Chapter 2

2

He just stood there, watching me gasp for air.

"You're the one who stole Xenia's life," he had said back then. "You deserve to die."

In this life, I didn't give a damn about their "love." I just wanted to survive and take what was mine.

I smirked at them. These idiots were still being played like fiddles by Xenia.

People lie, but "inner voices" are supposed to be the truth, right?

Xenia's voice echoed again.

"I thought Landon wouldn't love me anymore once she came back. I'm so happy he's on my side. But she didn't mean it, right? She just hates me."

Then, she looked at Landon with a trembling lip.

"If Willa thinks I'm in the way, I should go. Please don't fight because of me."

Landon grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"You're not going anywhere. The only person who doesn't belong here is this ungrateful brat. As long as I'm here, nobody kicks you out."

What a touching display of sibling bond.

Xenia gripped his hand, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Landon, I'll give her my room. Everything I have belongs to her anyway."

But her mind was screaming something else.

"I need my sunroom for my health, but if she wants it, I'll give it up. I'll probably just get sick and die. At least then the house will be peaceful."

Landon and my mother looked at her with such heartbreak.

I tilted my head and smiled. "Since you're being so generous, Xenia, I'd hate to say no. Do you need help packing your things?"

Xenia froze. She clearly didn't expect me to actually take the offer.

Her room was the largest in the mansion, flooded with sunlight.

In my last life, I was too shy to ask for anything and ended up living in the servant's quarters on the first floor for five years.

Not this time. I needed the St. Claire resources and money to finish my education.

I needed to build my own future so I could leave them all behind.

"You have no manners!" Landon yelled, stepping toward me. "You were raised like an animal! You belong in the basement with the help!"

I looked past him and stared directly at my mother.

"Mom, is that what you think? Does your biological daughter belong with the servants? If so, why even bring me back?"

If they wanted to use guilt, I could play that game too.

In this house, the one who cared the least won.

My mother looked torn, shifting her weight from side to side.

"Willa, honey, Xenia is fragile. Don't take her room. You can stay in the guest suite next to us. It's huge."

I looked her in the eye and said one word. "No."

The disappointment on her face was obvious, but she couldn't argue.

She sighed and gestured for the maids to start moving Xenia's things to the room next door.

I laughed internally. In my last life, I wasn't even allowed on this floor.

Back then, I was too sensitive to speak up. I just took whatever crumbs they threw at me.

"So, you could have prepared a room this whole time," I remarked as the maids hurried past.

"I guess a biological daughter really doesn't stand a chance against a foster one."

The room went silent. They couldn't deny the truth.

Xenia started sobbing again, her eyes red.

"Willa, please don't say that. We want you here. You're breaking Mom's heart."

Landon was practically vibrating with rage. "She gave you the room! What more do you want?"