In Your Name, I Am Reborn

"Anna is too kind."

"Still offering compensation to that fraud."

"The Pedersens are too soft. They should've sent her away long ago."

"Look at her, acting superior even when Anna is being so gracious."

My nails dug into my palms as the whispers buzzed like flies. I took a deep breath, raised my hand, and slapped Anna across the face. "Drop the stupid act!"

She stumbled, her head striking a table. Blood trickled down her cheek, and her gentle façade shattered.

"You witch! How dare you hit me?" she screamed.

"What happened to begging my forgiveness? Can't handle it now?" I taunted.

Calvin shoved me to the floor, the cold marble biting into my hands. "Forgiveness? You think you're worthy? Without our pity, you'd be rotting in some village and married to a thug!"

He grabbed my chin, his grip bruising. "This pampered life has made you forget who you are. Want me to throw you out right now?"

I pushed myself up, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "No need. As of today, I'm done with the Pedersen family!"

I turned and strode out of the ballroom, never glancing back at Calvin.

...

That night, I checked into a hotel.

At three in the morning, the door burst open. Black-clad men stormed in, shoving a rag into my mouth before I could scream. A sack went over my head, ropes bound my wrists, and I was dragged into a car.

When the sack was removed, I was in a private clinic. Deborah loomed over me, her expression cold and triumphant.

"You think cutting ties would free you?" A sinister smile curled her lips as she pressed a knife to my cheek. "My daughter bled because of you. You'll repay it tenfold."

A thick needle pierced my arm, pain searing through me. Two bodyguards pinned me down, the world blurring.

Just before I lost consciousness, she waved a hand. "Keep her alive. When she comes to, continue."

I was dragged to another room where Anna waited. She mocked, "Poor thing."

I gave her a glacial smile. "You're the pitiful one, Anna. Years in the countryside, and you still can't play the heiress. Jealous of me? So what if you're the true heiress? I stayed in your villa and lived with your parents. Even your man..."

I leaned closer, whispering, "was abandoned by me."

Anna lunged, her hands closing around my throat as I backed toward the window, my body half-hanging out. Her eyes were crimson with rage, but I smiled, eerie and sharp, then kicked off the ledge and let myself fall.

"Anna! What have you done?" Calvin's anguished cry echoed as I plummeted.

Anna froze, staring at her trembling hands. Below, a truck exploded, flames swallowing everything.