Chapter 2

The next day, Shirley's gaze toward me was no longer filled with her usual venom. Instead, there was a gentle, motherly kindness in her eyes.

"Shirley, where's Tammy? Bring her over so she can hang out with Michelle," Mom said.

Shirley hurried to protest. "Madam, Michelle is so refined and delicate, but my Tammy's just a rough kid from the streets. I'm worried she might cause trouble for Michelle."

Mom just waved it off. "Kids are all the same. There's no need to talk about status or class. That settles it. Go bring her here. Anything Michelle gets, Tammy will have too."

Shirley couldn't argue anymore, so she went to pick Tammy up from the poor side of town again.

The moment I laid eyes on her, a wave of vengeful thrill shot straight to my head.

She looked just like I did in my previous life—just a few scraggly strands of yellow hair clinging to her scalp, and angry red rashes blotched all over her skin.

Mom shook her head and said, "Seriously, how do you even take care of her?" Her eyes were full of sympathy as she looked at Tammy.

Shirley just chuckled. "We're country folks, Madam. Our kids don't need to be pampered like city kids. I'll get her settled inside."

From then on, I grew up showered with love and attention from the King family.

But Tammy, just because she was Mom's goddaughter, acted like she could do whatever she wanted and had zero self-awareness.

She not only snatched my designer dresses, but even tried to win over the affection my seven brothers had for me.

But every time Tammy went wild, Shirley would give her a harsh beating. "You wretched brat, if you dare talk back to Miss King again, I'll skin you alive."

Tammy looked all pitiful, clutching her head and begging, "Mom, I'm sorry. I'm your daughter. Why do you always side with Michelle instead of me?"

I just smirked, putting on my most innocent face. "Don't be mad, Shirley, it's really nothing. Tammy just took my dress and pinched me a little. It's not a big deal."

"What? That wretched brat actually dared to lay a finger on you?" Shirley's eyes went wide with rage, and she kicked Tammy to the ground.

Before Tammy could even get a word out, Shirley's fists came down on her in a relentless barrage.

"Michelle's lying. I didn't steal anything. Mom bought it for me!" Tammy protested, her voice trembling.

So what if I lied?

Back in my previous life, once Tammy discovered her real identity, she freaked out, terrified I'd steal her place as the top heiress.

She joined forces with Shirley, and together, they beat me until I died.

This was just the opening act of my revenge—she couldn't even handle that?

"Still talking back?" Shirley wasn't buying any of it and went even harder on her.

In the end, Mom caught sight of what was happening and jumped in to break it up.

"Shirley, I gave the dress to Tammy," Mom said. Even after realizing she'd blamed Tammy by mistake, Shirley didn't even look sorry. "She still deserved it. Anyone who dares to covet her lady's things deserves a beating."

Mom just sighed, exasperated. "Sometimes I really wonder if she's even your own kid. How can you be so cruel to her?"

Shirley glanced at Tammy, looking like she couldn't give a damn. "Madam, she was born to suffer; she deserves every beating she gets," she said.

Mom just shook her head and picked me up. "Sweetie, let's go practice the piano."

As I turned around, I caught Tammy glaring at me with those pea-sized eyes, like she wanted to eat me alive.

"Got some nerve, staring straight at Miss King!" Shirley barked. Tammy's shrieks rang out through the whole mansion in the next second.

Hiding in Mom's arms, I peeked at her as she mumbled to herself, eyes glued to a document. "The DNA test for Shirley and her daughter says they really are blood-related."

The memories of how Shirley and Tammy abused me in my previous life came rushing back to me.

I couldn't stop shaking, my little body trembling all over. Mom noticed and wrapped me in a tight hug, holding me close.

"Don't be scared, sweetie. With me and your brothers by your side, nobody will ever dare to hurt you," Mom said, her voice gentle and reassuring.