Charlie's heartbeat is getting faster and heavier as they approach the infirmary. 

'I feel like I'm forgetting something...' Charlie thought.

Charlie's heart raced even faster as she listened to Leora's explanation. Her relief at seeing her friend safe was palpable, but there was still a nagging feeling at the back of her mind.

"What happened, Leora? Are you alright?" Charlie's voice quivered with concern as she addressed her friend.

"Nothing, I was just stressed at school... It's just my glands are acting up," Leora replied, trying to downplay the situation.

However, Dr. Holly Kim, the school doctor, overheard their conversation and wasted no time in chiming in.

"Oh no, young lady! Do you think glands are not important?! What is an alpha without its glands!" Dr. Holly's scolding tone only added to Charlie's growing unease.

As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, Charlie felt like the ground had been pulled out from under her feet. The truth hit her with a force she couldn't ignore.

"The pain that you will never recover from... The death of Leora..." Charlie repeated the words to herself, the weight of their meaning sinking in.

"In the book, Leora died, and it was Leora's death that caused the original Charlie to mark Serena..." The realization echoed in Charlie's mind.

"When Leora died, the original Charlie completely lost her mind... the only person that's keeping her sane, left her..." The thought sent a shiver down Charlie's spine.

"I remember now, the reason why Charlie marked Serena, it's because she wants Serena to feel the pain that she felt.... the pain that she will never recover from.... Being marked by the person you hated the most..." Charlie's thoughts raced, each revelation adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

As Charlie walked home, a heavy sense of defeat settled upon her. The realization that she might not be able to change the course of events, no matter how hard she tries, weighed heavily on her shoulders.

'But right now... Leora is more than just a character from the books for me... How can this be? Shouldn't the plot have changed by now?' Charlie's mind raced with questions, grappling with the inexplicable reality unfolding before her. 'The heroine and the villainess' relationship is pretty stable now, Cato and Serena don't seem to like each other at the moment... could it be that... I can't change anything after all?'

Her footsteps felt heavier with each passing moment, as if mirroring the burden of her thoughts. 'Just like I can't do anything to change Leora's fate, I can't also do anything to change the course of my relationship with Serena? That after all this time, she's still going to end up with Cato?'

The weight of the world seemed to bear down on Charlie's shoulders, each step a reminder of her perceived powerlessness. 'No matter what I do, I can't change anything... Knowing what will happen, wouldn't change anything... I can't save anyone... I'm useless... I'll just have to sit here and watch the people I love be taken away from me... Why... is it so unfair...'

With each passing moment, the darkness of her thoughts enveloped her, leaving Charlie feeling lost in a sea of uncertainty and despair.

Back at the Vanderbilt Mansion, Serena returned home earlier than Charlie, who hadn't returned even as dinnertime approached. Concern gnawed at Serena as she waited anxiously for Charlie's arrival.

When she finally heard the sound of the car pulling up, Serena rushed to the door, her heart pounding with worry. But the sight that greeted her as she opened the door left her speechless. Charlie's face bore an indescribable expression, one that seemed to reflect an unbearable pain that Serena could feel in her own heart.

Without a word, Charlie threw herself into Serena's arms, clutching onto her as if her life depended on it. Serena's heart ached at the sight, feeling the weight of Charlie's distress.

"Charlie, what happened? Is Leora okay?" Serena asked gently, her voice laced with concern as she Charlie's back in a soothing gesture.

"I-I'm afraid that I will lose you too..." Charlie's voice trembled with emotion, her words sending a shiver down Serena's spine.

'She's afraid to lose me too? What is happening?' Serena's mind raced with questions, trying to make sense of Charlie's cryptic words.

"Is this about Leora? Is she okay?" Serena asked again, hoping for clarity.

But Charlie remained silent, leaving Serena feeling helpless in the face of her turmoil. Determined to provide comfort, Serena gently pulled back from their embrace, placing a comforting hand on Charlie's shoulder.

"Charlie, you weren't able to eat properly during lunch. What about we grab some dinner first, and then you can tell me what happened?" Serena suggested softly, hoping to ease Charlie's distress.

"I don't wanna..." Charlie's response was hesitant, filled with reluctance.

"No, you have to eat," Serena insisted firmly, refusing to let Charlie neglect her own well-being.

"But—"

"No buts!" Serena interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Fine, but I want to eat spicy ramen!" Charlie insisted, surprising both Aunt Carol and Serena with her request. As a wealthy heiress accustomed to gourmet cuisine, Charlie's sudden desire for something as simple as ramen was unexpected.

"But Miss, you can't eat spicy food and ramen... You don't eat that," Aunt Carol pointed out, puzzled by Charlie's unusual craving.

Despite Aunt Carol's concern, Charlie remained resolute. "But that's what I want to eat," she asserted, her eyes pleading for understanding.

"I don't have any ramen packs here... Shall I go to the supermarket first?" Aunt Carol offered, willing to accommodate Charlie's sudden craving.

"No need, Aunt Carol... I have ramen packs at my room... I'll just cook it for Charlie." Serena said to Aunt Carol.

"Ok, Miss Serena. Thank you." Aunt Carol replied smiling.

During the time when she and Charlie were still at odds, she often found herself hungry. Not only did she refuse to eat with Charlie, but the maids also seemed to withhold food from her. With limited money, the only thing Serena could afford to soothe her hunger was a pack of ramen. It's cheap and easy to make.

As Serena prepared the ramen, Charlie patiently waited for Serena.

The aroma of the seafood ramen filled the air, tantalizing Charlie's senses and making water in anticipation.

"Here's the seafood ramen..." Serena presented the dish to Charlie, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

As Serena presented the bowl of ramen to Charlie, her eyes widened in awe at the sight before her. Neatly arranged within the steaming broth were shrimp, octopus, and clams, promising a delightful medley of flavors. Atop the bowl, vibrant scallions added a pop of color and freshness.

Charlie couldn't wait to savor every delicious bite.

"Wow... It looks so good!" she exclaimed, impressed by Serena.

'Ramen is my favorite food in the real world, but I've never eaten a ramen that looks this fancy,' Charlie thought, marveling at the dish before her.

"Is there anything you can't do?" Charlie asked, genuinely impressed.

"Silly... My mom used to make me Ramen like that... I just learned it from her..." Serena replied modestly.

Charlie nodded, feeling grateful for Serena's efforts, and eagerly began to eat her meal.

As Serena observed Charlie enjoying her food, she couldn't shake off the memory of Charlie's distressed expression earlier.

'The look on Charlie's face awhile ago.... I don't ever want to see that look on her again...' Serena vowed silently to herself, determined to do whatever she could to alleviate Charlie's worries.

"So, can you tell me now what happened?" Serena inquired gently, sensing Charlie's somber mood.

"L-leora... she's sick," Charlie began, her voice filled with concern.

"Is it---" Serena started to ask, but Charlie interrupted.

"It's her glands... and I don't think I can save her..." Charlie confessed, her voice heavy with sadness.

"I'll try to ask a family friend who is a doctor specializing in glands..." Serena offered, wanting to offer some semblance of hope to Charlie, despite her own doubts.