purple Summers, but Purple had never been able to determine her motive for the crime.

Now, with the revelation of the lead regarding Mayor Carlson, everything seemed to make sense.

So… Jade committed the murder in order to gain the mayor’s approval and due to her love for Nathaniel Summers?

Purple pondered this quietly.

If it really was Jade…

If it was her, Purple wouldn’t kill her.

Taking a life for a life wouldn’t resolve the hatred; Purple only wanted Jade to face justice and admit her crimes. Let the world see the ugliness and hypocrisy of this woman, see through her, scorn her, and cast her off!

Only in this way could the cycle of vengeance be complete and her rebirth be worth it.

With these worries in her heart, Purple returned home.

When she entered the house, she heard Atra Blanc humming a song, the words tender and lingering, imbued with an ancient charm – it must be some kind of folk song.

Atra seemed to be in particularly good spirits today.

“Purple, you’re back.” Atra smiled as she welcomed her, “Perfect timing, help me choose which cake design looks better?”

She handed over a booklet, filled with various cake designs.

Purple took it and asked curiously, “Mom, are you ordering a cake?”

Atra shook her head with a radiant smile, “Your brother’s birthday is coming up, and I want to make a cake by hand.”

Purple was slightly taken aback, as she didn’t know Alexander Summers’ birthday was approaching.

Then she thought, a November birthday… a Scorpio man, truly not to be trifled with.

“Men usually don’t like sweet, cloying cakes, right?” Purple flipped through a couple of pages and suggested, “Mom, why not make some longevity noodles for Alexander instead? The longevity noodles have a good meaning, and he’ll definitely like them.”

Atra hesitated for a moment before beaming, “Yes, that’s a great idea! Let’s make longevity noodles!”

She put away the cake booklet and went to search for recipes, planning to research how to create an extraordinary bowl of longevity noodles.

Purple sighed with relief.

Alexander hadn’t been home for quite some time, and she was genuinely concerned that Atra wouldn’t get to see her son on his birthday, which would leave her heartbroken and disappointed.

The cake-making process was too complicated, and it would be a waste if no one ate it. The longevity noodles would be more convenient, and Purple believed she was doing it for Atra’s benefit.

Just as she was about to head upstairs, Atra, who was flipping through the cookbook, suddenly asked, “Purple, what gift are you planning to give your brother?”

Purple:”…”

How about a shooting star? One that sends him right off of Earth.

“I haven’t thought about it yet… I’ll go browse around downtown tomorrow and see.” Purple reluctantly mustered a smile.

Was there anyone more aggrieved and frustrated than her? Being bullied and humiliated, only to end up needing to prepare a gift for the perpetrator.

But thinking about it like this, her thoughts couldn’t help but drift back to Alexander… wondering when he would return.

Purple didn’t want to think about him, but she couldn’t help herself. Even the bed she slept in now belonged to Alexander.

Should she go back to her own room?

… Her body had fully recovered, and the window that had been broken had also been repaired. However, the thought of someone having once climbed through that window and fallen to their death below made her uneasy, so she didn’t want to return to her previous room.

Oh well, she’d make do for one more night.

The chilly night of late autumn quietly hinted at the approach of harsh winter.

With the heater on, Purple’s room was as warm as spring. She lay down, her body sinking into the soft velvet quilt, finding her most comfortable position, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next day, a new day began.

Purple woke up as usual, washed up, and dressed in her school uniform, seemingly ready to go to school.

However, instead of taking her family’s driver, she went to the doorstep and got into someone else’s car.

Behind the driver’s seat, Marcel Jefferson handed Purple a bulging paper bag, “Here, the things you wanted.”