After Rebirth She Strikes Back (Simone) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Simone had thought about it more times than she could count–if she could go back to when she was three, she’d never call Samuel Spence “Dad” again.

She’d always wanted to return the favor and part ways–somehow, she had. At twenty–eight, in the prime of her life, Simone was gone.

When she woke up, she couldn’t believe it–she was seventeen again. And she’d been back in the country for only six months right now.

At Sogin Hospital, Simone groveled alone by the hospital bed, wearing a black jacket and jeans that had faded from too many washes. Her face was pale and stubborn, and the only sign of her inner turmoil was the tight grip of her trembling fists.

“Simone, apologize,” Samuel ordered, his voice as cold as ice.

Earlier that day, Simone had argued with Stella Spence, Samuel’s real daughter. The security footage showed her pushing Stella down the stairs. But no one believed her when she said it wasn’t her fault.

“I didn’t do it,” Simone said, looking up slowly. Her words were the same as in her past life. Facing her father after all those years, she felt nothing but distance. Her tone was flat, as if she were talking to a stranger.

The slap came as she just finished her sentence. It snapped Simone’s head to the side, and a drop of crimson welled up at the corner of her mouth.

“Still lying through your teeth?” Samuel’s voice trembled with disgust. “How could I ever have a daughter like you?”

Simone met his gaze, seeing the raw contempt in his eyes. If he were a cop, she was sure she’d already be on death row. A harsh, mirthless laugh escaped her. “Thank God I’m not your flesh and blood. Imagine the shame I’d bring you.”

“What did you say?” Samuel’s hand shot up again, but this time it hovered in the air, trembling.

Simone stared at him coldly, her eyes calm and resolute. The Spence family had destroyed any affection she had for them in another life. “Don’t expect an apology–or I’ll make it happen.”

Samuel blinked, staring at her as if he’d never seen her before. “How did you become like this after all these years? Sending you abroad was supposed to help you grow, but all it did was make you worse–more arrogant and overbearing than ever.”

Over the past six months, Samuel had been more and more disappointed in her.

He thought, ‘She was such an angel when she was little. But ever since she came back from abroad, she has changed completely–picking fights with Stella and growing bitter and selfish, her entire demeanor prickly and sharp.

Simone gazed steadily at the man berating her. At this moment, she finally understood he was Stella’s father; never hers.

The tension surrounding Simone was a stark contrast to the lively scene at the hospital bed nearby. Stella was the center of attention, enveloped in the warmth and care of everyone around her. She didn’t have to lift a finger–her mere presence was enough to win their affection.

‘How ironic, Simone thought. She had never experienced such love in her last life.

She rose from her seat, frowning as she smoothed down her clothes that were already neat. With a cold glance at those gathered, she turned to leave. “I’ll let you enjoy your little family drama. I’m out.”

In her previous life, she had never been loved by the Spence family and, in the end, they were the ones who took her life. She had already paid them back with her life once. There were no debts left to settle.

“Stop.” Charles’s voice was like a blast of frost, carrying the weight

Gagendak se tack at Charles Spence, the brother she’d once and.

Charles

the world of. “Get out of my way, now.”

“Is that how you speak to me?” Charles’s eyes darkened as he stepped forward and clamped down on Simone’s wrist in disbelief. Even at her worst, she’d never dared to defy him so openly.

Simone’s eyes flickered with disgust–she didn’t think he deserved her good graces. His fake righteousness made her want to gag. “Let go. You disgust me.” She wrenched her arm free, as if she’d touched something slimy.

Charles stumbled a little from the force, his anger flaring. “Simone! What game are you playing? You pushed Stella down the stairs and almost killed her. And now you won’t even own up to it. What kind of sister are you? How can you be so heartless?”

‘Almost killed Stella? If that counts, I’ve long been a dead body. Charles’s still the same–always pretending to be the good brother, but always favoring Stella in his heart, Simone sneered inwardly.

She glanced at Stella, who was surrounded by a crowd in the hospital bed, being pampered with food and drinks. Her scraped arm had already healed, and her cheeks were rosy, making her look perfectly healthy. Meanwhile, Simone looked pale the one who actually seemed unwell.

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Chapter I

Simone let out a bitter laugh. “Are you all blind? She looks perfectly fine. Is she that good an actress, or are you all just idiots?”

Samuel’s other adoptive son, Raymond, glared at Simone with stormy eyes, his jaw clenched tight and a vein bulging on his forehead. “You’ve really crossed a line, Simone. How dare you even suggest something like that about Stella? She got hurt because of you.”

His fists balled up, his anger simmering just below the surface. “Stella’s never done anything to you. She’s kind, and you’re just jealous–always trying to tear her down.”

The hatred in Raymond’s eyes was palpable–he’d have lunged at Simone immediately if Stella weren’t here. This violent monster was just afraid of frightening his baby sister.

Simone let out a cold laugh. Compared to Charles, she hated Raymond even more. “This isn’t even close to malice. And who do you think you are?” she snapped. “What makes the Spence family so special?”

Before anyone could stop her, she marched over to the hospital bed. In one swift motion, she slapped Stella across the face. “This,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “is what real malice feels like.”

The slap felt like a release, a way to get some of the anger out. Charles and Raymond had been adopted by Samuel before Stella came back into the picture. They used to be Simone’s protectors, but now they felt like strangers–worse, like enemies.

Simone was a blur, too fast for anyone to catch her. Samuel’s face twisted in shock as he leaped to his feet. “What the hell are you doing? You can’t just hit her!”

J

He rushed to the bedside, throwing himself between Simone and Stella. “It’s okay, Stella. Daddy’s got you. Nobody’s going to hurt you,” he murmured, his voice soft and reassuring.

“Are you crazy?” Charles and Raymond moved in, standing shoulder to shoulder with Samuel, eyes locked on her like she was a bomb about to go off.

Simone just stood there, watching them all gang up on her. She almost laughed. ‘In their world, Stella is always the innocent princess, and they are her brave knights. So I’m the villain in their little story? The evil witch in their fairy tale?‘

‘Yes, I’m crazy, Simone thought. ‘But you guys made me this way. She tilted her head, her interest in the drama fading. “Keep pushing me, and you’ll see just how crazy I can get.”

Stella was crying now, hiding her face in her mom Norah’s arms. “Simone, did I do something wrong? Please don’t hate me,” she sniffled, her voice breaking.

“Don’t call me in that tone,” Simone snapped, her disgust clear. “We’re not that close.”

“Simone…” Stella’s eyes were red and wet, tears streaming down her cheeks as if she had been deeply wronged.

“The same old act, but always works, Simone sneered to herself. “Are you seriously still playing this game? Grow up, Stella.” She cut Stella off. “If you want me out of your precious Spence family, then shut up about it.”

Stella bit her lip and fell silent. The room went quiet, the air thick with tension.

Simone’s voice was firm and final. “I’ll pay back every penny I’ve spent. It’ll go straight to Mr. Spence’s account.”

Samuel’s face froze, confusion creasing his brow. “What are you trying to pull?” he asked.

Then his eyes sharpened with realization. “Don’t forget who’s been putting food on your table all these years. You dared to step all over my own daughter? I shouldn’t have taken you in in the first place.”

He thought, I shouldn’t have spoiled her. Look where it had gotten me.’

Simone’s laugh was bitter. “Yeah, I’m just the adopted one. What kind of parent would send their own kid away for five years and leave her be?”

“Yeah,

Those years overseas still burned. She’d pleaded with Samuel to bring her home, but he’d never come.

“Do you hate me?” Samuel’s eyes caught the anger in hers, and he felt a pang of regret.

He glanced at the hearing aid in Simone’s car, but the guilt was short–lived. “Don’t forget about your fault back then. Sending you away was for your own good,” he said, his voice cold and his eyes stern.

Simone’s face turned pale, and a chill ran through her. But she quickly pushed down the emotion–the Spence family weren’t worth it. “I’m moving out today,” she said, meeting his gaze. “This is over, Mr. Spence.”

To the Spence family, Simone seemed to have lost her mind. Their status in Sogin was solid. Even the least successful Spence would still live a life of ease–a dream for most. Yet here she was, walking away without a second thought.

Stella’s eyes darted around the room, her gaze sharp and calculating. “Simone,” she said softly, her voice dripping with fake sweetness, “you’re just

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