Patter. Patter. Patter.
Ugh… my face hurt so much, Daphne thought. Why does it feel like I've been slapped?
"Tomorrow you will marry the Yi family's heir in your sister's place!" a hard, deep voice sounding suspiciously like Daphne's father's boomed across the space.
Daphne looked up. She noticed she was in a strange position. She was kneeling on the floor, a hand to her left stinging cheek.
Her father continued, "That guy is practically a living corpse! How could you bear to see your sister shackled to a human vegetable for life?!
You're the elder sister, and you should start acting like it! How can you be so selfish? You're a disgrace, Daphne!"
Daphne's mind wasn't on her father's words. It was on the fact that she was still alive after she had fallen off the high window.
But I died… didn't I? she thought to herself.
She looked at her hands. At the green dress she was wearing. At her position.
Why does this scene match the moment from three hours before I was forced to jump?! she shrieked in her mind.
Back then, her father had demanded Daphne marry the Yi family's heir, who's currently in a coma, so Angela wouldn't have to. When she had hesitated to agree, her stepmother, Angela's mother, had provoked him and he had slapped her.
Just like now…
Daphne frowned. She unnoticeably pinched herself, flinching at the pain inflicted.
Ouch! That was real pain, she thought. I've… I've been reborn?!
Her eyes watered. She had been reborn to a point in time three hours before the drugging, the humiliation, and her death. Had the heavens sent her back to make things right?
Daphne slowly rose up, her expression turning defiant.
Angela Lu! Stepney Qin! Every betrayal, every cruelty you inflicted on me in my past life, I'll make you repay it a thousandfold! She made the silent promise to herself.
A single tear slid from her eyes, but she didn't move to wipe it.
"If you refuse to take Angela's place tomorrow, then I'll disown you! You will get out of my house!" her father growled.
"Honey, please don't be so harsh with her," Stepney, Daphne's stepmother, said with faux pity. "Daphne may be stubborn, but she's still your daughter. She'll listen to you!"
Stepney tightened her hold on her husband as a somewhat sad and pitiful expression crossed her features. "She has never really accepted me as her stepmother. She won't even do this one small thing for Angela."
While Stepney continued pouring out pitiful words, Daphne cut her short:
"I'll marry him."
Three simple words that shut the three others up. Their eyes widened in shock at her words.
The only way I can break from this family is by marrying the To family's heir, she thought as she registered their reactions.
"Mom! She finally agreed!" Angela said excitedly to her mother, who was glaring at Daphne.
That idiot… she had caved faster than I expected! Stepney thought.
Daphne rubbed her temples. She was beginning to get a migraine. "Dad, I'll marry Damian Yi, but only if you agree to give me sixty percent of the company's shares as my dowry."
Stepney gasped. "What?! Have you lost your mind?!"
Angela pushed forward, but her mother held her back. "Who do you think you are?! You are in no position to demand that!" she barked.
Daphne remained standing, a small smile present on her lips.
"Calm down, sweetie. She seems a little odd today," Stepney placated her daughter, even though she currently wanted to tear out Daphne's hair.
Daphne turned to her father and started, "Dad, I'm doing this for the sake of our family. While it's true that the Yi family's heir is in a coma, don't forget about his mother. She holds all the real power," she said sweetly. "The Yi family isn't just rich. Their influence is unmatched. We need this alliance."
"Daphne!" her sister cut in.
Lucas, Daphne's father, stared at her like he was considering what she had just said. He finally said:
"Fine. Sixty percent of the company shares it is."
Stepney's and Angela's faces were twins of scowls. Angela growled.
"No! I won't allow this, Dad—"
"That's enough, Angela. Calm down," Stepney soothed her, then leaned in to whisper into her daughter's ear, "Daphne's a pushover. Once things are settled at the company, I'll just sweet-talk her into transferring those shares back. Her mom's company will still be yours in the end! I know it's hard, but your father is still angry right now, so you need to put on a good face."
At her mother's words, Angela schooled her expression, with a thought: Enjoy your victory while you can, Daphne! You stole from the wrong person! By the time I'm through with you, you'll wish you were dead!
She put on a smile and approached Daphne. "Thank you for helping me, Daphne." Venom dripped from her words. "You'll always be my favorite sister," she said while outstretching her hand to touch Daphne, but it didn't quite reach as Daphne lifted a hand and smacked Angela across the cheek.
SLAP!
Angela's whole body paused and trembled. Did that bitch just hit me?!
"Have you lost your senses, Daphne?!" Stepney barked as she pulled her reddened daughter back into her arms. "How dare you slap Angela?"
Lucas was overcome with rage. He approached his daughter and attempted to slap her, but Daphne successfully dodged the hit.
"You vile girl! What is wrong with you?!"