Chapter 1

Perhaps I'd committed every sin in my past life. When I failed my cultivation tribulation, a bolt of lightning struck me—not into oblivion, but straight into a cruel romance novel.

I became the ill-fated original heroine, the one who was tortured in both body and heart by her prince husband, only to die miserably in the end.

In the original story, Harvey's heart belonged to my own sister, Jessica Davidson.

She was his sweetheart, untouchable and flawless, but fate threw her into the palace, where she became the Queen. Harvey loved her but could not have her. So he married me, who bore a faint resemblance to Jessica, as a substitute.

On the day the original heroine died, Harvey finally realized the truth.

He cradled her lifeless body and wept like a man torn apart, declaring that all along, it had been her he truly loved.

I scoffed.

Cry my ass. Where was all this realization when she was alive?

I was here now.

On the very first day I woke, the show began. Jessica had been thrown out of the palace by the King, wailing as she ran straight into the Duke's manor.

Harvey's eyes burned with worry. Without hesitation, he ordered someone to bring a bowl and said to me, "Helena, your sister is frail. Only blood from your own vein can save her. You are her elder sister. Surely you will bleed for her."

He handed me a knife, his gaze earnest, as though this was some sacred duty.

I stared at him in silence for three long seconds.

Then, with a swift motion, I yanked his hair and pressed the knife to his chest.

I said, "You're so noble and so magnificent. You want to use my blood to save your loved one and try to torment me? Then I'll bully your whole damn family."

*****

I grabbed Harvey Marshall by the hair and slammed him onto the bed.

The tip of the knife dug into his chest—not too deep, not too shallow—just enough to draw blood.

Harvey's face turned ashen. "Helena, are you insane?"

"Not at all," I said, my smile syrupy sweet. "You want my blood, right?

"I'm your wife. Aren't we supposed to be united? Your blood is mine, so if I use my blood to save the one you love, that's perfectly reasonable, isn't it?"

Harvey's eyes went wide, as if he was actually convinced by my words.

He struggled, trying to shout for someone.

I slapped him hard. "What are you hollering for? The pathetic lot in your Duke's Manor aren't even good enough for me to break a sweat."

I heard footsteps echoing outside the door.

Jessica Davidson burst in, and when she saw the scene, her legs went weak.

Still, she rushed over, her face streaked with tears.

She said, "Helena, how could you treat Harvey like this? Everything he's done is for me. If you want to blame someone, blame me—just don't hurt him."

Tears kept falling, and she looked so pitiful that anyone would feel sorry for her.

I let go of Harvey and turned toward her.

Jessica stepped back nervously, fear written all over her face.

I reached out and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eye.

"Jessica, don't cry," I said in a gentle voice. "When you cry, my heart just shatters."

Jessica was stunned, her jaw dropped as she shot a look at Harvey lying on the bed.

I followed her gaze.

Harvey was just getting up from the bed, clutching his chest, his face pale and shell-shocked, like he'd just escaped death.

Suddenly, I jabbed a finger at Harvey and shrieked, "Is it this bastard?"

Jessica flinched, staring at me in a daze. "Uh... what?"

"Did he bully you? Come on, tell me. Did he mess with you?" I pressed.

Jessica stammered, "N-no..."

"Then why are you crying?" I frowned. "If you're crying, someone must've made you upset. If it wasn't him, was it someone else?"

Jessica mumbled, "I-I was just worried about Harvey, that's all..."

"Worried about him?" I shot Harvey a long look, dragging out an exaggerated "ohhh." "So that's how it is."

The next second, I marched right back and slapped him across the face.

Harvey reeled, totally stunned. "What the hell was that for?"

I shot him a fierce glare. "Jessica's crying, and it's all because of you."

Harvey looked totally lost.

I slapped him again.

I said, "That slap was for Jessica. She's worried sick about you, and you're just lying here, playing dead, making her stress out."

Harvey clutched his face. "I didn't—"

I barked, "Still got the nerve to talk back?"

That was the third slap.

I continued, "And this one's just for me. No reason, I just felt like it."

Harvey was left completely speechless.

In the novel, Harvey would pull the same stunt on her.

Whenever Jessica shed a single tear, he'd take out all his dirty moves on her.

I turned back to Jessica, instantly switching to my gentlest face. "Jessica, are you still crying?"

Jessica shook her head like crazy, forcing her tears back.

I nodded with satisfaction, then turned and tapped Harvey's cheek with a mocking grin.

I said, "See? Jessica's not crying anymore. Those slaps were well-deserved."