After my mom married into the Vance family, I fell in love with my stepbrother, Ethan Vance, at first sight. To marry him, I pestered him relentlessly, alienating everyone around me. Finally, I got my wish. But after the wedding, Ethan remained cold to me. Even in bed, it was just a passionless release. That night at the bar, I heard his friend ask him: "Why give up the heiress of the Fang family to marry Hazel, that willful and ignorant stepsister?" Ethan smiled helplessly, "Just responsibility. She can't live without me." It turned out he didn't love me. He was just paying for our one night of drunken mistake. I walked out of the bar in a daze and was hit by a speeding sports car, sending me back to when I was seventeen. Reliving my life, I tried my best to make up for the regrets of my past life, except for chasing Ethan Vance. But that night, Ethan pinned me against the door, his eyes red for the first time in two lifetimes. "Hazel, look at me. I love you too..." Chapter 1 When I realized I was reborn, I was standing by the dining table holding a steaming clay pot. "Hazel? Why are you zoning out? Put the pot down, it's hot." My mom's anxious voice brought me back to my senses. I quickly put down the clay pot, my fingers red from the heat. The three people at the table were looking at me. Mom, my stepfather, and Ethan Vance... This was the day I found out Ethan had stomach problems and insisted on cooking porridge for him personally. I almost blew up the kitchen, scaring the nanny, Mrs. Zhang, half to death. I subconsciously looked at Ethan. My brother in name. His sharp brows were slightly furrowed, thin lips pressed tight, staring at me with a hint of irritation. I smiled self-deprecatingly. No matter how I expressed my feelings, it was just wishful thinking. In my last life at this moment, I announced expectantly: "Ethan, I made this porridge especially for you. Taste it, if it's good, I'll make it for you every day!" A young girl's full love was boiled into those soft grains of rice. But Ethan just frowned and glanced at my hand. "The Vance family has a nanny. Don't do unnecessary things in the future." I was stunned on the spot. I cried all night after returning to my room. The next day, I wiped away my tears and continued to be Ethan's little shadow. Thinking of this, I served the first bowl of porridge to my stepfather sitting at the head of the table. I gave a naive smile. "Dad, Mom said you've been working hard recently, so I made porridge especially to nourish your body." Surprise flashed across Mr. Vance's face, followed by a hearty laugh. "Daughters really are thoughtful. Dad won't drink your porridge for free, your allowance next month goes up by ten thousand!" I thanked him in surprise, then served another bowl for Mom. I acted spoiled: "It's my first time cooking, Mom has to praise me." I placed the third bowl in front of myself, then sat down and started eating. The atmosphere was slightly awkward. Mrs. Zhang tried to smooth things over, moving to serve porridge for Ethan. I said indifferently: "Mrs. Zhang, Ethan doesn't like porridge, don't bother." Ethan's chopsticks paused. He didn't speak. Taking it as a default, Mrs. Zhang stopped. I slowly drank my porridge, swearing in my heart. Ethan Vance, in this life, I, Hazel Hayes, will never do anything for you again, nor will I shed a single tear for you. Chapter 2 Not long after returning to my room after dinner, someone knocked. It was my mom. She was wearing pearl-white silk pajamas, still beautiful without makeup. Far from the wrinkle-faced woman who worried about me in my last life. I couldn't help but throw myself into her arms. The person I felt most sorry for in my last life wasn't myself, but my mom. After divorcing my dad, she married Mr. Vance. I didn't understand her then, thinking she was vain and greedy, betraying my biological father. My mom tolerated my unreasonable behavior while struggling to keep her head down in the wealthy family. After I fell for Ethan and even our drunken night was exposed... The Vance family was furious, used family discipline on Ethan, and kicked me out. My mom asked me to go back and admit my mistake, but I screamed at her: "I'm not wrong, I'm pursuing true love! Unlike you, vain! Fickle!" I held my head high, but my mom's slap never landed. She left in tears but transferred thousands of dollars to me every month for living expenses, afraid I would suffer. Later, I got my wish and married Ethan, but my mom had an even harder time in the Vance family, depressed and unhappy. Only then did I know that my biological father owed a lot of money. My mom was afraid the creditors would hurt me, so she hurriedly took me to marry Mr. Vance, seeking protection. Yet I hurt her heart deeply. At this moment, smelling the familiar scent on my mom, tears welled up uncontrollably. Mom patted my back gently, coaxing: "What's wrong, my little princess? Does your finger hurt? Mom will apply medicine for you." She took out burn ointment and applied it gently. "My good daughter has grown up. Thank you for being willing to call him Dad today. Mom promises, I will never let you be wronged in the future." With tears in the corners of my eyes, I grinned and said: "As long as Mom is happy, I'll call him Grandpa!" "What nonsense are you talking about, silly child. Look at your hand, don't go into the kitchen again." Her movements became gentler. "But your brother said this ointment is the most effective. It definitely won't hurt tomorrow morning." I froze. "You said Ethan?" "Yes, we ran out of ointment at home. Just as I was going to buy it, Ethan came back from outside and handed me a tube." "He even said he bought the wrong one by accident. That child is just awkward, actually a good brother, cold face but warm heart..." The ointment in front of me was the same brand my mom gave me in my last life. Could it be that the ointment in my past life was also bought by Ethan? I curled my lip. Acting like a good person, disgusting! Chapter 3 Early the next morning, when I went downstairs for breakfast. Ethan had already finished eating, the empty bowl still on the table. There was a smell of rice in the air. "Mrs. Zhang, did you make porridge?" Mrs. Zhang glanced at Ethan, stammering a bit. "Miss, I didn't make porridge. I made some wontons, how many do you want?" Strange. Too lazy to think about it, I replied: "I'll have eight, add more sesame oil, thanks Mrs. Zhang." The wontons weren't ready yet when Mr. Vance and my mom came down. The atmosphere between the two was good. I was genuinely happy. If their relationship was good, my mom had someone to back her up in the Vance family. After eating the wontons and the daily boiled egg, I stood up to go to school. "Mom, Dad, have the driver drop me off at school from now on." Ethan's hand, which was reaching out, stopped awkwardly above my schoolbag, then slowly lowered. Mr. Vance and my mom looked at each other. "Hazel, you've been acting weird since yesterday. Didn't you use to beg Ethan to drive you to school?" I lowered my eyes. "I was immature before. Brother just took over the company, work is so busy, better not let him drive me." Mr. Vance nodded in relief. "Hazel has matured. Then let Old Zhao drive you to school from now on." Hearing the word "Brother," Ethan's body trembled. In my past life, I refused to be real siblings with Ethan, stubbornly only calling him Ethan. After we got married, in moments of passion at night, I couldn't help calling him "Brother." Ethan would always tremble and fiercely tell me to shut up. Insomnia last night, I figured something out. Actually, I didn't hate Ethan that much. Although he didn't love me, he never mistreated me. What I hated was more the self who flew into the flame like a moth... Ethan's deep voice interrupted my thoughts. "Dad, Aunt Song, since Hazel doesn't need a ride, I'll go to the company first." His expression was as usual, turning and leaving on his long legs. I breathed a sigh of relief. In this life, let's just be siblings properly. Chapter 4 Standing at the classroom door, I was a bit lost. It's been years since graduation, who remembers where their seat was in senior year... Luckily I still had my deskmate. Round face, bun hair, wearing black-rimmed glasses, Lucy rushed up and hugged me from behind. "Wifey! You're waiting for me!" I turned and pinched her cheek. "Of course." I followed Lucy to my seat. Looking at the schedule on the blackboard, I found my math book. Pretending not to care, I asked: "Where did we leave off in math yesterday?" Unexpectedly, Lucy looked at me with horror. "Whoever you are, get out of my wifey's body!" "Hazel Hayes would never say the word 'math' during morning study hall when we should be gossiping!" I rolled my eyes, wanting to tease her. "To tell you the truth, I'm reborn. In my last life, I missed out on Harvard. Reborn, I swear to study hard and reclaim everything that belongs to me..." Lucy's eyes widened. "Really? Then can you tell me the winning lottery numbers for the next draw?" I spread my hands. "Unfortunately no, but I can tell you the essay topic for this college entrance exam." I wrote a line on the paper: [One flower blooming alone is not spring]. Lucy giggled and clipped the paper into her Chinese notes. "What my wifey says must be true. I'll go back and memorize example essays tonight." I looked at the brightly smiling Lucy, my nose tingling. In my past life, she worked hard enough but missed her dream university by one point. Under too much pressure during her gap year, her personality changed drastically, and she gradually lost contact with me. And I, with a brain full of romance, didn't even touch the line for a decent college. After becoming Mrs. Vance, I once heard someone evaluate me. Pretty is pretty, but willful and ignorant, just a vase. Reliving a life, I want to make up for these regrets. I held Lucy's hand. "Let's work hard together and get into a good university!"
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "389465", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel