Jonathan's condition wasn't the kind you could fix with a simple shot—especially with his leg in the state it was. The treatment called for a whole list of ingredients. Problem was, my medical kit was still sitting back at the Kelly estate, so I had to go get it.
After a quick lunch, I asked Ahmir Oliver—Jonathan's bodyguard—to step aside for a moment. In this new life, besides Jonathan, Ahmir was the only person I half-knew. In our past lives, he hadn't exactly hid his dislike for me. Cold shoulder, snide looks, you name it. But his loyalty? Unshakeable. After I died, he was the one who helped Jonathan gather my ashes. He'd often stare at the urn and mutter, "Mrs. Perez, I only ever recognized you as Jonathan’s wife."
—
An hour later, the sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up to the gates of the Kelly estate. The guard recognized the Perez plate, the gates swung open, and we rolled down the winding drive until the car stopped in front of a somewhat neglected courtyard. From there, I'd have to go on foot.
I stepped out and turned to Ahmir. "Wait here for me."
I walked into the courtyard with confidence. The walls were weathered—a quiet testament to time—but the flowers and herbs around added a warmth, a kind of nostalgia that clung to the air.
The moment I stepped inside, a woman in her fifties, simply dressed, came up to me. "Miss, you've finally come back. Let me look at you. Have they been treating you well?" Her voice was soft but a little hoarse, thick with regret. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you."
Warmth flooded my chest. Without thinking, I pulled Janice into a hug, tears stinging my eyes. In my past life, when the Kellys had me locked up for something I didn't do, my own family barely showed—maybe once a year. But Janice came almost every single month, bringing me treats, warm clothes, even little gifts to lift my spirits.
When I was brought back to the Kelly estate at sixteen, my room was basically a storage closet. The family had all their attention on Elianna, who claimed to have a bad heart. So I got left in Janice's care in this courtyard. I remember those freezing winters, wrapped in blankets while she cried in frustration, muttering how I was a Kelly daughter too, yet treated like I was nothing.
And even after I came home at sixteen, only to be shipped off as Elianna's stand-in at twenty, the Kellys never thought I deserved my name or a place in this family. I was so foolish back then, desperate for even a scrap of their approval, giving myself away like some joke.
Now, looking back at that obsession, I realized how blind I'd been to Janice's kindness. She wasn't blood, but she was more family than any Kelly had ever been.
I steadied myself, then said, "Janice, how many times do I have to tell you? Just call me Lucy."
"I'm only here to move my things to the Perez estate."
"I have a new home now, Janice."
My smile lit up my eyes, dimples showing as I spoke. Anyone watching couldn't help but catch the joy. After all, Jonathan was destined to be my husband. I was dead set on winning his heart, and soon, the Perez estate would be my forever home!
Janice looked briefly startled—probably worried I might get hurt again—but she was genuinely happy for me. "Alright, alright, I’ll help you move."
Even though I'd stayed in the main villa at eighteen, my things there were few. Late nights drafting proposals for Mason, digging through medical texts for Rue, composing music for Adriel, blending calming scents for one of my brothers, stitching boxing gloves for Grey—all of that happened here, in this courtyard.
I got Ahmir to load most of my stuff into the car, but my medical kit was still upstairs in the main villa. I had to go fetch it myself.
Walking into the main villa alone, I caught voices drifting from inside.
"Wasn't the Perez car supposed to have arrived by now? So why hasn't Lucy come to apologize? Adriel, did you tell her to return Elianna's proposal yet?"
"How could Luciana keep work that belongs to Elianna? Does she have no shame?"
Mason Kelly had that sharp, elegant profile—tall, commanding, all composed and refined energy. But his eyes were dark and intense, with a single light mole under his left eye. I had the same one, though hardly anyone noticed.
His brows were drawn in anger, making him look even more intimidating and cold.
Elianna stood there in a soft lavender dress, long brown hair spilling down, delicate features arranged in that fragile, I-have-a-heart-condition air.
She grabbed Mason's wrist, flashing an innocent smile. "Mason, don't be upset. Lucy didn't steal my proposal. She has her own talents..."
Adriel Kelly—whose call I'd just blocked—was already on edge, and couldn't stop himself from cutting in: "Talents? The kind that got her kicked out of Columbia, maybe?"
"No grades, no character? Caught cheating, almost expelled—what exactly can you say in her defense?"
His words soured everyone's mood, painting me as nothing but a disgrace.
How could they even have a sister like me? I was nothing next to Elianna, who—despite a bad heart—was already making a name in showbiz while I had zero to show for myself.
Elianna faked a wince, her face twisting as if in pain, and lightly scolded Adriel: "There must be a misunderstanding. Lucy's always been great in school. I've always admired her for that..."
"Unlike me, who can't even balance school and work because of my heart condition. I even had to give up dancing."
Her tone was full of regret, brows knitted, practically begging for sympathy.
I walked in just as they were about to comfort her. The second they spotted me, Mason and Adriel's faces turned sour.
"Lucy, finally decided to show your face?" Mason mocked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, clearly waiting for my apology.
Adriel turned away, expecting me to admit fault.
Elianna floated over, a sweet smile on her lips, footsteps light. "Luciana, you're finally back?"
"I'm sorry. It's my fault you had to marry into the Perez family. You have every right to be mad at me."
She reached for my hand—I sidestepped her touch without a second thought.
Her words only reminded Mason and Adriel of the so-called stolen USB, stoking their frustration.
Mason confronted me, eyes hard. "Lucy, give the proposal back to Elianna!"
I looked at the three of them with pure disdain. Their accusations were ridiculous.
Same old story—quick to blame me without knowing a single fact. I'd swallowed this crap too many times in my past life. But this time? I felt nothing.
I scoffed, locked eyes with Mason, and said each word slowly, "That proposal? I wrote it after five sleepless nights!"
"Why the hell should I hand it over to her?"
Rage flared in Mason's eyes. Disbelief twisted his features as he stepped forward and gripped my shoulder tight. "Lucy, have you no shame?"
"Elianna has never lied. Not once. We both watched her burn the midnight oil on that project. You stole her hard work out of pure selfishness. How could you sink this low?"
I let out a dry laugh, shook off his grip, and took a step back, putting distance between us. "Low?"
"And you think you're any better?"
