Chapter 2

If I could make my own money, I wouldn't have to be stuck like I was in the previous timeline.

I fired up my laptop and started digging into everything I could find about opening a pet shop. I even downloaded a few books on pet care.

I jotted down all my ideas on my tablet.

I was so caught up in my research that it was already afternoon before I realized I hadn't eaten. I headed out to a nearby restaurant and ran into Macy.

She spotted me and waved me over, wearing that same enthusiastic smile as always.

"Esther, have you been keeping your distance from Harry lately?" Macy asked, stirring her coffee with a probing look. "He's really good to you. Why don't you take the initiative?"

Just like before, she was trying to egg me on to get closer to Harry.

Since I got to relive my life, I could see how sloppy her little act was. Every move was so obvious.

I was totally blind in the previous timeline, letting her fool me so easily.

"You know who I am," I said, setting my spoon down, my voice flat and unbothered.

I added, "Even if he's nice to me, it doesn't change a thing. I'm not about to start hoping for more."

Macy blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting me to be this level-headed.

"You're just overthinking it. Isn't that what girls like us do? Looking for a chance to move up?" she said.

She grabbed my hand, her eyes full of what she wanted me to believe was genuine concern.

She added, "Esther, listen to me. While you're still young, you should coax Harry into divorcing that old hag and make yourself his real wife."

I pulled my hand away. "Don't trouble yourself with my affairs."

With that, I grabbed my bag and headed for the restroom.

Not long after, someone slid into the seat next to mine, and I instantly recognized Macy's voice.

"Esther is always playing both sides. Don't worry, Alison. I've got ways to make her anxious to marry Mr. Snyder..." she said.

Turned out Macy had already teamed up with Alison behind my back.

Any lingering feelings I had for Macy were shattered in an instant by those words.

Without a hint of emotion, I pulled out my phone and blocked her.

As I stepped out of the restaurant, I took a deep breath. The sunlight hit my face, and I felt more clear-headed than ever.

When I got back to the apartment after school, Harry was already home.

He was sitting on the couch, holding a cigarette between his fingers.

Smoke drifted lazily around his hand, casting a haze over his handsome face.

"You're back," he said.

I nodded, set my bag down, and just as I was about to go to my room, he grabbed a stack of papers from the coffee table and handed them to me. "Take a look at this."

They were shop lease documents, each with the address and rent clearly marked.

"What's this?" I looked up at him, puzzled.

"Didn't you say you wanted to open a pet shop? These places are in good locations and not too far from your place," he said casually, leaning back on the couch.

He added, "I asked someone to shortlist a few places for you. The rent is pretty reasonable, so they're good for someone just starting out."

I was caught off guard for a moment, my fingers tightening around my shirt.

"How did you know I wanted to open a pet shop?" I couldn't help but ask.

Harry smiled softly. "I saw your tablet on the table. If this is what you want, you know I've got your back."

I pressed my lips together. I should've been more careful.

"Thanks," I said quietly, forcing myself to sound calm.

He stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and walked over to me. "Esther, you really don't have to work so hard. I could easily support you."

I looked up at him, my gaze steady and clear. "You can support me for a while, but not for a lifetime. I have to rely on myself."

He raised an eyebrow, taken aback by how much I'd changed.

But he didn't dwell on it. He just smiled and said, "Alright. If you want to do your own thing, I'm behind you."

I let out a sigh of relief. Harry did care about me, but I knew this kind of hidden affection was a ticking time bomb. Alison already knew about me.

She hadn't made her move yet because she was waiting for hard evidence.

Just like in the previous timeline, I posted a faceless photo of us online, totally breaking the contract about keeping my identity under wraps.

So even if Alison sent someone to finish me off right there on the street, Harry would have to grit his teeth and let it happen.

But if I just kept quiet and played it safe, Alison wouldn't dare lay a finger on me.

That was the silent understanding between her and Harry.

It was only after dying once that I finally saw the truth.

I needed to have everything in place before she made her move.