Chapter 1

The day I brought my boyfriend home to meet my parents, they told me I wasn't good enough for him and forced us to break up. In the end, he ended up marrying my sister Kelly.

At the wedding, I confronted my parents, demanding to know why.

My mom stormed over and slapped me hard. She snapped, "Why don't you just die? Wasn't it enough that you killed your brother? Now you can't stand to see anyone else happy? You don't even deserve to ask why."

Later, I really did die—suddenly, right after donating my kidney to Kelly.

When my mom heard the news, she just sneered and said, "She should've died a long time ago. One life for another, that's only fair."

When I woke up, I found myself 18 again.

Mom told me to quit school and get a job so Kelly could study abroad, but I shot her down instantly.

This time around, I was done letting people push me around.

My dad said, "Lily, Kelly wants to study music overseas. With our finances, we just can't afford to send both of you to college. Could you maybe..." He trailed off.

My mom's fiery stare bored into him, and after a moment, he forced himself to say the crazy request.

He continued, "Would you quit school and get a job instead? That way, Kelly can go to study abroad without worries. Once she's successful, you, as her sister, can bask in her reflected glory."

He sounded like he really believed what he was saying by the end.

To my parents, Kelly was a golden phoenix still growing her wings—while I was just the roughest, most worthless egg, not even worth sitting on to hatch.

For a second, I just stared blankly—the tiny room I slept in, once just a balcony, was starting to blur into the icy hospital bed where I'd died. It was like I couldn't tell reality from those final moments anymore.

That's when it finally hit me—I really had come back to life.

I was eighteen again. This was it—the turning point where everything changed for me.

When I just stood there, Mom's face turned pitch black, and she snapped, "You don't want to? Lily, why are you such an ungrateful brat? Why did I even bother having you? Are you here just to pay me back in misery?

"I've dumped so much money into raising you, and this is the thanks I get? Raising a heartless kid like you—sometimes I wish I'd just squeezed the life out of you when you were born."

She cut me off before I could even say a word.

She said, "I don't care what you think, you're not going to college. Don't even think about getting a single cent for tuition or living expenses.

"You're eighteen already. As far as I'm concerned, my job as your mother is done. If you've got a problem with that, then get out. Move out now."

In my previous life, when I begged my mom, she just shut me down cold.

I cried myself to sleep that night, and by morning, I had no choice but to swallow the bitter reality.

Back then, all I wanted was to prove I was good enough—worthy of love. I'd skimp and save, picking up odd jobs, just trying to bring home a little money for my mom.

I just wanted her to say she was proud of me, even once. But all that ever came was her complaints: "Kelly's burning through cash overseas, and what can I even do with the measly amount you earn?"

It wasn't until I spotted Kelly celebrating her birthday at a karaoke bar that I realized the truth. She was surrounded by friends, decked out head-to-toe in designer labels, all in white—looking every bit the princess.

Meanwhile, there I was—in a faded red waitress uniform, cheap cloth shoes, pushing around the drinks cart. Compared to her, I looked totally insignificant and worn out, just another nobody in the background.

That's when it really hit me—for the last two and a half years, Kelly never went abroad at all. She'd just been spending all my hard-earned money living her best life, shameless and carefree.

I demanded answers from my parents, asking why they'd lied to me all this time.

My mom just shot me a cold, impatient look, clearly done with my questions.

She snapped, "So giving you life wasn't enough? What's with the drama? If you're so miserable, then why don't you just end it already?"

I could see nothing but hatred flashing in her eyes.

Ever since my brother passed, that's how she'd always glare at me—like she was telling me to drop dead and save her the trouble.

Snapping back to reality, I finally muttered, "Fine."

My mom arched an eyebrow and gave me the once-over with that icy smirk. She said, "At least you finally learned."

Dad let out a sigh, sounding like he'd just shrugged off a huge burden. He said, "Since you're being so reasonable, it's a load off my mind. After all, Kelly's not like you—she saved our family. She deserves all the best from us."

Kelly really was different.

A year after my brother died, my dad brought her home and introduced her as my adopted sister.

He expected me to make up for my brother's death by treating Kelly like the one I had to redeem myself to, as if I owed her everything.

In my previous life, I never understood why my dad bent over backwards for Kelly. It wasn't until after I died that the truth came out—she was his secret daughter all along.

I masked the chill in my gaze and replied coldly, "I'm out of here."

My mom snapped, "What did you say?"

They froze, eyes wide—like they couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that the girl who'd always bent over backwards for them was finally standing up for herself for the first time.

Without even looking back, I snatched up my college acceptance letter and ID, flung the door open, and strode out.