The night before the engagement, my fiancé, Max Chase, sought to prove his devotion to Lilian Smith. He hired someone to kidnap me, whisking me away to the remote Chaosiford. My face was marred by scratches. My kidney was ripped from my body. My lifeless form was cast into a fetid pond. The news of my death was splashed across newspapers and swiftly carried back to Kinstoland. Upon hearing it, my mother, Lily William, was so gripped by despair that her hair turned as white as snow in one anguished night. Her heart finally succumbed to the overwhelming weight of her grief. Clutching her bouquet like a trophy, Lilian entwined her arm with my brother, Joey William. Together, they marched towards Max with the pomp and swagger of a victory procession. But then, my eyes fluttered open, and I found myself returning to the day I adopted Lilian. She stood at the door, timid, as she whispered my name, Natalie. Clad in an ill-fitting pink dress, she looked at me with awkwardness. Her petite face, no larger than a delicate palm, was etched with an intense yearning and a tender closeness. “Can I call you Natalie?” she asked. I would carry her voice with me until my dying day. It was this very voice that echoed through Chaosiford, calling out in the aftermath of the moment my face was marred by scratches. She proudly declared that Max and Joey had done it all for her. The physical agony from my past life was now left behind. But it was the phantom ache near my kidneys that tormented me most. My nails dug into my palms as I eyed the seemingly innocent girl before me. My voice was cold, “Whatever.” I harbored a kidney laced with toxins. A specialist once predicted that I would need a kidney transplant upon reaching adulthood, lest I not see past twenty. Among all potential donors, Lilian’s kidney matched mine with uncanny precision. The William family promised her a life of luxury if she agreed to the transplant, which she did. Her presence in the Moonlit Villa was a testament to this pact. Receiving my answer, Lilian stepped forward with joy, reaching out to grasp my wrist. Her voice was as sweet as honey when she said, “Natalie, don’t worry. As soon as I give you my kidney, you’ll be well again in no time.” Her joyous approach was a scene from my past life. A pang of guilt struck me for her because I knew that her kidney was destined for my salvation through transplantation. I granted her every wish. I resolved to also set aside a share of my belongings for her. With her sights set on attending a prestigious high school, Ksyford School, I urged my mother to arrange for her to transfer into my class. She confided in me about being an orphan with low self-esteem, so I made it known to all that she was my sister, elevating her status in the eyes of others. Even as she approached Max, my fiancé, at the birthday party, I cautioned Max to cherish her well with a playful yet earnest tone. Yet, all my efforts and sacrifices for her were met with nothing but her deep-seated resentment. In the moments before my death in that past life, she questioned why I had everything while she was abandoned at birth. Her jealousy drove her to take my fiancé and brother from me. I sneered. It took death for me to learn that the tale of the farmer and the snake was no mere fiction; some were undeserving of kindness. I brushed away Lilian’s hand. My eyelashes were lowered. “The William family will ensure your wealth, but you don’t seek my friendship. I have no need for it,” I said. Lilian halted in her tracks as an embarrassed flush crept over her features. Ignoring her, I ascended the stairs. My willingness held the power to transform her fate; it would decide if she could be the adopted daughter of the William family as my beloved little sister. Yet, should my heart withhold its blessing, she would stay forever in the margins as merely the orphan. Despite my rejection, Lilian’s enthusiasm remained unquenched. By dinnertime, she had donned the new clothes provided by my family. She eagerly learned about Joey and me from Rose Short, a nanny, and placed freshly squeezed juice before us with a flattering gesture. Joey scoffed. He left the orange juice untouched until the meal’s end. I caught the disappointment on Lilian’s face. Then, I pondered when Joey’s affection for Lilian began. He was so utterly captivated by Lilian that he was prepared to forge an alliance with Max, conspiring to exile me, his own sister, to the distant, untamed wilderness of Chaosiford. It was clear as day that Joey harbored a deep-seated loathing for Lilian when it all began. He even refused the juice she offered. At the very same moment as in our past life, Lilian appeared at my door, clad only in her pajamas. I stood at the threshold, gazing into her tear-filled eyes with an air of indifference. At this precise moment, Lily had just finalized the transfer arrangements for Lilian. Tomorrow, Lilian would walk through the gates of Ksyford School alongside Joey and me. I understood the worries that clouded her mind. Ksyford School was an institution masquerading as a key high school but more akin to an aristocratic college. Aside from a select few who were admitted for their exceptional academic prowess, the majority of the student body at Ksyford School was composed of those born into wealth or nobility. Lilian possessed neither the sterling academic record nor the distinguished lineage. Her presence there was akin to a rabbit venturing into a garden of tigers. She tentatively tugged at my sleeve. Her voice broke with emotion, “Natalie, I am an orphan, marked by inferiority from the very cradle.” I cast my gaze downward, focusing on the sleeve she clutched with desperate fingers. Her soft sobbing reached my ears. “I’m terrified that no one will like me.” After enduring her heart-wrenching sobs in our past life, I had promised her a family. I had assured her that she would have a share in all that I possessed. Consequently, the entire class was under the impression that Lilian was the youngest heiress of the William family. Yet, how did she choose to repay my generosity? She wept pitifully to my friends, claiming she was nothing more than a living donor for me. She alleged that I had coerced her into undergoing the transplant. A soft laugh escaped my lips as I gently reclaimed my sleeve from her grip. My gaze met the disappointment etched across her face. I said icily, “It’s unwise to make malicious assumptions based on events that have yet to unfold.” Her sobs ceased abruptly. She gaped at me. I furrowed my brows, gripping the door handle firmly. “I’m going to sleep,” I announced. She opened her mouth, perhaps to plead or to say something more. But I had lost all willingness to engage and closed the door softly but firmly. After a brief pause, there came a knocking on the door next to mine. Until Joey spat out the words “get out” with such venom, the incessant knocking on the door finally ceased. Joey had always possessed the soul of an introvert. He perpetually cloaked himself in silence and indifference. He had never been one to openly express his likes or dislikes. Most of the time, he favored the company of his own solitude. His apparent disdain for Lilian was a deviation from his usual demeanor.
As we prepared to leave for school, Lilian trailed behind me. Her curiosity was piqued as she peered through the car window. “Isn’t Joey joining us?” she asked. Once upon a time, before high school, Joey and I shared the same ride to school. Later, my old ailment seized me once again in the classroom. The driver waited for Joey, who was engrossed in a basketball game at the eastern campus. Lily rushed to my side at the hospital. After a public scolding of Joey, she flew overseas to handle a contract. From that day forward, Joey chose to ride his bicycle to school alone. His figure grew ever more distant. Lilian frowned as if she were piecing together a complex puzzle. Just as I had foreseen, when Lilian stepped forward and introduced herself, she was met not with the warmth of affection but with the cold sting of disdain. She possessed neither stellar grades to boast of. Nor did she come from a family of notable standing. Among the congregation of wealthy heirs, she stood out starkly. After Lilian finished her unremarkable self-introduction, Selena White, my friend, leaned in and whispered, “Who is she?” From my seat, I watched Lilian, whose discomfort was palpable on the podium, and I couldn’t help but let a sneer curl my lips. “She’s a poor soul, attempting to mingle with the wealthy,” I remarked. In a past life, under my protection, Lilian had seamlessly blended into my circle of friends. Thus, she was shielded from the sting of disdain. This time, I observed her floundering with a detached indifference. After school, Lilian was repeatedly detained by Mia Brown. The rationale behind this was to provide the freshmen with an update on their homework progression. Lilian reached out, clutching my sleeve. She gazed at me with eyes full of pleas. It was then that I noticed the bruises and scars marring her face. I arched an eyebrow and calmly asked, “What happened?” With an arm draped around Lilian’s shoulders, Mia chuckled. “Just a little extra tutoring for the new students.” Girls with dyed blonde hair prodded Lilian’s cheeks. They grinned and said with mockery, “It seems our new student isn’t too keen on integrating?” Lilian’s cheeks reddened under the sharp nails. Her sobs were choked back as she shook her head. It wasn’t until dinner that Lilian returned to the Moonlit Villa. She was exhausted. Passing the dining table, she asked why I hadn’t waited for her. Tears welled in her eyes. I did not miss the brief flare of resentment that sparked in her eyes. I tapped the tabletop and felt amused. I coldly retorted, “Do I have any obligation to wait for you?” As I turned away, Lilian called out, “Natalie William! “I’m willing to donate one of my kidneys to you. “Aren’t you even a little grateful?” Confusion furrowed my brow. I gestured towards her limited edition dress and custom-made leather shoes. I gazed at her calmly. “As part of our deal, my family has already provided you with a good life.” I enumerated the benefits Lilian had reaped. The William family had plucked Lilian from the orphanage, transplanting her into the grandeur of the Moonlit Villa. She had also earned her spot at Ksyford School, mingling daily with students whose names were synonymous with prestige. She got a share of my own possessions. Each piece of her clothing was a tangible emblem of the gifts we had bestowed upon her. Her cheeks flushed. Her voice melted into a gentle whisper. “I treat you as my sister, but you seem to despise me. Did I do something wrong?” I looked into her puzzled face. My voice was gentle. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” It was I who had erred, failing to see people for who they truly were. The cruel twist of fate that orchestrated my tragic end was so devastating that it turned my mother’s hair stark white in a single night, and her heart, unable to bear the sorrow, simply ceased to beat. If given the chance to relive it all, I would cast aside all those who had once forsaken me, ensuring they met the retribution they so rightly deserved. I would begin with Lilian. Since Lilian coveted my background and yearned to be part of the wealthy elite, I would shatter her hopes. I would ensure she was reduced to nothing more than a distant speck to gaze longingly at the stars. Lilian was once again detained by Mia under the guise of tutoring. The driver calmly nodded, preparing to leave the campus. Through the car window, I caught a glimpse of Lilian trailing behind Joey. Joey remained indifferent as ever. However, Lilian bit her lip and fixed her gaze on me through the half-raised glass. The next day, Lilian began her journey to school with Joey. She sat in the backseat. Her arms were carefully wrapped around Joey’s waist. They acted as inseparable as conjoined branches and sped away from me. During morning reading, Joey escorted Lilian to the classroom door. His expression remained blank. In full view of everyone, Lilian called out to him in a sweet voice, “Joey!” Joey turned his head. A smile graced her lips. “Remember to pick me up after school!” I clenched my hands, watching Joey nodding gently and agreeing to her request. Upon receiving his answer, Lilian smiled broadly. From halfway across the classroom, she cast a smile towards me. Her face shone with an unmistakable pride. I knew the source of her pride. She took pride in the peculiar reality that Joey maintained a distant connection with me while he was nonetheless willing to chauffeur her to and from school. Selena nudged my arm and voiced her confusion, “Why does she call Joey?” I released my tightly clasped hands and calmly replied, “I don’t know.” I didn’t understand why Lilian called Joey. I was utterly perplexed as to why Joey had suddenly responded to Lilian. Regardless of his reasons, since that morning, Lilian was never detained for tutoring again. Upon returning to the Moonlit Villa, Lilian approached me with a blue doll in her hands. She feigned curiosity. “Natalie, did you make this doll for Joey? It’s so exquisite. It must have taken a lot of time!” I gazed silently at the doll she held. The poignant memory took me back to when I was just twelve years old. Night after night, I forsook sleep, pouring my heart into crafting the doll for Joey’s birthday. When I excitedly presented it to him, he merely uttered a cold “thank you” before placing it on the windowsill. Since childhood, I had been frail. Lily wrapped me in a cocoon of stringent control. Joey was my sole playmate, yet he disliked playing with me. I called him sweetly, offering him candies. His eyes narrowed with an unmistakable loathing as he commanded coldly, “Go away.” I never understood why Joey disliked me, yet I yearned for his affection. Thus, I went to great lengths to please him. Staying up to make a doll was one of those foolish endeavors. Reflecting on the phone call before my death in my previous life, I found it all so absurd. I snatched the handmade doll Lilian was flaunting. My eyes locked on Joey behind her. With an impassive expression, I tossed the doll into the trash. “It’s dirty.” The sincerity I had poured into that gift was wasted. It didn’t matter. I could throw it away just as easily as I could discard Joey without a second thought. Joey frowned, remaining silent. Lilian stood before me, preparing to condemn me. “Don’t you think you’ve gone too far? You’re using your mother’s favoritism to bully your brother!” Hearing this, I sneered. I finally figured out why Joey had always hated me. He believed our mother favored me. I turned to face Lilian, whose indignation clouded her features. A realization of why Joey, with his usual indifference, would stand up for Lilian dawned on me. What a profound family bond they shared. I pushed aside Lilian, who was blocking my path. My face was devoid of emotion. I turned and ascended the stairs in silence. Outside the window, a drizzle began to fall. Raindrops tapped against the glass with a crisp sound. It should have been the perfect environment for sleep, yet slumber eluded me. The memories of trying to win Joey’s favor as a child flickered through my mind unbidden. He always told me coldly to go away. My neatly trimmed nails dug deep into my palm. “I don’t want you this time,” I murmured to the memory of the young Joey. My voice was choked. “What kind of brother are you?” I had tried so hard to be kind to him. Yet, he took in false accusations and conspired with Max to send me to Chaosiford for Lilian, an adopted daughter of our family. My face was scarred by a razor blade. My kidneys were removed, and I was thrown into a fetid pool. Meanwhile, he held Lilian’s hand, walking her towards Max. The pain of having a kidney removed in my previous life resurfaced suddenly. I curled up, holding my waist tightly. A string of tears dampened the pillow as an uncontrollable moan escaped my throat. Once again, I was engulfed in the despair of being butchered. I was unable to extricate myself. A warm hand touched my forehead. An anxious voice abruptly pulled me from my reverie, “Natalie.” I opened my heavy eyelids to find Lily sitting beside the bed. She gently wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes. Her gaze was filled with love. “Mom is here.” This was the first time I had seen my mother since my rebirth. My nose tingled, and I couldn’t help but throw myself into her arms. She softly caressed my cheek. With a sigh, she asked, “What’s wrong, Natalie? Have you been wronged?” I shook my head gently. It wasn’t worth sacrificing myself for Joey and Lilian. “Dr. Blake said you had a high fever due to emotional distress,” Lily said. She handed me pills with a fearful sigh. “If Rose hadn’t come up to call you for breakfast and found something amiss, you would be in the ICU by now.” After a knock on the door, Rose entered with milk, placing it on the small table. She gestured towards the door. “It’s raining outside, but Mr. Joey William is still kneeling.” Anger lingered in Lily’s voice. “Let him alone. He must accept the punishment for his wrongdoings.” Joey had been kneeling in the courtyard for a long time. I approached him, holding an umbrella. He didn’t even raise his head. His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Are you satisfied?” The umbrella handle dug into my hand. I lowered my eyelashes. “If Rose hadn’t discovered my high fever, I would be in the ICU now. “But you thought I was framing you, tricking Mom into coming home because of illness.” Joey suddenly lifted his head. Tears welled in his eyes. I half-squatted, examining him closely. I asked sincerely, “So, in your heart, even an adopted daughter brought into our family halfway through is more important than me, your biological sister? “You drive her to and from school, and you can even give her the birthday present I gave you.” Joey remained silent. I blinked, speaking to him softly, “Joey, you hate me, don’t you?” His eyelashes trembled slightly, but he never denied my words. So, it was true. Joey did hate me. I nodded, suppressing my tears. “That’s right! I don’t like you either. I won’t recognize you as my brother anymore!”
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