Chapter 4

I remembered my previous life. When I was worked to death, there wasn't a trace of sadness in Landon's eyes.

Even when Landon brought me up to his new wife, it was just a cold remark.

Landon said, "She just meddled too much. She never had any luck."

Ridiculous. When I was alive, Landon always griped that I didn't pull my weight.

But once I was gone, suddenly I was the one who meddled too much.

And the real joke? After tying the knot with his new wife, Landon went and hired two maids. One to keep the place spotless, the other just to look after the kids.

Landon didn't want her to lift a finger, didn't want her to break a sweat. He even said doing housework would ruin a woman's looks.

Truth was, Landon was fully aware of everything. He just pretended not to know when it came to me.

I let out a bitter laugh. My heart was bleeding, but I couldn't even feel the pain anymore.

"Enjoy your 'good fortune'," I said. I snatched the suitcase from his hand, turned, and opened the door.

The summer wind, thick with heat, hit me like a wave, almost melting me on the spot.

Landon's icy voice rang out behind me. "Ophelia, if you dare walk out that door today, don't even think about coming back."

But without looking back, I stepped forward, determined to leave. Until a soft, childish voice called out from behind me.

"Mommy?" one of them called.

"Where are you going?" the other asked.

I froze mid-step, turned around, and saw Alma and Jack standing in the doorway.

They were rubbing their eyes, all groggy and confused. The argument must've woken them up.

When I saw them, my heart melted instantly.

These were my babies. Ten months of pregnancy, sacrificing my career, my health, everything, just for them. They were bound to me by blood.

Even after I died in my last life, they didn't mourn me at all. Instead, they didn't hesitate to accept their new mom.

I couldn't really hold it against them. After all, I was already gone. Better to move on than to cling to memories of me.

I couldn't help but feel heartbroken. I guess I could've done better.

I knelt down, reaching out to my two little ones, speaking softly. "Alma, Jack, Mommy and Daddy aren't going to be together anymore. Do you want to come with Mommy?"

Landon cut me off right away. "Ophelia, these kids are mine. You're not taking the Calhoun bloodline with you."

I looked up and met Landon's gaze for a moment. "It's not for you to decide," I said.

Then I turned to Alma and Jack, hope flickering in my eyes.

The room fell silent. Only the whirring of the elevator out in the hall echoed through the quiet.

After a long pause, Alma finally walked over and slipped her tiny hand into mine.

"Mommy..." Alma called out. Her big, clear eyes looked up at me, full of innocence, reflecting the hope on my face. "Mommy, you're really poor. Can you even take care of me?"

I froze, completely caught off guard. I almost thought I'd misheard her.

It never crossed my mind that my own daughter could say something like that to me.

She was my precious girl, the one I'd spoiled and protected for years. Even after Jack was born, I couldn't bear to let her suffer, not even a little.

Yet now, she was the one asking me that question. I just stood there, biting my lip, unable to say a word.

Alma must've picked up on my feelings. She backed away, hiding behind Landon, clutching his shirt like it was her lifeline.

She whispered, "Mommy, can't you just leave me here? Daddy's rich. I don't want to live a hard life with you."

My heart hit rock bottom. It was like a bed of nails down there, each one driving deep into my heart.

It felt like my heart was bleeding, raw and exposed.

I managed a shaky smile at Alma. "After the divorce, Mommy will get some money, and I'll find a better-paying job.

"I promise you won't have to go through any hardship with me. I swear, Alma. I mean it."

I was ready to swear to Alma, right then and there. I swore I'd give her the very best of me, no matter what.

Alma was a girl. Landon's folks were all about sons, never cared much for daughters. Landon himself was all about Jack.

I was afraid she'd end up suffering if she stayed here. And I grew up in a family like that. No way I'd let her go through it too.

Hearing this, Alma snickered. Her tone dripped with mockery and contempt.