1 My billionaire father's mistress and my mother got pregnant at the exact same time. My father, Richard Sinclair, constantly promised that his entire empire would belong to me. Yet, in reality, every ounce of his affection went to his mistress, Isla. Determined to secure my birthright, I turned my mother's womb into a relentless training ground in my first life. I exercised, flipped, and forced myself to absorb every bit of prenatal education. I did not rest for a single second. But my frantic over-activity proved fatal. The umbilical cord wrapped tightly around my neck, suffocating me. The sheer stress of my struggle caused my mother to hemorrhage and pass away during childbirth. Just like that, my father's entire fortune fell into the lap of his newborn illegitimate daughter. Even the Grim Reaper took pity on my tragic end. Before sending my soul back in time, he offered me a single piece of cosmic wisdom: just lay flat. As my consciousness drifted back into the warm, dark amniotic fluid, I suddenly heard a sharp, arrogant voice echoing in my mind. It was my unborn half-sister, Madelyn. So what if she is the legitimate firstborn? Father loves children who strive for greatness. If I start working hard right now, I will steal all his affection. The entire inheritance will be mine! I mentally shrugged, blowing a few bubbles in the dark. Fine by me. Knock yourself out, sis. I am going to lie back and enjoy the ride. Let us see whose hands the fortune ends up in this time. Right now, we were in a luxury maternity recovery suite. My father was casually dismissing my mother's tears. "Eleanor, I don't care about that woman. Once she gives birth, I'll pay her off, keep the baby, and send her away." "My legacy belongs to our daughter. Just focus on resting and stop making a scene." That was what he said. But to keep an eye on his beloved mistress, he completely ignored my mother's dignity and moved Isla into the suite right next door. Separated by a single wall, I could hear every single thought running through Madelyn's mind. Why is Father still wasting time with that old hag? I need to get his attention, fast. One, two, three, kick! I'm going to dance my heart out! A moment later, Isla's delighted voice carried through the wall. "Richard! Come quickly! The baby is dancing in my tummy!" My father rushed over without a second thought. "Look at that rhythm! She actually reacts to Mozart. She is going to be a prodigy!" Seeing the sharp movements beneath Isla's skin, my father beamed with pride. "As expected of a child of Richard Sinclair. Showing such talent before she is even born." With a wave of his hand, he wired Isla fifty thousand dollars on the spot, telling her to hire the best prenatal music tutor money could buy. Madelyn became even more enthusiastic in her womb. Thank you, Daddy! Watch me drop some beats! Boom-clap, boom-clap! That useless Penelope must be green with envy. So what if she is the legitimate daughter? She can't even compare to my pinky toe! As her internal monologue grew louder and more obnoxious, I figuratively covered my ears and rolled my eyes in the amniotic fluid. In my last life, I was exactly like her. Desperate for a scrap of my father's attention, I turned the womb into a relentless training camp, kicking and flipping to prove my worth, never giving my mother a moment of peace. The result? I strangled myself and bled my mother to death in the delivery room. I did not care if the Grim Reaper's advice to "lay flat" actually worked. I was simply done trying so hard. Hearing the laughter next door, my mother's resentment boiled over. Trying to win back her husband, she called out, "Richard! Our daughter is dancing to the music too! Come look!" She gently stroked her stomach, whispering desperately to me. "Sweetheart, we can't let that mistress's child outshine us. For the sake of your father's billions, please, move a little!" Sensing my father was about to leave, Madelyn kicked Isla's uterine wall with all her might. Cry! Pretend it hurts! Do whatever it takes to keep Father here! Father's eyes belong on me. I won't let Penelope steal my spotlight! Isla gasped in genuine pain, clutching her belly. "Richard, it hurts... please stay with me." My father still held some lingering hope for me. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped back into my mother's room. "Is Penelope dancing too? Let me see what she can do." He rested his palm on my mother's swollen belly. She forced a smile. "Yes, she was just moving around so beautifully. Penelope, darling, be a good girl and show your father." Seeing the desperate, humiliated look on my mother's face broke my heart. But remembering the Reaper's words, I steeled myself and remained completely still. No matter how much my mother coaxed, I did not budge. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. In the heavy, awkward silence, the expectation in my father's eyes withered into disappointment. "It seems Penelope simply lacks Madelyn's spark." The moment he walked out of the room, my mother let out a tearful sigh, reprimanding me under her breath. "Penelope, why are you so stubborn? Your father clearly favors Madelyn. If you don't show him what you can do, that girl will strip us of everything we own!" But before she could finish, a sharp scream echoed from next door. "Ah! It hurts... I can't take this! Stop moving, baby, please... call a doctor!" Isla was sobbing, thrashing around the bed in agony. The sheer violence of the noise left my mother stunned. Slowly, she looked down at her own peaceful stomach and let out a breathless, relieved laugh. "My sweet girl. You really do love your mother, don't you? You didn't want me to suffer. Fine, if you don't want to move, don't move. As long as we both make it through this healthy, that is all that matters." Madelyn did not care about Isla's physical limits. Driven by her obsession with outperforming me, she kicked even harder. You don't understand, Mother. Penelope was trying to steal my spotlight. I have to work harder. I need Father to see that I am the chosen one, the only true heir to his empire! The more Isla screamed, the faster Madelyn thrashed. My father, utterly blinded by his own pride, completely ignored his mistress's agony. "She clearly inherited my superior genes. Such strength, such vigor! Prenatal movement is perfectly natural, Isla. Stop being so dramatic." Listening to the endless wails through the wall, I smiled to myself. Keep going, Madelyn. Work yourself into a tight little knot. Let us see how much you like having the umbilical cord wrapped around your throat. Isla eventually blacked out from the sheer intensity of the pain. As the corridor outside filled with the chaotic sounds of rushing doctors, I snuggled closer to my mother's warm uterine wall, fully committing to my life of leisure. Don't worry, Mom. In this life, I am not going to let you suffer. From that day on, Madelyn fully embraced her life as an prenatal overachiever. With four months left before our birth, she decided to start her body-management routine. I must control my appetite from the womb. I will reject all unnecessary calories! Father will definitely prefer a daughter with a perfect figure. Once Penelope balloons into a chubby pig, I will stun everyone with my gorgeous silhouette! She punched Isla's stomach to induce nausea, preventing her from keeping any food down. Within weeks, Isla looked skeletal, her skin dry and her eyes hollow. Meanwhile, my mother enjoyed every single meal. Because I was quiet and content, her appetite was fantastic. She ate rich, healthy soups and fresh fruits, and her skin began to glow with radiant health. But Madelyn only thought it was hilarious. Keep stuffing your faces. Once you're as fat as a pig, Father will dump you. I hope Penelope gets so massive that she causes a fatal birth obstruction! While Isla starved, Madelyn was also pushing herself through an extreme workout regimen. At five in the morning, while my mother and I were still happily sleeping, Isla would be jolted awake by violent movements in her belly. An hour of stretching, an hour of yoga, and then a hundred backflips! I will show Father that Penelope does nothing but eat and sleep, while I am overflowing with drive. I am the rightful heir! After her flips, she would immediately begin dancing along with the prenatal music tutor. In our suite, my mother and I would wake up late, enjoy a hearty breakfast, do some gentle breathing exercises, and then lounge on the balcony to soak up the morning sun. Isla watched us from her window with pure envy. But the moment she tried to rest, Madelyn would pull on her umbilical cord to force her back up. Don't drag me down! Read those English flashcards to me! We need to get the inheritance! Isla survived entirely on IV fluids, her body trembling with exhaustion. My father, though repulsed by Isla's withered state, was increasingly amazed by Madelyn's constant activity. "She is absorbing the very essence of your vitality, Isla. This child is destined for greatness!" But when he looked at me, his face fell. "Penelope is my firstborn, but she is completely lifeless. She has no reaction to music or languages, and she is three pounds heavier than Madelyn. If she remains this lazy, I will have to reconsider my estate planning." My mother defended me fiercely. "My daughter is gentle and perfect. She made my pregnancy a dream. If you're biased, just say so!" My father only shook his head, his eyes cold. I simply turned over and went back to sleep. The game was far from over. Soon, the day of our final prenatal checkup arrived. Even my grandparents were shocked when they saw Isla's state. "How did you become so skeletal? Can you even deliver a healthy baby like this?" Isla opened her mouth to speak, but only dry-heaved. The grandparents turned away in disgust, looking at my mother instead. "Now, Eleanor knows how to nurture a pregnancy. Look at her glowing skin. That is what a healthy heir looks like." Madelyn was furious. What do you old fools know? I'm slender so I can slide right out. Penelope is going to get stuck! When she is struggling, I will trigger an early labor, climb out first, and claim the crown! During the ultrasound, Madelyn forced herself to turn around and wave her tiny hand at the screen, completely ignoring the fact that the umbilical cord was already wrapped around her neck three times. My grandparents gasped in delight. "A prodigy! She is communicating with us! This level of intelligence belongs to our future leader!" My father was beaming with pride. "I agree. Her due date is two weeks after Penelope's, but if she could just come earlier, I would make her my firstborn." Madelyn was ecstatic. You should have said so earlier, Daddy! An early birth? I can do that! Watch me, I'm coming out right now to claim my title! Suddenly, Isla gasped, clutching her abdomen as she collapsed to the floor. "My water broke... I think... I think the baby is coming..." Madelyn was fully committed to her stunt. Before Isla's cervix could even dilate, she began violently forcing her way down the birth canal. Just a little more push, and Father's billions are mine! Seeing Isla lose consciousness from the sudden, massive hemorrhage, my father panicked, lifting her and rushing toward the delivery room. My grandparents ran close behind. My mother was left standing in the hallway, her face pale. "Penelope... is she really going to be born first and take everything from us?" My heart sank. The plan was changing. Now that Madelyn was forcing her way out, I couldn't just stay passive anymore. I checked my position. My head was down, my body strong, and my limbs were fully developed. I decided to move. My mother gasped, clutching her stomach as a massive contraction hit her. At the exact same time, Madelyn's thoughts next door grew faint and desperate. I'm so hungry... I can't push... Cough... why is there so much blood rushing into my mouth? I'm choking! And this cord... why is it so tight... Hearing her struggle, my hope flared. I used my strong, healthy limbs to push myself downward. Suddenly, my father walked into our room, tossing a thick document onto my mother's bed. "Sign the divorce papers, Eleanor. You'll get a generous settlement, but Penelope won't touch a dime of my fortune." My mother stared at him, tears welling in her eyes. "But my water broke too... I'm about to give birth!" My father looked at her with utter indifference. "Madelyn is coming out. She is my finest child, and I won't let anyone question her status. I will make sure she is my legitimate firstborn." He forced a pen into her hand. Heartbroken and exhausted, my mother prepared to sign. "Fine... I'll sign. From now on, she has nothing to do with you." I kicked frantically against her ribs. Mom, don't give up! Madelyn is choking in there! She hasn't won yet! My father glanced toward the door, a smug smile on his face. "Don't blame me, Eleanor. Blame Penelope for being useless. She couldn't even beat Madelyn to the finish line." Madelyn's thoughts echoed weakly. Almost there... push... I will be the billionaire heiress. Daddy is going to love me so much. Penelope will never stand a chance. I struggled to push, but my mother was too devastated to help. I found myself stuck in the birth canal, unable to move. Was everything going to end up in Madelyn's hands again? Just as my mother's hand began to write her name, a panicked scream echoed from the delivery room next door. "Oh my god! The baby is in danger!"
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