I knelt, smoothing his furrowed brow. “Yes.
But my feelings are real. Brother, will you
listen?”
<
He nodded slowly.
I sat beside him, recounting my past life.
Chase fell asleep on my shoulder. I sighed,
carrying him to the guest room, covering him
with a blanket. I studied his face.
“Ashley said I used my looks to win you over,
but you’re far more handsome…”
His eyelashes fluttered. His eyes snapped
open. He grabbed my hand, pinning me to the
bed.
“Were you pretending to be asleep?”
I panicked, but he tied my hands to the
headboard with his shirt. “How else would I
hear your confession?”
He smiled, my heart skipping a beat. He
removed his shirt, leaving…nothing.
His face flushed, but then he seemed to
remember something. “Do you like it?” he
asked, mischievously.
Tears welled in my eyes, I turned my head.
“It’s…beautiful.”
“Do you like your brother?”
“Yes…”
He kissed my ear. I trembled. He was my
cousin! I’m such an idiot!
He stopped teasing me, turning my face.
Under the dim light, our eyes met.
“Sister, do you know why Grandpa wasn’t
angry at the airport?” he asked.
“Because…I’m not Mom’s biological child…I
was adopted.”
My heart skipped a beat. That explained
Grandpa’s leniency.
I was happy but worried. We were family, and
he would marry someone else eventually. He
deserved better.
Seeing my sadness, he smiled gently.
“Samantha, you need to grow stronger. That’s
how I’ll feel at ease.”
I nodded. I wouldn’t let him down. I would help
Г
Grandpa peace of mind.
He lay beside me, his hand on my stomach. I
felt only warmth, not desire. I vowed to
protect this happiness.
Over the next four years, Chase visited less
often. He was busy, and so was I. After
graduating, I returned home, ready to work. Grandpa’s first assignment was to send me to
a new media company for an internship. My
first day, I encountered Ashley.
She was an artist under that company! Her
shocked expression showed she didn’t expect
me there. She looked even thinner. I
remembered the terrible things I ate in my
last life.
“Samantha, you’re still a loser after all that
time abroad!” Ashley sneered. “That’s why Grandpa sent you here! Chase will be his
heir!” “Once Grandpa dies, Chase will kick
you out! Don’t come crying to me for help!”
L
She hugged me, her words venomous. Fans
screamed, “Is that Ashley’s friend? She’s
pretty! Why isn’t she a streamer?” They didn’t
know we were sisters. The manager
introduced me, saying I’d manage her
department. Ashley was clearly displeased.
But she shook my hand, whispering,
“Samantha, I’m about to become a city
outstanding young person and enter the entertainment industry.” “You’ll be stuck in
this dump, while I soar!”
I smirked. Not if I had anything to say about
- it. Ashley had suffered, which explained her desperation. But I wouldn’t let her and Mom
make the same mistakes again. True
excellence wasn’t about seeking fame or
pleasing the powerful.
I began reforming the company. Mom was
furious. Other streamers ate reasonably; only
Ashley’s content was extreme. I’d curbed her
sensationalism.
“You did this on purpose!” she screamed.
“Jealous of your sister’s success! I should
have killed you at birth!”
“Mom, keep your voice down,” I said.
“Grandpa will find out.”
She stormed out speechless. Ashley’s content became lighter. No more extreme food
challenges. She looked at me with gratitude. The day of the awards ceremony arrived. As department head, I had to attend with Ashley. Her gratitude was fake. She planned to drag
me down with her.
The awards ceremony was extravagant. Mom basked in the praise, while I sat bored. I tried
to call Chase but had no signal. He must be
on his way back.
Ashley was dragged to a private room, visibly
resisting. “You owe them this. You haven’t
been cooperating lately,” Mom hissed.
Г
I saw Ashley’s plea for help. Sighing, I
stopped Mom. “Ashley earned this. Don’t force her. I’ll call the police otherwise.” Mom backed off, muttering curses. Ashley breathed a sigh of relief, pouring me a drink. “Sis…thank you.” Her eyes were red. She’d called me “Sis” willingly for the first time in
years.
I patted her shoulder and drank the wine. “You’re my sister. I can’t watch you suffer.”
“You could have escaped Mom and lived your
own life…”
My head began to swim. Ashley’s gratitude
was a facade. “Sis, it’s too late,” she said.
“You knew what would happen and only
pretended to help at the end.” “You ruined
me! You’re the most deceitful and despicable
person!” “I’ll make you suffer like me!”
Panic surged as my eyelids grew heavy. She
led me to a private room. I saw her let several
men in. Familiar faces sent shivers down my spine. They were the men who’d tortured me
in my past life!
I struggled, but the drugs were too strong. “Oh, dear, so clumsy,” Ashley said, helping me up. “Sis, you wanted to save me? Now’s your chance. Serve these men well!” “They’ll keep paying for my fame, all thanks to you.” I tried to scream but my throat felt tight. Everything was hazy. Ashley put me on the bed, fawning over the men. “My sister is
untouched. You’ll enjoy this…”
They laughed, praising Ashley. She tried to escape, but someone grabbed her. “We’ve
never had sisters before! This is rare!”
Ashley’s face paled. She pleaded, but was
kicked down. “You ungrateful bitch!”
Just as they were about to attack her, the
door burst open. It was Mom, thrown into the
room. She hit a table and fainted.
<
Then, Chase appeared, eyes blazing. He
scooped me up, ordering, “Call the police! No
one gets away with this!”
He touched my forehead. It felt so cool… I
was parched and clung to him, my burning cheek against his cool one. “You were drugged?” Chase growled, pushing me back onto the bed. “Who did this? Give me the
antidote, or I’ll kill you!”
The men trembled, terrified by his rage. “It wasn’t us! It was her!” they cried. Ashley, in tears, handed Chase the antidote.
Chase gently forced me to drink it. The heat subsided, but I still clung to his fingers,
finding comfort in their coolness. His ears
reddened. He pulled his hand away, ordering
the men out.
I woke up the next afternoon. Chase told me
the men were arrested. Ashley was detained
for assault and drugging. Her title was
Г
revoked, and she was banned from the internet. He showed me a video. Ashley revealed Mom’s crimes. Mom shrieked, but Ashley bit her face. Mom was taken to the hospital, her nose broken. She was distraught and committed suicide. Ashley, before going to jail, was diagnosed with late–stage
stomach cancer. It had been the same for me
last time.
My new life had just begun. My first day back at Chen Corp, Grandpa greeted me, putting my hand in Chase’s. “My dear children, when I’m gone, you must support each other.” Four years earlier, Chase had asked Grandpa
to reveal his true identity, making me the heir,
and himself, my lifelong partner.
I was moved. “Brother, do you mean it?
Forever?”
Chase smiled. “Yes, forever.”
(The End)
