Amelia jumped slightly, only to realize Damien was simply unbuckling her seatbelt.

He carried a subtle, masculine scent-a mix of light cologne and something uniquely his.

"Thank you, Mr. Taylor. I'll go in now," she said, trying to ignore the sudden flutter in her chest.

Once she stepped out, Damien didn't drive off immediately.

He watched as Amelia approached a villa-but instead of using the front door, she climbed deftly onto the balcony.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

"Sir, the two men have been dealt with. What's next?"

"Hand them over to the police," Damien replied coldly.

"One issue... one of them didn't make it."

"Did you get any information from them?" Damien pressed sharply.

"We... didn't have the chance."

He had intended to interrogate them about who was behind the attack on Amelia, but his men had been overzealous.

Hanging up, he rubbed his temples in frustration.

*****

Inside, Amelia had already slipped through the balcony into her bedroom and changed into pajamas.

Lying in bed, memories of that horrific day from her past life flooded back.

Back then, Sabrina had lied, telling her Ethan was waiting at his apartment. Overjoyed, she rushed over-only to find Sabrina in bed with Ethan.

She had completely lost control.

Ethan looked at her with contempt. "Playing the innocent victim? Who are you trying to fool?"

Sabrina asked Ethan to leave, claiming she would persuade Amelia not to break off the engagement.

The moment he was gone, Sabrina dropped the act. Smirking triumphantly, she said, "Those scandalous photos from your birthday? Ethan has seen them. And just five minutes ago, I posted them online-congratulations, you're about to go viral. Haha..."

That was when Amelia finally saw Sabrina for the manipulative snake she was. But even then, she never imagined Sabrina would go as far as murder.

Sabrina drugged her, slashed her face repeatedly, and pushed her from the 27th floor. She didn't just want Ethan-she wanted Amelia ruined, all for the Johnson family fortune.

Sabrina had schemed ruthlessly, but she could never have anticipated one thing: Amelia had been reborn.

Now, with a second chance, Amelia wasn't going to waste it. Just wait, Sabrina-your reckoning is coming.

If her memory was correct, Sabrina would call in about ten minutes.

Right on cue, her phone lit up.

The moment she answered, Sabrina's voice oozed fake concern: "Sis, where are you? Why aren't you home yet?"

Amelia answered in a groggy, sleep-filled voice: "Sabrina? Did you dial wrong? I'm asleep."

Downstairs in the Johnson living room, Sabrina had put the call on speaker. Richard Johnson and Grace Williams sat on the couch nearby.

Sabrina adopted a guilty, tearful tone: "Sis, it's all my fault-I shouldn't have taken you out to celebrate your birthday without telling Mom and Dad. You drank too much and disappeared... Please come home! Mom and Dad are worried sick!"

Amelia yawned lazily: "But I'm already in bed."

Sabrina sounded on the verge of tears: "Sis, stop joking... Where are you really?"

Amelia replied, feigning confusion: "What do you mean? I'm at home. Sabrina, are you okay? Did you drink too much?"

Richard's angry voice cut in: "Amelia! You're the one who sounds drunk. Get home now-ten minutes!"

Grace added with false warmth: "Amelia, we're really worried. We're all waiting for you in the living room."

Amelia smirked coldly. Worried? Please. That stepmother-and-daughter duo only knew how to play the innocent victims. Her father? Always took their side without question.

"Sis, say something!" Sabrina pressed-certain Amelia was lying and eager to expose her.

Just then, Amelia's voice came from the top of the stairs. She looked genuinely puzzled: "Sabrina, what are you talking about?"

Sabrina turned and froze. Amelia was walking down the stairs.

But that was impossible-wasn't she supposed to be unconscious in a hotel? How was she home?!

Sabrina rushed over and grabbed Amelia's hand, looking genuinely aggrieved. "Sis, why didn't you tell me when you got back? I was so worried about you..."

Amelia suppressed the anger rising in her chest, her expression neutral. "Sabrina, didn't you book a hotel room for me to rest? I couldn't sleep well there, so I came back early."

Sabrina froze for a second. Was Amelia onto her?

No one in the Johnson family ever really celebrated Amelia's birthday. Earlier that evening, Sabrina had taken her to a hotel under the pretense of a celebration. She had drugged Amelia's drink; after Amelia passed out, Sabrina had two men carry her into a hotel room.

She had been sure those men would do the job, that Amelia wouldn't dare speak up even if something happened.

But now, Amelia stood there completely unharmed. Had those two failed?

Grace chimed in, putting on a show of concern, "Amelia, even if you came back, you should have let us know. Your sister was worried sick, and you've gone and disturbed your father and me in the middle of the night."

She had been in on the drugging plan, too. But seeing Amelia perfectly fine now, Grace began to doubt whether their scheme had worked at all.

"It was already late. I didn't want to bother anyone," Amelia blinked her large, clear eyes, her voice dripping with innocence. "And Sabrina seemed fine with me staying at the hotel alone... Dad, Grace, you knew about the room, right? I assumed you didn't mind, so I didn't think it was a big deal."

Richard turned his gaze to Sabrina, though it wasn't exactly suspicious. "So you were the one who booked the room?"

Grace quickly interjected, "Darling, Sabrina mentioned it to me-it must have slipped my mind to tell you."

"Yes, I did tell Mom," Sabrina nodded rapidly.

"Dad, please don't blame Sabrina. She's the only one who remembers my birthday every year. She just wanted to make me happy. We might have had a bit too much to drink, and she probably doesn't even remember booking the room clearly," Amelia said softly, doing her best to sound pitiful. Playing the innocent? She could do that, too.

Sabrina shot Amelia a surprised look-wait a minute, wasn't that her line?

Amelia used to be so transparent. In the past, she'd either stumble over her words trying to explain, making it sound like a weak excuse, or she'd just swallow the blame silently. Totally spineless. But today? Something felt... different.

"Just a few days ago, Amelia told me how she envied the big birthday parties I get every year. I really just wanted to make her happy. I didn't think it would turn out like this. Dad, it's my fault. Please scold me." Sabrina spoke sweetly, but her emphasis on "big birthday parties" was unmistakable-she knew it was a sore point for Amelia.

Amelia had returned to the Johnson family five years ago, at eighteen.

The first year, Richard had actually thrown her a birthday banquet. But thanks to a stunt orchestrated by Sabrina and Grace that ended up humiliating Richard, it was the first and last party she ever received.

Richard had always favored Sabrina, but deep down he carried a shred of guilt toward Amelia. He sighed, "Alright, that's enough. Everyone, get some rest. And from now on, no more drinking when you go out. If I catch you again, you're grounded."

In her previous life, Richard had flown into a rage over this incident. He had yelled at Amelia and grounded her for a month.

Back then, all Amelia had said was, "Sabrina took me to the hotel."

Sabrina had immediately turned on the waterworks, playing the victim, while Grace criticized Amelia for being ungrateful.

Afterwards, Amelia had asked Sabrina what happened, and Sabrina fed her a few vague lies-which she had actually believed. She hadn't pressed further.

Sabrina and Grace had always been so "caring" in daily life, and Amelia had mistakenly thought they were her real family. She had treated them with sincerity. But they had used that sincerity to dig trap after trap for her.

This time, however... she was going to return the favor in full.

*****

Back in her room, Sabrina tried calling the two men she had hired-but no matter how many times she redialed, the calls wouldn't connect.

Damn it. She had already paid them-now she didn't even know if they had done the job. Useless thugs, so unreliable.

Just as she was fuming, an idea sparked. Without hesitation, she stepped out into the hallway and headed straight for Amelia's bedroom...

"Sis, are you... oh my god-"

The second Sabrina stepped into the room, a full bucket of icy water slammed down on her, drenching her from head to toe, and the bucket itself even knocked her on the head.

Amelia rushed over, her face full of worry. "Sabrina! Are you okay?"

Clutching her head, Sabrina winced in pain. It was pounding. "You... what the heck, Amelia?"

Amelia quickly shut the door and grabbed her sister's hand, looking sheepish. "I panicked. I was scared someone might break in, so I rigged that booby trap at the door... I didn't mean to hit you. I'm really sorry."

Sabrina was fuming inside but kept her cool. With a forced smile, she asked, "Why would someone break in? Who'd even show up here like that?"

"At the hotel earlier..." Amelia looked away, clearly dodging something.

Sabrina narrowed her eyes, pushing, "What happened at the hotel?"

Amelia hesitated, clearly fighting herself. "I... I really don't wanna talk about it."

"C'mon, we're sisters. You can tell me anything," Sabrina said, trying a little too hard to look concerned. The way Amelia looked... it had to be something big. Judging by her face, probably lost her virginity, huh?

Amelia tugged on her pajamas, revealing bruises and red marks all over her shoulders and collarbone.

"Wait, what happened to you? Who did this to you?" Sabrina gasped, staring with fake worry while her heart was practically doing cartwheels. That confirmed it-the two guys totally went through with it.

Amelia pulled her pajama top back on, her face pale. "Sabrina, please stop asking. I don't wanna relive it. I just wanna be alone right now."

"But I can help you if you tell me. We're sisters. We always got each other's backs, okay?" Sabrina's lips curled into a brief, subtle smirk. The more unwilling Amelia was to talk, the more obvious it became.

"This whole thing... ugh," Amelia shook her head, looking totally defeated.

"Seeing you like this really worries me. Please, just tell me what happened," Sabrina practically begged, dying to hear Amelia admit it outright.

Looking at Sabrina, still dripping wet like a soaked cat, Amelia bit back a laugh and stayed in character. "Sabrina, I know you mean well, but really... I can't. If you keep pushing, I'll probably break down."

"Fine... I won't ask anymore. You rest, okay?" Sabrina turned to leave, but the glint in her eyes revealed her real thoughts: if not now, she'd get the truth out of Amelia sooner or later.

Amelia nodded slightly. "Thanks. Go shower before you catch a cold."

As soon as Sabrina left, Amelia walked to her vanity, grabbed some makeup remover, and started wiping off the heavy lipstick and eyeshadow.

Most of her makeup? Gifts from Sabrina. All ridiculously bright reds and purples-flashy and loud.

She opened her closet. Again, all from Sabrina. The clothes inside looked like a color explosion. Way too much.

Sabrina once told her it was Ethan' type. So every time they met, Amelia dressed like some overdone showgirl just to please him. The result? She'd always end up looking kinda tacky.

Her phone buzzed.

A text from Rowan Carter: [Happy Birthday!]

That boy was her bestie. Amelia smiled and called him back. "You almost made me think you forgot about me."

Rowan chuckled. "Never! I was just waiting for the last minute to make my birthday wish stand out."

Amelia laughed, "I'm seeing you tomorrow."

Rowan lit up on the other end, "No way! You're serious? Didn't you say last week you were gonna be a housewife for your fiancé?"

"Pfft-that was just talk. You really think I'd drop my career for a guy? What do I look like-someone who's lost her mind?"

Ending the call, Amelia saw a new friend request.

Request message: [I'm Damien.]