The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 6

**TITLE: One Step Changes Everything**
**By Ruby Parker**
**Chapter 6: Brother? Still Gonna Get Smacked!**

“You hit me again?!”

Neil’s hand flew to his cheek as he stared at her, disbelief etched across his face.

“Venus, are you completely out of your mind? I’m your brother!”

The slap had come out of nowhere—swift and brutal, sharper than any he’d received back home. The sting radiated across his face, but it was the searing burn of his pride that truly hurt.

It was the first time in a year that he had witnessed Venus unleash her true fury. Rayne had been right all along; Venus was no innocent little country girl. She had a sharp edge, a fiery temper that could ignite in an instant.

The quiet compliance she had shown all this time had been nothing more than a well-crafted facade.

She had inherited the spiteful nature of her useless foster father—a perfect imitation of that cruel man.

With a calmness that was almost eerie, Venus replied, “Do I really need to prove our family ties before I slap someone who makes baseless accusations?”

Her voice turned icy, cutting through the air like a knife. “Besides, I’ve severed all ties with your family. You’re no brother of mine.”

Neil had always prided himself on his easygoing nature, but now he felt himself trembling with rage.

“You’re an heiress. Why on earth would you stoop to stealing food from a dead man’s grave?” he snapped, his voice laced with incredulity.

“You’ve embarrassed all of us! I merely spoke a few words, and you actually struck me for that?”

Venus crossed her arms defiantly, her demeanor cool and collected. “Yes, I hit you. What are you going to do about it?”

“You little rascal!” Neil glared at her, his chest heaving with indignation. He had faced countless difficult patients at the hospital, but somehow, this girl ignited a fury within him that eclipsed all the rest.

Then, in a move that sent his anger spiraling even higher, Venus pointed at the food strewn across the ground—the offerings meant for the deceased. “Pick those up.”

Neil blinked in disbelief, convinced he must have misheard her. “What did you just say?”

“These were gifts from kind souls,” Venus stated matter-of-factly. “Don’t waste food.”

Even in death, sometimes the departed displayed more compassion than the living.

Neil let out a harsh laugh, incredulous. “You’ve got to be kidding me. We have fresh fruit and imported snacks back home, yet you’d rather consume food meant for the dead? That’s disgusting!”

In a fit of rage, he kicked one of the apples away, sending it rolling across the ground.

But fate had a cruel sense of irony. A wandering spirit, just bending down to pick up that very apple, found Neil’s kick connecting right with its rear. Enraged, the spirit surged toward him, icy hands gripping his throat, shaking him violently.

“You little punk! What’s your problem with me? I’ll strangle you!”

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Neil gasped for air as his face flushed crimson from the choking grip.

Venus stood by, unperturbed, her expression almost lazy, as if she were watching a mundane spectacle rather than witnessing her brother’s distress.

As the choking sensation tightened around his throat, stars danced before his eyes. Desperately, he reached out to Venus, his voice a strangled plea. “Quick—call 911!”

He had worked himself into such a frenzy over her that he was now experiencing an acute respiratory attack.

One thing was painfully clear—nothing good ever came to pass when Venus was around.

Ignoring him completely, Venus spoke softly to the empty air. “It’s yours now. Eat it.”

In that moment, the wandering spirits that had been observing from a distance swarmed in, eagerly picking up the food she had left behind, whispering their gratitude in hushed tones.

These were lost souls—forgotten and unfed for years. They only had a chance to eat during the Day of the Dead, when people left offerings at crossroads. Even then, they could only take what others abandoned. For many, any food they could find was a rare luxury.

Some, driven by insatiable hunger, would sneak into homes, scavenging for anything to fill their emptiness.

Venus didn’t spare Neil another glance. She simply turned and walked into the encroaching darkness, her figure fading from view.

Neil stood frozen in place, watching her disappear. He felt an overwhelming urge to chase after her, but all he could manage was to crouch down. He picked up the discarded plastic bag, draping it over his head like a makeshift shield, gasping for air to steady his racing heart.

Memories flooded back to him—how Venus used to bring him meals during his late shifts at the hospital, her sweet smile masking her true feelings, pretending to care.

Now, she had left him behind without a second thought, showing no inclination to even feign concern.

Anger surged within Neil, burning hotter than before.

Figures. All that sweetness had been nothing but a ruse. She had finally dropped her mask.

Axel had been right from the start. Venus had come from a broken, impoverished home. She had absorbed all of their bad habits and street smarts.

Now she thought she could toy with them?

Perhaps it was linked to her family.

Honestly, Neil deserved that slap.

Rowan grinned and nudged Drake. “Mr. Frost, looks like it’s your time to shine. Want to play the hero and save the damsel?”

Drake’s handsome face remained stoic. “Mind your own business. Go home.”

Ten minutes later, as Venus walked toward the park, she noticed a car trailing her from behind.

The vehicle kept its distance but never left her sight. Someone was stealthily following her.

She stopped, turned, and waved.

The car slowly rolled forward, coming to a stop beside her.

“Mr. Hill,” she said, feigning surprise, “what are you two doing here?”

Drake sat in the back seat, eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

But those long lashes quivered ever so slightly.

Pretending, huh? She thought with a smirk.

Rowan flashed a bright grin. “Beautiful night, isn’t it? The moon’s so big and round!”

Venus glanced up at the sky, which was shrouded in dark clouds, and smiled sweetly. “Yeah. You and your husband must really be in the mood, out here at midnight just to enjoy the moonlight together.”

“What?” Rowan blinked, bewildered.

Did she just refer to us as a couple?

Rowan laughed even harder, his grin stretching from ear to ear. With a bold swing of his arm, he pulled the “sleeping” Drake into a big bear hug. “Of course! Ms. Burn, care to join us?” he teased.

Drake’s eyes shot open in an instant. He shoved Rowan’s arm off with a sharp twist. Crack!

Rowan didn’t have a moment to react before pain shot through him. His arm hung limply at his side.

“Arghhhhh—Drake! Are you trying to kill your best friend?!” he screamed, his howl piercing through the quiet night, echoing all the way down the street.