Three hours slipped by. By the time I returned home, darkness had settled in.

While my family had long since finished eating, I was left with an empty stomach. With nothing else in the kitchen, I could only nibble on a few pieces of fruit.

All of a sudden, Heidi appeared before me. She was brimming with energy, showing none of the weakness she had displayed after nearly drowning. I couldn't help but question whether she had truly been in danger.

Without saying a single word, she held my gaze, her eyes heavy with sorrow. In that instant, her timid inner voice spoke to me: "It looks like I've misunderstood Daniella's actions today… I wonder if she can forgive me.

"I was so panicked at the time that I couldn't see straight. My own ignorance caused me to misjudge her. I hope she won't be upset…"

Although doubt pricked at me, I brushed off her inner voice and continued to eat.

Meanwhile, Heidi stayed by my side. She licked her lips, caught between wanting to speak and holding back.

"That peach looks so delicious… I really want to try some…" her inner voice whispered.

Hearing this, memories from my past life came rushing back. Back then, I had unknowingly given her a bite of peach after listening to her inner voice.

To my horror, she had suffered a sudden allergic reaction afterward. Her entire body convulsed, and foam appeared at the corners of her mouth.

Because of that incident, Dad had slapped me hard, leaving half of my face swollen.

Suddenly, Heidi's voice pierced the silence, pulling me from my thoughts. "Daniella, can I have a bite of your peach?"

I shook my head without hesitation. "I haven't eaten yet. Perhaps Mom and Dad could get some for you in the next few days."

Heidi pursed her lips, looking a little aggrieved.

"Daniella must still be mad at me… She won't even give me a bite of peach…" her private thoughts drifted into my mind.

Seeing that I still wouldn't give in, she turned and walked away, her face shadowed with disappointment.

All the while, I remained unaware that a peach had vanished from the fruit platter.

Before long, the living room echoed with my parents' screams and shouts. I rushed in immediately, only to find Heidi lying on the floor. She was unconscious, her hand clutching a partially eaten peach.

Without delay, she was rushed to the hospital. After receiving treatment, her condition began to stabilize.

Back in the ward, Dad's furious voice thundered in my ears. "Daniella! You knew that Heidi was allergic to peaches, didn't you? Look, she's out cold now!"

"And how was I supposed to know that she was allergic?" I blurted. "I didn't even give it to her. She took it herself!"

Just as Mom was about to speak, Heidi suddenly woke up. Rubbing her eyes, she murmured, "W-Where am I…?"

Seeing Heidi awake, Mom instantly went to comfort her. "You had an allergic reaction, which is why we brought you here.

"Heidi, who was it that gave you the peach? Tell me everything."

A flicker of sadness crossed Heidi's eyes. "I-It was Daniella…" she whispered.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Heidi, you've got to be kidding—"

Just as I was about to explain, Mom cut me off. "Heidi's already spoken. It looks like you're the one to blame.

"I bet you did it on purpose! How could I have possibly given birth to such a heartless daughter?"

Mom's words cut through me like a blade. I clutched my chest, too furious to speak. I could only stare at Heidi, my thoughts lost in a haze.

Meanwhile, Heidi remained curled up in Mom's arms, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

Just when I expected to hear her inner voice, a sudden realization hit me. It seemed that I could only hear it if she chose to let me.

At that moment, there was nothing but silence.

On the drive back from the hospital, Heidi and I sat in the back seat. I kept my voice low, forcing myself to sound calm. "Heidi, didn't I tell you not to eat the peach? Why would you ignore me?"

Heidi wore a blank expression, playing the part of the unsuspecting victim. "I've just never had a peach before… I was curious to try it, that's all…"

"Then why did you say I gave it to you?" I demanded.

At my question, tears quickly filled her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, Daniella… I promise I didn't mean to do it on purpose…

"I was just scared. I didn't want Mom and Dad to scold me for being disobedient… That's why I… I threw you under the bus…"

Even though I could see right through her lie, I felt utterly helpless.

Every time her inner voice surfaced, it seemed to be deliberately pushing me into trouble.

Heidi had to be doing it on purpose. There was no other explanation.

It seemed I would need to stay on high alert from then on.

A few days later, I heard Heidi's "inner voice" again. The timing didn't surprise me in the least.

"What should I do? Those thugs told me to meet them behind the school tomorrow. If I don't, they'll burn down the garage…

"Only Daniella can save me. No, I can't possibly trouble her again!"

In that instant, Heidi looked at me, her eyes brimming with pity and desperation.

In my past life, I had trusted her inner voice. I had gone all the way to the mountain behind the school, only to realize too late that it had led me into a trap.

This time, I had no intention of responding. I pretended as though I hadn't heard a single word.

Noticing my silence, Heidi quickly adopted a wounded expression. "What should I do? They'll beat me to death tomorrow…" she whispered, her voice choked with tears.

I kept my gaze fixed on my phone, pretending to ignore her. But just as I was about to return to my room, she suddenly grabbed the hem of my shirt.

Feigning surprise, I asked, "What's wrong, Heidi? Are you being bullied?"

The moment I finished speaking, her tears came rushing out.

"Daniella, some thugs are forcing me to go to the mountain behind the school tomorrow. If I don't, they'll do something terrible to me…

"Please, Daniella! I'm begging you. You're the only one who can save me!"

As I looked at Heidi's pitiful face, memories from my past life surged back. When she had stood on that mountain before, she hadn't flinched in the slightest.

The thought filled me with fury. Before long, a plan started to take root in my mind.

After steadying myself, I gave her a faint smile. "Don't worry. I'll make sure those bad guys get what they deserve."

Since I couldn't avoid what was coming, I decided to make the most of it instead.

The next day arrived sooner than I expected. Following the location Heidi had given me, I headed to the mountain behind the school.

As soon as I reached the designated spot, several thugs stepped out from behind the trees.

I scanned the area, but Heidi was nowhere to be found.

The group's leader had blond hair. After yanking the stick from my hand, he shoved me down beside a filthy, stagnant puddle.

I struggled fiercely, my voice shaking with fear. "What do you want from me? Let me go!"

His stern voice rumbled in my ear. "Don't even think about it. You're not getting away."

In a heartbeat, the dreadful memories of my past life came flooding back, consuming my thoughts.

My hands trembled as I shouted, "Who ordered you to do this? I'll pay you whatever you want! Just let me go!"

As my words fell, the blond thug laughed mockingly. "Are you kidding me? What could you possibly offer us? Did you know that your sister handed over a whopping five thousand bucks?"

At the mention of the amount, his grip tightened around me.

"She said that once you're out of the picture, your family's billion-dollar fortune will be hers. From then on, she'll live a life of endless luxury."

With his hand clamped over my mouth, I was completely silenced. I could only stare at him, my eyes widening in horror.

Without warning, he shoved me down harder, forcing my face into the puddle of stagnant water. I gasped for air, my awareness fading with every second.

Soon, my strength ebbed away, and my body went limp. Noticing how I no longer struggled, the blond thug finally let go of me.

Rising to his feet, he whistled sharply. Heidi slowly emerged from the edge of the woods.

With her neat dress and eager expression, she looked nothing like the timid, pitiful sister she pretended to be every day.

She nudged me with her foot, worry flickering across her face. "Daniella, are you alright?" she asked nervously.

Realizing that I wasn't moving, she broke into a satisfied smile. "Excellent work, everyone. Clean up the scene and make it appear to be an accident. I'll pay you afterward."

Just as she was feeling pleased with herself, Dad's voice suddenly thundered from afar. "Heidi! What on earth are you doing?"