Reborn I Exposed My Stepsister’s Lies

Laylani stood there in silence, her mind still hazy, lost for words.

Elio moved a step closer, radiating menace. "You’ve got some real nerve, spying on me like this," he said, his voice a low threat. "What did you see?"

His eyes burned with the intensity of a predator, a clear warning: *Know what you should and shouldn’t see, what you should and shouldn’t say. Cross me and there will be consequences.*

He was so menacing anyone would swear he was ruthless. But who could have guessed that this terrifying man would be the one to help her when everyone else turned their backs? In her past life, he was the one who stayed during her darkest times, helping her beat her addiction, shielding her when danger came. It wasn’t until later that Laylani discovered Elio had been into her all along.

Looking at his fierce expression now, a surge of emotion crashed over her.

Elio caught her silence and that weird look in her eyes, his frown deepening. "Hey, do you speak English?" he snapped. "You hear me? Zip it."

Laylani jolted back to the present, swallowing the tide of emotions. She gave a small nod. "I understand," she said, her voice surprisingly soft and submissive.

Elio blinked, caught off guard. He’d expected a spoiled heiress like Laylani to scream at him or throw around threats in that haughty way of hers. But she was being… compliant.

He looked her over, taking in her expensive Victorian dress and the faint whiff of alcohol. Out this late, all alone? She was definitely up to no good. His irritation flared. "What the hell are you still standing here for? Beat it. You’re in the way."

Laylani blinked, her eyes wide but focused, before turning to leave, mulling over his words. Could he actually have a crush on her?

With each step away from that dark alley, a fresh resolve settled in her chest. From the moment she turned down that drink, her life had veered onto a different track.

Her father, Johnathan; her ice-cold mother, Amanda; Tate, her traitor of a brother; and Zechariah, her worthless ex-fiancé—all of them who owed her or had wronged her would now face her fury.

And Elio…

She paused and glanced back over her shoulder. But he was gone, the alley empty and silent.

Dawn was breaking as Laylani stepped into her family home, only to be met with a sickeningly sweet voice. "Sister! You're finally back! We were all so worried about you last night!"

Laylani’s gaze swept over the living room scene—Johnathan, unusually tender as he comforted a teary-eyed Kayla. Tate sat nearby, chatting warmly with her, while Amanda was glued to her phone, lost in some digital flirtation on WhatsApp. The whole picture was so disgustingly "family."

In her previous life, Laylani would’ve been crushed, desperate for just a simple "happy birthday" from Zechariah. Now, it all seemed laughable.

At the sound of her entrance, all heads turned to her. Johnathan’s face darkened with irritation. "Where have you been all night? Your sister was worried sick!"

His usual scolding no longer stung the way it used to.

Before, Laylani might’ve ducked her head and apologized. Not now. "Dad, yesterday was my eighteenth birthday. You promised me that once I became an adult, Starlight Media would be my gift. Remember?"

Johnathan was stunned—he hadn’t expected her to bring that up. His face flushed with anger as he slammed his hand on the table. "Laylani! I haven’t even started on your behavior! Look at you! I don’t ask for much, but can’t you at least behave?"

She’d always been the obedient daughter, never questioning, always chasing his approval. Now, Laylani found it utterly ridiculous.

The mention of Starlight Media instantly put Kayla on alert. She rushed over, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Sister, don’t talk like that. We were all so worried. Are you feeling alright?"

Her hand reached for Laylani’s, but Laylani stepped aside, her voice icy. "Don’t touch me."

Kayla’s hand froze mid-air, her eyes instantly filling with tears. "Did I upset you, sister? Please, don’t be angry."

Laylani smirked at the staged drama. "I’m not angry. I just think you’re filthy."

The room went dead silent, the atmosphere turning cold and charged.

Johnathan pounded the table. "Laylani! How dare you talk to your sister like that! She was only concerned about you!"

"Concern?" Laylani met his gaze, unmoved. "Dad, did you know she lured me out last night and had someone spike my drink?"

Johnathan was momentarily speechless. Kayla immediately burst into sobs. "I didn’t, Dad! I really didn’t! Sister, why are you making up such lies?"

"Making it up?" Laylani’s voice was sharp. "Should I track those people down and confirm it?"

Kayla’s tears came faster. Tate stepped in, fury blazing in his eyes. "Laylani! Enough!"

"You go running around recklessly and now you try to drag Kayla down with you. You disgust me!"

Tate’s words hit like a cold blade, but Laylani stayed calm. "I disgust you?"

"Brother, don’t forget—she’s the child of a mistress. You dote on her while tearing down your own flesh and blood. Who’s really disgusting here?"

Two years ago, when Kayla was first brought into their home, Tate had sworn he’d always be Laylani’s brother. But now, she couldn’t even pinpoint when he’d changed.

Once, he was the brother who shielded her from everything. Now, all he saw were Kayla’s crocodile tears.

Some promises only last for the one who keeps listening.

Tate’s eyes were hard. "Kayla is also Dad’s daughter, and my sister. Unlike you, with your deceitful ways, she deserves her place here."

Accepting a love child? Laylani thought about it and let out a cold laugh. "Fine."

She remembered that her mother had also strayed, giving birth to a son who must be sixteen or seventeen by now. If her father could accept his bastard, why not bring home her mother’s, too? She’d handle it soon enough.

Brushing off any more confrontation, Laylani glanced toward the doorway, where a tall figure stood.

Zechariah Boyd.

He was impeccably dressed, oozing charm, every inch the picture of perfection in everyone’s eyes.

Kayla’s eyes gleamed possessively at the sight of him. She wiped her tears and moved toward him, looking pale and fragile. "Zechariah, you’re here…"

He patted her back gently before turning his gaze to Laylani, disapproval written all over his face.

Laylani dropped her gaze for a moment, thinking of the man she’d once loved for a lifetime. But now, there was nothing—only a sense of closure.

She just shrugged and moved to step around them. But Zechariah stuck out an arm, blocking her path. "Laylani, don’t you have anything to say for yourself?"

She reacted on instinct, slapping his arm away with a sharp smack.

Ignoring the stunned faces, Laylani walked off.

Zechariah stared after her retreating figure, his expression darkening. He’d always expected her obsession, her constant hovering. The idea of her walking away now filled him with an inexplicable panic and a hollow sense of loss.

But the moment Laylani reached her room, she shut the door and quickly dialed a private number.

"Hello, yes, it’s Laylani. I need you to find someone for me…"

From the moment she came to, her plan had been crystal clear.

Take back Starlight, tear up that ridiculous engagement, and make her biased parents, her indifferent brother, and her blind ex-fiancé all regret the day they ever crossed her.