Chapter 2

2.

When we got home, my parents told me to show Lila around. They decided she would share my room. My custom-made princess bed was split in half, just like their affection.

I started planning my escape. I knew this house was about to become Lila's stage.

In my first life, everyone I loved―my parents, my best friend―was brainwashed by her. I was always the villain in her story.

As I was lost in thought, a sharp scream echoed through the hallway. Lila had fallen down just one step from the floor.

She clutched her chest, her face contorted in agony. "Mom! Dad! My heart... it hurts!"

My parents came running, their faces pale with terror. "Lila! Stay with us! We're taking you to the hospital right now!"

Lila clung to my mother's shirt, trembling. "Maybe... maybe I should leave. Avery... she looks so angry..."

My heart skipped a beat. My dad's face turned thunderous as he turned to me. He pointed a finger right in my face.

"What did you do? How can you be so cruel? Lila is sick and she just lost her parents! How could you push her?"

"Forget it," my mom snapped, not even looking at me. "Lila's life is more important. Let's go!"

I watched them leave with a sigh. My parents were so blinded by their savior complex that they didn't even use logic.

I was standing too far away to have pushed her. And if she was having a heart attack, how was her acting so perfectly timed?

They didn't give me a chance to explain. They just branded me as the jealous sister and left me in an empty house, hungry and alone.

Before Lila came, my mom used to tuck me in every night. Now, they didn't even remember I needed to eat.

In my last life, I fought back. I tried to be the perfect daughter, but it only made me look worse. Lila's trick was simple: play the victim.

The more they pitied her, the more they resented me. I became the mediocre, bitter girl while she was the tragic, talented genius.

I died in a cold hospital room while she took everything. She even took Caleb, the boy who used to follow me everywhere.

This time, I'm not playing. I'm living for myself.