Chapter 1
For four years in college, Myla Morales, my nanny's daughter, kept up her "holier-than-thou" act. She spent my money while constantly messing with my head.
She'd say, "I've got my own hands and feet. If you didn't insist on shoving your money at me, I wouldn't even touch your dirty money.
"Your self-righteous handouts don't impress me. As far as I'm concerned, we're equals."
Back then, I just wanted to protect her pride, so I let it slide.
She funded a brand-new library for the school and made sure every dorm room got air conditioning. With all those good deeds, everyone saw her as the campus's untouchable heiress.
The school showered her with praise and even dubbed her a philanthropist.
Later, my parents had someone deliver a graduation gift worth 10 million dollars to me.
The very next day, Myla cried her eyes out, wailing, "Someone stole my gift."
Everyone bought her sob story and thought I was nothing but a lowlife thief.
I was about to expose all the evidence, but she had someone run me down.
She sneered, "Spending your money is the only thing that makes you look good. Take away your parents, and you're nothing. You've got zero talent.
"If you weren't born lucky, you wouldn't dare tell me what to do."
I died with my eyes wide open, never at peace.
Myla didn't even try to cover it up. She just waltzed right into my mansion, claiming it as her own without a second thought.
When my parents came back from overseas and found out, they were devastated. Myla put on her sweetest act, pretending to be the caring daughter they always wanted, and took my place as the real Miss Donovan.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in college.
Myla, with a grand gesture, was signing a donation agreement with Principal Pierce Franklin.
While everyone was busy thanking her for her so-called generosity, I quickly cut her off from my family card.
"Money really does let you do whatever you want. Ten thousand air conditioners? She just buys them like it's nothing."
"Compared to that 30 million dollar library, air conditioners are just chump change. Of course Myla doesn't even bat an eye at that."
"Finally, we don't have to suffer anymore. Thank you, Myla, for saving us from misery."
"I love you, Myla."
To thank Myla for her generous donation, Principal Pierce Franklin called the whole school together so everyone could see it for themselves.
Myla, the center of attention, was basking in the glory, soaking up all the praise and flattery.
With a big smile, she proudly shouted her catchphrase.
She said, "I don't like money. I'm not interested in it.
"That's why I give it all away for charity, just trying to help out as much as I can.
"Only when everyone else is happy can I truly feel happy myself."
As soon as she finished, the whole place erupted in thunderous applause. Everyone was cheering for her generosity.
The atmosphere was electric.
Seeing this all over again, it hit me that I had traveled through time.
Without a second thought, I cut Myla off from my family card.
In my previous life, Myla used the money from that family card to pull off a bunch of good deeds.
Not only did she earn the title of philanthropist, but her speeches blew up online, and netizens dubbed her the clear-headed heiress with backbone.
But nobody knew the truth. Myla was actually my nanny's daughter, and her dad was a drunk, a gambler, and a mean piece of work.
Even though her mom brought home a monthly six-figure paycheck, it still barely kept up with her dad's crazy spending habits.
Myla always had nasty bruises all over her body, and she depended on me just to get a decent meal.
After graduation, Myla had top scores and thought getting into a top college would finally be her ticket out.
But her mom, Emily, was sobbing, begging her to marry someone.
If they couldn't scrape together the dowry money to pay off her dad's gambling debts, those thugs would break his arms and legs.
Desperate, Myla ended up coming to me for help.
Watching my childhood friend sob and beg for help, my heart just couldn't take it. I had no choice but to help her.
I handed her a family credit card with unlimited access.
After that, Myla turned into someone I barely recognized.
The shy, insecure girl was gone. Now she was bold and outgoing, suddenly popular all over campus.
Deep down, I was truly happy to see her get a second chance at life.
I was extra careful to protect her dignity, never breathed a word about her real background to anyone.
Sometimes, the more I help, the less she appreciated it. Myla never really seemed grateful at all.
She spent my money like it was nothing, all while throwing shade at me and saying the nastiest things.
She'd snap, "I've got my own hands and feet. If you weren't begging me to take your money, I wouldn't even touch your dirty money.
"Your self-righteous handouts don't impress me. As far as I'm concerned, we're equals."
Back then, I just thought she was too proud to show her real feelings, so I didn't let it get to me.
But I never saw it coming. After Myla swiped my necklace, she started bawling and flipped the whole thing on me.
She sobbed, "Karla, if you wanted this necklace, you could've just said so. 10 million dollars is nothing to me. You know I've always seen you as a sister. I'd have bought it for you in a heartbeat. Why'd you have to go and steal it?
"You're broke and spineless. I'm honestly disappointed in you."