Chapter 1

When my cousin, Charlotte Evans, was brought back to the Evans family, I finally felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

It wasn't until after I died in my previous life that I realized I was just the foil to Charlotte, the Evans family's precious daughter.

The family who'd loved me for sixteen years eventually cast me aside.

They said, "You're an adult now. From here on out, you're on your own."

They sent me overseas, and to punish me for going against Charlotte, they froze all my cards.

While working shady jobs, I got caught up in a street brawl and died alone in a foreign country.

Meanwhile, they booked out the top floor of the city's seven-star hotel to celebrate Charlotte getting into Westbridge University.

This time, I made up my mind to leave everything behind and walk away from them.

But they looked at me with sadness in their eyes and asked, "Do you not want us anymore?"

*****

Suddenly, I snapped awake in the car.

As I stared out at the noisy street, it hit me that I had time-travelled.

I felt out of it. The stabbing pain still seemed to echo through my body.

I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of it.

Today was the day. It was the start of my freshman year. When I got home, I'd meet Charlotte, the girl my family had adopted after her parents died unexpectedly.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw Charlotte with my parents and brother hovering around her, showering her with comfort and concern.

They looked so close, like a picture-perfect family of four, and I couldn't help but feel like I was the outsider they'd just brought in.

In my previous life, moments like this always hit me hard. I was eaten up with jealousy and resentment toward Charlotte, and I'd lash out, accusing them of caring more about an outsider than me.

But they'd just wrinkle their noses at me, thinking I was being unreasonable, not nearly as sweet and well-mannered as Charlotte.

But was I really the one at fault?

I just wanted them to care about me, to give me a little more of their love. Was that really so wrong?

I was their daughter and sister. I used to be their little princess, too.

But in my previous life, I never realized I wasn't their little princess at all. I was just the sad supporting role.

I'd let it go now. This time around, I was not going to waste my breath trying to snatch anything away from the female lead.

Titles, family, affection, and so on. If she wanted it, it was all hers.

After all, how could a side character ever stand a chance against the heroine's halo?

Dad saw me walk in.

"Olivia, you're back. This is your sister, Charlotte. You two haven't seen each other in ages, right?" he said.

Charlotte gave me a nervous greeting, "Hi, Olivia."

I nodded. "Hi."

Michael frowned at the way I was acting so distant.

"Olivia, why are you throwing tantrums? She's our sister now," he said.

Michael hadn't changed at all. He was still the same brother who doted on Charlotte and always had her back.

I used to think he just felt sorry for Charlotte and treated her better because of that.

But honestly, the sister he really cared about had already switched.

That was all.

I shot Michael a careless glance. "So just saying hi counts as me throwing tantrums now? Why don't you show me the right way to greet people, then?"

Mom patted Michael on the shoulder. "What are you doing? Olivia probably just hasn't processed it yet. If you keep this up, you'll make your sister jealous."

Michael eased up and said to me, "I didn't mean anything by it. Charlotte just got back, and I was worried she might be nervous. Don't take it the wrong way."

I smiled and nodded.

I wouldn't get it wrong or be jealous, because I didn't care at all.

After my parents took Charlotte in, they sent her to my school.

They even tried to get her into my honors class, but her grades were a mess, so they came up with a ridiculous idea.

"Olivia, Charlotte's old school wasn't the best, and we're worried she might struggle to keep up in a new place. We were hoping you could look out for her," Mom said.

I gave Mom a confused look. "What do you mean by help?"

Mom fidgeted awkwardly. "Charlotte's nervous about being around so many strangers at her new school.

"Maybe you could stick with her in the regular class for a year, just until she settles in. It's only a year, it won't mess up your plans."

My brain just short-circuited at her words. I was totally floored.

I'd figured I could just keep my distance until I left, keep everything strictly separate between us.

Seriously, I did not see that twist coming.

Charlotte nestled close to Mom, her eyes shy yet hopeful as she looked at me.

But to me, she just seemed creepy and clingy, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, flicking its tongue.

"What, are we so poor now that we can't even hire a tutor? And you want me to tank my own grades just for her?" I shot back.

Mom looked a little annoyed at how blunt I was, but she didn't hesitate. "Charlotte said having a stranger as a tutor makes her anxious. If it's family, especially someone her own age, she'll feel way more comfortable.

"Olivia, since we've brought Charlotte into our family, she's our daughter and your sister now. Just think of it as looking out for your little sister for a while.

"I know it might be tough, but I believe you can handle both your studies and help her."