Chapter 3

Leslie's steps froze for a second. But the next moment, she had already sent the gun in Lydia's hand flying with one swift kick. Without hesitation, she grabbed Lydia by the neck and hoisted her up effortlessly. Leslie was born with freakish strength. Lydia, standing at 1.63 meters tall, might as well have been a rag doll in her hands. Her eyes turned fierce, and with a sharp twist-crack-the sound echoed before Lydia could even scream, her neck snapping instantly. Lydia's eyes went wide in horror, dying with shock and disbelief in her stare. No one would've thought Leslie could pull that off after being shot twice. But there she stood, still strong enough to kill. She then turned to Samuel. Samuel was trembling in fear. There was no doubt now-Leslie was a monster. Killing her was the only right choice. He picked up the gun from the ground and fired again and again. One bullet hit her in the head. Leslie was just one step away from him, arm still outstretched, when she finally dropped. Her eyes... were filled with unwillingness. Just a bit more. She was so close. She could've taken Samuel down with her. Damn it... It wasn't supposed to end like this! Her gaze shifted toward Broderick's direction. She struggled, crawling through the bloodstained ground toward him. At some point, the rain had stopped. A trail of blood followed her movements. Finally, she reached Broderick and grabbed his lifeless hand. "Broderick... I'm sorry. I'm giving my life to you now-it's only fair." Then, her eyes slowly closed. But her lips curled into a faint smile, peaceful and quiet... ***** "Mmm..." The person in bed stirred slightly, her head aching a bit. She rolled over-and promptly fell off the bed. Thud. Leslie snapped awake from the impact. Her eyes flew open, sharp and bright. She sat up straight. The half-open curtains flapped gently in the breeze coming through the window, light flickering across the room. Looking around, she quickly realized something that felt both insane and real-she was back. Or rather... reborn. Back to four years ago. Today, four years ago, was the day Broderick came to pick her up. Leslie jumped up and dashed to the bathroom. The reflection in the mirror was her twenty-year-old self. She still looked a bit youthful, but her beauty was already blooming. Her fingers trembled slightly. She touched the mirror, eyes trailing up to her seductive, almond-shaped eyes glowing with intensity. She... had actually come back. No-she'd been reborn. Back in this life! This time around, she'd make sure every single member of the Green family regret crossing her. Just thinking of Broderick sent a wave of warmth and anxiousness through her chest. Once she'd freshened up and changed, there was a knock on the door. Vivian's voice rang out, "Leslie, sweetie, are you up yet?" Lydia chimed in from the hallway too, "Why isn't she up yet? Mom, you spoil her way too much." Vivian replied gently, "Lydia, she's your little sister, the baby of the house. Of course we want to give her extra love. And she's heading to the Ackerleys soon... My heart's already aching a bit. You shouldn't fight with her." In her last life, hearing these words had moved Leslie so much she was ready to do anything for the Green family. Even if she hadn't really wanted to go to the Ackerleys, she still agreed in the end. Leslie pulled open the door. Vivian's eyes were full of warmth and affection. Leslie stared straight at her, her gaze sharp and unreadable. Without a smile, she looked distant and cold. Her mind flashed back to Lydia's final words-everyone in the Green family had been acting. They had fooled her all along. She wasn't even a real Green. Then... who was she?