17
When I opened my eyes again, I was sitting in a luxurious car.
We were on a highway, heading toward the city.
I blinked, looking down at my own tan skin and calloused hands. With a jolt, I realized: I had been reborn.
The System hadn’t lied. It had really brought me back.
And I was back at the very beginning. Fifteen years old, on the day the Hawthorne family came to collect me.
My brother, Liam, was driving. My parents were in the back with me.
09:33
I vaguely remembered this car ride from my past life. The atmosphere had been thick with an awkward silence. The kind of awkwardness that comes from being with family who are complete strangers.
But that wasn’t my fault. I was just a fifteen–year–old girl from the countryside. I hadn’t read many books, and no one had ever taught me how to act in high society. I was timid and scared, sitting there as small and quiet as possible.
My wealthy, educated parents and brother should have been the ones to ease my anxiety, to bridge the gap.
But they hadn’t. They had been too busy trying to figure out what to do with me, their “real” daughter, and how to handle Isabelle, the “fake” one
who had taken my place.
A smirk touched my lips. In this life, I wouldn’t be the awkward one.
I was about to say something scathing when my father suddenly took my hand. “Stella, there’s a sharp turn up ahead. I’ve got you. Don’t be scar-
ed.”
Huh?
! looked at my father’s face, filled with a genuine concern that felt like a dream.
Then I looked at my mother. She was on the phone. “Alfred, cancel the welcome dinner at the house. I want you to book the grand ballroom at the city’s finest hotel. And invite everyone. I want everyone who’s anyone to be there. I’m going to introduce them to my Stella!”
I remembered my first “welcome.” It had been a simple, quiet dinner at the manor. My parents had been ashamed of me. For a long time, they kept me hidden away, only allowing me to be seen after I had been polished and taught proper etiquette.
And now? My mother wanted to parade her “hick” daughter in front of the entire city’s elite. Wasn’t she afraid I would embarrass her?
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Liam spoke from the driver’s seat. “Stella, do you like this car? Or maybe you’d prefer a sports car? I’ll order you one as soon as we get home… No, wait, you’re not old enough to drive. How about this: I’ll be your personal chauffeur. I’ll take you for a spin!”
Liam was a car fanatic. In my past life, he never let me even touch his cars, complaining I would get them dirty. Now he wanted to be my driver.
I said nothing, but in my mind, I called out to the System.
It appeared instantly, eager for praise. [Congratulations on your rebirth, Host! As soon as you have a personal bank account, the one billion dolla- rs will be transferred immediately!]
“What’s with them?” I asked.
[This is an extra reward for you, Host. Your family has also been reborn. They don’t know that you have, but they are determined to cherish this second chance and give you all the love you deserve.]
I see
My family had been reborn, and they had finally woken up.
But I felt nothing but apathy.
09:34
Chapter 2
But I felt nothing but apathy.
I looked at the three pairs of eyes, filled with love and regret, and a familiar wave of nausea washed over me.
Love is a funny thing. The funniest part is, once it’s gone, it’s really, truly gone for good.
I managed a faint smile and a nod. “Thank you for your concern.”
