My family's gas line exploded. Just as I was about to rush into the inferno to save my sister, weird text started scrolling across the smoky sky: [Classic "Pick Me" heroine move. To get rid of her sister, she risked it all and turned on the gas herself to start the fire!] [Her sacrifice will pay off though. In her past life, her sister saved her but ended up with 80% burns and an amputation. This time, the fire is bigger. The sister is toast.] [Can't be helped. There's only so much inheritance to go around. The sister is the heroine's only rival! Like she said, survival of the fittest.] [When the parents ask questions, all she has to say is "Sis was playing with fire," and she's off the hook.] [Calculating, ruthless, and cruel. Truly worthy of being the future heiress. So satisfying!] Really? I took two steps back, looked at my sister whose legs were pinned under the debris, and grinned. "Sis, in this life, let's see who runs faster." 1 A deafening explosion ripped through the air. The emptiness of death was instantly replaced by roaring flames. My sister's voice made the nightmare all too familiar. "Help! Sister, help me! The gas exploded, the door fell on me! I'm trapped!" So, I really was reborn. Before I could even process it, dense bullet comments flashed before my eyes: [Personally started the fire... survival of the fittest... sister was playing with fire...] My mind went blank. Just because we were the "Real vs. Fake" daughters, Chloe wanted me dead? In my past life, I charged into the fire without hesitation and dragged her out. I wasn't fast enough. I ended up with burns over 80% of my body. I spent the rest of my miserable life bedridden, eating, drinking, and shitting in the same spot, stripped of all dignity. Even as I died of depression and pain, I comforted myself thinking I traded my life for hers. It was laughable. It was all her plot. My rage was interrupted by Chloe's pathetic plea. "Sister, save me!" Save her? I turned to run, but not before looking back with an innocent smile. "Sis, the fire is huge. How can I save you?" "When disaster strikes, it's every woman for herself!" Her eyes changed instantly. The malicious glint vanished, replaced by big, crocodile tears. "Sister, did you forget? After you came back, our brother targeted you constantly. I was the one who helped you!" "I gave you everything you wanted. I always spoke up for you in front of Mom and Dad." "Fine, sister, run. It's my fault for taking your place and stealing your life. Consider this my atonement!" If this were the old me, my heart would have melted. Even though every time she "spoke up" for me, Mom and Dad hated me more, and my brother wanted to kick me out faster. I used to be so grateful to Chloe. I thought she tried her best, and I was just unlovable. Now I know. It was all part of her game. I laughed coldly. "Sis, your 'kindness' truly weighs a ton." "Don't worry. After you die, I'll use the money Mom and Dad give me to buy you a massive plot in the cemetery!" "Sigh, what can I do? I'm the biological daughter. I have to stay alive. Who else will inherit the family fortune? An outsider?" The fire was raging. I didn't have time to chat. I turned and ran. Suddenly, a noise behind me. I looked back. She had easily pushed the heavy door off her legs. Gritting her teeth, face cold as ice, she sprinted toward me. The heat was cooking me alive. I could smell my hair singing. I ran for my life. Suddenly, a hand clamped onto my arm. I was yanked backward. "Sister, since you don't appreciate my kindness, don't blame me!" "What's wrong with being an orphan? Why did you have to come back and make me the fake daughter?!" "It's you or me. Only when you're dead will everything truly be mine!" She smiled, a venomous, triumphant grin, eager to watch me fall into the sea of fire. But I was ready. I grabbed a burning plastic vase and smashed it into her face. "Ahhh!" She screamed, squeezing her eyes shut in pain. I kicked her in the stomach and bolted. At that moment, maybe God decided to intervene. A beam collapsed with a crash, blocking her only exit. Her face was a bloody mess. Her eyes opened in pure terror. She tried to crawl, but the heat forced her to roll on the ground. "Sister! Please, sister, save me!" "No! I don't want to die here!" I smiled brightly, dusting off my slightly singed hands. "Sis, you were right. It's you or me. You have to die so I can have Mom and Dad's love all to myself." "Don't worry, the fire department is on the way. If you're lucky, they might find a whole corpse!" Amidst her screams and curses, I walked away lightly. 2 Just like in my past life, the fire was put out in twenty minutes. My parents and brother, who arrived late, followed the ambulance. Two hours later, we were in the hospital room, staring at the charcoal-like figure on the bed. The doctor looked grim. "The patient's condition is critical. 90% of her body is burned. Her eyes are severely damaged." "Luckily, she was wearing fire-resistant clothing, or it would be worse..." "We are doing our best to keep her alive, but you need to prepare yourselves. Paralysis, blindness... very likely." "And with current medical technology, we can't perform skin grafts on this scale. Her skin may never recover..." "Unless she's transferred to the Sterling private hospital. That's her only hope..." I sighed inwardly. She didn't die? I guess evil really does live longer. A jarring voice broke my thoughts. My brother, eyes red, screamed at the doctor. "Impossible! My sister is lucky! She can't be hurt like this! Is this some scam to get more money?" "I order you to cure her! Or I'll smash this hospital to pieces!" My brother, Lucas, had been spoiled rotten. He had no filter. When the doctor ignored him, he turned his rage on me. "How did the gas explode? The house was fine!" "Zoey, you've always been jealous of Chloe! Did you cause this accident?!" "You already stole the marriage arrangement with the Shen family from her! Are you not satisfied?! Why did you hurt my sister?!" I was used to his outbursts. I lowered my eyes and pinched myself hard. Tears welled up instantly. "Mom, Dad, it's all my fault. I was born unlucky. That's why I was switched at birth and had to beg for food in the orphanage." "If... if only I was stronger, healthier... maybe I could have saved my sister..." I wiped my tears, "accidentally" revealing the burns on my palms. Sure enough, my parents ate it up. Their cold, accusatory glares instantly warmed. "Alright, alright. No one wanted this to happen." "Chloe's accident has nothing to do with Zoey. It's just bad luck." They sighed, looking heartbroken. But not thirty minutes later, Dad sent someone to assess the property damage. Learning the house was burned to a crisp, their faces darkened. Worse than when they were looking at their dying daughter. Soon, they got restless. Mom and Dad left one by one. Lucas stayed a bit longer. But after a call from his frat bros about a street race, he left too. I stayed by the door. I needed the quiet to parse the floating text. [The heroine is so pitiful. Not a patch of good skin left... Even if she kills the rival, the Shen family won't want her anymore...] [If she wants to compete, she needs a stronger backer.] [In Ocean City, besides the Shen family, there's only the Sterlings.] [But would the Sterlings even look at her? Besides, you think the Sterlings are simply...] The Sterlings? Combined with what the doctor said... I suddenly thought, for someone as vain as Chloe, the Sterling family would be a perfect destination. 3 Nourished by our plastic family love, Chloe finally woke up three days later. "Mom, Dad, what's wrong with my eyes?" "It hurts... everything hurts..." "Sister, you lit the gas on purpose! I was one step away from escaping, why did you push me back into the fire..." "I know I took a lot from you. But I was willing to give it all back! Why did you have to plan this fire and try to kill me?" I had to admire her. Just woke up, in excruciating pain, and still gaslighting like a pro. Luckily, I was prepared. Seeing the suspicion in my parents' eyes, I spoke before my furious brother could. "Sister, what are you saying? How could I plan a fire?" "Mom, Dad, look. She said she wasn't feeling well and asked me to come home to take care of her. She was the one home all day. How could I light the house on fire from outside?" I cried harder, mimicking her tone. "Sister, I know you hate that I came back and took some of Mom and Dad's love... but I didn't mean to. I'll go back to the orphanage! I won't be an eyesore anymore." I pulled out screenshots of the texts Chloe sent me. They were fake, of course. But her phone was ashes. Dead men tell no tales. Sure enough, my parents looked at Chloe with doubt. Chloe shook with rage, her ruined face twisting into a monster's mask. I didn't give her a chance to defend herself. I wailed louder. "Mom, Dad, I get it! Sister thinks I'm not good enough for the Shen family marriage! She wants to stomp me down..." "I'll go tell the Shen family right now. I'll let Sister marry him." "Young Master Shen is kind. If he knows she's hurt, he'll take good care of her." I subtly reminded them of my value. Reminded them that I was the one marrying into the Shen family. I was the one who could elevate our family status. My parents snapped out of it. "Alright, I believe neither Chloe nor Zoey would start a fire. There must be a misunderstanding." "Chloe, don't worry. Once you recover, we'll contact the Sterlings for help. We'll make you beautiful again." I nodded eagerly. "Yes, Sister, just rest." "Actually, I don't even like Young Master Shen that much. And I have a way to contact the Sterlings. Did you know? The Sterlings are royalty in the capital. They moved to Ocean City last month... Their only son was my classmate. He used to chase me..." "I think marrying into the Sterling family is a great option. They can help fix your skin." "I'll give Young Master Shen to you, Sister." "Don't worry, he won't reject you." I flashed a photo on my phone of me and Julian Sterling, the heir. Chloe stared at Julian's face, her eyes dark and unreadable. I leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Sis, what goes around comes around. Just like a few days ago. Whoever lights the fire gets burned." "Is Julian Sterling as stupid as Young Master Shen? Will he fall for your act?" "Don't end up like your last life. Married into the Shen family only to rot alone while your husband keeps a harem outside." 4 I was referring to her "glory" in her past life. Her face turned a shade darker. Through gritted teeth, she hissed, "We'll see." She wasn't surprised when I mentioned rebirth. She knew. I left with my parents. Since the house was toast, we moved into a new villa. As soon as we got home, my parents pounced. "Zoey, is it true? You and Julian Sterling were classmates? He chased you?" Seeing the greed in their eyes, I held back my nausea and nodded. "Of course. Didn't you see the photo?" "We were hugging. Isn't that obvious?" "If we weren't worried about school, we might have been together already." It was a lie. Just a photoshopped pic from an award ceremony. Julian was famous in school, paparazzi followed him everywhere. Rumors were easy to manufacture. I found the photo online. It didn't matter. These two looked at me like I was a walking ATM. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" "The Shens are nice, but they're nothing compared to the Sterlings! Julian is the sole heir! No scandals! Marrying him is hitting the jackpot!" I put on a touched smile. "Mom, Dad, you really think so? You gave me life, so I'll listen to you." "But... it's been years. We haven't talked much. I don't know if he still likes me." "And even if he does... our family can't afford a dowry fitting for the Sterlings." Mom waved her hand dismissively. "That's easy. If you marry Julian, we'll bankrupt the family to get your dowry ready!" They calculated fast. Whatever they spent, they'd earn back tenfold once I was Mrs. Sterling. I smiled. "Thanks, Mom and Dad." I sent the recording of this conversation to Chloe. With a text: [Sis, if I really marry into the Sterling family, you'll have nothing left.] Chloe was competitive. She wouldn't sit still. The bullet comments confirmed it: [Heroine, don't be stupid! It's a trap!] [The Sterling family is a dragon's den! You'll be eaten alive!] [That idiot brother is helping her contact the Sterlings? He's sending his sister to her death!] Good. Wait, not entirely good. Our family was small potatoes compared to the Sterlings. Could Lucas even reach Julian? Looks like I have to step in.
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