The basement was a dark and dirty place. During the night time, when the temperature dropped low— especially during this time of the season— staying in the basement was chilling. Small insects ran around the place, creating squeaking noises. Dust and cobwebs gathered on the surfaces, creating a contrast from the refined and beautiful mansion above.
Lillian was calm. The old chair she sat on let out a creak.
From childhood to now, she had been punished by being locked in this basement. Of course, these couple days, she became a frequent visitor in this ugly prison. Her dear father purposely let the place stay in this state, so that it would serve as a punishment.
No, he didn't deserve to be her father any longer.
After all, they were not related by blood.
A little more than a month ago, Eva Chen was identified. Mary Wu met with an accident, resulting in her needing a donation of O Rh-negative blood. However, there happened to be a shortage of blood in the hospital, and right then, Eva was present.
Being the kind passerby she was, she did not hesitate to donate her blood- even going as far as claiming she would be willing to deplete all the blood in her body if that allowed Mary to make it out alive. The Chen family was touched by her kindness.
When Mary gained her consciousness, she immediately wanted to meet up with Eva to express her gratefulness, and upon seeing her, according to Mary, there was an inexplicable connection between them. Then, as a series of coincidental events unfolded, it was revealed Eva shared blood connection with them.
They dragged her to the hospital to do a DNA test.
And the result turned out to be that they were replaced at birth.
Eva was the actual daughter of the Chen family.
And she, Lillian, was a fake.
In the words of the Chen family, it was the case of a chicken taking place of a phoenix.
Lillian remembered the day vividly in her mind.
While her entire world came crashing down, they all surrounded Eva, hugging and loving her with tears in their eyes. She stood at one corner, watching them share affections.
Her heart felt heavy. There was an ugly mixture of guilt and depression in her chest.
And then, the eyes of Chen family fell on her face.
Although her mother placed her hand on her shoulder, saying, "Lillian dear, nothing will change. You are still our family. We love you the same as before. It is just that you have a new sister now," there was a quiet resentment and blame in her eyes.
It was the same for rest of the Chen family.
However, the foolish Lillian was willing to believe their words. She thought they could still be family and made a solemn vow to give up everything for this family who chose her.
Eva then said, "Mom is right, Lillian. You are the actual family. I will always be an outsider. It is me who should be grateful for being accepted."
Her pitiful tone melted the heart of Chen family who comforted her and let her know she is the actual daughter.
As the memory played in her head, Lillian threw her head back and laughed.
"What a pathetic fool you are, Lillian! For a little family affection, you were willing to throw away your entire life and meet a miserable end. You totally deserved it!" Lillian mocked herself.
That's right.
Lillian foresaw her death.
Her world was apparently a poor written novel. Eva- or the entity that possessed her body- was an otherworldly being, who was sent over to correct the trajectory of the novel. According to her so-called mission, Lillian was a despicable villain, deserving nothing more than a miserable end.
Lillian did not know whether it was her previous life or she could foresee the future.
But since she had the chance to reverse her fate, she wouldn't miss the opportunity to ruin everyone who wished ill on her.
Lillian laughed.
"Oh, sweet Eva, you thought you're the favored daughter of the fate, but guess who is in control of the wheels now? This is going to be fun."
A sinister glint crossed through her eye.
Lillian's thoughts were interrupted when the sound of the metal was heard, followed by the door of the basement being opened. The bright light from the outside entered.
Lillian remained seated in her position, watching a middle-aged, somewhat pudgy woman walk in. In her hand was a tray, holding a bowl of soup, a stale bread, and a glass of water.
The discontentment in her eyes showed how she wished to get away from here.
She walked over to Lillian and slammed the tray of barely edible food on the ground. Her eyes glared at Lillian in disdain.
"Eat it up! Master decided to starve you for the night, but Young Miss was kind enough to beg him to allow you to have a meal," Jane voiced out.
Lillian stared at the tray of food blankly.
In her memories, she overturned this tray of food and threw a tantrum, demanding her parents to pay her attention and get her out of here. She screamed about how she deserved justice.
But even after shouting her throat out, her voice remained unheard.
She was a clown performing one man show.
Her bored expression fell in the eyes of Jane as Lillian asked, "When am I getting out of here?"
Jane stared at her strangely.
She thought Lillian would get angry and throw a tantrum over her unstable emotions and jealousy.
But she was too calm.
Jane then took a step forward and advised, "Ms. Lillian, I am saying this for your own good. Don't act out anymore and give way to Young Miss, alright? After all, you are a fake.
You should already be grateful enough for stealing twenty years of life from Young Miss. While you were enjoying the riches and wealth, she suffered through poverty. It is obvious there is going to be some favoritism."
Lillian had heard these words so many times in her memories that they sounded unbearable to her, evoking no sense of guilt.
Because they got switched at birth, Lillian endured a lot for Eva.
She stayed in this family, toiling away and making sacrifices while everyone enjoyed their life. She let Eva steal her fiance, her research thesis, and even her entire identity.
In the end, she was thrown away in the ocean, meeting with death in a cruel manner.
And then, her life was summarized by calling her a villainess. From Eva's point of view, all her actions seemed to have an evil motive behind them.
So be it, then.
She will be the so-called villainess.
"When am I getting out of here?" Lillian repeated her question impatiently.
Jane was shaken up by Lillian's eyes. Although they were always strong-willed and defiant, they still held affection in them, but now only cruel coldness could be seen in those dark eyes.
"You did too much this time. Master wants you to stay here for at least half a month and repent."
With that, Jane was out of the basement, locking her up.