Chapter 1

In my previous life, the very scholarship student I had supported, Sophie Linwood, ended up killing me.

It started when Sophie came to my office with transfer records, crying and begging me in front of everyone, "Please, Evelyn, don't make me go back to those men. I don't want that kind of money anymore."

I couldn't defend myself. People called me fake and cruel, and I lost my job.

But she didn't stop there. Later, she drugged me and left me in some influencer's apartment, and then told my husband, Charles Grant, that I had cheated on him out of loneliness.

Charles was so angry that he broke my legs and threw me out with nothing.

As I was leaving the Grant residence, Sophie followed me outside and whispered in my ear, "I'm carrying Charles's baby. You must be jealous, since you could never give him one."

She tilted her head, her eyes wide with fake innocence, yet full of poison. "Don't blame me. I just wanted to thank Charles in my own way."

I lost control and tried to push her away.

But she was stronger, and she shoved me backward, right into the street.

A truck hit me. That was the end.

Now that I had been given a second chance, I was done being nice.

If she wanted to play the victim, I'd make sure everyone saw exactly who she was.

*****

The ache from my broken bones hadn't faded yet, and all I could hear was the sound of Sophie's phony sobs.

"Please, Evelyn, don't make me go back to those men. I don't want that kind of money anymore," she begged.

I turned my head stiffly and saw her slumped on the ground in a faded white dress. Her phone was clutched in her hand, the screen lit with the transfer records of the money I'd sent her.

She wept, fragile as a flower battered by the rain.

And there was my husband, Charles, standing beside her, his eyes filled with utter disappointment and loathing as he looked at me.

I was given a second chance, thrown back to the exact moment when Sophie dragged my name through the mud in front of everyone, as my life crumbled around me.

Sophie was the poor student I'd supported from grade school all the way through college. I paid for her tuition, her living expenses, and even covered her mother's surgery when she fell ill.

I did it all because seeing her reminded me of how hard my own life had been.

But all that kindness just ended up raising someone who stabbed me in the back.

Hatred and humiliation were about to drown me. I just wanted to tear off her hypocritical facade and expose her true colors.

"Evelyn." Charles's voice was tight with barely contained anger. "What did you do to Sophie? She's just a student."

That was the man I'd loved for ten years.

No matter how many lifetimes went by, he'd always choose to believe Sophie.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stand tall.

"Sophie," I said, my voice surprisingly calm, though a little hoarse. "Do you have the guts to say all that again, right in front of the cops?"

Sophie's sobs came to an abrupt halt. She stared at me, lost and bewildered, tears still clinging to her lashes.

Charles shot me a frown. "Evelyn, do you have to keep intimidating her?"

I didn't bother responding. I hit the intercom button. "Mary, call the police. Now."

"Call the police?" Charles snapped, his voice rising. "Evelyn, are you out of your mind? Are you really trying to blow this up?"

I stared him down, making sure he heard every word. "Charles, someone's dragging your wife's name through the mud in front of everyone. Are you seriously telling me I shouldn't call the cops?"

The icy look in my eyes hit Charles hard.

He was caught off guard, his eyes darting away, unable to meet my gaze for the first time.

Sophie panicked and clung to Charles's sleeve. "Charles, please, don't call the police. I just don't want to do that kind of thing anymore..."

She was playing that helpless little victim again.

Watching Charles instinctively move to comfort her felt like a thousand needles pricking my heart. The pain was sharp, sudden, and all too real.

The cops showed up in no time.

But when the police arrived, Sophie instantly backpedaled, her voice suddenly soft and apologetic. She claimed maybe it was all just a misunderstanding.

The whole farce ended just as quickly as it started.

My coworkers scattered, whispering behind my back, their glances still heavy with rumors and judgment.

Charles went with Sophie to talk to the cops. Before heading out, he gave me a frosty look. "I'm not coming home for dinner. Cool off on your own."

I watched them walk away side by side, feeling cold to the bone.

Charles never realized that every time he took her side, it was like twisting a knife in my heart.

Maybe he knew, but he never cared.

It didn't matter anymore. I wiped away the tears I hadn't even noticed. From now on, I was done caring about anyone but me.