Catherine POV
I cooked for my stepbrother and his girlfriend, my very first time cooking in five years. The food was a gesture of gratitude toward Dr. Felix, who had been with me all this time without knowing we were related—or maybe he did, I didn't care. I only wanted to enjoy the night and give myself a holiday from my revenge, just like Judy said. For once, I wanted to focus on something normal, something calm, and let the past and its chaos wait.
"Hmmm, wow, what aroma is that? Did you invite a chef as a surprise for me, my love?" Judy asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Nope, I didn't. Do you want me to help you with something like that every night so you don't stress?" Dr. Felix said lovingly, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Deep down, I sighed. How could two people love and trust each other so much? How easily they could let life be simple when everything for me had been a battlefield? Well, it wasn't my problem.
I decided today I'd do my part to save Judy from stress—and also check if my cooking skills were still intact after five years.
"Wow, you mean it's been long since you cooked? What a lucky me to taste this beautiful gumball food," Judy said, teasingly leaning back in her chair, her grin wide and mischievous.
I dashed upstairs quickly to freshen up and then joined them. The three of us devoured the meal, and in that moment, I realized I truly enjoyed the food I cooked. Maybe I could add cooking to my schedule once or twice a week. Even in a life filled with scheming and revenge, I needed moments like this—moments that reminded me I was still human.
After we finished eating, I turned to Dr. Felix. "I want to see Felix," I said, my tone deliberate.
He froze, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. I had never called him just "Felix" without the "Dr." prefix before.
We went to his office. I sat down, fixing my gaze on him. "Felix, did you by any chance know that we are related? I can vividly remember when you called me 'sissy,' and since then, I've been curious," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He raised an eyebrow. "You know very well we are related. Why are you asking me indirectly?"
"Wow… why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I never knew what your mother told you. Last I checked, she went to great lengths to make sure she used the old hypnotic method to erase your memories of your father and you," he said, shrugging.
"Did you open the file my mother requested to be passed to me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"No," he said simply.
"Then how come you know what's inside?"
"Sis, calm down. You're interrogating me. What useful information would you get after I answer what you want to hear?" Dr. Felix bargained, his tone calm but firm.
"Tsk tsk… I never knew you were this type of person who doesn't answer questions without gaining something," I muttered, a half-smile playing on my lips.
"Don't worry. I'll give you very useful information at the end of the day," he said.
"Well, I've never checked the file once," I admitted, still puzzled, scanning him from head to toe. "If I may ask… I'm supposed to be older than you. According to the story my mother told me through the letter, I'm supposed to be the oldest," I added, trying to make sense of it all.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Well, our father has always been shrewd. He married my mother in the name of business partnerships. My mother died when I was six, and no one knew he had married anyone else or had a son. He collected her inheritance… all in the name of keeping it for me until I was old enough. I found out you were my stepsister when our father sneakily came to S country seven years ago, pestering your mother that he wanted his daughter. But your mother was adamant, saying you were dead—the very day he chose money over her and abandoned her."
He paused, his gaze distant, as if recalling memories too sharp to speak lightly. "Although I've known your mother for twenty-three years, she saved my life during my first mission. It was her personality that made me a doctor today, a disguise to cover my undercover work and to gather information. She never made me miss my mother once since I've known her. One reason I focused on saving her, even when she requested the immediate injection to end her life, is because as a doctor, I had to follow her decision. I'm sorry… I killed the one who saved both me and your mother. That guilt has been eating me. When you fainted at the hospital to confirm my doubts, I ran a DNA test—it showed we are siblings from the same father, but different mothers. That's why I always indulged your emotionless attitude, thinking it was punishment for killing."
I felt a weight lift and settle over my confusion. "You don't need to feel guilty. It's what she wanted. The price she paid was death… and hurting those who love her," I whispered, almost to myself.
"So… you mean you're my big brother?" I asked finally, a tremor in my voice.
"I might not be the little sister you expect, Dr. Felix. It's not easy for me to trust. I don't want to associate too much because I don't want to lose you to the messy life you live," I added honestly.
"Lil Cathy, I don't mind. But please… can you trust me and associate with me? Any decision you take, I'll support you. Let me treat you like the little sister I never had. Don't worry I can protect myself, you, and Judy. I know going to country M doesn't mean you'll be naive Catherine… just give me this benefit of doubt. Revenge is clearly showing in you. Can you share your burden with me?" he asked, his voice gentle but unwavering.
I paused. "I'll think about it," I said, feeling the weight of his words and the sincerity in his eyes.
In exchange for my consideration, I revealed the most shocking piece of information to him, the mission I had received was to kill our father.