CHAPTER 5

October 19th, 2016

Waking up, I couldn't summon the energy to face another day of what had become routine—reliving the perpetual chaos of "I hate my family." Don't get me wrong; it was true. But for just a moment, I wanted to forget that I was stuck with them. Even so, hunger forced me out of bed. Despite wishing at times that they'd simply vanish, I realized letting them slip away painlessly wouldn't satisfy me. No, after everything they put me through, they didn't deserve an easy escape. They would pay, and I would make sure of it—no matter the cost or who had to be sacrificed in the process.

Lost in thought, I barely registered the knock on my door. Dragging myself up, I opened it lazily.

"What is it?" I muttered, uninterested in whoever was on the other side.

Brian stood there, fuming. "Do you know what time it is?" he snapped.

"Don't know. Don't care. Why?"

"It's nine in the morning! Because you refused to leave your godforsaken room, we, the people with actual responsibilities, had to wait for a wretched soul like you!"

Typical Brian. Always the charmer in public, but a manipulative bully in private. Unlike Liam, who would blatantly torment me, Brian's subtle, calculated venom was more insidious. With his soft voice and practiced smiles, he always managed to come out smelling like roses while dragging me through the mud.

I stared at him briefly, then slammed the door in his face. I wasn't in the mood for his nonsense. After taking a long bath, I dressed and made my way downstairs to the dining room.

They'd all eaten already. Of course, there was no plate set aside for me.

"I thought you said you were all waiting for this wretched soul to come down before eating?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my words as I glanced at Brian.

"Laiza, watch your tongue! Stop saying such things about yourself," Mum scolded, feigning offense.

"Why not? I'm only repeating your golden son's words. Or are we pretending he didn't say it?" I shot back, my irritation simmering.

"Your brother would never say such a thing. He loves and cares about you. Stop making baseless accusations!" Mum argued, her voice tight with controlled anger.

"Oh? If you were truly waiting for me, then where's my plate? It's strange, isn't it? You supposedly waited for me, yet my plate isn't here. If you cared, it would still be on the table. But since it's not, let's not pretend you ever planned for me to eat at all." My gaze flicked to the floor, where a dog bowl with my name scrawled on a card sat mockingly.

That was my "loving" family. Even if it was just a prank, the fact that Mum allowed it spoke volumes.

"Laiza, don't blame Mum. She thought you were reflecting on your behavior from yesterday. She told the maids to clean up, thinking it'd give you time to apologize," Stella said, grabbing my arm. Her syrupy tone grated on my nerves, implying that I was the one in the wrong.

Yanking my arm free, I grabbed a plate and helped myself to three slices of French toast, eggs, and sausages. Pouring a cup of coffee, I ignored Stella's angry stare and ate in silence.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Liam shouted, storming into the room. "Who said you could eat? And how dare you not apologize to Stella for yesterday?"

I didn't bother to look at him. "We were taught not to argue with madmen. A response would only lower me to your level."

"How dare you call me mad!" Liam's face flushed crimson with rage.

"I didn't. But if that's what you believe, who am I to argue?" I replied with a mocking shrug.

"Why you little—"

"Enough!" Dad's sharp voice cut through the tension, silencing everyone.

"It's her fault!" Liam exploded. "She hurt Stella and refuses to apologize!"

"Oh, so Mum had an affair, and I'm the illegitimate child? Is that what you're implying?" I smirked, knowing exactly how to strike a nerve. Mum's face darkened, her fury barely contained.

"Shut up, you ungrateful brat!" she screamed, hurling a gold-encrusted porcelain jug at me. It hit me squarely, pain radiating from my head as darkness claimed me.

I woke in the guest room to the sound of Mum crying in Dad's arms. Brian and Liam lounged nearby, indifferent as always. Stella stood off to the side, expression blank.

Mum rushed to my side. "Are you alright? Does it hurt?" she asked, voice trembling with false concern.

"Don't touch me," I hissed, glaring. She recoiled, looking wounded, but I didn't care.

The family doctor, Anderson, stepped forward, his warm demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the room. "It's just a minor injury. Painkillers and ointment twice a day should suffice," he explained.

"Thank you, Doctor," Mum said, visibly relieved.

"No problem, but perhaps she could avoid causing so much trouble next time," he added with a sheepish smile.

"And you could learn to mind your business, you opportunistic prick," I shot back.

"Excuse me?" His feigned shock amused me.

"You heard me. The family doctor is Anderson, yet you keep showing up. Why?" I challenged. My past life memories reminded me of his schemes: intercepting calls meant for Anderson, seducing Mum, and siphoning money from the family.

"Ridiculous!" he sputtered, though his nervous glance at Mum gave him away.

"Then you won't mind if we confirm with Anderson, will you?" I said, turning to Dad.

Dad nodded, and Uncle Tim called Anderson. Thirty minutes later, the real doctor arrived, fuming.

"What's the meaning of this?" Anderson demanded, glaring at Franklin.

After a heated exchange, Anderson fired Franklin on the spot, barring him from ever stepping foot on Denford property again. As Franklin left humiliated, Anderson cleaned and redressed my wound, his kind smile reassuring.

"You're a sharp one, aren't you? Tim said it was you who questioned Franklin's presence," he said, patting my shoulder.

Back in my room, I reflected on the upcoming entrance exams. In my past life, I'd aced Valore Ridge's exams, earning a scholarship. I wanted to share the free slot with Aiden, Uncle Tim's hardworking nephew, but the family forced me to give it to Stella after she failed her exams. They stole my efforts and crushed my spirit, sending me to Valore Ridge without honor.

This time would be different. I applied to both Valore Ridge and Crestwood Academy, a school for heirs and royalty. If Stella dared take my spot again, I would be ready—with a plan that would ensure no one could steal from me again.