16
Britney had a breakdown, driven mad by the
stress. She kept asking where I was, lashing
out at Mom, crying about why she’d been
born. Mom spent their remaining savings on
her treatment, leaving them barely scraping
- by.
I only learned this much later. After taking
over, I renamed the company Miller
Enterprises, bought my parents a two–story
house, and we lived happily, supporting each
other. I basked in their love, growing stronger,
ready to face any new challenge.
Bonus Chapter 1
I always knew we weren’t rich. We’d eat the
same meal for days. But I was happy,
knowing my parents loved me. Then, I asked
for new shoes, and the nightmare began.
Thrilled with my new shoes, I wore them to
<
school. But during recess, I noticed whispers
and stares. Even Brittany, the richest girl in
class, stopped in front of me.
“Britney, are those the new Air Jordans?”
“What?” I asked, confused by her smile.
“So cool, I have the same ones!” She giggled,
covering her mouth.
“Really? Wow!” I didn’t catch her sarcasm.
Then, she shouted, “Where’d you get them?
The store said they were sold out, even I had
to pre–order!” She glared, her face full of
disdain.
My blood ran cold. Brittany, who could buy
anything, couldn’t get these…
I stared at my shoes, tears of shame welling
- up. They were fake.
Laughter erupted. The entire class mocked
- me. I clenched my fists, humiliated.
I threw the shoes away the second I got.
home. But the taunts continued. My family’s
<
poverty became everyone’s joke.
I hated being poor, hated being looked down
upon. Then, a miracle. I was the missing
Harrison heiress! Riches beyond my wildest
dreams. I didn’t hesitate to abandon my
family for this new life.
I flaunted designer clothes, shoes Brittany
couldn’t even dream of, and rubbed it in her
face. This was power. I craved it, and I set my
sights on Ashley’s CEO position. Harrison,
Enterprises was rightfully mine. I demanded it
from Mom.
She hesitated, offering me the VP role to
“learn the ropes.” I accepted, knowing the
top spot was inevitable. Mom clearly disliked
Ashley; she was just a tool.
Then, Ashley handed over everything. I was
ecstatic. I’d be admired, envied. The CEO of
Harrison Enterprises! I reveled in my triumph.
But the dream shattered. I wasn’t as good as
<
Ashley. My mistakes pushed the company
toward bankruptcy. Then, Ashley tricked me,
taking everything back, even Mom’s favor.
I screamed at Mom, asking if she regretted
bringing me home. Her silence was a knife to
my heart. I collapsed, my head throbbing.
That night, I remembered everything, my past
life, where I was the victor.
I must have gone mad. I grabbed a knife,
intending to… I don’t know what. Mom
stopped me.
“Britney! What are you doing?! Don’t do
anything stupid!” she begged.
“Mom! Ashley’s a fake! She should be dead!
She stole everything!”
I pushed her away, but she clung to me. I
tried to explain, but she wouldn’t listen. She
said I was crazy.
Maybe I was. But the dream felt so real.
Then, she tricked me, locking me in a mental
L
hospital. I pleaded, insisted I was sane, but no
one believed me. Then, Ashley visited.
She stood there, so perfect, looking at me
with pity, while I sat in a flimsy gown, my hair
a mess. That was my life! Why her? Why not
me?
I lunged at her, hearing her whisper, “Britney,
do you regret it?”
I froze, then burst into laughter, glaring at her.
“Ashley, you knew all along, didn’t you? You
remember our past life!”
I rattled the bars, wanting to tear her smug
face apart.
“Britney, this is your karma. You deserve
this.”
Her words echoed my dream. I remembered
my past cruelty: manipulating Ashley, stealing
her husband, ruining her life, even killing her.
I trembled, shaking my head, tears streaming
down my face. “This is… karma?”
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” I curled
up, whispering apologies to the empty air. All night. All week. All month. Forever…
