Chapter 2

I shook my head, looking troubled. "If I'd known Grace wanted it, I wouldn't have sold it.

"But the buyer's from out of town and doesn't come around much. I don't even know how to reach him now."

Evan's brows knitted tightly, and I could see a hint of blame in his eyes.

He thought he was hiding it well. I scoffed inwardly, but kept my face neutral.

Evan hurried off again, and I knew he was probably rushing to find another place for Grace.

Before leaving, Evan deliberately came up with an excuse. "Honey, things are hectic at the factory, so I won't be home for a while.

"Take care of Jason, and my parents will be back in a couple of days. Can you pick them up at the station?"

Then he left without even looking back, never bothering to ask what I thought.

In my previous life, I slaved away for the Goodwin family and never got so much as a thank you.

In this life, not a chance I'm never doing anything for them again.

Honestly, Evan being out of the way made it easier for me to handle things.

On Wednesday evening, someone started pounding on the door. Just from the sound, I knew exactly who it was.

It was Nina Goodwin, Evan's domineering mother.

She snapped, "Laura, open the door. Evan told you to pick us up at the station, and this is how you treat us?

"We stood out in the blazing sun for ages, and my husband nearly had a heatstroke. What did the Goodwin family do to deserve a jinx like you as a daughter-in-law."

After Nina had finished her rant, I slowly got up from the couch, splashed some water on my face to make it look flushed, and then opened the door.

By then, the neighbors had already gathered outside, all eager to watch the drama unfold.

As soon as I opened the door, Nina wasted no time in jabbing her finger at me and launching into another round of yelling. "You lazy bum.

"Just lounging around at home while us old folks have to trek back in the heat and sun.

"Heavens above, what rotten luck for our family. How did the Goodwin family get stuck with a daughter-in-law like you?"

Nina was bawling and making a huge scene.

She was always running me down to the neighbors, and now they were all piling on, taking her side.

"What's with the Goodwin family's daughter-in-law? I heard Nina say she doesn't respect her elders, but I didn't really buy it. Guess she really is that shameless."

"Talk about bad luck, getting a daughter-in-law like her. I heard she used to be a teacher, and this is how she acts?"

"She even gave birth to a sickly kid. The Goodwin family didn't kick her out, and she still acts like she's owed something."

Nina shot me a smug look, hands planted on her hips like a victorious lioness.

In my previous life, she always had me under her thumb. She spread lies that I was a terrible daughter-in-law, ruining my reputation with the neighbors.

I jumped at her every command back then. Thinking about it now, I was seriously clueless.

I walked over, barely able to stand, my voice barely a whisper. "Mom, I'm sorry. Evan hasn't been home these past couple of days, and Jason's been a handful at night, refusing to sleep.

"He kept me up both nights. But it's all on me. My body gave out, I caught a fever, so I couldn't make it to the station to pick you up.

"Mom, please don't be angry. It's all my fault. You can yell at me or even slap me if you want."

I put on a show of panic, about to drop to my knees, but my legs gave out and I almost hit the floor. Susan, quick as ever, grabbed me before I could fall.

Susan chimed in, "Oh my, she's got a fever. She needs to rest. Nina, you're always picking on Laura.

"Laura never says a word, and we neighbors usually stay out of it, but honestly, Laura's always been so respectful. You really don't appreciate what you've got."

Susan and Nina had always been at odds, and Susan was sharp as ever. She picked up on my hint and was purposely giving Nina a hard time.

Hearing this, Nina instantly snapped, her anger boiling over.

She wouldn't dare touch Susan, so she swung her hand at me instead. "You worthless brat, spouting nonsense again?

"I'm not letting you off today. I'll teach you a lesson for mouthing off."

I dodged to the side, but Susan took the slap right across the face.

That was the last straw for Susan. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to throw down, and lunged straight at Nina.

Susan spat, "Damn it, Nina! I was trying to help, and you go and slap me? I oughta knock some sense into you, you shameless old bat.

"I've never seen anyone bully their daughter-in-law like this. Now that everyone's seen it, you get all embarrassed and start swinging? Can't even own up to your own mess, huh?"

I was frantically trying to calm them down, but they were too busy fighting to even hear me.

Susan's husband and son heard the ruckus and stormed out. Seeing Susan getting pushed around, they rushed in to back her up.

In no time, the whole group was tangled up in a wild brawl.

Evan's father, Michael, seeing things spiral out of control, roared, "Stop!"

But nobody gave him the slightest respect.

Michael, always used to being the patriarch and calling the shots, felt his ego bruised. His face turned beet red.

He charged right in, jumping into the fight with Susan's family.