I transmigrated into this book just as the story was reaching its grand finale. I was standing at the altar with the male lead, Harrison Sterling, surrounded by the cheers and blessings of the elite. But after taking a single phone call, the color drained from Harrison's face. He shoved me aside without a word and sprinted out of the church. Oh, if I remembered the timeline correctly, the female lead had probably just "attempted" suicide and was currently being rushed to the ER. 1 I had become the villainous "True Heiress" in a classic switched-at-birth melodrama. I was the biological daughter; the female lead was the one who took my place. Once the truth came out, I was brought back to the wealthy Vance family, and the female lead, Brianna, was supposedly cast out. Everything that once belonged to her—the doting parents, the handsome billionaire fiancé, the vast Vance fortune—all fell into my hands. Brianna went from a princess to a pauper overnight. The parents who raised her for eighteen years turned their backs; the brother who once spoiled her called her a "thief" who stole my life; her childhood sweetheart fiancé broke off their engagement immediately. Brianna spent the rest of the book trying to prove she wasn't a gold-digger. She claimed she never wanted to fight me for anything. She just wanted "family." She tried to work at the Vance Group to show her worth, but my father assumed she was trying to steal my inheritance and fired her. 她 gave me a gift to bridge the gap, but my brother Caleb thought she was trying to poison me and slapped her across the face. She even showed up at my wedding to Harrison to offer her "blessings," only to be labeled a homewrecker by the guests and cyberbullied into oblivion. Finally, at the peak of my wedding, a broken Brianna chose to end it all. But her suicide was the catalyst for everyone else’s "awakening." My parents suddenly remembered the eighteen years they spent raising her. Caleb remembered the sweet little girl who used to follow him around. Harrison remembered how hard she used to try to make him smile. Suddenly, everyone was drowning in regret. To make matters worse, Brianna’s "secret diary" was conveniently discovered after her death. It was filled with her love for the Vance family, her pining for Harrison, and her guilt toward me. She apologized to everyone, over and over, stating she never wanted the money—she just wanted to be loved. The guilt consumed them. They vowed to spend the rest of their lives making it up to her. After she recovered, she was welcomed back into the family with open arms. Harrison realized he truly loved her, and after a series of dramatic "pursuits," they got their happily ever after. As for me, the "villainess," I became so consumed by jealousy that I tried to run Brianna over with a car. In the end, she escaped without a scratch, and I was the one who died in the wreckage. 2 I entered the story right at the climax of the wedding. The priest was just getting to the good part: "Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer..." I looked at Harrison, then at the crowd, and calmly shook my head. "I don't." The silence that followed was deafening. Harrison leaned in, his voice a frantic whisper. "Natalie, what are you doing? Everyone is watching." I glanced pointedly at his pocket, where his phone had been vibrating non-stop. "You have a call," I said helpfully. Harrison pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. He recognized the number. His brow furrowed instinctively, and he moved to silence it. I reached out and stopped his hand. "Don't hang up. You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you do." In the original plot, Brianna regretted her decision after cutting her wrists and hit the speed-dial for Harrison, begging him to save her. But Harrison, in the middle of his wedding, ignored the calls. Brianna nearly died because she missed that window for help. Those dozen missed calls became a major "angst point" in their future romance. But this time, I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of a tragic misunderstanding. After all, saving a life is a noble deed. Seeing my persistence, Harrison answered. A second later, his face turned ghost-white. He shoved me back and bolted out of the chapel. The guests erupted. Confusion, shock, and a few smug smiles from my rivals hit me all at once. My parents and Caleb rushed to my side, their faces a mix of worry and rage. Before they could speak, I let the words spill out: "Mom, Dad... Harrison just got a call from Brianna. "I think I heard her say she... she did something to herself. She begged him to come save her." My mother’s face went pale. You don't just stop loving a child you raised for two decades. She swayed on her feet, her voice trembling. "She... she tried to kill herself? Where is she? Is she at a hospital?" Even my stoic father clenched his fists in visible distress. I forced a weak, pale smile. "I don't know. The reception was bad..." "It doesn't matter. Robert, find out where she is! I have to see her!" My mother stopped mid-sentence, looking at me with a sudden, guilty start. She realized her other daughter—her biological one—had just been abandoned at the altar because of Brianna, and was currently the laughingstock of the city. I did my best to look like I was holding it together. "Go," I said softly. "It’s okay. You guys should go. I can handle things here. "Brianna might be in critical condition. If anything happens to her while you're here..." I looked down, playing the martyr. "I understand. You lived together for twenty years. You can't just flip a switch on those feelings." In the original book, the original Natalie threw a massive tantrum, screaming and forbidding her parents from seeing Brianna. That only made her look like a monster and made her parents feel even more guilty toward the "victim." This time, I was the one pushing them to go. As they left, they kept looking back at me with eyes full of sorrow and shame. "Caleb, you should go too," I said, my voice cracking perfectly. Caleb shook his head. "There are enough people there already," he said quietly. "I’ll stay here with you." 3 In the original story, Brianna nearly died because Harrison arrived too late. This time, because he left the second she called, she barely had a scratch. The doctors bandaged her up, gave her some fluids, and told her she could go home. When my parents arrived at the hospital, they expected to see her on her deathbed. Instead, they found a perfectly healthy-looking Brianna sitting up in bed, chatting with Harrison. Aside from a few layers of gauze on her wrist, she looked exactly the same. And then they remembered: their biological daughter was currently standing in a deserted church because of this girl. Their sympathy took a sharp turn into irritation. "Dad! Mom!" Brianna’s eyes lit up, then she quickly lowered her head, looking like a kicked puppy. "Mr. Vance... Mrs. Vance..." "Right," my mother said, her voice strained. "The doctor says you're fine?" Brianna tucked her hand behind her back, whispering, "I'm okay. It was just a small cut. I’m so sorry I worried you..." "You should be," my father snapped. "You're an adult. Do you have any idea what the consequences of your actions are?" Brianna’s eyes filled with tears instantly. Her parents—the people who used to never raise their voice at her—were looking at her with coldness. Did blood matter that much? Did twenty years mean nothing? "I'm sorry," she sobbed, head bowed. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. I really didn't. I just... I just..." "You didn't mean it? You chose the day of Natalie and Harrison's wedding?" my father interrupted. "You chose the exact moment they were saying their vows? "You have hundreds of contacts in your phone, and you didn't call 911? You called the groom? "Even if you didn't have a single friend to call, are you telling me you don't know how to dial an emergency number?" Brianna stared at him, stunned. She realized he thought she had done it on purpose to ruin the wedding. But she hadn't! She just... she was just panicked! She didn't know what to do, so she called the person she trusted most! Was she really that low in their eyes now just because she wasn't "biological"? Her heart felt like it was being squeezed. She wanted to scream, to cry, to beg for a hug, but she knew it would only make them hate her more. She swallowed her tears and bowed deeply. "I am so sorry. I was immature. I didn't think it through. "I swear, I never meant to hurt Natalie. "Please tell her I’m sorry. And tell her..." Brianna took a shaky breath. "Tell her I’m leaving. I won't ever show my face to any of you again. I won't cause any more trouble. "Mr. and Mrs. Vance, thank you for everything. For all those years. "I’m sorry for the pain I caused. I wish you and Natalie all the best." She turned and ran out of the hospital room before anyone could stop her. My mother watched her go, a flicker of pain crossing her face. Even my stern father went silent, stepping into the hallway to light a cigarette. 4 When they got home, the atmosphere was heavy. I was waiting for them with a gentle smile. After listening to them describe Brianna's "miraculous" recovery, I sighed softly. "Dad, Mom... maybe we should just let Brianna move back in. "It's just another set of silverware, after all." They both looked at me in shock. My father was the first to shake his head. "No. She moved out. There’s no reason for her to come back. "Natalie, don't overthink this. You are the only daughter of this family. "We made a mistake before, but now that it's fixed, she doesn't belong here." I sighed again, looking deeply concerned. "I know you're saying this for me. You don't want me to feel insecure. "But I really don't mind. "She was just a baby when the switch happened. She’s a victim too. I can't blame her for what happened. "Besides, you raised her for twenty years. You can't just delete that. "I see how much you're hurting. You're cold to her because you're trying to protect my feelings, but I know it's hard for you. "I don't want you to be unhappy. Let her come home." "Natalie... do you really mean that?" my mother asked, her voice cracking. "I do. More than anything." I gave them my most "supportive daughter" smile. In a system like this, suppression only leads to rebellion. If I let them suppress their love for Brianna, it would only fester into resentment toward me. Better to bring it all into the light. Besides, Brianna always claimed she didn't want the money—just the love. Fine. I’ll give her all the "love" she can handle. Let's see if she’s really as pure and selfless as she claims to be. 5 For twenty years, Brianna was the jewel of the Vance family, a princess who never knew a day of hardship. Now that she was back, she acted like a frightened animal. She stood at the front door, clutching a battered suitcase, watching my face as if I were a judge about to pass sentence. She wouldn't even step inside until I gave her a nod. I saw the flash of pain in my parents' eyes. But because I was there, they didn't say a word. Tsk. I really did look like the villain breaking up their happy little family. I love being the bad guy. I curled my lips into a smile and looked at her. "Come in. Why are you just standing there? It’s your home too. Don't be so formal." Brianna walked in, but her head stayed down. She wouldn't look at me. The silence was awkward, so my mother spoke up. "Brianna, I had the staff get your room ready. It’s the one at the end of the hall on the second floor. "Go check it out. Let us know if you need anything." Brianna looked overwhelmed, but she quickly shook her head. "It’s okay, Mrs. Vance... I... I can just stay in the maid's quarters. I don't deserve such a nice room." I felt a headache coming on. Is "self-inflicted suffering" a mandatory skill for every tragic heroine? The Vance estate had dozens of empty rooms. Her staying in one changed nothing. Staying in the maid’s room served no purpose other than making herself miserable and making everyone else feel like shit. Oh, wait. It did serve a purpose. It made my parents feel sorry for her. I watched her standing there, all "poor me," saying, "It’s fine, I can sleep anywhere." I lost my patience. I grabbed her suitcase and marched it up to the second floor myself. "I said, make yourself at home," I said coldly. "Food, clothes, whatever you need—just ask. Don't play the martyr. The Vance family isn't going bankrupt over a few extra expenses. You don't need to suffer just for the sake of it." Brianna stared at me, then lowered her head again. "Okay. Thank you, Natalie." She scurried into her room like a startled quail. Watching her act like she was being bullied when no one had even touched her was exhausting. My mother approached me tentatively. "Natalie... are you upset? "If you don't want her here, we can find her an apartment." I shook my head and smiled. "Mom, don't say that. "She just got back. If you kick her out again, her heart will break. "I'm not upset. Don't worry about me." "You're such a good girl," my mother said, taking my hand. "I do care about Brianna, I won't lie. "But no matter what, you are my biological daughter. I will always stand by you. "If she ever makes you uncomfortable, tell me. I'll send her away immediately. "You don't have to sacrifice your happiness for anyone. "You're too mature for your own good, hiding everything inside. It breaks my heart." Looking at the genuine love in her eyes, I felt a spark of warmth. I gave her my first real smile since arriving in this world. "I know, Mom. I won't be a doormat. "You don't have to worry about me. I’m fine." 6 To be fair, I didn't actually hate Brianna. In the original book, Brianna was pure, kind, and innocent. She left the family the moment she found out the truth and never once attacked Natalie. It was Natalie who was consumed by spite and ended up destroying herself. Brianna simply "inherited" Natalie's life because she was better at being loved. The parents loved her—well, they had twenty years of history. Caleb loved her—he’d watched her grow up. Harrison loved her—he just "discovered" it. Everyone was just following their hearts. Natalie was just "evil" by nature. But who made her that way? If she hadn't been raised by abusive, poverty-stricken strangers while someone else lived her life, she wouldn't have been so bitter. She could have been the "pure white lily" too. I wasn't here to play social justice warrior for the original Natalie. I was just curious. If I put this pure white lily in actual mud, would she stay white? You want family? You want love? Fine. I’ll give you all the love in the world. But the Vance fortune, the status, the career, the legacy... You aren't touching any of it. I hope your "pure heart" is enough to pay the bills when the reality of being a "supporting character" sets in. 7 "The engagement is off." I sat across from Harrison Sterling in a quiet café. His handsome face darkened, his jaw tightening. "About the wedding... I can explain." "Don't bother. It’s not about that." "I just don't think we're a good fit," I said simply. Harrison let out a cold laugh. "Are you really going to pull this now?" "No one is pulling anything," I said calmly. "Let's just give each other some dignity and end it cleanly." Harrison narrowed his eyes, searching my face. I met his gaze without flinching. He was the first to blink. "Fine. I messed up by leaving the altar. I apologized. "But our marriage is a merger between the Sterlings and the Vances. "You should talk to your parents before you make such a reckless decision." "If you think you can use my parents to pressure me, you’re mistaken. We already talked. "They agree with me. And as for our business dealings, we’ll be re-evaluating those too. "Since you're so focused on this being a business arrangement, let's talk business. "Trust is the foundation of any partnership. "A man who abandons his partner in the middle of a high-stakes event isn't someone I want to do business with. "Your character is... questionable, Harrison." I didn't give him an inch. Harrison looked like he wanted to scream, but he forced a sneer instead. "Has anyone ever told you that aggressive women aren't very attractive to men?" "And men who judge women based on their 'attractiveness' aren't very useful in the boardroom." I was done with this "Alpha Male" posturing. But I had one question. "Since you chose to leave our wedding to save Brianna... "It’s clear you have feelings for her. Why don't you just be with her?" In the original plot, Harrison should have realized his love for Brianna the moment she bled. He should have called off the wedding himself. But lately, there hadn't been a single spark between them. Harrison looked uncomfortable. "Brianna and I... it’s just a sibling thing. "She’s too immature. I need a partner who can stand beside me in business, not a child I have to babysit. "Besides, she isn't a Vance anymore. My family would never allow me to marry someone with no assets." Wow. I had never heard anyone admit to being a gold-digger with such pride. I wondered how "epic" their romance in the original book really was. If he loved her so much, why did he drop her the second she lost her status? Why did he wait until Natalie was "dead" and Brianna was the "sole heir" to start his "pursuit"? Maybe his "belated love" was just an interest in the 100% inheritance she’d just received. I felt a wave of nausea. I was done playing this game. "Mr. Sterling, I’m not asking for your permission today. I’m giving you notice. "The engagement is over. Let's not make this uglier than it already is." I stood up and walked away, ignoring his furious expression. I didn't know what Brianna saw in him. Two parasites in love. Boring. I pulled out my phone and called Caleb. "Hey, Caleb? Yeah, it's done. Don't worry. "Is the paperwork ready at the office? "Great. Thanks, big brother." With my executive onboarding finally set, I allowed myself a real smile.
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