Chapter 4: The Real Heiress Revealed

“Dad, I…”

“Think about your actions,” my father said, his voice steely. “Don’t leave the house until you’ve learned your lesson!”

“Mom.” Piper looked at my mother, eyes pleading.

But Mom was unmoved, lips pressed tight.

Piper’s eyes filled with tears, her face blotchy with humiliation. I couldn’t help but smile to myself. Every ounce of pain she’d caused me in my last life, I’d return to her, one by one, in this one.

***

After Piper’s humiliation, the Whitmore estate settled into an uneasy calm. The staff spoke in hushed tones, and even the birds seemed quieter.

That day, Ethan Carter came to visit Piper. When he left her room, I was strolling through the garden, the scent of roses thick in the air. Ethan caught sight of me, stormed over, and said, “Marissa, I’m the one who wants to break off the engagement. If you have a problem, come at me—don’t bully Piper.”

Smack!

I slapped Ethan so hard my palm stung. His eyes went wide—he probably never thought I’d dare lay a hand on him.

“Marissa, you psycho!” Ethan shouted, his cheeks burning red. He’d been wounded on the battlefield, but a slap from me? That was a first.

I’d dreamed of this moment. In my last life, I wanted to smash that heartless face to pieces. It felt even better than I’d imagined.

But outwardly, I just looked innocent. “You just said to come at you.”

Ethan’s breath caught in his chest. He glared, jaw clenched.

After a beat, he gritted his teeth. “Marissa, with your attitude, don’t even think about me marrying you. I was thinking, since you’ve been rejected, lost your reputation, and are no longer the legitimate daughter of the Whitmores, no one will propose to you again. I could, you know, reluctantly take you as a side piece, so you won’t have to worry about anything.”

Oh, please. I’m supposed to thank my lucky stars for that? Give me a break. Why don’t you just drop dead!

“Better not trouble yourself, Ethan. You and Piper are meant to be together; how could I interfere with your true love?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Tomorrow—tomorrow we’ll go see the governor and dissolve the engagement!” Ethan snapped.

“Anytime, Ethan. I’ll be waiting.” I didn’t even blink.

Ethan saw I wasn’t rattled and stomped off, fists clenched.

But then—

An urgent report arrived from the border. A government order came down: Ethan was to follow his father to war. The campaign dragged on for eight months, delaying our engagement. Piper’s wounds healed, and after her lesson, she became much more subdued, no longer eager to show off.

My parents, feeling guilty, treated both of us well. They’d raised me for years, and as long as I didn’t mess up, they wouldn’t forget our bond.

Half a year later, an epidemic swept through Mississippi. People suffered, and the governor was at his wits’ end. My father sighed every night, unable to sleep.

I knew Piper would get restless. Her quiet was just her waiting for a chance to shine. In my last life, she ‘invented’ antibiotics to cure the epidemic and ‘vaccines’ to prevent it. I had to admit, she saved lives.

Piper begged Dad to let her help. He hesitated, but her selflessness moved him. She went to the affected area, and three months later, returned a hero. The people called her a savior. The governor himself called her in.

By then, Ethan had returned from the front, medals gleaming. Both had achieved merit and planned to ask the governor to dissolve our engagement so Ethan could marry Piper. They thought, with their achievements, the governor wouldn’t refuse. But they didn’t know—their trouble was just beginning.

Early that morning, the Carter and Whitmore families gathered at the governor’s office. I was summoned, too. I knew what was coming. Piper and I shared a car; she spent the ride bragging, saying I could never beat her. I just smiled.

At 10 a.m., the governor arrived. Everyone stood. He was in a good mood, handing out rewards to both families.

Then Ethan spoke up. “Sir, I have a request.”

“Speak,” the governor said, sounding generous.

“You once granted me engagement to Marissa Whitmore. Now I realize that what I feel for Marissa is sibling affection, not love. I wish to dissolve our engagement. Please let me.”

The governor’s face changed instantly.