Lies From Her Heart

My name is Daniella Limebear.

In my past life, my long-lost younger sister, Heidi Limebear, returns home. On her very first day back, I hear the faint whispers of her heart: "At the riverside, I saw the other kids learning to swim with their dads… I wish I could join them."

The next day, I drive Heidi to the clearest stretch of river in the countryside. I teach her to float and paddle, guiding her hands with mine.

Without warning, she lets out a scream and disappears beneath the water.

I plunge into the river, fighting against the current to reach her. Suddenly, she clutches my arm and pulls me under.

With the last of my strength, I push her toward the shore. Water fills my lungs, and darkness swallows me.

Amid the piercing wail of the ambulance siren, Heidi curls into our mother's arms, tears streaking her cheeks.

Mom slaps me across the face. In Dad's eyes, there is only utter disappointment. "Heidi has already endured so much while she was gone for ten years! I can't believe you would try to drown her the moment she comes home!" he snaps.

I stand frozen, unable to defend myself.

Shortly after the incident, a group of troublemakers just outside the school gates corners Heidi.

Once again, I "hear" her cries of despair echoing in my mind: "He said if I don't meet him tonight, he'll set our home on fire! Daniella, please save me! You're the only one who can."

The moment I arrive at the scene, I'm immediately surrounded by a group of thugs. With cruel, mocking smiles, they close in from all sides.

"Don't blame us. Your precious younger sister paid us five thousand dollars to kill you."

"She claimed that once you're out of the picture, the billion‑dollar inheritance goes straight to her."

Just as I begin to suffocate, I notice Heidi standing not far away. Her face remains perfectly calm and composed.

When I open my eyes again, I realize I've returned to the day she was found and brought home.

Once more, her inner voice echoes in my ears: "I really want to swim… I wish Daniella would take me."

Hearing Heidi Limebear's voice again, I realized that I had been reborn. She was my younger sister.

Looking at her wide, innocent eyes, it was almost impossible to believe that she had once tried to kill me.

At that moment, her inner voice drifted into my mind: "At the riverside, I saw the other kids learning to swim… I wish Daniella could teach me…"

Those were the same words I'd heard in my past life. A knot of unease formed in my stomach.

Remembering how I had nearly drowned back then, I decided to pretend that I hadn't heard her at all.

When I didn't react, a shadow of confusion passed over Heidi's eyes.

She blinked in thought and looked at me shyly. "It's so hot, Daniella. Can you take me to play in the water? I really want to learn to swim," she said sweetly.

I was momentarily taken aback. "Why don't you just turn on the air conditioner? It's dangerous to go in the water at this time of year. Accidents can happen easily."

Heidi's eyes betrayed her disappointment, but she kept silent.

I breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she stayed safe, maybe the chain of misfortunes from my past life could be avoided.

But just as I let my guard down, the unexpected struck.

After Heidi pleaded with our parents, Patrick Limebear and Connie McGill, they finally agreed to organize a family picnic by the lake in the park.

A sense of unease weighed on me throughout the day. I sat alone near the water, doing everything I could to stay away from Heidi.

But before I realized it, she had appeared at my side. Our parents insisted that I keep an eye on her, leaving me with no choice but to stay close.

In the brief instant when they turned their backs, Heidi pretended to lose her footing. With a sudden splash, she toppled into the lake.

Startled, I cried out, "Heidi, be careful!"

The noise drew my parents' attention. Without a second thought, Dad plunged into the water to save her, while Mom hurriedly called emergency services.

My face went ashen. It wasn't until Dad lifted her from the water that I finally let out a sigh of relief.

Cradling the barely conscious Heidi, he asked anxiously, "Heidi, what happened just now?"

Heidi glanced at me, too frightened to speak.

Noticing her hesitation, Dad reassured her, "Heidi, don't be afraid. We've got your back."

Upon hearing this, Heidi finally found her voice. "It was Daniella… She pushed me from behind…" Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"But Dad, please don't blame her," she quickly added. "Even if she doesn't like me, I don't think she'd hurt me on purpose…"

The instant Dad caught her words, he pointed at me, anger flashing in his gaze. "Daniella! How could you possibly do something so cruel?"

Mom's eyes brimmed with disappointment as she looked at me. "Heidi has suffered enough after being lost for ten long years. How could you even think of drowning her?"

Hearing the exact same words I had once heard in my past life, I was left in complete shock.

Could everything truly be predestined? Or was Heidi orchestrating this on purpose?

A wave of terror washed over me, and I couldn't help but glance at her. She quickly turned her head, her lips sealed in silence.

At that moment, her voice echoed in my mind: "Please stop blaming Daniella… Maybe I was wrong…"

Gritting my teeth, I tried to explain, "I didn't push Heidi, I swear! I was at least ten feet away from the water."

Hearing this, Dad's anger only deepened. "So, are you implying that Heidi made this up? Why would she accuse you senselessly?"

I was furious. Scanning the area, I pointed toward a surveillance camera in the distance. "If you don't believe me, feel free to check the footage."

The park had cameras set up everywhere. Dad immediately got to his feet, ready to use the footage to silence me.

But before he could take a step, Heidi grabbed his arm in a hurry. "It's fine, Dad. Maybe someone else pushed me. I must have been mistaken…"

As she said that, her inner voice rang out in my mind: "Could I really have been mistaken? What should I do now? It seems like I've misunderstood Daniella..."

Heidi rested in Dad's arms, pretending to be weak with every breath she took. The sight of her sent a shiver racing down my spine.

"No matter what, it's still your fault for not watching over your sister properly," Dad said as he carried Heidi toward the ambulance. "As punishment, you'll walk home. You're not allowed to ride in my car!"

Without uttering a single word, I lowered my head, my eyes fixed on the map in front of me. I'd have to walk more than six miles just to get home.

Seeing them drive off, my heart sank completely.

Why did Heidi's inner voice seem so out of sync with her actions?

Was it possible that her inner voice wasn't being honest with me?

What if it wasn't even her voice at all?