The Bio Daughter Strikes Back

As I lay dying on my hospital bed, my parents were at their beloved foster daughter's sold-out concert. My childhood sweetheart, Caleb Reed, held a bouquet and dropped to one knee on stage. Lila, marry me! he shouted.

Amidst my parents' thunderous applause, they shared a passionate kiss. Finally, they were a real family. And I, in that moment, took my last breath.

I had spent my whole life fighting her, competing for every scrap of affection. In the end, I died alone and filled with resentment.

The most bitter part? I was their biological daughter. Lila was just the foster child.

I have been given a second chance. This time, I'm done with them. Dad, Mom, keep your love. I don't want it anymore.

1.

I was reborn. Beside me, my parents were hugging eleven-year-old Lila Harding, smiling for a swarm of reporters. They looked like the picture of a perfect, compassionate family.

Tomorrow, the headlines would hit the local papers: "Famous Musicians Adopt Late Friend's DaughterDA House of Saints." The gears were already in motion. Everything was already settled.

Lila was the daughter of my parents' old friends, both musicians. She was a prodigy, but she had a congenital heart condition. One wrong move and she could drop dead.

Her parents had died in a tragic car accident while searching for a cure. That left Lila alone.

My parents, consumed by pity and guilt, decided to give her everything. Eventually, they forgot that I was their real daughter.

"Avery, you always said you were lonely," my mom said with a warm smile. "Now you have a sister to play with. Aren't you happy?"

In my past life, I was thrilled. I treated fragile Lila like family and protected her. I never realized she was a thief, slowly stealing my life until I was completely replaced.

My dad patted my shoulder. "Lila is sick, Avery. As the big sister, you need to take care of her and protect her. Do you understand?"

Lila's eyes immediately filled with tears, like a dam breaking. She looked at them with a trembling lip.

"Avery probably hates having an outsider in the house," she whimpered. "I'm taking away your love. Maybe I should just go back to the orphanage. I'll be fine there."

I often wondered if Lila had a personality disorder. Even at ten, she was a master of the guilt trip. Before I could even say hello, she had already branded me as a jealous brat.

My mom's heart melted instantly. She pulled Lila into a tight embrace. "Don't say that, sweetie. You are family now."

My dad gripped Lila's hand firmly. "That's right. Our home is your home. We are your mom and dad now."

Lila sobbed, burying her face in my mother's chest. She looked like a helpless, adorable puppy. Anyone would have been moved by her.

"Thank you... I finally have a home again," she choked out.

The winter wind howled, but the three of them were wrapped in a warm, touching tableau. They looked like a family reunited after years of separation.

I stood to the side, ignored. I was a stranger in my own life. Lila's greatest talent wasn't music; it was making sure she was always the center of the universe.

2.

When we got home, my parents told me to show Lila around. They decided she would share my room. My custom-made princess bed was split in half, just like their affection.

I started planning my escape. I knew this house was about to become Lila's stage.

In my first life, everyone I lovedDmy parents, my best friendDwas brainwashed by her. I was always the villain in her story.

As I was lost in thought, a sharp scream echoed through the hallway. Lila had fallen down just one step from the floor.

She clutched her chest, her face contorted in agony. "Mom! Dad! My heart... it hurts!"

My parents came running, their faces pale with terror. "Lila! Stay with us! We're taking you to the hospital right now!"

Lila clung to my mother's shirt, trembling. "Maybe... maybe I should leave. Avery... she looks so angry..."

My heart skipped a beat. My dad's face turned thunderous as he turned to me. He pointed a finger right in my face.

"What did you do? How can you be so cruel? Lila is sick and she just lost her parents! How could you push her?"

"Forget it," my mom snapped, not even looking at me. "Lila's life is more important. Let's go!"

I watched them leave with a sigh. My parents were so blinded by their savior complex that they didn't even use logic.

I was standing too far away to have pushed her. And if she was having a heart attack, how was her acting so perfectly timed?

They didn't give me a chance to explain. They just branded me as the jealous sister and left me in an empty house, hungry and alone.

Before Lila came, my mom used to tuck me in every night. Now, they didn't even remember I needed to eat.

In my last life, I fought back. I tried to be the perfect daughter, but it only made me look worse. Lila's trick was simple: play the victim.

The more they pitied her, the more they resented me. I became the mediocre, bitter girl while she was the tragic, talented genius.

I died in a cold hospital room while she took everything. She even took Caleb, the boy who used to follow me everywhere.

This time, I'm not playing. I'm living for myself.

3.

The next morning, laughter from downstairs woke me up. It was my birthday. My parents had promised me a huge celebration and a fancy dinner.

When I walked out, I saw them huddled around Lila on the sofa. She was wearing a beautiful princess dress. My favorite dress.

It was the one my mom gave me for my twelfth birthday. It was my most prized possession.

The laughter stopped the moment they saw me. I felt like an intruder at a private party.

My mom looked a bit uncomfortable. "Avery, Lila really loved this dress. Since you're the big sister, you should let her have it. I'll buy you a new one later."

I stood on the stairs, looking down at the three of them. "It's just a birthday gift," I said tonelessly. "As long as you guys are happy."

The air turned heavy. My dad's expression darkened instantly. "Avery, it's just a dress. Do you have to be so sarcastic?"

"Avery, apologize to your sister," my mom added, her voice sharp. "You're being very difficult."

My birthday gift was stolen, but I was the bully. That was the power of their favoritism.

In my past life, I would have locked myself in my room and cried. This time, I just looked at the table. There were only scraps of breakfast left.

"So," I said calmly. "Did anyone remember it's my birthday?"

They both froze. The realization hit them like a physical blow. They had completely forgotten.

"Oh, honey... yesterday was so hectic with Lila's doctor..." my mom started, standing up to save face. "I'll go get a cake right now."

My dad, however, doubled down. He slammed the remote onto the glass coffee table. "You didn't remind us! How were we supposed to know? We are busy people!"

"You're so spoiled," he continued. "You think the world revolves around you. It's just a birthday. We'll eat later. Lila's health is a priority, not your party!"

Even if I had reminded them, Lila would have found a way to ruin it. I didn't feel anything anymore.

As I walked downstairs, I caught a glimpse of Lila's face. She was smirking. She looked triumphant.

A second later, she put on her crying mask. "Dad, don't be mad at Avery. It's my fault. I shouldn't have been born sick or worn her dress."

"I'll go back to the orphanage," she sobbed. "You guys should celebrate her birthday. I'll always remember how kind you were."

My parents were moved to tears by her selflessness. They hugged her, ignoring me as if I were a ghost.

I realized then that their love was fragile. Lila didn't even have to try hard to make them switch their loyalty.

Fine. Let her have them. I'm moving on.

4.

They took us to a nearby restaurant for lunch. The table was covered in lobster, crab, and oysters. It was a seafood feast.

The problem? I am deathly allergic to shellfish.

"Avery, Lila needs the nutrients for her recovery," my mom whispered. "Just be a good sister and deal with it. Don't make a scene."

So, they ordered all of Lila's favorite foods for my birthday. I was used to the words "sacrifice" and "accommodate" by now.

I watched them feed Lila, laughing and smiling. I felt like a stranger watching a movie.

After the meal, they were supposed to take me to the theme park. But then Lila's school called about her enrollment.

"Is today my birthday or hers?" I finally asked.

"Avery, you have a birthday every year," my mom said firmly. "This school opportunity for Lila is rare. We'll make it up to you."

Lila started her waterworks again. "I won't go to school! I don't want to ruin Avery's day!"

My dad glared at me. "Stop being so dramatic! We fed you, didn't we? Why are you so demanding? Why can't you be more like Lila?"

A few months later, for Lila's birthday, they threw a gala at a five-star hotel. They invited every elite musician in the city to show her off.

They walked away with Lila, leaving me behind. Lila turned back and gave me a mocking smile. It said: "See? They're mine now."

I went home alone and packed my things into the guest room. I didn't want to share a room with a snake. I just wanted to study and get out of there.

When they finally came back, they were happy to see I had moved out. "It's about time you grew up," my dad said.

My mom handed me a limited-edition designer dress set. "We worked hard to get this for you. Just be nice to Lila, okay?"

In my past life, I would have been so happy. Now, I saw it for what it was: a bribe for my silence.

Lila saw the dress, and her eyes turned green with envy. A few minutes later, she appeared in the living room, crying again.

5.

I knew exactly what she had done. She had shredded the dress with scissors.

"Avery, I know you hate me," she sobbed, showing my parents the ruined fabric. "But the dress was innocent. Why did you have to destroy it?"

"I didn't do it!" I snapped.

My dad didn't even ask for my side. He snatched the ruined dress and shoved it toward Lila.

"I thought you were changing, but you're just getting sneakier," he growled. "You destroyed her gift because you're a bitter, small-minded girl!"

My mom looked at me with pure disappointment. "Why can't you be more like Lila? We are exhausted from working and taking care of her. Why must you make our lives harder?"

"I said I didn't do it! Why do you always believe an outsider over your own blood?" I shouted.

My dad's hand flew across my face. The slap echoed in the room. "Because Lila is honest! You are just a liar and a bully!"

Lila hid behind them, whispering, "Don't be mad at her... she's probably just stressed. I've never seen such a pretty dress in the orphanage... I was just looking at it..."

My parents cooed over her while glaring at me. "Apologize to your sister. Now!"

I looked at the three of them. I felt a cold, sharp clarity. "I have nothing to apologize for. Believe what you want."

I walked into my room and locked the door. I blocked out my father's shouting and Lila's fake whimpers.

I spent the rest of the night studying. I didn't care that they took her to the park without me. I had a life to build.

6.

With twenty-seven years of life experience, I crushed my middle school exams. I took every academic competition available and won gold in all of them.

I earned a full scholarship to the elite high school and a ten-thousand-dollar cash prize.

Lila, meanwhile, failed everything. My parents had to pay a massive bribe just to get her into the same school.

Did they scold her? No. They comforted her by insulting me.

"If Lila weren't sick, she'd be a genius," my mom said. "Avery is just a bookworm. She has no soul."

"Exactly," my dad agreed. "Lila is an artist. She has musical talent. That's worth way more than some grades."

They treated the school's top student like a ghost while pampering a failing foster kid. It was almost funny.

They even told me to stay in my room so Lila wouldn't feel bad about her grades. I was fine with that. It gave me peace to study.

But Lila couldn't let me be. She started playing the piano at all hours.

My parents decided to push her toward the conservatory. One day, I walked out to get water and saw them huddled by the piano room.

"Is my playing bothering Avery?" Lila asked, stopping immediately. "If she's unhappy, I'll never play again."

My mom looked at me with an annoyed sigh. "Avery, Lila needs the piano. Why don't you go to the library to study? Let her have the space."

In my own house, I was being evicted from every room.

In my last life, I fought for the piano. I wanted to be a musician too. We fought for years.

The result? Lila got the private lessons. Lila got the expensive recording gear. I had to take the bus five miles away to a public practice room.

Later, we both entered a major competition. Lila faked a heart episode and stole my digital demo files. She submitted my work as her own.

When I tried to prove it, my parents went to the organizers and swore the music belonged to Lila.

"Just let her have this, Avery," my mom told me. "She's sick. Don't drive her to an early grave over a song."

"You don't have her talent anyway," my dad added. "Sending you to a music school would be a waste of resources."

I was branded a plagiarist and blacklisted from the industry. Lila became the "Genius Darling" of the music world.

This time? To hell with music. I threw my piano room key on the floor. "Keep it. I don't care."

I walked out. I didn't look back at my parents' shocked faces or Lila's smug grin. I had a different path now.

7.

Even though I stopped fighting, Lila wasn't satisfied. She convinced my parents to cut off my allowance to "teach me a lesson."

Luckily, I had saved all my prize money. I had over thirty thousand dollars in the bank.

When they realized I didn't care about the money, they threatened to kick me out.

I pulled out a copy of the Child Protective Services handbook. "I'm a minor," I said coolly. "Try it."

They were speechless. All they could do was grumble about how "disrespectful" I had become.

During the winter break, my childhood friend, Caleb Reed, came back from boarding school.

In my past life, I turned to him for comfort. But the moment he saw Lila, he was a goner.

Lila did her usual routineDlooking pale and fragile. She literally fell into his arms the first time they met.

He started taking her to all the parties he used to take me to. He completely forgot about our families' plan for us to marry.

Lila even showed him a tiny bruise on her arm, implying I had hit her. "Don't tell Avery I told you," she whispered. "She's my sister. I have to endure it."

Caleb, the knight in shining armor, was furious.