Chapter 2

Luna's POV

A slap landed hard across my face. It stung.

Julian glared at me, fuming. "Luna, don't think that just because you're back with the Ashford family, you can do whatever you want. I know you resent Lily for taking the life that should've been yours, but none of this is her fault!"

"So you think I'm in the wrong? That I'm making a scene?"

Watching Julian lose his temper, I couldn't help but laugh coldly.

The moment the words left my mouth, I rolled up my sleeve, revealing a nasty scrape. My voice was calm, deliberate. "If I pushed Lily, how would I end up this badly injured?"

Julian froze.

"Lily's always been sweet and obedient. Are you saying she's framing you? You're the one who stole her room the second you got home!"

"Lily said she'd give me the room." I took a deep breath and glanced at Lily. "I grew up in the slums. I can sleep anywhere. I never asked Lily to give up her room for me, did I?"

Lily's face went pale. Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress, her face flushing red. But in the next second, she put on a wounded expression. "Luna, I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"Julian, I misunderstood Luna. I slipped and fell. I dragged Luna down with me. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have said anything."

Her voice cracked as she looked at Julian, sobbing as she reached for my hand. Her tone was humble, pleading. "Luna, please don't be angry. My room has great lighting—I'll give it to you. Please don't be mad... I can't bear to leave Mom and Dad, or my brothers. Please don't make me go."

I yanked my hand away, expressionless.

It was absurd. Why did she think I could kick her out on my first day home?

Lily's face went white. Panic flickered in her eyes. Her sobs grew louder.

"Lily, no one's going to make you leave. You'll always be part of the Ashford family."

Julian helped Lily to her feet, his usually cold voice softening.

"I know... but Luna doesn't like me."

Lily glanced at me cautiously, her eyes full of hurt and fear.

Silas, who'd been silent until now, frowned. His cold gaze bore into me. "Luna, is this how you want your first day to go? Upsetting everyone? Apologize to Lily. We'll forgive you this time. But don't let it happen again."

"Lily already gave you her room. What more do you want? She's always been kind and innocent—not conniving like you!"

Henry suddenly rushed forward and grabbed my wrist, his voice seething with anger. "You just got home and you're already jealous of Lily. What are you trying to pull?"

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, a contemptuous smile on my lips.

I said nothing.

Even though I'd reacted differently this time, I still couldn't escape Julian's slap or Silas and Henry's disgust.

My mother seemed reluctant to witness the tension. She sighed softly. "Alright. Since Lily's fine, Luna, apologize to Lily. Let's move past this. From now on, get along with everyone."

I took a deep breath, forcing down the rage building in my chest.

I didn't lie. I didn't push Lily down the stairs.

So why should I apologize?

"Luna, didn't you hear? Apologize to Lily!" Henry's grip on my hand tightened, his voice growing impatient. "Lily already apologized to you and gave you her room. What more do you want?"

"I'm the one who's hurt." I lifted my head and looked at my mother, sadness creeping into my voice. "If the Ashford family doesn't want me here, just send me back to the foster home. At least there, the people who hurt me aren't my family."

"Luna, stop playing the victim! Someone as vicious as you only knows how to bully others!" Henry flung my hand away, disgust flashing in his eyes. "Mom, she doesn't deserve to be part of this family."

He turned to my mother, his voice laced with fury.

"Henry, Luna is your real sister." My mother's brow furrowed slightly. She looked past Henry, her gaze landing on me. Her expression was complicated.

"Luna didn't do anything wrong. I should've been more thoughtful. Luna, I'm sorry you were hurt."

My mother walked over to me. She looked at the scrape on my arm, a flicker of sympathy in her eyes. "Luna, I know this is all new to you. It's okay. You'll adjust."

"Luna, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." Lily limped over to me, her face full of panic. "Please don't blame Mom or your brothers, okay?"

If I hadn't lived through my past life, I would've been fooled by Lily's sweet, timid act.

Every single time she lied and framed me, all she had to do was apologize in front of our parents and brothers and play the victim.

And every single time, my brothers rushed to comfort her.

Even my parents took her side.

In the past, it hurt.

Now, I just felt ridiculous.

I'd actually hoped that one day, my parents and brothers would love me the way they loved Lily.

"Lily, Luna should be the one apologizing to you!" Henry glared at me, his eyes cold.

"Mom, Lily said she fell on her own. She said she misunderstood me. But when she said I pushed her, everyone believed her. Julian even slapped me. Now she's saying it was all a misunderstanding, and suddenly no one believes her?" I tugged at the corner of my mouth, my face blank. "Or does this mean that from now on, whenever Lily gets hurt, she can just say I did it, and anyone can hit me? Frame me?"

"Lily just doesn't want to make a big deal out of it..."

Henry frowned, glaring at me furiously.

"Enough!"

Before Henry could finish, my father's voice cut through from behind.

I froze slightly, my fists clenching in frustration.

In my past life, my father never intervened in these petty squabbles.

But it didn't matter. I'd make sure to get back every ounce of pain from that slap.

"Luna, this is your home now." My mother noticed the displeasure on my father's face and quickly spoke up. "I hope you and Lily can get along from now on."

"Got it." My voice was cold. Without another word, I headed slowly toward the stairs.

Suddenly, a figure stepped in front of me.

"Luna, you can sleep in my room tonight."

Just like in my past life. After framing me, she was back to playing nice.

A slap, then a piece of candy?

In my past life, I'd slept in her room. The next day, she accused me of stealing her diamond ring.

From that moment on, in the eyes of my parents and brothers, I became a lowlife liar and a thief.

"Lily, don't worry. I won't steal your status as the Ashford family's daughter. I can't take away the love your parents and brothers have for you. If you're still worried, I can leave right now..."