Chapter 1

My boss, Aiden Woods, had sent me to get his Maybach serviced.

But I was only home for a minute to grab something, and before I knew it, my mom had already handed the car over to my uncle, Colby Madden.

"Come on, it's just a car. What's the harm in letting Colby drive it for a bit?" my mom said.

It wasn't until Colby wrecked the car, I got fired, and was slapped with a bill that could ruin me, that my dad, the factory manager, started mocking me.

"With a mom like yours, you should've known better than to bring a luxury car home. You totally had it coming!" he sneered.

To pay off the debt, my mom traded me away for a massive bride price, marrying me off to some twisted rich guy.

I couldn't take the abuse anymore, so I snuck back home, but my mom broke my leg and dragged me right back to that monster's place.

In the end, I was tortured to death.

The moment I opened my eyes, I was back on the day Colby showed up asking for the car.

"Caroline, just make sure to bring the car back before work tomorrow, and drive safe," Aiden Woods said as he handed me the keys.

As I took the keys from him, it finally hit me. I'd really traveled through time.

In my previous life, after I drove the car home from the dealership, I took a quick shower.

By the time I got out, my mom had already lent the car to Colby.

Colby had originally come over to borrow my dad's Mercedes.

But the moment my mom saw the Maybach I'd brought back, she was instantly taken with how flashy it was, and just let Colby drive off with it. She didn't even bother to ask me first.

As soon as I heard the engine roar to life, I tried to chase after it, but my mom stopped me right at the door.

"Stupid girl, don't you get it? Once you lend something out, you can't just snatch it back!" my mom scolded.

My mom scoffed, "Come on, it's just a car! What's the harm in letting Colby take it for a spin?

"We're all family here! Why are you making such a fuss?"

My heart was racing. "That car belongs to Aiden Woods! I have to get it back to him tomorrow, or I'm screwed!"

My mom just waved me off, sneering, "Aiden Woods is a big shot! What's one car to him, anyway?"

I immediately tried calling Colby, but before the call could even connect, my mom smacked my phone right out of my hand and sent it crashing to the floor.

She snapped, "Caroline, are you crazy? Colby's already on the road. Why are you blowing up his phone?

"Just wait until he's finished with it, then you can hand it back to your boss."

'Why should Mr. Aiden Woods have to lend his car to Colby? They're not even family!' I protested.

But before I could get the words out, my mom slapped me hard across the face.

"Are you trying to rebel or what?" she snapped. "Is that how you talk to your own mother?"

To make sure I couldn't call Colby, she stomped on my phone right in front of me.

The next day, I was just about to head out with my brand-new phone when I got the news. Colby had crashed into a guardrail. He was fine, but the car was wrecked pretty badly.

With no other options, I had to fess up to Aiden Woods.

Not only did I get fired, but I was slapped with a demand to pay for a new car. There was no way I could ever afford that.

I went to my dad for help, but he just shot me a mocking look, his arm around my sister Jodie. "You knew your mom was like this, but you still had to show off by bringing a fancy car home. Serves you right!"

With no way to pay off the debt, my mom sold me off to some twisted rich guy, and I was tortured to death.

Just thinking about it sent a chill down my spine.

Not daring to waste a second, I got the car serviced at the dealership and rushed it straight back to the office.

It wasn't until I was sitting alone on the last bus home that I finally felt like I could breathe again.

As soon as I got to my front door, the familiar sound from inside made my stomach drop.

I pushed the door open, and there was Colby, lounging on the couch with his legs crossed, smoking like he owned the place. He didn't even bother to act like a guest.

He said, "I need a car for the next couple of days. Get me one.

"And don't get me anything cheap. Anything less than 200 thousand dollars makes me cough."

My mom was fixing him a cup of tea, all smiles. "No problem, Colby. I'll figure something out for you, don't worry."

When she heard me come in, she shot me a look. "There are plenty of people at your office with cars. Go borrow one for your uncle," she ordered.

No way I was going to do what she said.

My mom would bend over backwards for her brother, and everyone in her family saw her as the one who'd never say no.

No matter how outrageous their requests, she'd guilt-trip us with talk about family until we caved.

I shot back, "I'm not some miracle worker. Why don't you ask Dad? He just got himself a new ride a couple days ago."

My mom's face lit up as she bragged to Colby, "Oh, silly me! I've seen your dad's new car. It's seriously impressive!"

"Let me go look for the keys for you right now," she chirped, already making a beeline for the bedroom.

She didn't even think to ask my dad. She just took it upon herself and immediately started tearing through the bedroom drawers.