Chapter 1

The nanny's daughter, Sophie Miller, in an attempt to reinforce her "adorable little klutz" image, accidentally wore my clothes to the party.

She threw herself into my fiancé's arms.

She sobbed, "I really couldn't tell them apart. I don't know how this happened."

Because of this, I, Vivian Sterling, became the subject of ridicule.

My three brothers, instead of supporting me, tried to comfort her.

They said, "You're so clueless. What would you do if someone took advantage of you outside?

"At least we're here for you, you little scatterbrain."

I was furious.

I spat, "How could she mistake a formal gown for a maid's uniform? Did she seriously grow a tumor on her brain?"

Feeling targeted, she threatened to run away from home.

My brothers got angry.

Alexander Sterling, my eldest brother, canceled my credit cards and kicked me out of the house.

Lucas Sterling, my second brother, tried to clear her name by inciting online harassment against me.

Ryan Sterling, my third brother, in order to avenge her, broke my leg.

I ended up starving to death on a snowy night.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day Sophie had stolen my clothes.

*****

"Charlie gave me so much to do today, I was all flustered and confused. I accidentally ended up wearing Ms. Sterling's dress," Sophie whimpered.

Just as I got to the stairs, I saw Sophie, eyes all red from crying, throwing herself into my fiancé Ethan Cooper's arms.

"I really didn't mean to. What if Ms. Sterling gets mad at me later?" She fretted.

Sophie smacked her forehead in frustration, looking utterly dejected.

"Why am I so clumsy? You guys aren't going to get tired of me, are you?" she asked, her voice trembling with insecurity.

Ethan immediately felt sorry for her, gently ruffling her hair as he tried to comfort her.

"Hey, it's just a dress. You didn't mean to do it. I've got your back, you little airhead," he said softly.

"Honestly, you look way better in this dress than Vivian ever could. It only really shines when you wear it. Come on, don't cry. It hurts me to see you like this," he added, his voice full of tenderness.

Watching Sophie and Ethan acting all lovey-dovey, looking so happy together, I couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.

But I remembered the pain she brought me in my previous life.

In my previous life, she didn't just steal my evening gown. She dumped all my other clothes straight into the washing machine.

Those designer pieces were worth a fortune, but after getting soaked, they ended up wrinkled and ruined for good.

I could only grab a plain dress and hurry over, only to see her already rocking my evening gown, with everyone treating her like she was the star of the show.

Watching that scene, I was so furious I marched right up and slapped her across the face. I demanded, voice shaking with anger.

"Why are you wearing my evening gown?" I snapped.

Sophie looked at me in shock, as if she'd only just realized she was wearing my evening gown.

She clapped a hand over her mouth and started sobbing.

"Oh, Ms. Sterling, I'm so sorry. I didn't even notice when I put on the wrong dress," she blurted out.

"Charlie gave me so much to do today, I swear I didn't mean to," she whimpered, her eyes full of tears.

I wasn't buying her act for a second. I snapped, my voice icy.

"You can't even tell the difference between an evening gown and your maid uniform? Did you seriously grow a tumor on your brain?" I shot back, my sarcasm cutting through the air.

As soon as I said that, everyone started whispering and pointing at her.

Sophie couldn't stand it any longer. Tears brimming in her eyes, she bolted out of the room, looking utterly crushed and wronged.

When my three brothers found out what really happened, not only did they refuse to take my side, they called me jealous and petty, saying I was just overreacting.

After Sophie spent a whole day away from home, my brothers totally lost it and started venting all their anger on me.

Alexander froze all my credit cards and threw me out in the dead of night.

Lucas, trying to defend her, went online and started trashing me, rallying a whole mob to drag me through the mud.

Ryan, to avenge her, actually broke my leg and even stopped anyone from taking me to the hospital.

They blocked every possible way for me to survive, making it clear. Until Sophie came back, I wasn't setting foot in that house again.

I literally starved to death on a night when the snow was pouring down.

When my soul wandered back home, Sophie was already basking in all the love and concern from my family, completely surrounded by them.

Not a single one of them cared if I was cold or starving.

Maybe it was my unwillingness to let it go that sent me back to the day she snuck into my evening gown.

*****

This time, I was fully prepared. I strode down the stairs in my heels, every step radiating confidence.

At the sound of my arrival, everyone instinctively turned to look, their eyes wide with astonishment.

With all those stunned gazes on me, I walked over to Sophie, calm and composed.

"Enjoying my dress, Sophie?" I asked, my voice cool and steady.

Sophie's eyes flashed with panic for a moment, then she immediately looked aggrieved and said,

"Your evening gown? I-I have no idea. Isn't it still in the closet?" she stammered, her voice full of grievance.

Not wasting my breath, I raised my phone.

"Fine, if you have no idea, then I'm calling the police," I said, my voice cold and firm.