chapter 1

I died in a fire while the fake daughter was having her wedding with my fiancé.

Dad, tears streaming down his face, entrusted her to Landon Hunt. Mom sobbed uncontrollably in the audience.

Even my own brother, Derek Parker, cursed me on WhatsApp for not showing up to the wedding.

I was clearly the real daughter of the Parker family, yet I lost to that impostor who wielded her tears like a weapon at every turn.

As the flames consumed me for the second time, clarity hit me.

If I couldn't compete, then I didn't want this ridiculous so-called family love either.

And then I was reborn—back to when I was ten, just after being picked up from the orphanage.

My clothes, tattered and patched, washed pale from countless cycles, clashed horribly with the opulent villa in front of me.

After I was born, I'd been deliberately swapped by Stella Parker's parents.

My adoptive parents, who favored boys over girls, had abandoned me in a trash can. A stray dog had almost devoured me.

I spent ten years in the orphanage, and only that day had I been brought home…

The moment Mom laid eyes on Stella, she immediately let go of my hand.

Every glance she cast was for Stella, carefully reading her mood, terrified her "precious daughter" might feel sad or upset.

"Eleanor, this is your twin sister. You two need to get along."

The words hit me like ice water—exactly the same as in my past life. In an instant, I froze from head to toe.

Mom and Dad had discovered the truth two months ago. They even did a paternity test.

Yet they'd hidden Stella's real identity from me, pretending she was my twin sister.

I was still using my old name, never officially acknowledged as part of the Parker family.

All because they were afraid of upsetting Stella—afraid her asthma might flare.

They thought I didn't know. But I knew everything.

In my past life, I'd exploded in a massive fight with my family, exposed Stella's identity, and tried to kick her out.

I even ran away to threaten them, but none of it earned me a shred of pity.

Instead, it only spoiled Stella further—the crying child who always got her way.

This time, I wouldn't expose their lies.

Speaking up would only make me look unreasonable, highlighting how "obedient" and "sensible" Stella was.

Mom didn't notice my dark mood. She leaned down and hugged Stella gently.

"Stella's health has always been fragile. You're the older sister, so you need to take care of her from now on."

Every word sank me deeper.

They'd promised to make it up to me. And this—me bending over backward—was their idea of compensation?

"Eleanor, I'm so happy you're home."

Stella smiled at me.

I lowered my head and didn't respond. Mom pinched my shoulder sharply.

"At least say hi when Stella greets you. Ignoring her is just rude."

The pain only strengthened my resolve to escape from them. I turned and walked away.

Dad's anger erupted. He threw the cup in his hand to the floor.

"Eleanor! What terrible habits you have! You should learn some manners from Stella. Children raised outside really lack upbringing!"

In my past life, Dad had always looked down on me for being "improperly raised."

Afraid I'd embarrass them, he canceled my welcome party after just a few words from Stella.

I took a deep breath, rushed upstairs, and shut the shouting from below behind my door.

In the days that followed, I stayed in my room studying, coming down only to eat.

Mom and Dad came to talk several times. Every word revolved around not bullying Stella.

In my past life, I wasted all my energy competing with her—only to fail the university entrance examination and achieve nothing.

This time, I was only ten—but my mind carried the memories of two lifetimes.

I wouldn't just aim for a good university this time. I would make money, using every bit of business knowledge I had amassed in my past life.

Family might abandon me—but money never would.

In my last life, they kicked me out of the Parker family. As the rightful daughter, I was left with nothing but a thousand dollars.

Stella secretly sabotaged me, leaving me unable to find a job.

I had no choice but to rent non-compliant housing, and when a sudden fire broke out there, I was burned alive.

"Eleanor… do you hate me?"

Stella's voice trembled outside my door, so pitiful it could make anyone's heart ache.

But I wasn't Mom. I wasn't Dad. I wasn't Derek. I didn't care.