The funeral had just ended.

Katrina scanned the area.

When her eyes landed on Felix-standing there, crying with a grief-stricken expression-her hands tightened around the wheelchair armrests. Veins bulged faintly on the back of her hands.

She forced herself to look away.

Forced herself to suppress the raging hatred threatening to burst from her chest.

Not far away, Owen stood in a black suit. A white daisy was pinned to his chest. Dark sunglasses concealed his eyes, revealing nothing of his emotions.

Katrina curled her lips in cold mockery.

After joining hands to kill her, they still had the audacity to show up at her grave?

Did they want to disturb her even in the afterlife?

Too bad.

Her life wasn't meant to end.

She stared at them both, swearing silently in her heart-

One day, she would have her revenge.

Owen.

Felix.

She wouldn't let either of them go.

Suddenly, a heart-wrenching sob erupted behind her.

Her body stiffened. A flicker of sorrow flashed across her face before she could stop it.

A figure rushed in front of her.

"Rachel, you bitch! What are you doing here? Get out! Get out of here! Haven't you hurt Kate enough while she was alive? You bitch! You and that bastard Felix will get what's coming to you! You won't die a good death! Kate is watching you from heaven! You two shameless adulterers-how dare you show your faces at her grave?!"

Katrina looked up.

The face before her was painfully familiar.

Tear-streaked. Twisted with hatred and overwhelming grief.

Each word cut into her heart like a blade.

Sophie.

Her closest friend when she was alive.

Grief surged through her chest. She forced the tears back with sheer willpower.

There were too many eyes watching.

Endure.

She couldn't expose herself.

"Get out... Rachel, get out!" Sophie screamed hysterically. "Just wait-I'll find proof that you murdered Kate. I won't let you get away with this!"

Sophie's words struck straight into Katrina's heart, shattering the fragile composure she had been desperately holding onto.

"I-"

Before she could finish, Sophie suddenly lunged forward, reaching to shove her wheelchair.

Felix reacted instantly, stepping in front of Sophie and blocking her.

"Have you lost your mind, Sophie? I already told you-Kate's death was an accident. It had nothing to do with Rachel. Are you done causing a scene? This is Kate's funeral! What exactly are you trying to do here?"

-Smack!

The sharp sound echoed through the cemetery.

Felix's face snapped to the side. A clear handprint bloomed across his fair cheek.

"Felix," Sophie spat, pulling her hand back, "the one who has the least right to stand in front of Kate is you, you hypocritical coward."

She took two steps back as if being close to him would stain her.

Felix's face darkened, his eyes blazing as he glared at her.

When he was slapped, Katrina had nearly applauded.

Just one slap?

That was letting him off easy.

But...

She would have plenty of chances in the future to settle the score with Felix-slowly.

"Who allowed you to come here?"

A cold, merciless voice sounded from behind her.

Owen.

The faint curve at the corner of her lips disappeared instantly.

"I heard Miss Donovan was being buried today," she replied calmly. "I thought I'd come and see her off one last time. Is that not allowed?"

Attending her own funeral.

What a ridiculous thing.

And yet it had happened to her.

Owen let out a cold snort. "What right do you have to stand in front of her? Rachel, you truly have no shame."

The moment he saw Rachel appear at the funeral, a chill had radiated from his entire body. If not for his iron self-control, he would have ordered someone to drag her out without hesitation.

Katrina gave a soft laugh, her tone dripping with mockery.

"Why can't I come? After all, Miss Donovan was technically my lifesaver. I'm just here to send her off. That's not too much, is it?"

The moment she mentioned that, Owen's anger surged uncontrollably. His icy eyes flared with piercing cold.

That night, when he learned that Rachel and Felix had lured Katrina out under the pretense of visiting a friend, he had gone nearly mad searching for her.

He hadn't slept for a single second.

Like a wild beast driven insane, he tore through the city.

But when he arrived at the abandoned hospital, the only thing left was the thick stench of blood in the air.

On the operating table lay Rachel-unconscious after surgery.

Katrina was gone.

She wasn't found until three days later.

"Go back," Owen ordered, his voice brooking no refusal.

Katrina almost laughed.

"You can stay, but I have to leave? Why?"

She lifted her chin, meeting his increasingly frigid gaze with open defiance. There was no fear in her eyes-only raw hatred.

She hated him.

Katrina hated Owen.

Completely.

Yet he paid no mind to the hatred in her gaze.

"Wade," Owen commanded coldly, addressing the silent assistant behind him, "take her back to the hospital. Until her body has fully recovered, she is not to leave the ward for even half a step."

What he regretted most-what he blamed himself for most-was failing to find Katrina that night.

Failing to pull her out of Rachel's hands.

Now, even in death, Rachel refused to leave her alone. How could he allow her to stand here and disturb Katrina's final farewell?

Although Owen had been adopted by the Sterling family since childhood and was Rachel's nominal older brother, his patience with her had already reached its limit after what she had done.

The fact that he hadn't strangled her with his own hands was already the extent of his restraint.

Wade quickly stepped behind Katrina and began pushing her away.

This time, she didn't resist.

As she was wheeled off, her gaze drifted to the photo on the tombstone.

Her own face smiled back at her.

A deep sorrow rose in her chest.

She knew that after today, there would no longer be anyone in this world named Katrina Donovan.

No matter how much she loathed the name Rachel, she would have to live on wearing the identity of the person she hated most.

She had to avenge herself.

What she didn't notice was that as she left, Felix's eyes never left her.

In his gaze swirled a complicated emotion-something unfamiliar, almost breaking free.

...

After returning from the cemetery, Rachel was practically confined to her hospital room by Owen.

This time, she cooperated obediently.

Not because she had given in-

But because she needed her body to recover as quickly as possible.

Only once she left the hospital could she begin doing what she truly intended.

If God had arranged for her to be reborn in Rachel's body, then her story was far from over.

Katrina was dead.

Now, she was Rachel.

The reborn Rachel.

Once she came to terms with that, no matter how much she resisted it in her heart, she would survive under this name.

And she would make them all pay.

During her hospitalization, aside from Rachel's parents visiting from time to time, Owen never showed up again.

Felix, however, came to the hospital every single day, hoping to see Rachel.

And every single time, she refused.

She wasn't confident she could control herself if she saw him face-to-face.

There was a real chance she might lunge forward and strangle him on the spot.

That afternoon, Felix showed up again and started arguing with the bodyguards stationed outside her room.

On the surface, they had been assigned by Owen to protect Rachel.

In reality, they were there to monitor her every move-making sure she didn't leave the ward even half a step.

"Let him in."

Hearing the commotion outside, Rachel spoke calmly to the housemaid inside the room.

When she saw Felix again, her heart was much calmer than before.

She turned to the maid. "You can leave us."

Once the door closed behind the servant, Felix rushed to the bedside.

"Rachel, are you feeling better?"

Rachel quietly withdrew her hand from his grasp. Her voice was neutral.

"I'm much better. Why are you here?"

He had caused such a scene outside these past few days for one reason only-he wanted to see her.

Even without Rachel's full memories, she could guess why he was here.

Seeing her distant attitude, Felix clenched his jaw.

"Rachel, don't tell me that now that you've gotten what you wanted, you're planning to dump me? Don't forget the conditions you promised me."

Her expression shifted slightly.

Conditions?

Had the original Rachel promised him something?

She knew Felix well. Beneath that refined appearance was a calculating mind. When she had been Katrina, she had loved him blindly-tolerating his flaws without question.

If he was bringing up 'conditions,' then Rachel must have left something in his hands-some leverage.

Now that she was living in Rachel's body, no matter how much she despised it, she couldn't afford to let anything go wrong before taking her revenge.

"Felix," she said with a faint smile, forcing warmth into her tone, "what are you saying? Do I look like that kind of person? You're my boyfriend. You've helped me so much. How could I treat you that way? You're overthinking it."

Her smile felt stiff, but she maintained it.

"Really?" he asked suspiciously.

"Mhm." She nodded, looking at him with what appeared to be sincerity-while revulsion churned violently in her stomach.

To stabilize him, she had to act.

Only after studying her face carefully did Felix finally relax.

He had genuinely worried that this difficult heiress would toss him aside the moment she got what she wanted.

To be honest, when Rachel first pursued him aggressively, he had been suspicious. But considering the wealth and background of the Sterlings, he didn't care whether her feelings were real or fake.

If she truly loved him, even better.

If not?

He had plenty of ways to squeeze benefits out of her.

...

At the Sterling Corporation headquarters, Wade knocked on the office door and stepped inside.

He leaned down toward Owen and spoke quietly.

"Mr. Blake, the hospital guards just called. Felix caused another scene today. Miss Sterling met with him-and dismissed the servant who was accompanying her."

Every move Rachel made in the hospital was under Owen's surveillance.

"Oh..." Owen's lips curved into a cold smile.

Felix finally couldn't hold back anymore?

And Rachel...

A trace of frost flashed through Owen's eyes, quickly followed by a hint of helplessness.

He hadn't told Rachel's parents about what she had done. Without solid evidence in hand, he could only suppress the matter for now.

"Mr. Blake, there's something I don't understand," Wade said cautiously.

Owen raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

"The entire company knows Miss Sterling and Felix are together. Why are we still preventing them from meeting?"

Rumors were already spreading that Owen was deliberately breaking up a loving couple.

Owen let out a cold laugh.

"Do you really think Rachel is sincerely dating Felix? Or that Felix approached her without ulterior motives?"

More importantly-

Felix's official girlfriend had only just been buried a few days ago.

Katrina Donovan.

So what did that make Rachel?

The other woman.

The mistress who destroyed Katrina and Felix's relationship.

Wade froze for a second. "Given Miss Sterling's status, Felix is definitely the one punching above his weight."

He'd met Felix a few times and never liked him. Sure, the guy put on a bright, easygoing front-but Wade always felt there was something calculating beneath that sunshine smile.

He just hoped Miss Sterling would come to her senses and not let herself be used.

"Mr. Blake... aren't you going to check on her?" Wade asked helplessly.

Owen's voice was cold. "He won't be able to stir up anything."

Wade: "..."

Was that really okay?

"Mr. Blake, you should still go. It'll be easier to explain things to Chairman Sterling and Mrs. Sterling."

That reminder made Owen pause.

The kindness Rachel's parents had shown him was deeper than the ocean. Even though they had never used that debt to pressure him-and had even treated him, their adopted son, with boundless affection-no matter how ruthless Owen could be, for the sake of the two elders, he still had to clean up the mess Rachel kept making.

"Let's go."

He slipped on his suit jacket as he walked out.

...

Twenty-five minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the hospital.

Owen stepped inside with an indifferent expression, Wade following closely behind.

The elevator doors opened.

Felix, his face twisted with anger, ran straight into Owen.

His heart skipped. "Mr. Blake."

Why was he here at this time?

Owen didn't even spare him a glance. He brushed past him and headed straight toward Rachel's ward.

Felix stood there awkwardly, his expression stiff, resentment boiling inside.

'What's he so proud of? He's only lucky because he was adopted by the Sterling family. Just like me-parents unknown. What's with that arrogant act? Tch!'

Fuming, Felix left the hospital, already scheming how to use Rachel to get what he wanted.

Inside the ward, Rachel leaned halfway against the headboard.

Thinking about what Felix had just said, a mocking smile curved her lips.

He had actually asked her when they could set a wedding date.

Katrina's body wasn't even cold yet, and he was already talking about marrying another woman.

Human hearts really were that cold.

Just then, the door opened.

"I already told you, about the marriage-"

Assuming Felix had come back, Rachel spoke impatiently. But when she saw Owen standing there, her words cut off abruptly. Her expression turned slightly unnatural.

Owen walked over and sat down on the sofa. His deep eyes settled on her.

"So you and Felix have already reached the stage of discussing marriage?"

His voice was icy.

For some reason, Rachel felt a wave of tension tighten around her chest.

"That's my business. It has nothing to do with you," she replied evenly.

She didn't know how Rachel had interacted with Owen before. She knew nothing about Rachel's past.

So in front of him, she had to be extremely careful. She couldn't afford to reveal the slightest flaw.

Owen let out a cold laugh.

"Rachel, being with Felix... does your conscience feel at ease?"

A sharp edge flashed through his eyes.

Was she not afraid that Katrina would appear in her dreams every night?

Not afraid that Katrina would come back to claim her life?

At the thought of Katrina's death, his gaze grew even colder. The way he looked at Rachel was glacial.

But in Rachel's eyes, that expression meant something entirely different.

In Solandra, everyone knew that Owen had been adopted from an orphanage by the Sterlings when he was four.

The elders had originally planned to change his name, but he refused. They didn't force him. Instead, they showered him with love.

Even after they later had their biological daughter, Rachel, their affection for Owen never diminished in the slightest.

As he grew older, Chairman Sterling allowed him free access to the Sterling Corporation. When Owen turned twenty-two, he was directly handed control of the company.

Because of that, rumors spread like wildfire-Chairman Sterling was planning to marry Owen to his daughter and officially hand over the Sterling family empire.

Owen had never publicly denied it.

He even attended events side by side with Rachel, which only fueled the speculation.

Katrina had only learned about all of this after getting close to them.

And because of that, she had become even more certain that her death was connected to Owen.

Now, hearing his reaction to her relationship with Felix only strengthened that belief.

She remembered Rachel's words before her death-

'Owen would never be interested in you. I was the one who had him approach you. All for your heart.'

The heart transplant.

Now she believed it even more.

The flames of anger and hatred roared inside her, nearly swallowing her rationality whole.

At the last second, she forcefully dragged herself back from the edge.

Beneath the blanket, her hands clenched into tight fists. Her nails dug deep into her palms.

She felt no pain at all.

"Why not?" Rachel ground out through clenched teeth as she stared at Owen. "Oh, I get it. You don't seriously think we're going to get married, do you? Yes, you were adopted by the Sterlings-but publicly, we're brother and sister. How could we possibly be together? What do you think... my dear brother?"

She bit down hard on the last two words-brother-and anyone listening closely could hear the hatred underneath.

Owen didn't look away. His sharp gaze locked onto her, probing.

...Was it just his imagination?

Why did the Rachel in front of him feel different from before?

Wade's recent reports flashed through his mind. The once willful, arrogant, do-whatever-she-pleases Rachel had been far too abnormal during this hospital stay.

And most importantly-

When no one else was around, Rachel had never once called him 'brother.'

No one knew that detail except Wade and the Sterling parents.

Not even Katrina.

Sensing his scrutinizing stare, Rachel's heart skipped.

'Did I say something wrong?'

After a long moment, Owen withdrew his gaze. He stood up and adjusted the buttons on his suit.

"I have no interest in whatever is going on between you and Felix. It has nothing to do with me. Rachel, this is the last time I'm warning you-you've already gotten what you wanted. Stay away from Felix's schemes. Don't make Dad and Mom worry themselves sick over you at their age."

With that, he turned and left without looking back.

The suffocating pressure in the room finally dissipated with his departure.

Only then did Rachel let out a quiet breath.

Honestly, under that searching gaze just now, she had almost suffocated.

Even now, her heart was still pounding uneasily.

...

After leaving the ward, Owen went straight to the attending physician's office.

"Mr. Blake, are you here to see Miss Sterling?" the doctor hurried forward.

Owen nodded slightly. His voice was low and steady.

"Dr. Johnson, I came to ask you something."

"Of course. Please go ahead."

"If someone undergoes a heart transplant... is it possible for their personality to change as well?"

Dr. Johnson looked at him in confusion. "Mr. Blake, are you suggesting...?"

"Could they seem like an entirely different person?"

That was exactly how Rachel had felt to him today.

As if she had become someone else.

And faintly... strangely... there had been a trace of familiarity about her.

Dr. Johnson didn't answer immediately. After a long pause, he asked carefully, "Mr. Blake, forgive my bluntness. Are you saying Miss Sterling..."

He trailed off, but the implication was clear.

Owen gave a slight nod. "I need an answer."

Dr. Johnson adjusted his glasses and explained, "From a medical standpoint, a person's personality, temperament, and even habits are shaped from childhood. A heart transplant, under normal circumstances, would not alter lifelong behavioral patterns or character traits."

He hesitated before continuing.

"However... there have been rare cases reported. There was an article in the United States about transplant recipients developing habits, personality traits-even mannerisms-similar to their donors. Some even identified themselves with the donor's identity."

"These cases are extremely rare. As for how to explain the phenomenon... the medical community still has no definitive answer."

After hearing the explanation, Owen said nothing more. He gave a slight nod and left the office.

Outside, Wade had clearly heard everything.

"Mr. Blake... could it be..." He hesitated. Maybe they were overthinking it. Rachel was still recovering; her body was weak. It didn't necessarily mean what the doctor implied.

Owen frowned.

"Don't mention this to my parents for now. I don't want them worrying. As for Rachel-we'll observe her for a while before drawing any conclusions."

Wade nodded in understanding.