Chapter 1

I died in a fire at the villa.

My biological parents, who had only reunited with me less than a year ago, perished alongside me.

The blaze was started by Nina Jennings, the fake heiress and female lead of this world I transmigrated into.

Her accomplice was Yosef Sherman, the male protagonist.

They stood outside the burning villa, kissing, celebrating. They'd finally wiped out my whole family. The Lynn fortune was theirs. No one left to stop them.

I heard Nina's gleeful laugh.

She said, "Winnie died never knowing. The swap wasn't accidental. My mother orchestrated it all.

"She was born to poverty. She should've rotted in the slums. Why does she get to come back and take my life?"

Smoke choked my lungs, and right before everything went dark, I made a vow: if I got another chance, I would make them pay. blood for blood.

*****

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the very first day I was brought back to the Lynn family.

The crystal chandelier in the living room was so bright that it hurt my eyes.

I was still wearing a dress so old and faded it was nearly white, standing awkwardly in this luxurious house.

Across from me, on the sofa, sat my biological parents, William and Julia Lynn.

Their faces were a mix of scrutiny, guilt, and a hint of unfamiliarity they couldn't hide.

Next to them, Nina was dressed in a designer princess dress, looking like a graceful white swan.

She was the imposter heiress who had lived my life for seventeen years.

Julia was the first to break the silence, her voice cautious. "Winnie, from now on, this is your home."

Nina jumped up and came over warmly, reaching out to grab my hand.

She said, "Winnie, welcome home. I'm Nina. We're sisters now, real sisters."

Just as her fingertips were about to touch me, I instinctively stepped back, avoiding her touch.

The air froze.

A flash of hurt flickered across Nina's face, but she quickly put on a gentle smile.

She said, "Winnie, not warming up to me yet? That's alright. We'll get used to each other in time."

She picked up a glass of lemonade from the coffee table and handed it to me. "Winnie, you must be parched after the long drive. Here, have some water."

I stared at her, refusing to take the glass.

In my previous life, this was the glass of water Nina had "accidentally" spilled all over the new dress my adoptive mother had made for me.

My adoptive mother had saved up for three months to buy the best fabric.

Then Nina, with that innocent tone, would drop the most cutting remarks. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to. This dress... the fabric doesn't seem to absorb water at all. Must be cheap, right?

"No worries, my closet was full of brand new dresses. Just take your pick."

Back then, I was humiliated and furious, but I still forced myself to accept her fake kindness.

This time, I wouldn't.

As Nina came closer with the glass, I jerked back, startled.

I crashed into the plant stand behind me, and the delicate porcelain vase on top wobbled dangerously.

Nina's expression shifted, and she instinctively reached out to steady the vase.

But the glass slipped from her hand, and the lemonade splashed all over her designer white gown—worth six figures.

The pale yellow stain spread fast, blooming into an ugly blotch across the dress.

"My dress!" Nina shrieked.

I looked at her, flustered and helpless, my eyes welling up with tears.

I stammered, "Nina, I'm so sorry, I... I didn't mean to."

I copied her tone from my previous life, my voice choked with tears.

I said, "I... I've never seen such a beautiful house before, or met such a gorgeous girl like you. I guess I just got too nervous."

William and Julia immediately stood up from the sofa.

Julia fretted and clucked, snatching up tissues to dab at the dress. "Oh no, your favorite. This was custom-made, you know. By a famous designer."

William frowned at me, his tone a bit harsh. "So clumsy."

I lowered my head, my shoulders trembling like a scared kitten.

I muttered, "Dad, I'm sorry."

That word "Dad" caught William completely off guard.

Nina looked at her ruined dress, a flicker of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she quickly put on a gracious smile, pretending to be generous.

She said, "It's alright, Winnie. It's just a dress. You just got home, don't be upset."

The more she played it off like this, the more it made me seem small-minded and out of place.

Julia sighed, reaching out to hold Nina's hand. "Nina's always so thoughtful. Winnie, you should try to learn from your sister."

I kept my head down and whispered a faint "Okay."