Chapter 2

The pain hit in the middle of the night, a familiar ache， deep in my gut that left me curled tight, sweat beading on my forehead.

It was just like before—the endless, wakeful nights of my past life.

There was nothing in my room.

The pain was restless, I slipped out into the dark hallway and felt my way downstairs to get some water.

But I ran into my second brother, Daniel Sterling, in the living room.

Daniel was a professional gamer.

Working ar two or three AM was a normal hour for him.

He noticed me immediately, his expression hardening in the dim light.

Daniel was the quiet one in Sterling family.

Since the real Emily had returned, he'd never once given her a kind look.

I ignored him.

Probably my mere existence annoyed him.

Hunching slightly against the pain, I made my way to the kitchen.

I didn't realize Daniel was startled by how I looked.

Under the soft glow in the living room,

He clearly saw I was covered in sweat from pain, my lips pale.

Apart from the burned red marks on my cheek, my skin was frighteningly white.

Leaning against the cool marble sink to catch my breath, the familiar metallic taste surged up my throat again

—I was vomiting blood.

"Guh—"

The violent heaving brought tears to my eyes.

There was a sound at the kitchen.

Daniel had followed me in.

I quickly twisted the faucet, washing the blood down the drain, then cupped my hands under the stream, to drink directly from the tap.

The cold water was a shock.

Then I heard Daniel say in a low voice, "If you want water, drink some warm water. The cold water still upset your stomach."

I murmured, "Mm," keeping my head down as I tried to slip past him.

The original Emily had barely spoken to this brother.

I didn't want any entanglement with this family either.

But Daniel grabbed my wrist.

I turned to look at him, voice hoarse.

"Daniel, what is it?"

Up close, Daniel got a clearer look at my cheek.

He was silent for a moment, then frowned. "Why haven't you treated that burn?"

I looked at his seemingly impatient expression.

He probably thought, this was just another bid for attention.

I pulled my wrist back and nodded vaguely.

"Yeah, I'm going back up now."

Because he was standing so close, Daniel reached past me and turned on the overhead light, his frown deepening as he glanced at the sink.

Even though the blood had been diluted by water,

He had sharp eyes- he still noticed faint traces of red swirling down the drain…

The next morning, I went downstairs and bumped into Damien right at the staircase.

The original host's third brother was the one who held most hostility toward her.

He and Sophia were close in age and most deeply bonded.

Maybe it was because he was young—all he understood was that, the sister he loved and protected since childhood was suddenly being replaced.

This new person was here to take everything away from Sophia.

He took all his frustration out on his biological sister.

He resented her for shattering their perfect life.

Little did he know, the original Emily was the innocent one.

Damien glanced at the burn on my face, his gaze wavering slightly.

He deliberately didn't speak, waiting for me to greet him first.

But I didn't even glance him and walked straight past.

Mr. Sterling's cold voice cut through the hall, "Aren't you a little old to be walking around with an untreated burn? What will people think seeing you like this?"

Mr. Sterling was a traditional patriarch. He cared more about reputation than family.

He was probably just worried I'd embarrass him.

Besides, the original host had only been back six months. She couldn't play an instrument, lacked refinement, had mediocre grades—she had no value to him.

Mrs. Sterling also looked at me with clear disapproval.

I laughed coldly to myself.

If this were Sophia, they would've rushed her to the hospital immediately.

But last night, not a single person had asked if the burn hurt.

If I was still hungry after barely touching my dinner.

Their favoritism was honestly ridiculous.