Voice of My Heart

An unexpected fall into the water allowed my entire family to hear my inner thoughts.

I secretly mocked Jake's so-called true love in my heart, and in the end he broke up with her.

I complained about Mom's cousin in my heart, and my Mom cut ties with her.

I grumbled about my dad's childhood sweetheart, who was in distress, and he threw her out that very night.

I mocked Ethan's trusted assistant and his sister, who would immediately ruin their reputation.

From then on, I led my family to the forefront of dramma.

1.

I sat drenched on the sofa, rolling my eyes at the unfolding drama before me.

If I hadn't fallen into the water, I probably wouldn't have awakened my cannon-fodder awareness or realized in advance that I was living inside a book.

And my entire family, the Dale family, were villains, existing only to pave the way for the protagonists to rise higher.

In the end, my family was destroyed, and I was left with nothing, struggling to survive on the streets.

2.

"Stop right there! Jake, if you dare step out of this house today, don't ever come back. The Dale family will disown you!"

The one who was speaking was furious, and his words were full of threats.

"Again? Fine, I, Jake Dale, swear that if I step out today, I will..."

Jake's voice was filled with resentment but was quickly interrupted.

The young woman beside Jake, as delicate as a morning glory, spoke with grievance. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have appeared in Jake's life. Please don't blame him. I'll leave..."

"Tatiana, you don't have to compromise like this."

Jake comforted Tatiana with a look of heartfelt concern, standing protectively in front of her like a warrior unshaken by hardship. He shielded her firmly behind him, facing his parents head-on.

"No. Jake, they are doing this for your own good. You can't hurt them like this."

Tatiana was really good at pretending to be a considerate and understanding woman. She was worthy of an Oscar for her performance.

If I weren't witnessing this family drama firsthand, I might have applauded her.

However, Jake was clearly influenced by the plot, completely turning into a love-struck fool.

He had no idea that his first love, with her innocent facade, never truly liked him and only used him.

To put it bluntly, the love-struck Jake was just a fallback option for Tatiana.

After all, he was handsome, rich, and devoted. Even if she didn't want him, letting him go to someone else would be a waste. It was better to keep him around for emergencies.

Jake, holding Tatiana tightly, lowered his voice. "Tatiana, even after they treated you like this, you still speak for them. Have you thought about yourself and the child you're carrying?"

"I..."

Tatiana's voice grew softer, her eyes reddening as she gently touched her belly.

At first, I was a bit confused about where the plot had progressed. After all, Jake frequently made a scene about leaving home with Tatiana.

But now I realised it was this showdown.

"Mom, Dad, I have made up my mind. Since you don't acknowledge the three of us as a family, I'll take them and leave. With my current capabilities, I can support them. You just pretend you never had me. Ethan, Paisley, please take care of Mom and Dad from now on. Tatiana, let's go."

"Jake..."

My parents were so furious with Jake that their chests heaved violently, especially my mom, who was on the verge of fainting with tears in her eyes.

My eldest brother, Ethan, glared at Jake with such anger, as if he wanted to rush over and knock some sense into him.

Such a hopelessly infatuated fool, who can't distinguish right from wrong, didn't deserve to be part of the Dale family.

I was still in my wet clothes, wrapped in a blanket, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

So, I didn't want to say anything, but in my mind, I was constantly mocking.

"Support them? Aren't your resources funded by the family? Do you really think you can make a name for yourself in the entertainment industry on your own? And are you sure that child Tatiana is carrying is really yours? Aren't you just a convenient backup? What a love-struck fool. I feel sorry for Mom and Dad. They'd have been better off having a dog than you. You deserve to be a backup, to be played around by the manipulative woman, to end up with nothing after all your efforts! Oh, and even if you manage to become the main guy this time, you'll have to step down in a few months. After all, she and her true love are destined to be together. When they finally have their happy ending, you'll be left with nothing. What a pitiful guy!"

3.

"Who?"

The sudden voice startled everyone in the Dale family, especially Jake, whose face twisted in anger.

Ethan, sitting across from me, was the first to realize it was me who was mocking.

He must have been wondering how he could hear my thoughts when my mouth hadn't moved.

"Paisley, was that you speaking just now?"

My mom and dad turned their gaze towards me.

I looked innocent and shook my head. "No, I didn't say anything. Did I say something?" I blinked, looking even more innocent.

I was just mocking them in my mind.

"Oh no, did I say that out loud? Why does Jake wear such a terrible look?"

I cautiously observed their expressions, and they were seriously watching me.

Jake seemed to be furious.

"Paisley didn't say anything. Maybe I just imagined it."

It seemed that my parents and my brothers had already realized they could hear my inner criticisms.

And it seemed they had reached some sort of agreement not to let me know.

"Oh, Mom, maybe you're just upset with Jake."

I casually remarked and continued to watch the drama unfold.

But why did they keep glancing at me?

I started to wonder whether I had something on my face.

I couldn't help but touch my face, but there was nothing abnormal.

"It must because I am beautiful so that they look at me", I thought.

My parents and brothers all turned their gaze towards me again.

My parents had a smile in their eyes, mixed with helplessness.

Ethan scrutinized me carefully, then nodded as if confirming something.

Jake wore a hesitant expression, as if he had something to say but couldn't quite get it out.

But it didn't change his determination to leave with Tatiana.

"Mom, Dad, you abandoned me, not the other way around."

"Abandon? What nonsense! It's clearly you who can't see straight, and you are making excuses. What a fool! Hurry up and take your beloved to bother someone else. And you will die a year later."

I utterly despised Jake, and mocking him in my heart came with no guilt. No one could hear me anyway.

My parents' pupils contracted when they heard my words, as it was the second time they heard me say Jake would die.

My dad gave Ethan a look, and Ethan immediately called in ten bodyguards.

What happened next was truly impressive.

My parents and Ethan were sensible. Jake, the hopelessly infatuated fool, needed a good lesson.

Ethan and Tatiana didn't manage to leave. They were taken to our family's private hospital by the bodyguards.

As someone who eagerly followed gossip, how could I miss such an opportunity?

As someone always on the front lines of drama, how could I possibly miss this opportunity?

I arrived just in time to see Tatiana being escorted by bodyguards for an amniocentesis, which was a quick way to determine if the child was Jake's.

"Wow, this is intense! Look at Tatiana's expression. She's freaking out! Let me think about the plot. Tatiana should be three months along now, her belly starting to show. Tatiana told Jake it was a month and a half. What a manipulative woman! Drunk as a skunk, Jake managed to get Tatiana pregnant in one shot? I'd eat my hat! Only someone as gullible as Jake would believe that and willingly be a sucker. I'm really looking forward to the iconic moment when Jake finds out the truth and breaks down."

I kept a straight face, but inside, I was ecstatic.

My eyes were glued to Tatiana as she was slowly dragged into the operating room.

The expedited test results would be ready in just three hours.

While I was eagerly anticipating the drama, Jake was feeling like his world had ended, his worldview completely shattered.

He couldn't believe his first love, his pure and flawless muse, could betray him.

He didn't believe he was the backup, the fool.

He believe he and Tatiana were true love, and the child in her belly was their love's fruit.

He believe true love conquered all.

However, my inner commentary had already significantly impacted Jake. His mental balance was tipping.

Otherwise, Jake would have fought tooth and nail to stop our parents' actions, wouldn't have come to the hospital, and wouldn't have stood by as Tatiana was taken into the operating room, ignoring her pleas for help.

4.

Three hours flew by, and our wait finally paid off.

The child in Tatiana's belly was indeed not Jake's. It was already three months and nine days along.

Moreover, the doctor informed Jake that after getting drunk, a man wouldn't have the interest, let alone the capability, to impregnate someone, as the activity level of his sperm would be very low.

Jake was completely deflated and devoid of energy.

In the face of strong evidence, all excuses were easily torn apart.

Tatiana leaned against the wall, trying to hold back her tears as she approached Jake to explain, but she left without saying a word. She was utterly defeated.

I sighed, realizing that all her efforts had been in vain. She ended up with nothing.

I started to wonder why my family suddenly became so assertive. Could it be that they have a telepathic connection with me?

"Yes, as expected of my family! We've taken the first step in opposing the so-called protagonists, securing a class victory. Now, we just need to keep going and make sure we're not the ones getting sacrificed for others anymore. Let's keep fighting!"

My parents exchanged glances, seeming to understand my words yet somehow not quite grasping them.

According to me, the whole family would be sacrificed for others, and would end up tragically, becoming mere stepping stones for the protagonists.

If they understood correctly, Tatiana should be the female lead.

My subsequent commentary confirmed their suspicions.

"What kind of ridiculous novel is this. Overbearing CEO's Obsessive Love: Delicate Wife Runs Away with a Baby? No logic, just drama for the sake of drama, misery for the sake of misery. Every character is just a tool to move the plot, and my family has it the worst. We've been screwed so hard. My family ends up torn apart. Hmph, with me here, I won't let that happen. As for how to do it, I need to think more," I thought.

"Dad, Mom, Paisley fell into the water this morning. Since we're at the hospital, let's have her checked out."

Ethan gave my parents a look, and they immediately understood.

"You're right. She can't get sick. Doctor, please check my daughter. She fell into the pool this morning, and we don't know if she's hurt."

In utter chaos, I was subjected to a series of thorough examinations.

My parents and two brothers, meanwhile, had a serious discussion about me in an empty hospital room.

They concluded that they would remain silent about hearing my inner thoughts and never mention it again.

However, they still wanted to verify it.

So, I was meticulously scheduled once more.

One day, I went to the company with Ethan.

And the next day, I attended a banquet with my mom.

The day after, my dad took me on a business trip.

The day after that, Jake took me to a variety show.

I was too busy.

5.

Finally, I had a moment of peace.

Today, I didn't have to run around with them and could finally lounge on my sofa.

I never imagined my family could arrange so many activities for you.

Their love was overwhelming, and I couldn't bear it anymore.

I just wanted to live in a relaxing way.

I didn't need work or socializing. I just needed internet and drama, and I'm set.

Fortunately, my family seemed to realised I was tired.

Oh, wait, they didn't.

Today, my mom's cousin was visiting, and everyone except my dad, who was on a business trip, was home.

Jake, the clueless attention-seeker who just snapped out of his melancholic phase, had spun around me many times already. I was this close to kicking him out.

I couldn't hold back any longer. "Got nothing to do? Why are you pacing around like you own the place?"

Then I started to complained secretly. "Strutting around in flashy, over-the-top outfits. No wonder you have a romance-obsessed brain and got played for a fool."

Jake's mouth twitched.

He had already turned over a new leaf and kicked Tatiana out.

Tatiana had even pretended to be nice to him, asking for forgiveness.

But it was impossible. Jake thought about how he was deceived and how it could have led to his family's ruin. He decided to go all out and publicly expose Tatiana.

He turned Tatiana from a sweet, innocent girl into a cunning, cold-hearted schemer, and then sent her back to her so-called true love, making sure they would be stuck together in their endless drama so as to keep their mess away from the Dale family.

Once Jake's mind was clear, he didn't let himself suffer. He took back everything Tatiana had taken from him, leaving her with nothing.

I, who had been watching the drama unfold, was thoroughly satisfied and reluctantly gave Jake a smile.

"Paisley, is this how you behave when receiving guests?" one guest said.

"Hmm?"

I tilted my head slightly, wondering who the woman was.

It turned out to be my aunt, my mom's cousin.

"You have no manners at all. If my daughter were like this, I'd discipline her. Girls from families like ours must adhere to proper etiquette, or no one will want them in the future!"

My aunt was on a roll, lecturing my mom about raising daughters.

My mom kept smiling, but whether she listened or agreed was unknown.

Meanwhile, I started my inner commentary again.