Chapter 1
By chance, I took a knife meant for the New York’s wealthiest heir. As thanks, he not only gave me money and a villa, but also promised to marry me.
But when I returned after six months in the hospital? My adopted sister Mallory had taken over my villa and was secretly planning to take my place as his bride.
After I exposed her, Mallory secretly used my SSN to borrow a million dollars.
While I was hiding from debt collectors, she put on a wedding dress and went to marry into the Valentine family in my place.
And me? I was eventually forced to fall from a rooftop to my death by those loan sharks…
Fortunately, I was reborn.
Now that I’m back, I’m not only blocking my foster daughter from snagging my SSN for loans and shutting down her whole ake bride scheme.
Plus, I’ve got a real nice ‘SURPRISE‘ waiting for her!
After six months in the hospital, I returned to the villa that Rhys had given me, only to discover I no longer had a place in my >wn home.
The second–floor bedroom with the best natural light had become Mallory’s bedroom, filled with the plush toys she loved.
Even my study had been transformed into Mallory’s personal walk–in closet.
When she noticed my darkening expression, Mallory approached me with a shy smile, taking my hand in hers.
‘Riley, the rooms were just sitting empty while you were in the hospital these past six months.”
‘I have so many things and needed the space. You don’t mind, do you?”
Looking at Mallory’s seemingly innocent face, I recalled my previous life when I returned from the hospital and didn’t have the heart to ask her to vacate my room. That was the beginning of a pattern of giving in, step by step, until I was finally driven to the edge.
I coldly yanked my hand away from hers. “Actually, I do mind. You knew perfectly well this was my room, and you should have cleared everything out before I came home.”
I calmly sat down. “It’s not too late now though. I’ll watch while you find someone to help you move your things. I want both rooms restored exactly as they were within two hours.”
Mallory stared at me in shock.
She clearly hadn’t expected that I–always the accommodating, easy going sister–would become so assertive after taking that
knife wound.
Her eyes grew misty, a calculated layer of tears forming.
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Attempting to Steal My World? Easy! My Rebirth Comes with a Playbook
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Chapter 1
On cue, my parents rushed to comfort her, shooting disapproving looks my way.
“Riley, honey, there are plenty of other rooms in this house,” Mom said with a frown. “You could take one of the first floor bedrooms. Mallory is your sister–if she likes these rooms, why are you being so difficult about it?”
I studied my parents–former struggling small–town factory workers who now dripped with luxury thanks to my sacrifice.
Dad wore a Gucci suit worth thousands, while Mom’s pearl earrings and Tiffany necklace cost more than they used to make in whole life.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
‘Mom, Dad–when you say things like that, do you even remember how we got this mansion in the first place?”
‘Or have I been in the hospital so long that you’ve convinced yourselves you earned all this?”
Their expressions immediately soured.
Watch how you speak to us,” Dad snapped. “So you accidentally saved the Valentine heir–it was just dumb luck. You happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
I stood up, smiling without warmth. “Oh, so you do remember that this mansion and all your newfound luxury came at the cost of my nearly losing my life?”
Six months ago, while photographing in the downtown, I happened upon Rhys Valentine being pursued by would–be assassins. I’d planned to call the police, but when Rhys spotted me, he ran in my direction.
Seeing the knife–wielding attacker closing in behind him, I instinctively pushed Rhys aside. The blade meant for his heart plunged into my abdomen instead.
As I lost consciousness, the police arrived.
During my unconscious state, the police arrived just in time. I could sense Rhys frantically holding me, his breathing becoming
erratic.
He carried me into the ambulance, looking at me with a complex, guilt–ridden expression.
Only when the doctor said I wasn’t in any life–threatening danger–just seriously injured–did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“Riley was brave and fearless. If she hadn’t saved me, that knife would have pierced my heart.”
Despite his family’s objections, Rhys insisted on marrying me.
To show his sincerity, he showered my family with gifts–villas, checks, luxury items–in an endless stream.
During my six months in the hospital, my parents and adopted sister Mallory were too busy enjoying their newfound wealth and status to visit me even once.
They took everything for granted, perhaps even wishing I had died so Rhys would spend his life feeling guilty and supporting them in comfort.
But I came back–alive.
Seeing my assertive demeanor, Mom’s eyes flashed with disgust as she frowned.
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Chapter 1
“It’s just two rooms. You’re going to marry the Valentine heir–how can you be so petty?”
“Exactly. What’s the big deal about giving those rooms to Mallory? During the six months you were in the hospital, she took care of us in your place. If you ask me, giving her the entire villa wouldn’t be too much.”
I responded with a cold smile, saying nothing as the tension built.
Mallory bit her lip and stepped forward, pretending to be understanding:
“It’s all my fault, sister. Please don’t argue with Mom and Dad. If you don’t like it, I can have my things moved out…”
As she spoke, tears welled up from her eyes.
I just smiled. “Fine. So have everything moved out now.”
Mallory looked up at me and bit her lip hard, seemingly surprised that I would insist even after she had brought our parents
into it.
With obvious reluctance, she called the bodyguards and housekeepers to help move her belongings.
Two hours later, as Mallory’s last piece of clothing left my room, she stood in the doorway and turned to look at me, her eyes revealing a flash of hatred and jealousy.
I met her gaze calmly, with a faint, ambiguous smile.
‘Remember this: I chose these two rooms, and even if I get married and move out someday, no one else can have them.”
Mallory lowered her head to hide her emotions and responded in a muffled voice.
I understand, sister.”
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Attempting to Steal My World? Easy! My Re