Chapter 3

In my last life, Ethan was always stern with me. One misstep, and he made me kneel as punishment.

I always thought that was just his nature.

If I watched my words and actions, becoming the perfect Marsh family heiress, he would be pleased with me.

It was not until Thalia appeared that I saw the truth.

Ethan could be gentle. That gentleness just never belonged to me.

As Ethan and I locked eyes in a cold standoff, my father pushed the door open and returned.

Thalia immediately rushed forward with teary eyes. Her voice choked. "Mr. Marsh..."

But my father gave a distant smile and gently cut off her words. "I will handle Marsh family matters. Please leave."

When only Ethan and I remained, my father's face darkened. He spoke sternly. "Tell me what happened."

Father always cared about appearances. It was the same in my last life.

Even if he burned with anger, he would never punish me publicly.

He would only give a few mild warnings, just as he did with Ethan in my last life.

But in this life, I no longer cared about anything!

I began to take revenge on Thalia without restraint.

I splashed coffee on her face.

I made her tend to every lawn in the estate under the scorching sun.

At a banquet, I tore her dress in front of the male guests and sneered mockingly. "Don't you love to tattle? Go on, do it."

Thalia's eyes flashed with barely concealed hatred for a moment.

But the next second, she reverted to a timid, trembling act and cried as she bowed to me. "Miss Marsh, what did I do to upset you? I'll change right now."

I picked up a glass of red wine and splashed it on her face. "Change? If I told you to die, would you?"

I expected Thalia to run crying to Ethan and Matthew right away.

But strangely, half a month passed without a peep.

Until today, as I applied a face mask, Ethan suddenly pushed the door open. His tone betrayed no emotion. "It's Mom's birthday banquet. What gift did you get her?"

In my last life, Thalia, with Ethan and Matthew's help, performed an elegant ballet at my mom's birthday banquet.

My mom watched with a smile in her eyes and gave her the position of lead dancer in the top troupe.

Meanwhile, I was locked in a cold, damp basement. My nails broke from clawing, and my throat went hoarse from screaming.

Because I missed the banquet and the lead dancer position, my mom scolded me harshly.

In my last life, I was far too naive.

I glanced at him. "A gift? No need. Mom would rather see me than any gift."

Ethan's face darkened. He stepped in front of me. "I've been exhausted lately. Prepare the gift for me."

I scoffed. "In your dreams."

Ethan's eyes flashed with malice. "Melany, apologize to Thalia now while you still can. When the day comes... you'll regret it."

On the day of the banquet, as night fell, I saw Matthew approaching with a menacing air.

I suddenly understood what Ethan's warning meant.

Just as I was about to leave for the banquet, Matthew cornered me in the living room. It was just the two of us, and I felt uneasy. "Melany, don't blame me for being ruthless. You're the Marsh family heiress. Even if you were crippled, you'd live comfortably. But Thalia has nothing. Just let her have this!"

Matthew pulled a gun from his pocket and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet hit me. My bones cracked with a shattering sound!

The searing pain made my heart skip a beat. Unbridled anger burned in my eyes.

Thalia pushed the door open. Her face twisted with arrogance as she leaned close to my ear and whispered. "So what if you're the Marsh heiress? Your boyfriend shot you for me. Your brother schemed against you for me. Once Ethan holds all the power, how long do you think a cripple like you will last? I'm the true lady of the Marsh family. You're destined to be tormented by me until you wish you were dead!"