The Villain's Sister - Chapter 7

Before leaving, I checked the mirror one last time.

A crisply ironed white shirt and a blue skirt that accentuated a slender waist. Shoes that were neither too high nor too low.

If Maria had seen it, she would’ve told me to undo a couple more buttons to show some cleavage, but since I was meeting an elder, I dressed even more neatly than usual.

When I went downstairs, Raphael and Liam were watching a baseball game and betting.

“What’s with you not going to work?”

“Red Shadow’s been tearing up the district for the past few days, so I decided to take the day off.”

Raphael’s blue eyes scanned me up and down.

It looked like I was just wearing my usual clothes, but Raphael squinted suspiciously.

Liam spoke to me with a shy expression, “Deva. You look really beautiful today.”

“Really? I dressed like I always do. Thanks, Liam.”

“That’s not your usual style. Where are you going?”

“To the movies. And this is my usual style.”

“Alone? Or with Maria?”

“Maria has an audition today. I really hope she passes this time… Raphael, how about trying your hand at entertainment instead of drugs? You could manage Maria.”

“It might be dangerous. Why not take Liam with you? Or should I go with you?”

“You know Maria’s skills well enough. She doesn’t even cry when she fails auditions these days. That just breaks my heart.”

“You’re going to the movies alone? It’s not like I wouldn’t understand if you were going on a date, so just be honest.”

“They say entertainment can make big money too, if done right. Don’t you think so?”

“Liam. Do you think we’re even having a real conversation right now?”

Raphael’s grumbling made me laugh out loud.

“It’s not a date, I’m just going out for fun. And Raphael, you seem to have forgotten, but you’re officially a fugitive.”

“It’s not like Mist Island’s villains are easy enough for the police to spare people to chase a fugitive.”

“Don’t get me started. Oh, and those desserts you got us last time were delicious. Maria wants more.”

“Liam. Put in an order soon.”

“Yes. Deva. Have a good time.”

Liam saw me off at the door.

“They’re saying I’m Anti-Venom’s woman.”

“What?”

“Maria’s boss apparently asked her if it was true that I’m Anti-Venom’s woman.”

A mistress to my own brother—what a joke. But people don’t know that Anti-Venom is actually Raphael.

After founding Death Adder, Raphael put himself forward as the second-in-command of the organization.

He kept the boss, Anti-Venom, shrouded in mystery to limit how far the police could pursue Death Adder.

It was also to pin all of Raphael Moltke’s crimes on Anti-Venom.

All criminal orders were supposedly given by Anti-Venom, and Raphael could claim he only committed minor offenses.

It’s laughable that Raphael lives as two different people, but it’s even funnier that the police don’t realize the truth about the organization.

Above all, Anti-Venom has never even properly revealed his face, so how the rumor started that I’m his woman is beyond me.

“Seeing as you didn’t know, I guess the rumor didn’t come from Raphael. Good. Just pretend you didn’t hear it.”

“You must’ve been really offended.”

“It’s not the first nonsense rumor. Anyway, I’m off. Have a good day.”

After saying goodbye to the slightly sour-looking Liam, I quickly headed out.

I didn’t forget to buy a box of cookies as a hospital gift along the way.

At the Trofan Square fountain, Tristan was getting ready to toss a coin.

“Why are you here so early?”

“I was worried about traffic. You’re early too, Mr. Lindbergh.”

“If you hadn’t shown up, I would’ve had to find another woman.”

His words were irritating, but the tone was oddly polite.

He flipped the coin and landed it right in the innermost tray of the fountain, then turned to look at me.

“How are you feeling? Still hurt?”

“I’m fine. Were you worried?”

“How could I not worry? What do you take me for?”

“I dressed neatly today. What do you think?”

Like a strict examiner, Tristan carefully checked my face, hair, and outfit.

It felt like one punch to his face would be refreshing.

I fidgeted with the fingers holding my bag for no reason.

“This should do. At least your stockings didn’t snag today.”

“Mr. Lindbergh, today you’re…”

I mimicked the expression he made and looked him over from head to toe.

Unlike me, who dressed neatly, Tristan wore a white T-shirt and black pants.

When he wore his police uniform, his masculine charm was constrained by the uniform, giving off a restrained appeal. But in casual clothes, he exuded wildness.

“Even if you’re smitten, don’t stare so blatantly.”

“We’re meeting your mother, so don’t you think you should be dressed a little better?”

Every time he opened his mouth, he managed to provoke me, and I ended up scolding him without realizing it.

“Since it’s my mother, I’ll go dressed like this. Should I go dig out a suit? Were you hoping to see me in one? If so, sorry to disappoint.”

“Let’s just go.”

Amused by my irritation, he gave a mischievous chuckle and led me to a car parked in the alley.

He rode a motorcycle during hero work, but apparently drove a car during the day.

Unexpectedly, Tristan opened the door for me before heading to the driver’s seat.

While driving, he started quizzing me to see if I remembered the information we’d reviewed.

“When’s my birthday?”

“December 15. You’re twenty-six. You graduated from Woodriver Public School, majored in economics but dropped out, and applied for the police exam. This is your fifth year on the force, and you’re part of the Organized Crime Division.”

“Oh. Not bad. Do you remember where we first met?”

“A café. I spilled coffee on your clothes, and that led us to be friends for two months, then we started dating four months ago.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

“You don’t know anything about me, though. Are you okay with that?”

“I’ll just read the room and play along. We’re here, get out.”

He had already parked the car.

Langfester Hospital. It’s been a while.

I checked my reflection in the car window one last time.

Tristan jerked his chin toward the entrance.

The hospital smell and atmosphere greeted us as we stepped inside.

I forced myself to link arms with him.

Tristan’s brow furrowed.

When he tried to pull away, I tightened my grip and held on.

“We’re a couple. If we don’t show even this much affection, it’ll look strange.”

“Ah.”

“You’ve dated before, right? Or maybe…”

I added a deliberately cautious tone, “…you’ve got some kind of real issue.”

“You keep harping on that, and while it’s a shame I can’t prove there’s nothing wrong with me, it is what it is. You’re not my type.”

“They say strong denial means strong affirmation.”

“Isn’t that just what you want to believe?”

Not once did he lose an exchange. So irritating I could die.

When I glared at him, Tristan chuckled smugly and led me to the hospice ward.

Yeah, I lost because I got mad. Totally unfair.

Knock knock. I took a quick deep breath before he opened the door.

Why was I so nervous about this…

As Tristan opened the door and entered, I saw a woman sitting up against the headboard.

Though her complexion was pale, her expression was incredibly warm.

“Mom. How have you been?”

He’d called me a squid and whatnot, but to his mother, he was the picture of courtesy.

After a light hug, Tristan introduced me.

“This is Giselle. Giselle Rodriguez. I mentioned her before, remember?”

“Nice to meet you, Giselle. Tristan’s told me a lot about you. I kept wondering what kind of girl he’d end up with, turns out she’s a beauty.”

“Hello. I’m Giselle Rodriguez. Please feel free to call me however you like.”

“Call me Linda.”

“It’s not much, but…”

When I handed her the box of cookies, Linda looked as delighted as someone receiving a proposal.

“Oh my. They make cookies in this shape nowadays?”

I’d prepared them casually, but her unexpected joy brought a smile to my face.

I had no trouble striking up a conversation with Linda.

She was someone who welcomed others warmly, and I had the script Tristan had prepped for me.

“You two look so good together. Four months in, it must be the sweetest stage.”

“Of course. I think about Tristan all day. I guess he feels the same, he even calls me from work when he gets the chance.”

“He’s not usually like that. Love really is amazing.”

Tristan forced a smile.

It looked awkward, but it suited the situation well enough to avoid suspicion.

I tightened my grip on his arm and rested my forehead on his shoulder.

I could feel the tension in his thick muscles.

Not from nervousness… it was irritation.

How did I know? Because he was nudging my foot under the bed.

Our eyes met briefly, and I gave the most loving smile I could manage.

The way his gray eyes wavered was quite the sight.

“You said you met at a café? What kind of café is it where girls like Giselle hang out? Tristan really lucked out.”

“Mom…”

“He never dated, just buried himself in work, so I was worried. But now, I’ve gotten to see his girlfriend before I die. Giselle, Tristan has a rough temper, but he’s kind at heart.”

“Mom, please…”

“I mean, honestly, I used to think Tristan liked men. Not that I’d mind if he did―”

“Ugh!”