chapter 7

Of course, Sarah didn't miss the chance to bond with me. She happily agreed to go to the hospital together.

In my past life, Mom, Dad, and even Derek had all known about Landon and Stella—but they had hidden it from me.

They let Stella, engaged to the Thornton family's son, carry on with Landon right under my nose.

Landon thought I had tried to drown Stella, so he came to hate me.

He publicly humiliated me, claiming he wouldn't even look at me if I stripped naked.

At the hospital, Stella was leaning against Landon's chest.

"Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry for being careless and making you worry," she said softly.

"You should go home. I'm afraid Eleanor might be upset."

Mom looked at her with tender concern.

"She can take care of herself. But your health, Stella—I just can't relax about that."

"Mrs. Parker, don't worry. I'll always take good care of Stella," Landon said, gazing at her with dreamy, loving eyes.

Stella lowered her head shyly.

Landon was supposed to be engaged to me.

But Mom didn't find anything strange. In fact, she seemed happy for them.

"Stella is so lucky to have someone like Landon who truly loves her."

Hearing this, Landon pulled out a ring and dropped to one knee.

"Stella, I'll never marry anyone but you."

Sarah, arriving just in time, screamed, "Landon! What are you saying?! You're supposed to marry Eleanor! Apologize to her—now!"

After all, Stella was just a sickly girl. And Sarah knew she wasn't really a Parker.

How could she compare to the real heiress—the top student?

In the past life, Sarah hadn't liked Stella either. Back then, I had been famously spoiled and wild—a country bumpkin, completely ignored by the Parkers.

She didn't like me at all, so switching fiancés hadn't mattered to her.

But in this life, she wouldn't accept a weak, failing girl as her son's bride.

Landon glared at me, furious.

"Never in my life would I marry a vixen like you!"

He strode toward me, arrogant and cold.

"You're not worthy of me! Even if you're the top student, I still look down on you. You can't compare to Stella—not even close."

Sarah slapped him hard.

"Shut up!"

She dragged Landon away by force.

She had no idea he'd been pretending all along—to her face, he claimed he wanted me, but secretly remained entangled with Stella.

The noisy room fell silent.

Before I could speak, Stella started crying, begging, "Eleanor, it's all my fault. I couldn't control my heart. I'm so sorry… But without him, I'll die."

Her wide, teary eyes looked pitiful, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

Mom panicked and quickly handed her water.

"Eleanor, just let Landon go to Stella. Mrs. Hunt wants you two together, but Landon doesn't love you."

I kept my expression calm.

"Stella has an arranged marriage with the Thornton family."

Without hesitation, Mom replied, "Then you can take her place and marry into the Thorntons."

I laughed bitterly.

"So you've already planned for me to take her place in the marriage."

"You're both my daughters. Isn't it the same either way?"

I stared at them mockingly. The truth was, the Thornton family had gone bankrupt, and Stella desperately wanted to break the engagement.

They couldn't bear to see their adopted daughter suffer, so they were sending me instead—sending their own flesh and blood to endure the pain.

What wonderful parents for Stella—willing to sacrifice their real daughter for their fake one.

Mom reached out to hold my hand, but I pulled away. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she turned to Dad.

Dad pulled out a bank card.

"If you agree, this million is yours. Ask for anything else—you name it."

A million. That was all my future was worth to them.

Stella got more pocket money than that.

Before I could respond, his tone shifted, dripping with disgust.

"All these years, you've treated Stella coldly. Never cared for her. At least this can be your repayment to her."