Chapter 1

On New Year's Eve, Daniel Lindsey took the casserole I made and carried it straight to his ex-wife, Cassandra Reese.

My mother-in-law, Melinda Lindsey, sat there cracking snacks while sneering at me, "She gave birth to my grandson. You are just a stepmother."

In my previous life, I put up with this for fifteen years, swallowing my pride and humiliation.

In the end, I left with nothing but the clothes on my back and froze to death out on the streets.

Then, I had time-traveled to this very moment. This time, I didn't cry or throw a fit.

I turned around, logged into my online banking, and froze the account with 10 million in it.

Half an hour later, Daniel was blowing up my phone, begging me not to divorce him.

Too bad, it was already too late.

This time, I was going to make him pay back every cent he mooched off me with interest.

I was also going to show him what being a real outsider would feel like.

*****

On New Year's Eve, snow drifted down outside the window, quiet and soundless.

Inside, sixteen dishes steamed and bubbled, their rich aroma so thick it almost felt tangible.

Daniel picked up the insulated lunchbox, his movements so practiced it sent a chill down my spine.

He filled it to the brim with casserole, and didn't leave out the ribs either.

Those were my stepson Godfrey Lindsey's favorites.

"Cassandra and the kid don't have anywhere to spend the holiday, so I'm dropping off some food. I'll be back soon," Daniel said.

He didn't even bother to look back, his tone so casual it was like it was nothing important.

Melinda sat on the couch, cracking snacks, not even bothering to look up.

She sneered, "She at least gave birth to my grandson. What are you? You are just a stepmother.

"It's your job to cook. Don't be so stingy."

Her words were like venom-tipped needles, piercing my eardrums one after another.

In my previous life, I endured it for a full fifteen years.

In the end, I left with nothing, and ended up drowning in icy water on a bitter winter night.

Now that I had time-travelled back to this moment, my heart was thundering in my chest, alive with a second chance.

I watched Daniel's back, a cold smile curling on my lips.

This time, I didn't stop him, and I didn't cry.

I turned and walked into the study, opening my laptop.

My fingers flew across the keyboard, the screen's blue light flickering in my eyes.

The bank interface popped up. There was 10 million dollars in our joint account.

My family gifted us that money when we got married. Daniel always thought he was the one who brought it in.

He never had a clue he was a leech, mooching off me the whole time.

I hit "Freeze," typed in the verification code, and the screen showed that the operation succeeded.

In a split second, every linked card went dead, including Melinda's add-on card.

I closed my laptop and walked out of the study. The TV in the living room was still blaring.

Daniel was already out the door, and Melinda snorted at me as soon as she saw me.

"Why the sour face? Don't want him to go?" she said.

I poured myself a cup of hot coffee, letting the steam blur my glasses.

"You're right, Mom. I am so petty I can't even stand a little thing," I said.

Melinda paused, not expecting me to talk back.

The timid daughter-in-law she always knew was gone today. I was a whole different person.

She set her snacks aside and demanded, "What's your game?"

I smiled, my fingertips idly brushing the warm cup.

"Nothing. Let's eat. The good stuff's already gone, so the leftovers and oatmeal are perfect for us now," I said.

Melinda's face turned red with anger. "What's with that attitude? I'm your mother-in-law!"

I set my cup down, the porcelain landing with a crisp, clear sound against the table.

I said, "From now on, I'm done being your daughter-in-law. This family doesn't need me.

"Since you don't need me, I'm not going to wait on you anymore."

Melinda slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet. "You trying to turn against us? Daniel's the one who puts food on your table and pays your bills!"

I rose to my feet, looking down at her from above.

I said, "Don't you know who's really keeping this family afloat?

"Daniel's salary goes straight to me. I pay the mortgage, the car loan, and even cover your medical bills."

Melinda's mouth dropped open, clearly struck where it hurt.

Then, hurried footsteps echoed from the doorway.

Daniel came back, his face stormy, still clutching that insulated lunchbox.

The box was still full. It looked like Cassandra refused to accept it.

He slammed the box down on the table. "Pearl, what did you do? Why isn't my card working?

"I tried to buy groceries and was stopped at the checkout. They said the account's frozen.

I looked at him calmly. "Yes, I froze it myself."

Daniel's eyes went wide, like I was a stranger to him.

Daniel yelled, "Have you lost your mind? That money belongs to this family!"

I walked right up to him, took the lunchbox from his hands, and opened the lid.

The food was still warm, but it was a waste that nobody was going to eat it now.

"Since your card's dead, there's no point in sending this over. She didn't want it anyway," I said.

Daniel was livid. "Unlock it now, or else you'll be sorry!"

Melinda chimed in, "Yeah. You need to stop embarrassing yourself."

I gave a cold smile, my eyes completely devoid of warmth.

"I'll unlock it, but first, sign the divorce papers," I said.

The air froze. Outside, fireworks burst, lighting up the living room and the shocked faces inside.

Daniel took a deep breath, trying to regain control.

"It's New Year's Eve. Don't make a scene tonight," Daniel said.

I cut him off, "I'm dead serious.Either sign the divorce papers, or the account stays locked."

Daniel clenched his fists. "You think I won't divorce you? Once we're done, you'll be out in the cold with nothing to your name.

"You've got that baggage with you. Who'd ever want you?"

He meant Godfrey, my stepson, though the court gave him to Cassandra.

I'd always raised Godfrey like he was my own, but now Daniel was holding him over my head as leverage.

I gestured to the door, my voice cold as ice.

"Be my guest. Don't let the door hit you on the way out," I said.

Daniel never expected me to stand my ground. He thought I'd break down and beg him to stay.

But this time, he was dead wrong. I wasn't that pushover Pearl anymore.

This time, I came to settle the score.

Daniel stormed out, slamming the door behind him, and Melinda followed right after, throwing out one last threat.

"Don't you dare regret this. And don't come crawling back to us later," she said.

I closed the door and found peace at last.

I walked over to the dining table, looking at the spread of cold dishes. I took a bite.

The food tasted fine, but with my heart frozen, even the best dishes felt bland and empty.

My phone buzzed. A bank text popped up, confirming a large transfer had gone through.

That was my own private stash, which was already safely transferred out.

I would let them clean up their own mess.

I headed into the bedroom and started packing, only grabbing my own stuff.

If I was going to cut ties, I was going to make it clean.

Downstairs, I could hear Daniel on the phone, practically begging for help.

Too bad for him. I was the one with the power here. If I didn't give the nod, nobody could touch that money.

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching fireworks burst outside. This New Year's Eve, I decided to start a new life.

"Daniel, Cassandra, are you ready? The real game's begun," I said to myself.

My phone buzzed again. It was a message from Cassandra. [Pearl, don't make things hard for Daniel. The kid needs his dad.]

I looked at the screen and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Since Godfey needed a dad, they wanted me to step aside and give up everything.

This was ridiculous.

I replied: [Get lost.]

Then I blocked her number, and the world went blissfully silent.

I lay down on the bed, closed my eyes, and no matter how wild the storm raged outside, my heart was its own sunshine.

I slept deep, not a single nightmare dared disturb me.

Next morning, the doorbell finally rang.

I knew they'd arrived. It was time for the real drama to get started.