Chapter 1

After the King family, the richest family in the country, had seven sons, they finally welcomed me, their little princess.

In my previous life, the nanny switched me with her daughter.

Her daughter enjoyed all the wealth and privilege, while I was abused to death by her and her mother.

Waking up on the day I was born, this time, I was taking back my place as the King family's princess, and my seven legendary brothers.

"Mrs. King, the baby cries every night. It's really affecting your rest," our nanny, Shirley, said. "How about I take her to the nursery next door and bring her back when it's time to feed her?"

No, no, no! I was freaking out inside.

That was the same excuse she used to switch me with her daughter in my previous life.

"Okay, she's even noisier than her seven brothers," my mom said and was about to pass me to Shirley.

Right at that moment, I burst out crying.

My mom hugged me close. She kept saying I was noisy, but you could see the love all over her face.

"Shirley, you can go for now. I'll call you if I need anything," my mom said. Shirley muttered a reluctant "okay" and left the bedroom.

"Mom, we're home!" My seven brothers rushed in as soon as they got back, all eager to see me.

My third brother, Harry, stared at my chubby little face and frowned. "Why is Michelle so dumb? She can't even talk yet."

How dare he! How dare he call me dumb!

So I opened my mouth and burst into tears. My eldest brother, Kit, shot Harry a look, then scrambled to comfort me.

"Michelle, don't cry. You're the smartest baby in the world," my mom said, chuckling.

"Go wash up and get ready for dinner. Let Michelle sleep a little longer," she added. Once my brothers left, the room was instantly peaceful.

My mom's way of getting me to sleep was nothing like normal moms.

She spread out all her insanely expensive jewelry right in front of me.

"Look, baby, this is all yours," she cooed. "And this one's yours too."

She hadn't even finished showing off half of it before I was already fast asleep.

Half-asleep, I felt someone scoop me up again.

I figured it was time to eat and parted my lips, ready for milk.

But instead of that sweet, comforting taste, what shoved into my mouth was a pair of reeking, rough hands.

Right away, I knew something was off—my eyes flew open.

And there it was: Shirley's menacing, ghastly face looming over me.

"You little brat, why do you get to be born into the King family, while my daughter has to suffer in that damp, filthy basement?" Shirley spat, then shoved her own daughter, Tammy Hale, into my mom's room.

She pulled the same trick in my previous life, swapping us out.

Tammy pretended to be me and enjoyed all the riches and glory that should've been mine.

Meanwhile, Shirley dumped me in some remote village, where I was abused until I died.

Staring at the damp and gloomy place around me, my heart broke over and over again.

It wasn't until nightfall that Shirley finally came back, taking her sweet time.

She kicked me in disgust. "So what if you were born with a silver spoon? Now you're just the nanny's daughter." Then she pinched me hard a few more times, only stopping when she felt better.

I wailed in pain.

If I cried loud enough, my mom and brothers would definitely hear me.

She panicked. "You little brat, you think crying that loud will get someone to save you? Dream on!"

With that, she grabbed a filthy rag and stuffed it right into my mouth.

Lucky for me, I was fast. Before she could react, I unleashed a flurry of deadly kicks right at her doughy face.

"You little brat!" Shirley was so furious her hair seemed to stand on end. She raised her hand, ready to slap me.

But just as her hand came down, I sank my teeth into her finger.

Chomp, chomp, chomp—I bit down with all I had.

Gnaw, gnaw, gnaw!

If only I had teeth already, then I could really tear a chunk out of her nasty hand.

"Aagh!" Shirley howled, grimacing in pain. "Let go, or I'll feed you to the dogs!"

But no matter how much she yelled or threatened me, I refused to let go.

Finally, my mom came knocking at the basement door. "Shirley, why is Tammy crying? It's so dark and damp down here. Why don't you bring her to my room so she can sleep there?"

Shirley had no choice but to comply, so she reluctantly scooped me up and took me back upstairs.

Meanwhile, that imposter Tammy was snuggled up on my princess bed, sleeping soundly without a care in the world.

I was babbling away in baby talk, waving my arms furiously—if only they could understand, in my head I was cursing her out and trying to crawl onto the bed to reclaim my spot.

So as not to raise any suspicion, Shirley had no choice but to put me down right next to Tammy.

"Shirley, just let Tammy sleep here tonight. You go get some rest," my mom said, then switched off the lights.

Finally, my shot to take back what's mine!

I wiggled like crazy, inching myself from Tammy's left side over to her right.

Then, with all the strength my little leg could muster, I kicked her hard.

Her shrill cry shattered the silence.

"Why is that worthless brat Tammy crying again? If she disturbs Miss King, she's screwed," Shirley snapped. "Mrs. King, let me take her back."

In the darkness, Shirley picked up a baby by feel and hurried out of the room.

Once outside, she quickly handed the child off to a man, her voice urgent.

"Dump this brat somewhere filthy—the nastier, the better!" she hissed.