1

520words2026-01-26 11:22

Reclaiming My Body
I was the beloved Johnson heiress, Bella Johnson, until a Transmigrant named Sophia stole my body.
My boyfriend Liam loathed her. My parents detested her. My brother Ethan hurled the vilest insults at her.

Yet the woman in my body never fought back. She remained passive, fragile, and stubbornly innocent—however, a calm that felt more like defiance than submission.
Finally, after immense struggle, I reclaimed my body.
Only to discover my parents weeping over Sophia's photo.
Liam's phone memos blazed with passionate love for Sophia.
"Sophia, seeing her for even a second makes me sick."
"Why did she have to come back?"

"I miss you."
My heart turned to ash. I decided to give them what they seemed to want. But then, they regretted it.
...
I opened my eyes to an angry face.

My brother, Ethan Johnson, said nothing, just yanked me brutally from my bed.
The cold floor jolted me awake. Before I could speak, Ethan's hand clamped around my throat. "Who are you?" he snarled. "Where's Sophia Johnson? !"
His eyes flickered to a glass on the nightstand, its milky residue visible. Ethan’s arm tightened, veins bulging. "She’s allergic to milk, never touches it! Who the hell are you?"
I struggled to breathe, clawing at his arm until he finally loosened his hold enough for me to choke out:, "Ethan... it's me... Bella."
He went completely still. His hand dropped.
For a second, he looked surprised—then uneasy.
Was he glad I was back? Or was he already missing her?
Trying to ignore the unease, I reached out and hugged him.
Ethan stiffened, then slowly returned the embrace.
Just as I started to calm down, Mom and Dad rushed in.
"Sophia! Sophia!" Mom cried, sweat streaking her face, her eyes frantic with worry. "Who are you? Where's Sophia?"
Dad placed a steadying hand on Mom's shoulder, his voice grave. "Ethan? What's going on?"
Ethan hesitated, confusion clouding his eyes. "Sophia... she... she's gone."
Instantly, I saw Dad's spine sag. Mom swayed, steadied only by Ethan.
Watching them, my throat closed. I couldn't speak.
Finally, I managed, "Mom, Dad... it's Bella. I'm back."
I searched their faces, desperate for a sign. Relief? Joy?
It wasn't there.
I saw Dad, usually stoic, shoot Ethan a questioning look, silently confirming.
Ethan nodded firmly. "It's Bella."
After a heavy pause, Mom pulled me into a tight hug.
"Oh, Bella, honey, how could you leave me like that?"
Wrapped in her warmth, the fear momentarily vanished.
I patted her back, fighting tears. "Mom... I'm finally home."
After brief embraces, Mom pulled back, sighing deeply. "Oh, sweetheart... why would you do something so drastic?"
Dad frowned. "It was what we owed Sophia."
A cold feeling spread through me.
Do something drastic?
owed Sophia?
What did that mean?
The scene felt alien. Dad stared into the distance, puffing on a cigarette. Ethan gazed silently at the floor. Mom kept murmuring under her breath.
Their focus was clearly not on me.
A wave of nausea hit me, my body trembling.
They must have been fooled by Sophia. I just needed to expose her.