Chapter 2

Amber looked smug, like she’d already planned out her entire fairytale life as an heiress. “Tomorrow, I’m going to that DNA testing lab Monroe announced. When it’s confirmed that I’m his daughter, I’ll finally be moving out of this dump.”

She gave our apartment a once-over, grimacing. “I’ll make Dad buy me a real house. I’m not staying cramped in this worn-out place. It’s dirty, the neighbors are trash, and it’s just gross.”

I held back a laugh, thinking of how she had zero job prospects and no money when she’d practically begged me to live with her.

She’d never once paid a dime in rent, and all she did was freeload. From washing dishes to taking out the trash, I’d had to nag her three times over to lift a finger. She called it “helping me out,” but she barely ever did anything.

Honestly, letting her move out would be perfect. Whatever mess she got into wouldn’t be my problem.

I nodded eagerly. “You’re right, this place is way below you. I doubt your billionaire dad would want you slumming it here either.”

Amber looked even more pleased, grinning as though I’d just confirmed her every hope.

“Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance to shine. Drive me to the testing center tomorrow,” she said, cocking an eyebrow.

I raised mine right back, not missing a beat. “My car’s still in the shop. Why don’t you ask your boyfriend? Once he knows who you are, he’ll probably be thrilled to help.”

That hit a nerve. Amber had recently snagged a boyfriend from a wealthy family and was constantly flaunting her designer handbags, but she knew he was just playing around. She shot me an irritated look before plastering on a self-satisfied smile.

“Fine. I mean, he’s practically my match anyway. He can drive me. He should get to see the kind of place I’ll be living in soon,” she replied, sauntering off to her room.

In my last life, that boyfriend dumped her after flaunting her around a bit, then married his family’s choice. When she tried to make a scene at his company, his fiancée publicly humiliated her, calling her a wannabe Cinderella.

Back then, I’d actually tried to comfort her, not realizing she blamed me for talking her out of meeting Monroe. In her mind, it was my fault she’d missed out on her golden ticket.

Not this time. I was keeping my hands clean.

As soon as she shut her door, I sent a message to my boss, took the day off, and scheduled a moving company.

By the time Amber left the next day, I had packed everything I owned. Once the lease ended, she could deal with the apartment however she wanted.

Avoiding toxic people is the first rule of happiness. When you meet someone like that, don’t fight. Just walk away.