Chapter 1

"Harmony, wake up and take your medicine. If you don't get up now, you'll miss the school anniversary," came a gentle voice by my ear. Someone lightly patted my shoulder, urging me urgently.

I slowly opened my eyes, and what met my gaze was the delicate face of my twin sister. Instantly, my heart tightened. A rush of emotions including fear, unease, and hatred flooded over me.

Looking at her holding a cup of fever-reducing medicine with a smiling face, I realized I had been reborn. I had returned to the day when she had schemed against me.

In my previous life, my sister, in her pursuit of becoming the sole heiress of the family, resorted to scheming on the day of the school anniversary. She tampered with my fever medicine, causing me to lose consciousness. She took away my prepared speech and went on stage to deliver it, receiving all the glory.

Meanwhile, she led me to a secluded alley where I was sexually assaulted by a group of people. They even recorded the incident and posted it online with the caption, "The so-called heiress of the Xander family is nothing special."

I was suddenly thrust into the public eye, and countless internet users insulted and criticized me, leaving hurtful comments. My family didn't support me; instead, they called me a disgrace, saying I had brought shame to the Xander family.

In the end, this drove me into depression, and I tragically ended it all by leaping from the Xander Corporation's building.

Now, as I regained my senses, I stared at my sister with a pale face.

"Harmony, take your medicine!" My sister, Gemma, pushed the medicine closer to me once more.

The fear from my past life had not yet dissipated, and I looked at the medicine in terror. I knocked the cup over, spilling the warm water.

"Ah!" Gemma's scream almost pierced my eardrums.

The warm water splashed onto her hand, and she sat on the ground, looking miserable, cradling her reddened hand.

In an instant, everyone in the house rushed into my room, checking on Gemma's condition with concern.

"Gemma, what happened?" My dad asked with deep worry in his eyes.

Gemma lifted her innocent face, tears welling up in her eyes. She pouted and said, "I was trying to give Harmony her medicine, but she seemed to not want it... and she knocked it over."

All eyes turned towards me.

"Harmony, what's wrong with you? You're sick, and your sister kindly brought you medicine. Why are you causing trouble?" My brother, Tim, was furious, questioning me.

"Harmony, I know you're not feeling well but you shouldn't take it out on your sister. You're being unreasonable!" My mom spoke with a gentle tone but a hint of blame in her eyes.

I clutched the bedsheets tightly, struggling to speak. "Gem... Gemma put something in the medicine..."

"Harmony, what are you saying? How could I..." Gemma looked at me in shock, tears streaming down her now-red eyes.

The nanny, who had hurriedly brought the medicine box, overheard my words. She shot me a glance and then gently held Gemma's delicate hand. She applied a burn ointment while comforting her, "Gemma, how are you feeling? Does it still hurt?"

"Harmony, if you didn't want to drink it, you could have simply declined. Why did you have to falsely accuse Gemma of tampering with it? You've really disappointed Gemma’s good intentions!"

Upon hearing the nanny's remarks, my parents' expressions grew even more furious as they looked at me.

"Harmony, not taking medicine is one thing, but why would you be so mean to your sister? You're so ungrateful!" My mom frowned in disappointment.

"Unbelievable! Your sister is taking care of you out of concern, and this is how you repay her?" My dad was furious, his face flushed with anger.

"Harmony, your thoughts about your sister are incredibly malicious, don't you think?" Tim pointed at me and accused me of being malicious.

The cacophony of accusations and blame from my family overwhelmed me. It was as if I suddenly realized something.

My twin sister, Gemma, and I were both the daughters of the Xander family, but our treatment at home was vastly different. It was all because she had been weak and sickly when she was born, and everyone believed that I had taken away her nutrients in our mother's womb, causing her fragility. As a result, I felt responsible for her and always yielded to her demands.

Even our names reflected this. I was named Harmony, symbolizing magnanimity and not keeping score, while she was named Gemma, signifying the family's treasured gem.

In my previous life, I had genuinely believed that everything was my fault. I showered my sister with love and care, even enduring the harsh words of my family when they criticized me because of her. I thought I hadn't done enough.

Now, I finally understood that my constant concessions had only contributed to the current situation. From childhood to adulthood, she had always wanted to take what was mine. It started with dolls and snacks and eventually escalated to stealing my family's love and position. She competed with me in every aspect and always tried to outshine me.

However, she lacked the talent for academics, and when her grades didn't match mine, she would cry and play the victim at home, manipulating my family's affection and favoritism. She took advantage of their love and bias to alienate them from me.

Look at her now, playing the pitiful victim again. I was telling the truth, but she acted as if I had wronged her.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she looked at me with disappointment. "Harmony, I didn't expect you to think this way about me..."

My family's sympathy only grew, and their words of blame became even harsher.

I chuckled bitterly. Why hadn't I noticed this in my previous life? Weren't we supposed to be a family?

With a splitting headache from the fever, I pushed myself up, grabbed the dress I would wear for the school anniversary, and headed to school for the rehearsal.

My heart sank, and a wave of sadness washed over me. I swore I wouldn't let Gemma succeed in this life!

"Harmony! Come back! Apologize to your sister!" My dad shouted from behind.

"Harmony, how can you leave without waiting for your sister?" My mom waved her hand, calling for me.

"Mom, why are you calling her back? If she doesn't want to wait, I'll take Gemma there later!" Tim exclaimed indignantly, giving me an angry glare.

As for me, I didn't pay any attention to their words. Gritting my teeth, I left without looking back.

To ensure my safety, I had to distance myself from Gemma!