Everything was… dark.
Not the kind of darkness you see when you close your eyes. No. This was endless, suffocating—a void of nothingness. I couldn't feel my body. I couldn't scream. Was this... the afterlife?
Silence.
Then—
BOOM!
A sound thundered in the distance—loud, clear, and terrifying. It grew louder with each beat of my nonexistent heart, like war drums announcing something ancient, something final.
And then… light.
Blinding light.
I winced, shielding my eyes as the brightness tore through the darkness, forcing me back—back into something warm, something real.
I gasped, lungs heaving as if I hadn't breathed in centuries.
I was… in my room?
The pale pink curtains. The familiar cracked mirror. The scent of lavender my mother always insisted on spraying.
Was this a memory?
Before I could move, the door creaked open.
Her.
The maid. That lying snake who accused me of stealing Father's heirloom.
Just like before, she entered with fake concern dripping from her lips. Then—
Mother.
She walked in, her expression stern and cold, exactly how it had been on that cursed day.
Everything… was happening the same way.
No. No, no, no.
This wasn't a memory.
This was reality.
I bolted to the mirror, nearly stumbling.
My reflection stared back at me—
Youthful. Unblemished. Eighteen again.
Tears welled in my eyes. My lips trembled as I turned to the maid. "What's today's date?"
She blinked, confused. "The 12th of Fall, Miss."
That date…
The day it all began. The betrayal. The lies. The humiliation. The death.
A slow smirk curled on my lips.
Thank the heavens. I've been reborn.
This time, I won't be silent.
This time, I won't be kind.
This time… I'll slap every green tea bitch, every scheming scum, and burn the world before they dare touch me again.
Absolutely, Shayla! Here's Chapter 2 written in that addictive Webnovel tone—sharp, dramatic, emotional, and revenge-laced, just how Webnovel readers love it. Let's keep the fire going 🔥
Chapter 2: The Snake in Silk
I turned slowly, my gaze falling on the woman who once gave me life… and watched me be destroyed without lifting a finger.
Mother.
She stood just like she had that day—back straight, lips pursed, eyes burning with restrained anger. The same exact stance she took when the lies were flung at me.
But this time… I played her game.
I softened my steps, walked toward her like a gentle breeze, and let my voice drip with innocence.
"Mother… is there a problem?" I asked sweetly, head tilted slightly, just the way she liked. Coy. Obedient. Pathetic.
I clasped my hands in front of me, blinking up at her like a clueless little dove. "I wanted to give you Daddy's heirloom. I—I forgot yesterday, so I brought it today instead."
I watched as her frozen expression began to crack—the corner of her mouth twitching, struggling not to smile.
This was what she had always wanted. A docile daughter. A delicate flower she could control.
What she never knew was that the strong, stubborn girl she despised was born out of survival.
That bitch made me like that.
That manipulative maid, the green tea serpent who whispered poison into everyone's ears—she cost me everything. Father's trust. Mother's love. My life.
But now?
Now I was back.
And this time, I'd dance their dance… only to lead them into their graves.
Mother reached out, her fingers warm as they brushed through my hair. My heart clenched. It had been so long since I felt this—love that wasn't tainted by suspicion.
"Where's the heirloom, dear?" she asked, almost smiling. "Never take it again without asking, sweetheart."
She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
Just like last time.
And right on cue—
SLAM.
The door burst open, and the venom slithered in.
"Ohhh… Auntie! It's my fault! Don't blame her!" the maid wailed dramatically, tears already gathering in her eyes like some cheap tragic heroine.
"She—she had taken the heirloom. I-I just… I'm sorry. I'll talk to sister. Don't be mad…"
She said the same thing in my first life. That exact performance.
She even bowed at the same angle.
I turned to watch Mother, fully prepared for the cold glare… the silent accusation… the backhand.
But—
Mother brushed her off like dust on a sleeve. "Never mind, it's okay," she said calmly.
What?
The snake blinked. Her fake tears froze halfway down her cheeks.
Shock painted her expression, open and raw, before she quickly masked it with a trembling smile. But I caught it. I savored it.
You weren't expecting that, were you?
This time, I'll steal your spotlight. Your lies. Your charm. I'll take them all—and crush you with them.
Your act?
I'm the leading lady now.
In my past life… I would've screamed.
I would've raised my voice, told Mother off, demanded they all get out.
I was always so loud, so angry, so desperate to be heard in a house that never listened.
But not this time.
This life… I chose a different path.
One that would burn quietly, until all their masks melted.
I stepped closer to Mother, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, my voice trembling like a fragile flower in the wind.
"Please don't mind her, Mother," I whispered, clutching her hand. "I know she saw me take the heirloom. I told her to tell you yesterday… but she must have forgotten."
I let my lashes flutter, let the pain dance across my face like an innocent girl trying to protect the very person destroying her.
"Please, don't punish her. She's been with us for so long…"
I saw it.
The flicker in Mother's eyes. The way her heart softened, her hand gently reaching to wipe my tears.
"Oh, my baby…" she murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Don't cry. Mummy's not mad at her. But if she had just told me you had the heirloom, I wouldn't have barged in like this."
Then Mother turned her gaze to her.
The snake in a maid's uniform. The fake sister I never asked for.
And I watched—closely—as her mask cracked again.
Her mouth parted slightly. Her eyes widened.
Bingo.
"When did we see or talk?" she whispered. "I… I never knew the heirloom was even in the room. How…?"
I tilted my head, letting the sweetest smile bloom on my lips.
"You don't remember?" I asked softly, still hugging Mother. "Maybe you forgot. You've been a little forgetful lately, haven't you, sis?"
Checkmate.
The color drained from her face. The confidence she wore like perfume—gone.
I held Mother tighter, drinking in the warmth I had once begged for.
Her touch. Her affection. Her love.
All stolen from me by a snake who slithered her way into our lives and whispered enough lies to turn the whole house against me.
But not this time.
This time, I'll wrap them around my fingers one by one…
And when they've all knelt at my feet?
I'll show them who they were foolish to betray.