The rain poured heavily outside the Carter mansion, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling, creating a tense atmosphere inside the opulent home.
On the floor lay a girl in a white t-shirt, her back stained with blood, her long dark hair covering her face as her body trembled uncontrollably.
“Jessica, you need to stop playing the victim!” shouted her older brother, Mark, his face flushed with anger. “This is the third time you’ve hurt Emily! How dare you push her down the stairs? Don’t forget, she’s the real heiress of the Carter family, and you’re just an imposter!”
Jessica shook her head, struggling to rise, reaching out to grab his pant leg. “I didn’t… I didn’t do it… Dad, I really didn’t…”
Her voice was weak and shaky, barely audible, as if she could collapse at any moment.
She hadn’t touched Emily, nor had she pushed her!
“Enough!” Their mother, Linda, stood up from the couch, disappointment etched on her face. “You’re still making excuses? You’ve done nothing but bring shame to our family! Emily is our daughter, and you’ve enjoyed her life for sixteen years. What more do you want?”
Even when they brought Emily back, I didn’t kick you out because I still cared for you as my daughter. But what have you done these past two years?
You’ve taken everything from Emily and yet hold a grudge against her, scheming to harm her. Jessica, I truly regret keeping you here!”
“No… it’s not like that… I didn’t… Mom, please believe me… I really didn’t…” Jessica felt her heart breaking as she heard Linda’s words, rushing forward to explain.
Bang—!
Mark kicked her, sending her crashing to the ground, raising a ruler to strike her. “You little brat, how dare you deny it? Are you saying Emily is the one who harmed you? She’s so kind and treats you like a sister. How could you be so ungrateful and heartless?”
“I’m going to teach you a lesson so you’ll remember!”
The ruler struck her, pain coursing through Jessica’s body, making it hard to breathe. Tears streamed down her face as she mumbled, “I didn’t… I really didn’t push Emily…”
Emily sat on the couch, her head wrapped in a bandage, her pale face watching the scene unfold with a frown. “Dad, please stop hitting her! If you keep this up, someone might get seriously hurt. I believe Jessica didn’t mean it.”
She stood up but was pushed back down by Linda. “You’re still injured! Don’t worry about this. Your father knows what he’s doing.”
“Dad, she’s bleeding a lot! Please, don’t hit her anymore! I’m begging you!” Emily’s eyes turned red. “And why isn’t she moving?”
Hearing this, both parents finally noticed that Jessica lay still on the ground.
Could she have really died? No way…
Mark jumped back, dropping the ruler in shock, and kicked Jessica’s side. “Get up, you little brat! Stop pretending!”
Jessica didn’t move, and panic set in for Mark. If she really died, things would get serious.
He would be going to jail.
“Calm down; she’s just pretending!” Mark said, trying to regain his composure as he crouched down to check Jessica’s pulse, fearing the worst.
Just then, Jessica’s eyes flew open, and she quickly grabbed Mark’s hand, twisting it painfully.
“Ah—”
Mark’s face contorted in pain as he yelled, “You little brat! How dare you touch me? Do you think you can get away with this? Do you even care about me?”
She was definitely pretending!
“Hey!” Linda rushed over. “Jessica, let go of him! Are you out of your mind, attacking your father?”
She was furious, forcing Jessica to release her grip, helping Mark back to the couch.
Jessica’s body felt stiff as she tilted her head, her dark eyes revealing a hint of confusion.
Ah~ she was alive again.
The girl’s name was Jessica, eighteen years old, a fake heiress of the Carter family. Two years ago, Mark brought Emily home, claiming she had been switched at birth, and that Emily was their real daughter.
At first, Linda couldn’t accept this. After all, she had raised Jessica for sixteen years. Although their mother-daughter bond wasn’t very deep, it was stronger than the sudden appearance of Emily.
But gradually, everything changed. Emily and Linda’s relationship grew stronger, far surpassing that of Jessica.
Jessica had changed her name to Jessica Carter, while Emily reclaimed the Carter surname, and everything began to shift.
Jessica started to “harm” Emily, causing the couple to grow increasingly disappointed in her.
This time, Jessica had pushed Emily down the stairs. Although it was a minor injury, it had infuriated her parents.
Mark resorted to physical punishment, intending to teach Jessica a lesson.
And she, the zombie king from the apocalypse, had been reborn.
Jessica absorbed the original owner’s memories and, despite her injuries, struggled to rise from the ground, her back aching from the wounds.
But she held her back straight, refusing to fall.
Emily watched her, her eyes flickering.
Jessica’s face was stunningly beautiful.
She wore a simple white t-shirt, and even though her complexion was pale and devoid of color, she was still breathtaking.
But the once timid girl now exuded an aura that made people’s hair stand on end, sending chills down their spines.
Linda looked at her, her anger boiling over. “Jessica, are you trying to rebel? You’ve harmed Emily like this, and now you dare to lay hands on your father? Have I taught you nothing?”
“Enough!” Mark interjected, his voice firm. “Emily is our real daughter. Why are you siding with an outsider? How do you think she feels?”
Linda looked at Emily, unable to say another word.
Mark’s voice turned cold. “Get someone to throw her out, along with her belongings!”
The servants approached, and Jessica coldly glanced at them, her expression unreadable. “I’ll leave on my own.”
With that, she turned and walked away, step by step, without looking back.