You’re On Your Own

My sister, Vanessa, wanted to take a job doing private in-home massages.
I tried to talk her out of it. The world is full of creeps, I told her. If something happens, youll be trapped.
She grumbled, but she listened and didnt take the job.
But then her best friend, Tanya, landed a wealthy husband through that exact line of work and became a trophy wife.
Vanessa grew to resent me, convinced Id blocked her path to riches.
She invited me hiking... and pushed me off a cliff. I was shattered to pieces.
The next time I opened my eyes, I was staring at my sister, her face lit with excitement as she talked about the incredible money she could make.
I just nodded. Get rich, and dont forget your little sister.
She had no idea about the living hell her friend was about to endure.
This time, I wouldnt interfere in her life.
I would just let her rot.

1
Vanessa slapped my shoulder.
Look at you, always ready to leech off me. Why dont you drop out of school and come work with me?
I was in grad school, working on a project with my professor, and money was tight. A cold sweat broke out on my skin as I saw the glint in her eyes.
I forced a self-deprecating laugh. With all these freckles? A client would probably see my face and demand I pay them.
Vanessa roared with laughter, preening in her handheld mirror. Youre right. Youre so plain, youd never make any real money. Youre just a bookworm, Bella. Destined for a life of thankless drudgery after graduation.
Shed been beautiful her whole life, and the constant praise had gone to her head. She was convinced shed grow up to be a star or get scooped up by a millionaire. She believed her looks alone entitled her to that life, blind to the fact that success is built on hard work, not just a pretty face.
Last time, Id stopped her from taking that job, and her friend Tanya had reaped the rewards. Vanessas hatred for me festered until it boiled over, and she killed me.
She never knew the unspeakable nightmare Tanyas life became.
Now that Im back, I wont lift a finger.
Ill just watch her self-destruct.

2
Vanessa suddenly lowered her mirror, a troubled look on her face.
Bella you dont think its unsafe, do you? What if I get some gross, fifty-year-old creep?
Her intentions were never pure, so of course she was worried.
I blinked, feigning innocence. What do you mean? Its not like theyre massaging you. Whats there to be afraid of?
A blush crept up her neck. Youre too young. You wouldnt get it.
Huh?
Its the kind of thing where the massage goes both ways.
She started pushing me toward the door. You dont understand, just get out of my room. Stop hanging around.
At the doorway, she leaned in and whispered, Dont you dare say a word to Mom and Dad, or Ill rip your mouth open.
I clamped my lips shut and nodded like an obedient dog.
She had ripped my mouth open before. More than once.
There was the time she was caught holding hands with a boy by the dean, and she hired actors to pretend to be our parents. And the time she was watching porn with another boy and agreed to spend the night at his place.
Id told our parents about those things, about all of it, stopping her just in time. After her scoldings, shed attack me, full of rage. The searing pain as her nails tore at the corners of my mouth is something Ill never forget.
But she was my sister. My own flesh and blood. I couldnt just stand by and do nothing.
I tried to save her from ruin, and she pushed me into the abyss.
As expected, when I went into the living room, my parents asked what we were talking about.
I lied smoothly. I was just asking Vanessa for tips on how to get rid of my freckles.
My father shot me a look of disgust and turned away, as if I were some kind of hideous beast.
My mother scoffed. That face of yours? Youd need a skin transplant to fix it. She sighed dramatically. How could I have given birth to two daughtersone so beautiful, and the other so ugly?
In this house, my parents always loved Vanessa more. It made sense. Who would choose the ugly child over the beautiful one?
It hurt, but I never fought it. I was grateful to them for giving me life. Thats why I always tried to help Vanessa. I knew if anything happened to her, the grief would destroy them. All their hopes were pinned on herthat she would marry rich and provide for them in their old age.
All I could do was claw my way up on my own.
I handed over the $500 for my monthly contribution to the household expenses, grabbed my suitcase, and left. Before walking out the door, I told them I wouldnt be living at home anymore, and the payments would stop.
My father called me an ungrateful brat. My mother threw a slipper at me and screamed for me to get out.
They never wanted me to go to grad school. The only way theyd allow it was if I paid for my own tuition and living expenses, and gave them $500 a month. They pretended to make Vanessa pay too, but Id overheard them admitting it was just a lie to milk me for more. She didn't pay a cent, living at home for free, while I was only there one day a week.
In my past life, I swallowed my pride and endured it.
This time, I wouldnt.
I finally understood that parents who played favorites like that werent worthy of my love.

3
I moved into the dorms at school.
Vanessa called me. Whats this? The good girl is finally rebelling?
Im only home a few days a month, and they still wanted five hundred bucks. I got tired of it, I said.
Hahaha! Youre finally getting a brain! If you want to make some real money, you should come work with me. She started bragging about how much she was already earning. Did you see the new purse I posted on Instagram? Just bought it, cost a few grand. Nice, right?
It was clear shed already started the massage job and was doing well.
Let her.
She was still gloating. Its amazing. A little touching, a little chatting, and a thousand bucks just falls into your lap.
Bella, youre my sister. I cant stand seeing you so dowdy. Why dont you come work part-time with me on the weekends? If I recruit you, the company gives me a five-hundred-dollar bonus. Ill even give you a hundred of it, how about that?
What a generous offer.
I quickly refused. Im too clumsy. Id be terrible at it.
Dont give me that. Im picking you up this Friday night. If you dare stand me up, you just wait. Ill make sure you get kicked out of your program!
To avoid her, I went home on Friday night. My parents screamed at me until I thought my ears would bleed. Vanessa stood by, smirking, enjoying the show. When the time came, she made a call. Oh, Mr. Lee? Yeah, my sister cant make it. Shes getting an earful right now maybe some other time.
Yeah, I know shes not much to look at, but Im her sister, I just wanted her to earn a little extra cash Okay, fine, well forget the interview then.
I watched her sashay out the door and finally let out a breath of relief.
My parents were still yelling.
I shot to my feet. Are you done? If youre done, Ill get out of your sight!
That only made them angrier. I scrambled out the door and ran.

4
That night, I was sound asleep when my phone rang.
Groggy, I fumbled to hang up but accidentally answered.
The sound of Vanessas sobbing instantly woke me up.
This old man he almost forced himself on me tonight, Bella sob
I dont want to do this anymore! It was so scary I couldnt push him off If I hadnt kept fighting, I I would have been!
I crept out into the dorm courtyard to take the call. I pretended to comfort her, but my words were carefully crafted to keep her from quitting.
Sis, didnt you sign a contract? You should get your boss, Mr. Lee, to compensate you!
She choked back a sob. You think I can do that?
Of course! This is a workplace injury! You were on the job and a client assaulted you. Mr. Lee has to take care of it. Hell probably have to pay you thousands in compensation.
At the mention of money, her crying stopped.
Okay Ill try.
After we hung up, I lay in bed for a long time before finally falling asleep.
When I woke up the next morning, I checked my phone.
As expected, Vanessa didnt disappoint.
Bella! Heres a little something for you! I really owe you one. I never would have thought to go to Mr. Lee.
He said the old bastard paid three grand in damages, and he gave me two thousand of it! Oh my god, this is the easiest money Ive ever made.
I opened the digital red envelope she sent. Five dollars and twenty cents.
Thanks, sis.
She replied, Next time something happens, Ill call you. You need to keep your phone on 24/7. Be ready whenever I call, you hear me?!
She was as bossy as ever.
I played along. Okay, okay, I will.
She was pleased. Good girl. Good dog.
She still thought I was the same little puppy that followed her everywhere. She was wrong.

5
After that, Vanessa started talking to me a lot more.
She told me shed developed a new tactic: deliberately letting clients get handsy so she could squeeze more money out of them. Most guys would pay up to avoid a scene.
Shed complain about one guys stinky feet, anothers body odor, all while swearing shed quit as soon as shed saved up enough.
She would never quit.
She would only sink deeper.
A few days later, she sent me a cryptic message.
Im about to become a millionaires wife.
What?
Cant you read? Get ready to be the aunt of a trust-fund baby!
Sure enough, Vanessa soon had a boyfriend.
She posted a picture on her socialsnot of his face, but of his wrist.
He had a tattoo of a pair of wings.
I remembered my past life. Just before Vanessa pushed me, shed shown me a picture Tanya had posted. The man in the picture had the same tattoo. I remembered it vividly.
It seemed Vanessa was using her memories of the last life to get to him first.
From this point on, her real nightmare was about to begin.

6
Vanessas new relationship seemed to be going smoothly.
She arranged a dinner for her boyfriend to meet our parents. I told her I had to work that night, but she called my professor directly to get me out of it, then showed up in a luxury car to pick me up.
I climbed in, my face flushing with embarrassment.
I finally saw him, the man with the wings tattooEthan. He was handsome in a polished way, wearing glasses that he pushed up his nose, revealing a shrewdness in his eyes that sent a chill down my spine.
So youre the little sister in grad school, he said, his voice smooth. Thats impressive. We should talk about some business ventures sometime.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes, feigning jealousy. Ethan, this is my sister. Are you trying to get a two-for-one deal?
Ethan just smirked. Of course not.
I listened to their shameless flirting, feeling sick to my stomach. That, combined with the overpowering cologne in the stuffy car, made me gag.
Vanessa whipped her head around, her eyes wide with excitement. Are you pregnant? How far along? Whos the father? Is he rich?
My face darkened. Im carsick.
Ugh, boring.
The dinner was certainly interesting. The food was good, and the entertainment was even better. I got a front-row seat to watch my parents fawn all over Ethan like he was a king.
As soon as I finished eating, I faked a phone call and made my escape.

7
Vanessa got richer.
She moved out of our parents house and into Ethans villa.
When she tried to quit her job, Ethan wouldnt let her. He kissed her earlobe and whispered, Baby, I can support you, of course. But you need your own career. Youll get bored at home, and I cant be with you every second. I have to work. Youll just sit around overthinking things, and thats not good for our relationship.
Vanessa pouted. But Im so tired.
Ethans smile turned wicked. Oh, my babys tired? Then let me take good care of you.
Lost in his sweet talk and buried under his affection, Vanessa forgot all about quitting.
Soon after, she was pregnant.
She was overjoyed. First, it meant she could finally stop working. Second, she was carrying the heir to the family fortune. Her dream of being a wealthy wife was within reach.
Drunk on her success, she took the positive pregnancy test and went straight to her friend, Tanya.
Tanya smiled brightly, but the smile didnt reach her eyes. Congratulations! Youre so lucky, Im honestly so jealous. Does your fianc have any single friends? You should introduce me.
Vanessa sneered, her face a mask of contempt. Introduce you? Take a good look in the mirror. You think youre worthy?
You can only dream of being me, she spat, then turned and strutted away, triumphant. She had avenged herself for the humiliation Tanya had inflicted on her in their past life after Tanya had gotten with Ethan.
She felt on top of the world.
Vanessa didnt see the small, relieved smile that played on Tanyas lips as she watched her go.

8
Vanessa came to my university, but she didnt come to see me. She went straight to my professors office and brazenly demanded that I be withdrawn from my program.
I only found out when my professor called me. I sprinted to his office.
From down the hall, I could hear her shouting. Im pregnant now! If you dont do what I say, youll regret it!
My sister is dropping out to come take care of me! Ill pay her fifty thousand a month. Can you do that? Can her boss pay her that much after she graduates?
Just process the withdrawal papers!
I rushed in, breathless, and managed to calm her down by reminding her that stress was bad for the baby in the first trimester. I promised her I would drop out, and she finally left.
I went back and apologized profusely to my professor, who was thankfully very understanding.
Of course, I didnt drop out.
Vanessa called me an ungrateful, spineless loser. If your brother-in-law wasnt here with me, Id make you pay.
The two of them were disgustingly lovey-dovey. Vanessas social media was flooded with posts about how attentive Ethan was, how obsessed he was with her body.
Ugh, I cant take it anymore, but he just wants more, and that gets me going too.
Im so worried, doing this in the first trimester.
Time passed, and Vanessa entered her second trimester, her belly starting to show.
She posted: Finally in the second trimester! Now we can really go at it.
Some people in the comments warned her to be careful. Others shamed her for not thinking of the baby. A few crassly asked if her husband was home at night.
Then one evening, I got a sudden message from Tanya.
Tonight, do not answer your sisters phone calls.
I stared at the message, about to reply, when another one came through.
If you dont want to die, turn your phone off.
At that exact moment, my phone started ringing. It was Vanessa.
I answered it.

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