Chapter 5

Luna's POV

"Go ahead. I'd love to see if you actually have the guts!"

Vera's face was full of mockery, her eyes challenging.

She was clearly convinced the DNA test in my hand was fake.

Obviously, Lily hadn't told them my real identity.

In my past life, Vera had been inexplicably hostile toward me.

Maybe she thought someone from the countryside like me didn't deserve to be in the Ashford family.

And definitely didn't deserve to be anywhere near Julian.

Vera liked Julian. That's why she became friends with Lily—hoping to marry into the Ashford family.

What she didn't know was that her biggest rival wasn't me.

It was Lily.

"I can't believe you're this calculating. You think a fake report will let you climb over Lily? Do you think we're idiots?" Mia stared at me with contempt and snorted coldly.

"Luna, don't be upset..." Lily frowned, looking at me with a conflicted expression. "If you need money, I can give you everything I have."

"Lily, you don't need to apologize to her." Vera turned and gently took Lily's hand. "She's just an adopted kid. You can't let her push you around!"

"Lily, you're too kind!" Mia glared at me viciously, her voice ice-cold. "You should look in a mirror. The Ashford family took you in—you should be grateful. If not, go back to your foster home!"

"Luna, Vera and Mia are just joking around." Lily quickly spoke up, her sweet face full of anxiety.

"Got it." My tone was flat, a gentle smile tugging at my lips.

Lily hadn't expected me to stay calm—or to not get angry at all.

"But why would your friends assume I'm the Ashford family's adopted daughter?"

"Did you tell them that?"

"Luna, I didn't." Lily shook her head frantically. "Luna, I know you don't like me, but you can't accuse me of things I didn't do."

In my past life, seeing her this flustered, I might've actually believed her.

After all, her acting was truly impressive.

"Do I need to accuse you of anything?" I smiled, watching as tears welled up in Lily's eyes. "Your friends think I'm lying. So let's use facts to prove whether this DNA test is real or fake!"

"Luna!"

Lily saw me pull out my phone and suddenly cried out, panic flashing across her face.

Scared already?

In my past life, she wasn't this timid.

But I guess she knew that once my identity went public, her real identity would be exposed sooner or later.

Vera and Mia exchanged glances.

"Luna, it's my fault... You just got back, you probably don't have much money. I'll transfer everything to you." Lily stepped forward and grabbed my hand, her voice patient and coaxing. "Luna, if you make your identity public without permission, Dad will kick you out."

She sighed, pulling her phone from her bag. "Luna, if you need money, just ask me directly."

She transferred five hundred thousand dollars on the spot.

The moment my phone buzzed with the notification, I nodded in satisfaction.

I didn't bother wasting more words on her.

In my past life, she always tried to scare me like this.

No comparison, no harm.

My parents' indulgence and favoritism toward Lily made me believe her threats were real.

But right now, I desperately hoped I could be kicked out of the Ashford family.

Unfortunately, my father would never let that happen.

Ashford blood could not be left to wander outside.

"Don't waste my time again." I pocketed my phone and stuffed the DNA test back into my bag. Without another glance at Lily, I turned and walked out of the mall.

"Luna, where are you going?" Lily called out behind me.

I ignored her. I hailed a cab and went to another mall.

I happily bought myself several outfits, then went to a salon for a treatment.

I didn't go home until I'd spent every cent of Lily's five hundred thousand.

The moment I stepped into the living room, before I could even take off my shoes, my phone rang.

It was Julian.

I answered. His furious voice exploded through the speaker. "Luna, what the hell are you trying to pull? Lily was kind enough to take you shopping, and you took her money and just walked off! Do you know she cried all afternoon? You just got home and you're already causing chaos. Where's even a shred of sisterly behavior?"

"First, Lily gave me the money willingly. She said she'd buy me a gift. I asked for cash instead. She didn't refuse." I rolled my eyes, my voice ice-cold. "Second, she said she'd take me shopping, but I don't like strangers, so I left. Why is she crying? What does that have to do with me?"

"You—" Julian choked on his words and hung up.

In my past life, I didn't take Lily's money. I only accepted her gifts.

Julian said I was greedy.

That I'd spent all of Lily's money.

In the end, I had to return all the gifts to Lily.

Including the ones from my parents.

The funny thing? Those shoes and clothes weren't even my size.

And yet, I was labeled as utterly selfish.

As soon as I walked into the living room, I felt a cold, sharp gaze land on me.

In the center of the room, my father and mother sat on the sofa, their faces dark with anger.

Lily sat beside them, her eyes red and swollen, as if she'd been crying for hours.

Henry stood nearby, glaring at me with open hostility.

"Mom, Dad, Henry, I'm home." I forced a smile and turned to head upstairs with my bags.

"Stop right there!" My mother's voice was sharp. "Who said you could leave?"

I stopped and looked at her, confused.

"Luna, you've disappointed me! Lily gave you all the money she had, and not only did you fail to look after her, you stole from her?" My mother frowned and sighed helplessly. "Hand over what you took and apologize to Lily. I'll let this slide. But if there's a next time, don't blame me for enforcing family rules."

I looked completely bewildered.

Lily sobbed. "Luna, if you think the money I gave you wasn't enough, I... I can give you next month's allowance too. Can you please return the sapphire necklace and ring that Mom and Julian gave me? They were birthday gifts. They mean so much to me..."

"Did you see me take them with your own eyes?"

"You're still trying to lie?" Henry glared at me, strode over, and grabbed my wrist, his voice cold. "Hand them over."

"Henry, did you see me take Lily's things with your own eyes?" I shot back coldly. "If you didn't see it, why are you so sure I stole them?"

"Who else could it be—" Henry's rage boiled over. He raised his hand and slapped me.

The sharp sound echoed through the empty living room.

My cheek burned. I covered my face, my eyes instantly turning cold.

In my past life, I was accused like this countless times. Every explanation was dismissed as an excuse. Every attempt to fight back brought harsher punishment.

"Henry, I'm your sister too..." Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. I took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Why did you hit me without proof? That double standard isn't a good look."