Chapter 2

Nathan still refused to give up. He gritted his teeth and set a final deadline.

"Let’s hold on for three more days. If it still doesn’t work, we’ll have to settle for Nora Hart for now."

Only then did I finally understand.

The "accidents" I experienced over the past three months had never been accidents.

Every injury was inflicted on me by the family I loved more than anything.

And they did it all to bring back Suzy Lane, the woman who stole my body!

I wanted to scream and demand an explanation, but only the metallic taste of blood rose in my throat.

The ambulance siren pierced the silence.

They rushed over and lifted me onto the stretcher, their faces filled with concern as they pleaded desperately with the paramedics.

"Please save her! You have to make sure she recovers completely!"

Their trembling hands and reddened eyes looked almost exactly as they had a year ago, when the falling beam struck me.

In a daze, I felt as if I had returned to the day of my eighteenth birthday celebration.

My parents had searched the entire city before renting an old banquet hall that was the same age as me.

Beneath the carved dome, crystal chandeliers reflected the envious gazes of the guests.

"Oh my goodness, Nora Hart’s eighteenth birthday celebration is so extravagant. Even a fairytale princess couldn’t ask for more!"

"She’s brilliant, comes from a wealthy family, and everyone at home treats her like the apple of their eye… Tsk, she’s so lucky it makes me jealous."

What a perfect eighteenth birthday it had been!

My parents each held one of my arms as they led me toward the towering cake display, while my two brothers followed close behind like knights guarding a princess.

I was so happy that my nose began to sting. I tilted my head back to hold back my tears, only to notice the dangerously unstable beam overhead.

My body reacted before my mind could.

My outstretched hand brushed against my mother’s silk shawl. My father’s gold-rimmed glasses flew through the air. Before my brothers could even cry out, darkness swallowed my vision.

Back then, they had surrounded me just like this, their voices trembling as they shouted at the paramedics.

"Please save her… Please, save her!"

Now, everything seemed unchanged.

The only difference was that the person they were waiting to wake up was no longer me, Nora Hart, but the female system agent, Suzy Lane.

At that moment, I decided to grant their wish.

I summoned the system with my consciousness.

"Back when my identity was taken from me, you promised me compensation. Does that offer still stand?"

A cold, mechanical voice sounded the next second.

[Of course. I can create a brand-new vessel for you, preserving your memories and personality while resetting your social ties so that you begin as an orphan.]

"Will I… occupy someone else’s body?"

[No. It will be an independently created identity with no prior owner. It will take only three days to register.]

I fell silent for a moment before forcing a dry "Okay" from my throat.

In that case, three days from now, I would return this body to their beloved Suzy.

Hot tears suddenly broke free and burned a winding trail down my pallid face.

"Look… Is she waking up?"

Nathan’s startled cry drew everyone’s attention.

The chairs toppled awkwardly as everyone sprang to their feet, and frantic footsteps surged toward me like a wave…

I slowly opened my eyes.

Four pairs of eyes immediately fixed on me.

Each gaze held hesitation, as if they wanted to speak but could not, along with deep anticipation.

At that moment, I absurdly hoped they would call my name—Nora.

Then Noman’s trembling voice shattered the silence.

"Suki…?"

The sugary nickname struck me like a hard slap and jolted me awake.

I looked at their suddenly tense faces, forced the corners of my lips upward, and managed a weak smile.