Chapter 3

Emily said I ruined Olivia and Mark, that I destroyed their reputation and lives. Yeah, I did cause a scene, I cried, and I even stood outside their offices.

What else could a woman pushed to the edge, holding her five-year-old child, do but let everyone see her pain?

But I caused a scene because they kicked me out, leaving me penniless and homeless.

I cried because they tried to take away my right to see my son.

I stood there because I had nothing left except this desperate, undignified struggle.

For my son, I had to fight.

But in Emily's eyes, all of this became evidence that I was the one who ruined them. And that woman who showed up at my door forced me to divorce, stole my husband and my family, was only an innocent woman "chasing true love."

The son I'd raised for twenty years was standing right in front of me. He didn't say a word in my defense.

He just looked at Emily with pleading eyes, like a dog wagging its tail, desperate for pity, and said in a low, humble voice, "Emily, she's my mom. For my sake, please, bear with her."

He silently accepted every accusation she threw at me. It felt like something was squeezing my heart tightly, too hurt to breathe.

"Why should I have to put up with this?" Emily's voice grew sharper. "My parents are right. Your mom is a mean-spirited person. She always wallows in self-pity, and since she's so unhappy, she wants you to be unhappy too.

"Ryan, listen up." Emily grabbed her bag, her voice cold as ice. "Either you come with me today, or we're done. It's your call." With that, she walked straight to the door without looking back.

Ryan stood there, frozen, his face ghostly pale, like all the life had been sucked out of him.

He glanced at the door, then at me, his lips trembling. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees right in front of me with a thud, as it had happened in my previous life.

"Mom, Emily and I really love each other. Please, let us be together." His voice was thick with tears, but there was no pity for me, only his own frustration at not getting what he wanted.

"You and Dad have been separated for twenty years. After all this time, shouldn't all those old grudges be gone? Don't be biased against Emily just because she's Olivia's daughter. She's honestly a good person.

"She got so worked up today because she cares about her mom. She didn't do anything wrong," Ryan said.

I looked at my son on the ground. He knew Emily cared about her mom. But what about me? Did he ever feel sorry for me, even a little?

When I died in my previous life, did he feel a tiny bit sad, or was he glad to be rid of me?

He said all those old grudges should've faded away by now. But he didn't get it. Some wounds didn't heal, no matter how much time passed. Some hatred was carved into bones, impossible to shake.

When I stayed silent, he bowed low to me. Then, just like in my previous life, he turned and walked toward the door.

"Ryan," I called out, my voice cold and unyielding. "If you dare go after her, don't ever call me your mother again."

He paused, his hand gripping the doorknob so hard the veins stood out. He stayed silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "Mom, I know you're angry. I know you need time to accept this. I'll come back when you've calmed down."

But he still walked out. Maybe he thought I was only bluffing. He probably thought I'd give in again, like I always did, because I loved him.

But he had no clue I'd already died once. This was the last shot he'd ever get from me.

Watching my son walk away, I picked up my phone. The call connected after two rings.

"Ms. White," my assistant Gracie answered, sounding a bit surprised. Clearly, she hadn't expected a call from me at this hour.

"Gracie, there are a few things I need you to handle tonight," I said.

"Go ahead, Ms. White."

My voice was steady, as if I were discussing tomorrow's agenda. "First thing tomorrow morning, freeze every single bank card under Ryan's name: main cards, secondary cards, credit, debit. Not a single card remains active."

There was a brief pause on the other end. "Okay, Ms. White. Do I need to give a reason?"

"No need. The money's mine, and those cards are all linked to my account. I'm reclaiming them."

"Got it."

"Second, remove him from his position as general manager of White Group. Make sure the termination paperwork is ready before HR arrives tomorrow morning. I'll sign it at nine."

This time, Gracie was silent for longer.

I built White Group from the ground up. Back then, after being thrown out with nothing, all I had was my five-year-old child. I started out selling clothes from a street stall, saving every penny I could.

When Ryan started elementary school, I rented my first storefront.

When he entered middle school, I opened my first branch.

When he got into college, my company finally started to take off.

I named him Ryan, hoping he'd be as tough as a rock, someone who could weather any storm and stand tall, no matter what life threw at him.

I spent twenty years paving the way for him, handing him the company and making him general manager, letting him stand at a height most people could only dream of reaching in a lifetime.

But he threw all my love back in my face. Now he wanted to marry the daughter of the very person who destroyed me. Then I'd take it all back.