Chapter 3

I continued, "You wouldn't want Margaret to hurt herself just because I'm here, right? If something like that really happened, I know you'd still side with her."

Mom instinctively tried to defend herself, but in the end, she just stayed quiet.

I kept talking, not really expecting anyone to answer. "I'm not made of stone. I feel pain too.

"So, please, you and Mr. Lawson should really think about my offer. You can keep using me for your own gain, and I won't breathe a word to anyone."

The way I addressed her so coldly, and my emotionless words, really cut Mom deep.

She clutched her chest, struggling to catch her breath. A hint of regret flashed in her eyes.

*****

Mom just walked out.

She only left me with one sentence. "You better reflect on yourself. And don't even think about severing ties with this family."

I felt hopeless.

I still couldn't figure it out. They clearly didn't love me anymore, so why did they insist on keeping me here?

After a night of restless sleep, I jolted awake from a nightmare.

Unexpectedly, I found myself lying in a warm bedroom.

I instantly recognized it. It was the room I had lived in during my previous life.

I glanced around, and to my shock, Mom and Dad were both there, keeping watch over me.

Mom visibly relaxed when she saw me wake up, then gently touched my forehead.

"Thank goodness, your fever's gone," she said. "Sweetheart, if you weren't feeling well, why didn't you call out? Do you have any idea how worried Dad and I were?"

I stared at her, not really getting it.

Mom's eyes were red as she handed me the medicine. "Are you still feeling sick anywhere?" she asked.

I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh to myself.

In my previous life, I'd wished for a moment like this more times than I could count.

But not once did it ever actually happen.

Now that I've stopped hoping for their love, who are they pretending for?

I struggled to get up from the bed, but Mom quickly pressed me back down.

She said, "The doctor said you're severely malnourished. You need to eat more and get your strength back.

"I can't even imagine what you've been through. It's all my fault. I really let you down. From now on, I'll make it up to you."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Margaret's jealous look, and all the tragic memories from my past life came rushing back.

Fear washed over me, and I hurried to interrupt Mom, "I'm really fine. You don't owe me anything, honestly.

"Once I'm back on my feet, I'll move out. You really don't have to do anything for me."

But even after I said that, Margaret was still glaring at me like I was her enemy.

Her eyes were red as she walked in, dropped to her knees in front of me without a word, and started smacking herself over and over.

She kept muttering under her breath, "I'm so sorry, Colette. It's all my fault. If it wasn't for my dream, Mom and Dad wouldn't have punished you, and you wouldn't have gotten sick.

"But even if this is all my fault, you still shouldn't try to ruin everything Mom and Dad worked so hard for."

Crying, Margaret pulled out her phone and started playing a recording.

Suddenly, my own voice came out of the speaker, dripping with venom.

I was cursing them, wishing they'd drop dead, and vowing to blow their secrets wide open.

I was completely dumbfounded. I was sure I hadn't said any of that.

I shot a panicked look at Mom and Dad, scrambling to defend myself. "I didn't say that. That wasn't me."

But before I could finish, a slap landed hard across my face.

Mom and Dad's faces changed instantly, their eyes filled with crushing disappointment as they stared at me.

Dad snapped, "Your mom spent the whole night tormented by nightmares, feeling guilty and wanting to make it up to you.

"And this is how you repay her? I honestly can't believe I gave birth to such a venomous daughter."

My head was spinning.

For a moment, it felt like the nightmare from my past life was happening all over again.

A profound sense of helplessness overwhelmed me.

I just wanted to live my life in peace. Why did it have to be so difficult?

My mind was growing fuzzy, but I could still hear Mom and Dad's impatient scolding in the background.

Mom said, "You're really becoming more and more of a disappointment."

Dad snapped, "If only you could be as mature as Margaret, we wouldn't have to deal with all this trouble."

I blocked them out, grabbed the fruit knife lying nearby, and without hesitation, stabbed myself in the left side of my chest.

Everything went silent in that moment, and blood flooded my vision.

I said slowly, "My life... I'm giving it back to you. Is this enough for you to let me go?"