In my past life, I fought stray dogs for food and was kicked to death for stealing a bite to eat. When I opened my eyes again, I had become the long-lost daughter of a wealthy family. The "fake heiress" who took my place sneered viciously at me: "You're just an unwanted stray. Don't even think about stealing Mom and Dad's love." No one had ever spoken to me from so close before. I smiled happily and genuinely complimented her: "Your voice sounds so nice." When I was framed and about to be slapped by my biological mother, I looked up with adoration: "Mom's hand smells so good. even the wind from the slap smells nice." My brother forced me to drink the milk he hated. I was overwhelmed with gratitude: "So this is what it feels like to be cared for by a big brother." Later, when they saw me being bullied, kneeling on the ground and trembling, the whole family went crazy. 1 My brain felt like it was being pierced by needles. The restaurant owner's kick had landed squarely on my head, and the pain had knocked me out almost instantly. It was a pity. I still hadn't managed to get a bite of that warm food. I shouldn't have stolen. Rubbing my head, I opened my eyes in confusion. I was in a car. A fancy one. Seeing me wake up, the driver scoffed. I heard him mutter, "Hillbilly. All she knows is how to sleep." Startled, I curled into a ball, shrinking into the corner of the seat. "W-where are you taking me?" I was shaking with fear. There had been so many bad men trying to catch me before. I had been beaten badly and barely escaped with my life. Seeing me speak, the driver suddenly changed his attitude, putting on a bright smile. "Miss, don't be afraid. I'm your family's driver. As soon as the Madam heard you were found, the whole family has been waiting for you to come home." I didn't understand, but a rush of memories that didn't belong to me flooded my brain. I was the real daughter of a wealthy family, switched at birth due to malice. The girl currently living my life was the daughter of the couple who raised me. She had enjoyed over a decade of privilege. She had a beautiful name, Stella. She had loving parents and a doting brother. She lived the life of a princess. Unlike the original owner of this body, whose name was casually given as "Joy," meaning "a source of amusement." For the past decade, the original owner hadn't spent a single day in school. Since she could remember, she never had a full meal. She had to cut pigweed on the mountain, wash clothes for the whole family, and do endless farm work in her spare time. She was tanned dark by the sun, thin and small, insecure and silent. When she found out she was the long-lost daughter of a rich family, she got so excited in the car that she had a heart attack and never opened her eyes again. Realizing all this, tears of guilt streamed down my face. I'm sorry. I don't know how I ended up here. The original owner was so close to having the best life. I shrank humbly into the corner, covering my mouth as I cried. I was just a useless little beggar who got kicked to death trying to find food. I didn't know how to leave, but if the original owner ever woke up again, could I... could I just eat a few full meals before I go? 2 The car stopped, and I stumbled out in a daze. In front of me was an overly exquisite mansion. Three people stood at the door. A beautiful girl stood in the middle, her eyes red, tears still clinging to the corners. I walked over cautiously and heard the boy next to her say loudly, "Stella, don't be afraid. No one in this house can touch you." That's nice. He looked like a very good brother. The brother, Julian, turned his gaze to me and frowned deeply. "That can't be my sister. Is she a beggar from somewhere?" My heart trembled, and I instinctively hid behind the woman. I didn't know why, but she felt kind. She must be the original owner's mother. I pouted, apologizing to the original owner in my heart again. Please let me call her Mom, just once. "Mom..." But Mrs. Sterling stepped aside slightly, as if embarrassed. Still, she forced a smile and nodded at me. "You must be Joy. Good child, you're home." Hearing this, I couldn't help but nod, moved to tears. This is wonderful. I have a home. Stella walked over too. Her soft hand took mine, and she smiled brightly. "I should call you sister. Sister, welcome home." I gave her a small smile, thinking she was a good person too. As we walked into the house, Stella suddenly turned back. Her round almond eyes glared at me, and she whispered, "I advise you not to be ungrateful. You can't compete with me." I looked at her beautiful face and lowered my head in shame. "You're so pretty. Your voice sounds nice too." Stella froze, then let out a sarcastic laugh. "Psycho." Inside the house, I was so nervous I didn't know where to stand. It was too exquisite. The cleanliness of the floor hurt my eyes, making me even more at a loss. "Sister, you came back so suddenly, the room prepared for you isn't ready yet." Stella rubbed her eyes, sounding guilty. "It's my fault. Don't blame Mom. If it really doesn't work, you can sleep in my room, and I'll sleep in the utility room." Julian's face darkened, and he scoffed. "Stella, you've been delicate since childhood. How can you stay in a place like that?" He turned his disgusted gaze to me. "You smell terrible. Just make do in the utility room for a few nights." I nodded quickly, not daring to hesitate. Mrs. Sterling wanted to explain, but seeing I had no objections, she stayed silent. They led me to a small room on the first floor. Inside was a clean bed and a small lamp. The room was dark and had a bit of a smell. But it was the best place I had ever slept in since I was born. I turned around and bowed deeply to them. "Thank you. Thank you so much." 3 They looked at each other in confusion. Seeing them stunned, I wondered if I hadn't thanked them enough. My family gave me such good living conditions; I should kneel to thank them. Thinking this, I immediately dropped to my knees, forehead touching the ground, thanking them sincerely again. This time, my cold-tongued big brother jumped. He pulled me up almost instinctively. His brow furrowed so tight it could crush a fly. "What are you doing? No one asked you to kneel." I rubbed my eyes, secretly storing their kindness in my heart. In the evening, the family prepared to eat. I was rubbing my stomach from hunger. Before Mrs. Sterling could speak, I had already picked up the bowl and was stuffing rice into my mouth with my hands. Julian was displeased again. He slammed the table and scolded, "Have you no manners? Don't you know how to use chopsticks?" I had to pick up the chopsticks and continue shoveling rice. I had never used chopsticks before and knew I looked ugly doing it. After a few shovels, I reluctantly put the bowl down. "I'm sorry." I apologized instinctively. "Please don't kick me out." Mrs. Sterling's disgusted look softened again. She sighed heavily and personally put some meat in my bowl. "Don't just eat rice. Take whatever you want. Marie, get a spoon for Joy." Stella volunteered, trotting off to get a spoon. But as she walked back, she "accidentally" tripped. The spoon flew into my face, smashing my rice bowl. "I'm sorry, sister! I was in a rush. Are you okay?" Stella looked at me, eyes shining, as if expecting something. But I didn't care about the pain in my face. I knelt on the floor distressed, picking up the grains of white rice and stuffing them into my mouth. Anxious tears fell. "It's edible, it's edible. I can eat all of this." Even on the ground, it was clean. For years, the cleanest food I had eaten was leftovers the restaurant owner threw away. Most of the time, I scavenged through trash. Sometimes I got lucky and found a bun with just one bite taken out. When I was really starving, I would shameless fight stray cats for food. Kind people often left cat food and water for strays. I had tasted a few pieces. Crunchy, salty, and fishy. My reaction must have scared Stella. Her prepared tears froze in her eyes. She was rarely at a loss. Finally, Mrs. Sterling couldn't watch anymore. She picked me up and realized with a shock how light I was. I was the same age as Stella, but she was a head taller than me. I looked like a malnourished dwarf, clearly having suffered unspeakable hardships. A flash of sadness crossed Mrs. Sterling's eyes, but she suppressed it. She wiped my hands clean, her voice gentle. "Don't eat things off the floor anymore. It's not clean, you'll get a stomachache. Rest at home for a few days, then go to school with your brother and sister." I was staring at Mrs. Sterling's face, but hearing the word "school," I instantly became happy. I could go to school too! 4 A few days later, I finally adapted somewhat to their life. That morning, Julian looked at the milk in his hand, his face sour again. "Drinking milk every day, I'm going to puke." Saying that, he made a gagging motion. I happened to walk by slowly. Julian glanced at me and suddenly said, "Joy, want some milk?" He smiled. "You can have mine." I paused, asking in disbelief, "Really? Thank you, big brother!" I smiled happily. "You're so nice." Julian froze, then scoffed. "Don't know if you're truly obedient or just sick in the head." I gave him a small smile and picked at my fingers nervously. Then, the glass of milk was pushed in front of me. I swallowed a huge gulp of saliva, picked up the glass, and chugged it. Sweet, with the scent of milk candy. So this is what non-expired milk tastes like. I thumped my chest, feeling a burp coming. Stella walked by and bumped into me, helping me let out a satisfying burp. I looked at Stella with gratitude. Big brother is good. Little sister is good too. Julian was in ninth grade. Stella and I were in seventh, but not in the same class. The teacher made me stand on the podium and introduce myself. I didn't expect this and nervously gulped. The teacher tapped the desk, urging, "Hurry up, don't waste everyone's study time." I shook with fear, unable to speak. The students below started jeering: "Say something! Shaking like that, did she pee herself?" "Is that a girl? Lol, she looks so dried up." "Dirt poor and can't even talk." Listening to the insults, I bit my lower lip hard. A few comfortable days at the Sterling house almost made me forget this was the life I was supposed to have. "Sor..." Before I could finish apologizing, the teacher waved impatiently, shooing me off. "Don't waste time. There are two empty seats in the back. One next to the class monitor, Lucas. The other next to the little delinquent with the yellow hair. Just sit somewhere and don't interrupt my class." I was relieved to get off the stage. The class monitor must be a good person too.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "388122", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel