Kelly woke up with a sharp inhale.
Cold air.
Wooden ceiling.
The faint smell of smoke and old poverty.
Not the white void.
Not the collapsing world.
The Lu family home.
"…I'm back."
Her fingers curled slightly.
The space inside her was still there—but quieter now, like something distant was watching.
Then—
a sound reached her ears.
Whispers.
No.
Fearful breathing.
Kelly slowly stood up.
And walked out.
The moment she stepped into the main hall—
she saw them.
Three children.
Huddled in the corner like frightened animals.
The eldest stood in front of the other two, arms slightly spread, trying to protect them even though his body was shaking.
His voice came out trembling:
"Don't come closer."
Kelly froze.
Her chest tightened for a second she didn't expect.
These weren't just children.
They were the future written in the Script.
Lu Cheng.
The eldest.
Future richest man.
Lu Tuan.
The second child.
Future famous actor.
Lu Chuan.
The youngest.
Future top doctor.
But right now—
they were just terrified children.
Lu Tuan clutched his younger brother tightly.
Lu Chuan had his eyes shut, as if waiting for pain to fall at any moment.
Kelly's breath slowed.
Because something in her memory clicked.
This scene…
was supposed to happen differently.
The original stepmother was supposed to walk in today.
And slap Lu Chuan first.
Hard.
Cold.
That moment would destroy everything.
That moment would turn the children into her enemies forever.
Kelly's hand slowly tightened.
"…So this is the beginning."
The system flickered.
[MAIN STORY EVENT DETECTED]
[MISSION: FOLLOW ORIGINAL SCRIPT]
[OPTION A: EXECUTE DISCIPLINE EVENT]
[OPTION B: REWRITE FATE]
Silence.
The children flinched as she stepped forward.
Lu Cheng immediately raised his voice, though it shook:
"If you're going to hit us… just do it quickly!"
That sentence hit harder than any weapon.
Kelly stopped completely.
Hit them?
These children were already prepared for pain like it was normal.
Her throat tightened.
Slowly—
she reached into her space.
The children reacted instantly.
Lu Tuan pulled Lu Chuan back.
"No—don't!"
But instead of a weapon…
Kelly pulled out a steamed bun.
Warm.
Soft.
Fresh from her space.
The smell of wheat filled the room.
The children froze.
Confused.
Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes.
"…What is this trick?"
Kelly didn't answer immediately.
Her hand trembled slightly—but not from fear.
From something deeper she couldn't name.
Then she spoke softly:
"Are you hungry?"
Silence.
No one moved.
Lu Chuan slowly opened his eyes.
Just a crack.
"…Food?"
Lu Cheng stepped forward slightly, still guarding his brothers.
"No one gives food for free."
His voice cracked at the end.
Kelly looked at him.
And for the first time—
she saw it clearly.
Not defiance.
Not rebellion.
But children who had learned that kindness always came with pain afterward.
"…Then keep it," she said quietly.
She placed the bun on the table.
Not forcing.
Not approaching.
Just leaving it there.
Then she stepped back.
One step.
Two steps.
The children didn't move.
No one breathed.
The room felt frozen in time.
Then—
the system flickered violently.
[WARNING]
[ORIGINAL SCRIPT DISRUPTED]
[FATE PATH OF LU CHENG / LU TUAN / LU CHUAN ALTERING]
Kelly's eyes widened slightly.
The air suddenly grew heavier.
Her space inside her reacted faintly.
And then—
a cold voice echoed inside her mind.
Not the system.
Something deeper.
Unknown.
"…Stepmother…"
Kelly froze.
The children looked up at her at the same time.
Because at that exact moment—
Lu Chuan whispered:
"…She didn't hit me."
Silence.
Then—
outside the house…
a shadow moved past the window.
Slowly.
Watching.
The steamed bun on the table turned cold.
And the system voice returned—distorted:
[THE THIEF HAS NOTICED THE CHANGE]