Chapter 8 The Younger Brother Is Gone

Gudrun was overjoyed.

Although she and her daughters had always acted kind toward Lia, they had actually spoiled her into selfishness and irresponsibility. Even Xaver, who once doted on Lia, had grown disappointed. Gudrun had been planning to use the child in her womb to ruin Lia’s reputation sooner or later—if not today, then another day.

Earlier, she had tried to trick Lia, but Lia had dodged her. Gudrun thought Lia was cautious and wasn’t sure what to do next. She never expected Lia to suddenly reach out when she was about to fall. That was practically handing herself over to be manipulated.

Gudrun forced a smile, walked closer, and whispered, “Lia, I know it’s hard for you to accept that I’m carrying this child, but he’s still your brother. Move back home, and let’s live as a family.”

Lia raised her brows and smiled coldly. “Ms. Eisendorf, no need. I’ve made up my mind—I’m not coming back. The stairs are pretty high. You’d better be careful. If you fall, the baby in your belly…” She let her words trail off, her gaze fixed on Gudrun’s stomach.

Gudrun stiffened. Out of instinct, she reached to shield her belly and stepped back.

Lia gripped her arm firmly. “If you fall, the baby will be in danger.”

Konrad smashed the teacup in his hand and roared, “Shut up! She’s carrying your brother!”

Lena put on a concerned face and patted Konrad’s back. “Dad, calm down. Lia has always been like this. Over the years, Mom and I have endured so much hardship—you can’t even imagine.”

“Get out!” Konrad bellowed, pointing at the door, his face flushed with anger.

Lia ignored them, unmoved by their accusations.

Then came a sharp pain in her hand. Gudrun had clamped down on it, hatred flashing in her eyes as she made it look like Lia had pushed her. Her act was so convincing that Lia decided to play along.

“Ah!” Gudrun screamed, reaching wildly for Lia’s hand.

Lia grabbed her firmly, stopping her from falling. When Gudrun looked up, she was met only with Lia’s mocking smile.

Then Lia leaned against the railing and flipped herself over the banister. She dangled in midair, gripping Gudrun with one hand—so strong that Gudrun couldn’t break free.

Gudrun’s face went pale. The others in the living room froze in terror.

“Lia, you bastard! What are you doing?!” Konrad roared.

“Let go!” Anna screamed.

“You witch! How dare you hurt my mother?” Lena shouted.

Gudrun clung tighter in fear.

Suddenly, Lia pushed off with her toes and flipped back to the landing. Gudrun, too focused on clinging to her, didn’t notice her stomach pressing against the railing—until the hidden secret under her skirt slipped into view.

Lia’s blue eyes narrowed. She reached under Gudrun’s skirt, crushed the blood-filled pouch, and then shoved her down the stairs.

She stood on the steps, calmly watching the chaos unfold. Memories from her previous life came rushing back.

Back then, she had truly thought Gudrun was falling and reached out to save her. But Gudrun had seized the chance, clutching her hand and dragging her down. To everyone watching, it had looked like Lia pushed her.

Now, Lia only glanced at the surveillance camera on the wall and sneered. She turned away and headed for the attic.

“Mom! You’re bleeding!” someone screamed.

“Call an ambulance!” Konrad shouted in panic.

“How could Lia be so heartless?” Lena wailed. “Mom’s older, pregnancy is already dangerous—she must hate us!”

Lia froze for a moment, but her resolve hardened. She hurried upstairs.

No one had touched her mother’s belongings since they’d been thrown into the storage room. The rusty lock gave way easily. The air was thick with dust and mildew, choking her as she stepped inside.

She switched on the light, picked her way over the clutter, and stopped at the old bookshelf by the window. She remembered it from her childhood. In the far-left drawer was a small wooden box, palm-sized.

Something told her the ring was inside.

The box had been Konrad’s anniversary gift to her mother—he had placed a necklace inside, and her mother had treasured it ever since.

Lia’s chest tightened. Konrad was a scumbag, yet her mother still cherished him even in death.

There was no key. She closed her eyes, clenched her fists, and smashed them down.

The box sprang open.

Lia stared at her hands in shock. She had always felt some strange power inside her, but in her last life she’d been too lazy—and later too desperate—to explore it. When she’d been falsely accused at Adler’s house, she’d carved words into a ring on a whim. The power had seemed to answer her thoughts, flowing through her fingertips.

And now, here it was again.

Inside the box lay the jade ring. She tucked it away, closed the storage room, and headed downstairs.

At the staircase, a commotion awaited her.

Konrad’s face was red with fury. “You bastard! Look what you’ve done! If I’d known you’d turn out like this, I’d have strangled you at birth!”

Lia gripped the railing and descended calmly. “What a pity you didn’t.”

Gudrun trembled, raising her hands weakly. Konrad quickly caught them, his heart aching for her.

“Konrad, don’t blame Lia,” Gudrun whispered pitifully. “She’s still a child. Of course she hates me. I was carrying your son—a boy—who would’ve inherited the family fortune. Everything here was meant to be hers, and I came only with my daughters. How could I take what belongs to her?”

“Belongs to her?!” Konrad shouted. “Nothing here belongs to her!”

Inside, Gudrun felt relief, but she still played the victim. “Don’t say that. No matter what happens to this child, don’t let your father know. Don’t let Lia suffer because of me…”

Lia stopped two steps below, her eyes sharp and cold as she glared at Gudrun.

“Mom, you’re too kind!” Lena cried loudly. “You’ve always treated Lia as your own daughter, even better than me and Anna. But she’s never satisfied! I know she hates us, but I never thought she’d hurt her unborn brother. How could she be so cruel?”