The day I get engaged, my brother brings home a woman who's my age. He says she's his actual sister and accuses me of stealing her life for the past 20 years. Even my fiancé says she's his rightful wife.

I'm kicked out of home. Meanwhile, my brother and fiancé take the true heiress traveling. They even give her the villa they had prepared for me.

Half a month later, they suddenly remember it's my birthday. To their dismay, they find that they can't see me anymore—I've joined a secret ten-year project organized by the nation.

They're supposed to be happy, but they now regret everything.

"Eleanor, have you thought this through? This project requires total isolation. Once you head off, you won't be able to see your family."

Jonathan Hensley's words pulled me back from my thoughts. My eyes were still damp.

A lot had happened at home these past few days—nothing everyone at the institute didn't know about. I, Eleanor Shaw, was a fraud.

"I know this incident has hit you hard, but you shouldn't act rashly. This concerns your life."

Noticing the sorrow in my eyes, the director of the institute clasped his hands behind his back. His expression was heavy with concern.

"Please rest assured, Dr. Hensley. I'm not acting on impulse. The only reason I didn't accept this immediately was my family—I couldn't bear leaving them. But now, given how things have turned out, leaving would be the right decision."

I steadied myself, wiping away a tear I hid from Jonathan.

I was truly heartbroken, but at the same time, I felt a sense of relief.

It was as though I had always known this would be my final decision.

Rather than causing everyone unhappiness, it was better to step aside early and make room for the replacement.

"Alright, I trust you. Take care of yourself. Departure is in half a month."

Jonathan didn't press further. Instead, he gently patted my shoulder. He knew I needed comfort but couldn't find the right words. Hence, he could only let his actions show that he was always on my side.

"Thank you."

I nodded at him and walked out. People in the research institute all turned to look at me.

Since my identity was exposed, my colleagues had been especially sympathetic.

In their eyes, everything I had achieved was the result of my own hard work. However, my brother, Jeffrey Shaw, had publicly declared on the company's website that all my achievements were thanks to the Shaw family's name. As such, I had no right to blame them, nor did I deserve any sympathy.

"El, perhaps you shouldn't go back."

"Yeah, I have an extra room at my place. There's no need to go back and suffer, especially if you're leaving soon anyway."

Everyone was trying their best to console me, offering help in various ways. However, I only shook my head gently.

"It's precisely because I'm leaving that I should go home."

I needed to repay what I owed. Jeffrey's words, though harsh, weren't wrong. I had taken over his biological sister's life for over 20 years. This was my fault, my debt to bear.

"El."

Seeing my determination, they tried to persuade me further. I forced a smile and hugged each of them. "It's okay. Remember, I'm as tough as they come. Just like our experiments—no matter how difficult, don't we always pull through in the end? Trust me."

I raised my hand in a gesture of encouragement, then stood up and headed home.

The Shaw residence wasn't far from here, as it was investments from Jeffrey and my fiancé, Ivor Rhett, that funded the research institute.

To be closer to me, they even built two villas nearby, adjacent to each other. These were my two homes.

But now, there was no place for me in either villa. When I arrived, the household staff were openly hostile, too.

"Mr. Shaw has said that you are no longer part of the Shaw family. How do you still have the gall to show up here?"

"Someone steals 20 years of someone else's life and still has the audacity to stick around."

Countless scornful looks fell upon me, and my body stiffened. The words I had strung together were lodged fast in my throat.

All I wanted was to retrieve my belongings. All I wanted was to say goodbye.

"What are you doing here?"

Before I had time to recover, Ivor emerged from the villa holding a stuffed toy.

It was our token of love from when we were 18. On the day of our engagement, it went missing. I thought it was gone forever.

"Ives."

A glimmer of hope surged in my heart as I reached out my hand. But in the next moment, the stuffed toy flew from his hand, drawing a beautiful arc in the air before landing precisely in the trash bin.

"Can I help?"

Ivor's face was stern. Hastily, I withdrew my outstretched hand, feeling hard to breathe.

When we were 18, he had said, "Even if I lost my life, I'd never lose this toy."

Now, he was throwing it away with his own hands. Did that mean his life no longer included me?

"Eleanor, we've already discussed this. The person I got engaged to was the real Ms. Shaw. You merely took her place in life. Did you think I was marrying you? Do I need to spell it out? The person I'm marrying is her. Don't you get it? How do you still have the nerve to come here and cause trouble?"

His deep voice seemed to confirm my worst fears. His words tore through me; it was as though the man who once promised to love me forever had never existed.

"I've only come to collect my belongings," I murmured, forcing down the lump in my throat.

It was then that a chorus of sneers escaped the Shaw residence. "Have you finally made up your mind to come back? You threw a tantrum just because of a little something we said. Eleanor, what right do you have to be upset? Over the years, it was Rhianne who bore all the hardships for you."

Jeffrey stormed out of the villa, his anger palpable. I immediately lowered my head. "I'm sorry," I squeaked.

I truly felt sorry. I hadn't orchestrated the baby-switching incident, but I did reap the benefits.

Rhianne appeared last and immediately spoke up. "That's okay, as long as you're back. I've been so worried these past few days! It's Ives and Jeff's fault; I even told them to look for you."

Over the past few days, she had been scrambling to learn how to play the role of a proper heiress.

Anyhow, years of malnutrition had left her looking out of place.

That burden should have been mine to bear.

"It was my own fault. They were right not to look for me."

Out of guilt, I lowered my head even more.

Rhianne grabbed my arm, flustered. She began to explain, "El, don't listen to them. This will always be your home. I'm the one who disrupted your life."

Tears started streaming down her face, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Without warning, Ivor shoved me aside. "How many times do I have to tell you? Your presence only reminds Rhianne of painful memories. Did we not give you enough money? Can't you just stay away forever?"

There was once a time when he worried about me like this.

There was once a time when he disliked Rhianne just as much.

Back then, I was the cherished daughter of the Shaw family. On the other hand, Rhianne was merely Ivor's intern assistant.

Jeffrey hated her, fearing her proximity to Ivor would damage our relationship.

Meanwhile, Ivor thought she was incompetent and clumsy.

When did things start to change? Perhaps it was the day Ivor first teased her lightheartedly after she made a mistake.

Later, to improve relations between Rhianne and Jeffrey, Ivor often brought her to Shaw family dinners. Ultimately, Jeffrey was completely won over by her kindness.

These were only minor things, ones I never noticed. I had never targeted Rhianne, for I thought I was their treasure. I thought no one could overshadow me.

But then came the engagement, and I fell from grace. In contrast, she rose to take my place as the esteemed Ms. Shaw.

Fate certainly had a cruel sense of humor.

Just then, Jeffrey spoke. "Eleanor, unlike Ivor, I'm not that heartless. I only have one request—you can come back, but don't you dare bully Rhianne. Do you copy?"

When my collar was furiously yanked, I met Jeffrey's eyes and nodded solemnly. "I understand."

I had no intention of competing with Rhianne in the first place. And even if I wanted to, could I possibly win?

I was but an imposter. Who would stand by me?

"Alright, you both are being too harsh. How could you be so authoritarian with El? I'm not made of paper—I'll be fine," Rhianne chipped in.

The situation was about to settle down when she stepped in again, affectionately wrapping her arms around me. "El, let's go have fun together. Just ignore these annoying men!"

She was acting rather spoiled. Jeffrey ruffled her hair dotingly. Even Ivor, who was usually expressionless, had a warm smile.

They were the epitome of a happily ever after.

"It's okay. It's only what I deserve."

I subtly distanced myself from Rhianne, but she didn't seem to catch on. Every time I pulled away, she pulled me back.

"Eleanor."

All of a sudden, Jeffrey growled at me. Perhaps my actions were upsetting his precious darling.

He shot me a glare before unceremoniously dragging me into the study. Knowingly, Ivor followed close behind.

They dismissed Rhianne. It was evident that they were going to warn me to behave.

This time, I didn't cause a scene like I did during the engagement fiasco. Even my aching, bitter heart had grown numb.

"Mr. Shaw, Mr. Rhett, please rest assured. I only returned to retrieve my belongings. I won't compete with Rhianne for anything."

I made a point to use my most courteous tone, but Jeffrey still scanned me with distrust. "Your room has the best lighting in the house, so I let Rhianne move in. Your belongings have been relocated to a guest room."

His words were a direct order. I responded with a muted "Okay".

"And my home as well," Ivor added coldly. "I hope you know your place. Since you're back, go make some soup. Rhianne likes what you cook. She treated you well all those years—you're not going to refuse, are you?"

Making soup was the only skill I had mastered over the past 20-odd years, all thanks to the two men standing before me.

Now, they wanted me to make it for someone else. Had this happened in the past, I would have put up a fight.

But now, I merely nodded calmly.

"I'm on it."

I wasn't sure how I made it to the kitchen, but the act of staying busy helped me forget many things. Things like unhappiness and exhaustion.

Having received wind, Rhianne showed up in the kitchen shortly after. "El, thank you for cooking for me."

"It's nothing." I didn't look up at her but rather remained focused on my work.

"What are you making? Can I help?"

Like a curious child, Rhianne wandered around, her movements full of naïve energy. She tried to touch the pot lid, which was unquestionably scalding hot. I panicked and tried to stop her.

But she was faster. She burned herself and instinctively flung the lid aside, spilling hot soup onto me.

The lid, as if it had a will of its own, landed directly on my leg.

A loud crash echoed as I collided with the ground, unable to utter a sound from the pain.

"What happened?"

Jeffrey was the first to rush in, visibly anxious. In his haste, he stepped on my hand while dashing straight to Rhianne's side.

"Eleanor, I warned you already. What kind of tantrum are you throwing now? Don't forget your place," he berated through gritted teeth.

Before I could pull back my red and swollen hand, Ivor trod right over the same spot.

"Eleanor, is this the upbringing you received?"

Three pairs of eyes bore into me as I blew gently on my throbbing hand and staggered to my feet.

"Jeff, Ives, this has nothing to do with El. I wanted to help, but I didn't realize the lid would be so hot. Don't blame her. She didn't do it on purpose."

They always said that children from poor families had no choice but to grow up quickly. Whenever they scolded me, they would talk about how Rhianne endured countless hardships in my place.

But now that something actually happened, they seemed to have forgotten something. Surely, someone who had supposedly suffered so much would know better than to touch a scalding lid!