Chapter 2
After Mom left, only Tiana and I were home.
She looked at me nervously. "Miss Quinn, why do you seem like a different person all of a sudden?"
I suppressed my anger and smiled gently.
"No, I just don't want you to think the wrong things."
Tiana looked stunned for a moment at my words.
"Miss Quinn, I'll go tidy the room," she mumbled nervously.
I leaned back on the couch, recalling my last life.
Tiana was a struggling freshman. I helped her get a student loan and a cafeteria job.
This summer, she said her parents favored her brother and feared she might not return to college if she went home.
My heart softened, so I let her stay at my place.
Tiana seemed fragile at home but hid strong resilience beneath.
My parents loved her and planned for her to join Brian's company after graduation.
In my past life, I once fell for her sweet facade too.
Tiana was always busy cleaning or cooking for us.
She had us all wrapped around her finger.
At summer's end, while "cleaning," Tiana found a used condom in Brian and his wife, Sophia's bedroom.
Tiana asked me to lend her 25 thousand dollars, citing her mom's illness.
She used the money to find a clinic, extract sperm from Brian's condom, and undergo IVF.
Weeks into the semester, Tiana became pregnant.
She quietly dropped out and returned home once her pregnancy showed.
A year later, she entered the school carrying a baby and followed by social media bloggers.
She accused me of abducting her and letting my brother, Brian, molest her at our house.
She knelt, sobbing before the school officials and cameras, saying my parents were retired cops and Brian was a famous entrepreneur.
She claimed our family threatened to destroy hers if she told the police.
Just one sentence from Tiana.
"Who'd ruin her life by getting pregnant just to shame someone else?"
Her sentence made our family a public target.
Overnight, Brian was called a monster in a suit, and I became the "demon teacher" online.
Our parents' enemies launched a full vendetta against us.
Brian's company was sabotaged and went bankrupt.
Brian insisted on a paternity test to prove his innocence with Tiana's kid.
When the results came back, everyone was shocked. The child was his.
By then, Brian could talk nonstop, but it wouldn't change anything.
We lost everything. Our family broke, and we owed Tiana 3 million dollars for emotional damages and child support.
Brian went from golden boy to hunted predator.
My proud, strong-willed parents, known for their spotless reputation, couldn't bear the blow and drowned themselves in the river.
I got expelled and chased by trolls, so I jumped off an overpass to end it.
I was barely holding on when rushed to the hospital.
Tiana arrived at the hospital immediately after hearing the news.
She whispered the ugly truth in my ear.
I glared at her with bloodshot eyes, refusing to close them as life faded.
After tidying, Tiana darted into the kitchen.
As before, she was already buttering up my parents.
I saw her silhouette in the kitchen with a cold stare, then took out my phone.
After opening an online store, I ordered hidden cameras.
I contacted a lawyer friend and found Martin Gray, the private investigator.
This time, I'd turn the tables. I wouldn't let Tiana walk away unscathed.
Ms. Lewis, the housekeeper, took the day off but returned in the evening with groceries.
As she entered the kitchen, someone was already there.
"Claire, did I upset your parents? Why is someone else here?" Ms. Lewis asked nervously.
Ms. Lewis was our live-in housekeeper for years, and I always respected her.
"Ms. Lewis, don't overthink it. She's just a student staying here for the summer," I reassured her.
Ms. Lewis sighed with relief after I reassured her.
In my last life, Tiana often showed off and belittled Ms. Lewis.
After she moved in, things kept disappearing.
Once, Tiana made a big deal about finding Mom's earrings in Ms. Lewis's room.
Ms. Lewis was speechless and resigned.
Afterward, Tiana gained power at home and began pushing me aside.
This time, I was set to protect Ms. Lewis and block Tiana from the start.
The school held various learning activities during summer break.
I had to attend school often even on holiday.
We had training at school that day.
The hall was full of young teachers, all eager not to miss a chance at promotion.
"Miss Quinn, is Tiana staying with you this summer?"
Chloe Johnson leaned over and asked.