Chapter 2

"Even if you did make it back to Neller City, someone as mediocre as you would just end up getting laughed at. I was doing you a favor."

That was what Estelle Camden had the nerve to say on my deathbed in my past life—still going on and on, trying to ease what little guilt she had by pinning all the blame on me. It made my blood boil so badly I died with my eyes wide open, choked with fury.

Just looking at someone that selfish made me sick.

"You know I just woke up. Why are you pushing me like this? If you really cared about me, wouldn't you wait until my memory came back before bringing any of this up?"

The moment my calm, even voice trailed off, Estelle froze in sheer shock. She furrowed her brow at me like I was some disobedient dog that had just snapped at its owner.

Suddenly, Derek Willis reached over and took my hand, putting on a concerned front. "Nick, you made it through the accident—Estelle's just happy. She knows all you've ever wanted is a family, so she proposed right away. Everyone can see you two make a perfect couple. If you don't believe me, just check the photos on your phone."

Hearing that, I almost laughed out loud. Derek had to be the most desperate one here right now.

We'd grown up together in the same orphanage, but he always thought he was better than me in every way. Whenever someone gave me something, it would mysteriously disappear the next day—and sure enough, it'd show up on him soon after.

In my previous life, after he stole my identity, he actually came back to visit. He pulled up in a luxury sports car, his skin no longer rough and dark like before but fair and glowing.

Meanwhile, I stood there in heavy, worn-out clothes, my chapped lips parting as I tried to greet him. But Derek recoiled like I was carrying some deadly plague.

"Nick, how did you get so old? Estelle was really unlucky to end up with you..."

That was just two months after I'd been discharged from the hospital. I had no one to take care of me and still had to cook for myself. Between the physical and mental toll, I was barely holding it together. So I looked at Estelle, hoping she'd say something—anything—to ease the pain.

But instead, she glanced at Derek and smiled. "How could you compare to him? You're a rich heir now. He's just a country bumpkin—this is his lot in life..."

But now I knew the truth. This was never supposed to be my fate. The two of them had fed on me like parasites, gorging themselves until they were plump and satisfied.

Not this time. Never again.

I coldly pulled my hand away and replied flatly, "I don't know you either. Please leave—I need to rest."

Derek's hand hung frozen in midair, and for a split second, a vicious glint flickered in his eyes. But he kept himself in check and forced a smile. "Alright, then... get some rest."

Estelle looked like she wanted to argue, but Derek pulled her away. The others said their goodbyes and filed out after them.

I finally let out a breath. The wound on my head was still throbbing, and before long, I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up again, it was already the next day.

I remembered the DNA test report and immediately went downstairs to pick it up. But the nurse gave me a confused look. "That was already picked up—for Nick Dalton."

I froze on the spot.

Estelle. My mind instantly put the pieces together.

My parents were flying back tomorrow—they couldn't even wait one more day. They'd already taken my report.