Chapter 7: Pity of a Stray Animal

    "Where is my sister?!" Obinna demanded at the reception desk, his voice commanding and filled with urgency.

    The receptionist froze, her cheeks flushing at the sight of the handsome second prince. She stumbled over her words, her mind rendered useless under his piercing gaze.

    "Are you deaf?" he snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut through her daze. "Where is Princess Ebere?!"

    Flustered and close to tears, the receptionist hastily handed over a card with the patient''s location. In her panic, she didn''t realize that he had asked for Princess Ebere, not Princess Nnenna whose name was printed on the card.

    The elevator ride was tense, the housekeeper fidgeting nervously beside the prince. As the doors slid open to the top floor, Prince Obinna stormed out, his long strides eating up the distance to the patient''s room. He flung the door open, his eyes scanning the room.

    Instead of Princess Ebere, he found Nnenna. She lay pale and frail, her eyes fluttering open at the abrupt noise.

    For a moment, they stared at each other. Obinna''s steps faltered as guilt flickered in his usually impassive eyes, but he shook it off as his heart turned cold again.

    Nnenna''s heart tightened at the sight of him. ''Why is he here? I can''t even enjoy coming back to life for one day without them ruining it for me?'' she wondered bitterly. Memories of his indifference during her darkest moments came rushing back.

    ''Even if it''s for once, I just want you to feel sorry for me. If love is too much, then at least grant me the pity you would give a stray animal.'' She thought bitterly.

    The last time they had been in the same room, she had been bleeding at the bottom of the staircase, pushed by her fourth brother, Chidera. Obinna had seen it all.

    He had not lifted a finger to help, leaving the servants to rush her to the hospital. His cold words from the past echoed in her mind: "She is a dead weight. Let her go."

    And now, he stood there, staring at her with something that almost resembled remorse.

    Nnenna turned her face away, unwilling to engage. ''What good are your feelings now? Are you here to pretend, to act like a good brother for appearances?''

    Obinna turned to walk away, lamenting on his wasted time when a wave of guilt washed over him. He stood, rooted to the floor and completely confused.

    The housekeeper braced himself, expecting the prince to lash out or demand answers about the mix up. But Obinna did nothing. He simply stood there, his expression unreadable as he turned back and gazed at Nnenna.

    Nnenna "..."

    Wait, what?!

    Nnenna''s eyes widened in shock. ''Did it just say fifty points deducted?!''

    ''Hey! What did you just say now?'' she demanded, her voice rising internally. ''Get out here, now!''

    "I''m here, I''m here!" The system responded, its tone sounding suspiciously reluctant.

    ''What did you just say?'' Nnenna''s voice was sharp, her frustration bubbling over.

    The system hesitated before sighing. "I said, fifty points have been deducted. Thank you. Please rate my service."

    ''Thank you, my foot!'' Nnenna''s temper flared. ''Who gave you permission to deduct my points?!''

    "You did!" the system retorted defensively. "You said, and I quote, ''Even if it''s for once, I just want you to feel sorry for me. If love is too much, then at least grant me the pity you would give a stray animal.''"

    Nnenna "..."

    Excuse me?!

    Nnenna froze, realization dawning on her. ''That was me talking to myself! You—you sneaky little—ahhh!'' She let out a groan of frustration, burying her face in her hands.

    "Well," the system said smugly, "I only did what you asked. Next time, be more specific!"

    "Fifty points," she muttered bitterly. "You took fifty points for that? What good is his guilt and apology to me?! And you expect me to earn a thousand points in just three days?!"

    "Correction," the system replied primly. "You now have two days plus remaining. And yes, 1,000 good points will extend your life by one month. A fair trade, if you ask me."