Chapter 7

Luna's POV

Hearing Henry's scolding and insults, I didn't get angry.

Lily was the cuckoo in the nest, yet they thought I was trying to steal her identity and position.

Even after bringing me home, not one of them cared about my feelings.

In the end, to please the fake heiress, they threw me into the ocean to feed the sharks.

So in this life, I wouldn't obsess over winning the love of my parents and brothers.

After all, Lily had been by their side for so many years. My parents and brothers saw her as their own.

As for blood ties? They didn't care about that at all.

They had no emotional foundation with me. But that wasn't an excuse to hurt me.

I sighed softly. Though I was tired from shopping all day, compared to the suffering I endured in my past life, it was nothing.

There were maids in the house, yet Lily made me prepare breakfast every morning.

"Luna, even though your role right now is as my servant, you're still part of the Ashford family. You're Mom and Dad's daughter. Only if you cook yourself will Mom, Dad, and your brothers feel comfortable eating, right?"

Because of that one sentence, for five years, I woke up at four every morning to prepare food.

During meals, I could only stand silently beside Lily and serve her.

How stupid was I in my past life to believe that if I just gave my heart, one day I'd earn my parents' approval?

After I heard Henry's footsteps fade away, I laughed coldly.

Who would've imagined that in my past life, a renowned university professor had no gentlemanly behavior at home?

To favor a fake heiress, he framed his own sister.

But in this life, Henry might not become a professor at all.

I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. Just as I was drifting off, I heard knocking.

"Luna, if you just hand over what you took, you don't even have to apologize."

"Luna, if you really don't like me, I can leave..."

Lily's voice was choked with sobs.

"Luna, are you mute?" Julian shouted.

I sighed. "I really don't like people who frame me!"

I couldn't see Julian's face through the door, but I could vividly imagine his disbelief and fury.

"Julian, I know Luna doesn't like me. I shouldn't have the nerve to stay here. But if I leave, I really don't know where to go..."

"Lily, don't cry. This will always be your home. No one can kick you out."

I rolled my eyes. Too bad they couldn't see it.

"Luna..." Lily spoke again, not forgetting to play the victim. "If you apologize to Mom and Dad, you can keep the things if you like them... After all, they should've been yours in the first place..."

"Lily, those gifts were for you. They have nothing to do with Luna. Since she refuses to repent, let her reflect in her room!" Julian coaxed her patiently, his voice gentle.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth. In my past life, I'd always hoped Julian would treat me with that same tenderness.

To be loved by my family.

But the truth was, in the eyes of the Ashford family, I was dispensable!

"Are we really leaving Luna home alone?" Lily asked.

"Don't worry. She won't die!"

...

After about twenty minutes, the house fell silent.

The entire mansion was quiet—no voices, no footsteps.

They'd all left.

Even the servants were gone.

I took a nap. When I opened my eyes again, it was dark outside.

Lily had lost something. To make it up to her, everyone went out with her. Now I was the only one left in the house.

In my past life, they left me alone too.

But the servants didn't all leave.

This time, they left me completely alone in my room.

Every light in the house, including the living room, was turned off. They clearly wanted me to feel scared and afraid.

I laughed coldly. They seemed to forget I grew up in the slums.

No lights? That just made it easier for me to leave.

I took a hairpin from my hair. In less than five minutes, the lock clicked open.

Kids from the bottom, with no one to rely on, had to have skills to survive.

But I never wanted to hurt anyone.

Not even those who hurt me.

In my past life, I tried everything to fit into this family, only to realize I was the one being cast aside.

I left the mansion and went to a nearby food stall. After eating my fill, I prepared to head back.

Leaving would've been easy.

But the Ashford family had the resources to find me anytime.

I would leave. But not empty-handed.

After all, they owed me from my past life. And I intended to collect.

Because I'd eaten too much, I walked back slowly.

Halfway there, a sharp screech of brakes pierced the air.

Not far ahead, a black sedan had crashed into a streetlight. The front was badly damaged, the hood popped open, and thick white smoke billowed out.

The air reeked of gasoline.

I quickly pulled out my phone, then froze.

I couldn't use my own phone. That would expose my whereabouts.

After all, the accident happened some distance from the residential area.

"Wake up!"

I saw blood streaming from the forehead of the man in the back seat. I kicked the door open and checked his breathing. Thank God—he was still alive.

I dragged him out of the car and laid him on the grass nearby. Just as I was about to run back to the driver's seat, sparks flew from the car. A second later—boom!—it exploded.

I stumbled backward and fell onto the man.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to."

I spoke softly, glancing at him. He was still unconscious, blood still flowing from his forehead.

Looking at the man I'd just saved, I had to admit—he was beautiful.

Short blond hair, pale, luminous skin, sharp features. Even with his eyes closed, he was the kind of beautiful that made people jealous.

"Looks like I don't need to call the police. I hope you'll be okay." I untied the silk ribbon from my hair and wrapped it around his forehead.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save your driver." I sighed and stood up.

The man's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Maybe it was just the wind.

But I had to leave. Now.

Thankfully, by the time I got back to the mansion, I heard the sound of an ambulance.

The house was still empty.

I obediently returned to my room and locked the door.

The next morning, I heard Lily's scream from downstairs.

Twenty minutes later, a servant unlocked my door and told me to come down.

I nodded, changed my clothes, and made my way downstairs slowly.

Dad and my brothers were sitting in the living room. Lily and my mother sat together, both with tears on their faces.

"Mom, Dad, Julian, Silas, Henry." My voice was soft, my face expressionless.

My mother frowned at me, her eyes blazing with anger. "Did you take the jewelry from Lily's room?"