Chapter 3: The Villainess Wakes Up

Yeah, I transmigrated before I was even born. After eating some poisonous mushrooms and dying in the modern world, I found myself inside a book. One minute, I was staring at ambulance lights, the next, I was listening to my new mom hum Patsy Cline while folding baby clothes. Surreal didn’t begin to cover it.

According to the plot, as the main guy’s sister, I was spoiled and willful, totally disgusted by my autistic brother, always humiliating and hitting him when no one was around. When I grew up, I deliberately bullied the female lead and eventually got sent to boarding school by my brother himself. Cause of death: unknown.

In short, I didn’t survive. Damn. I finally got another shot at life, just to die even more miserably? No way. I think I can still save myself. I mean, I’d always thought I’d get a second chance at life and become some kind of hero—or at least not the family villain.

The chat comments seemed to finally catch up:

[What’s the sister plotting now?]

[She just doesn’t want to show her true colors in front of Mom!]

[Just wait until she’s alone with the main guy, then you’ll see how bad she is!]

I ignored the barrage and walked over to Caleb. Mom seemed a bit worried, glanced at Caleb, and said to me, “Natalie, your brother is a little shy with strangers. Since you just got back, go rest for now.” She gave me the soft, guarded smile of someone trying not to stir up more dust than necessary.

Hearing that, I looked again at my brother, who unconsciously took a step back as I approached, and nodded, “Yeah, okay, Mom.” He looked at me with this almost guilty glance, like he was the one imposing on my homecoming. I wondered if he even remembered me, or if I was just another variable he’d have to get used to.

Honestly, I didn’t plan to cozy up to Caleb. As long as I kept my distance and didn’t bully him, I should be able to avoid the original tragic ending. Self-preservation was my only plan—I didn’t need to be the “good daughter,” just the not-evil one. With that in mind, I happily went back to my room.

I didn’t notice that behind me, the boy stared after me for a long time before finally lowering his gaze in disappointment. In that quiet hallway, the air seemed to settle between us like a heavy blanket, hinting at all the words left unsaid.