Chapter 2

David and I never had kids.

Back then, Rachel took me to the hospital for a check-up. Afterwards, she told me I was the reason David and I couldn't have children.

I felt guilty and didn't want to deprive David of fatherhood, so I suggested we get a divorce.

But David said, "I love you. Not having kids is even better. That way, we can just focus on us."

Rachel came over and caused a fuss, but David firmly defended me, saying he'd never leave me.

I gritted my teeth and endured Rachel's sarcasm every time she showed up at our place, so David wouldn't be caught in the middle.

When David brought Melissa home, I had no clue what her story was.

Suddenly, I had this sweet little girl in my life. For a while, I was secretly happy, treating Melissa like she was my own daughter.

But it didn't take long for me to realize Melissa was a total two-faced snake.

She always acted respectful toward me in my presence, but behind my back, she would put on a show for David, pretending I had bullied her.

She once sneaked her classmates into the house, leaving it in a total mess, and my expensive jewelry went missing.

After I gently criticized her for it, she ran to David in tears behind my back. "David, it's not my fault Sophia's things are gone. I know she doesn't like me, but how could she accuse me of being a thief?"

Hearing her version, David came home and scolded me for being petty and narrow-minded. "Melissa is just a kid. How can you treat her like this?

"You're just jealous she's younger and prettier than you, so you're making problems out of nothing."

Just thinking about everything that went down in my previous life made my heart clench.

From the day she moved in, Melissa lived a life of ease, having everything handed to her.

I handled every single chore in the house, big or small, while David and Melissa just sat back and enjoyed the benefits.

I took care of her, and she repaid me with utter ingratitude.

I looked at David, thinking of how, in my previous life, I had made my own parents suffer for a man like him. It was almost laughable.

Facing his accusation, I said coolly, "Since she's so afraid of me, from now on, everything concerning her is your responsibility."

I wanted to see if they could still live so carefree without me being their sucker maid.

*****

The next day, I headed out early.

When I got back, Melissa was sitting there, putting on my makeup.

"Sophia, I've never used anything this fancy before. You won't get mad if I try it, right?" Melissa gave me those puppy eyes, looking all innocent.

Just as David walked in, I stayed calm and said, "It's fine. David's loaded. He can just buy me another set."

I looked at David and added, "Aren't you always doting on her? Melissa's never had anything nice, right? Let her keep this one, and you can buy me a brand new set."

For years, David kept his money locked up tight, while I was the one footing the bill for everything in this house.

David was a senior engineer, but he always cried poor to me, acting like he didn't have a cent to his name.

If he hadn't sent Melissa so much money in my previous life, I never would've realized he was bleeding me dry, making me support his whole family while secretly stashing cash for himself.

He got to play the generous, grateful son in front of his family, all without ever spending a dime of his own.

David's face darkened. "Seriously? Why are you being so petty? If Melissa wants it, just give it to her."

I retorted, "She's not even my own daughter, so why should I treat her like she is?

"Aren't you the one always spoiling her? Or are you too cheap to let her have it?"

To save face, David begrudgingly sent me the money.

I was in a great mood, so I headed out and treated my bestie to a fancy dinner with that cash.

When I walked in that night, I saw David and Melissa sitting together in the living room.

"Seriously? No breakfast, no dinner. You just left us here with empty stomachs, waiting for you all day. Is this what you call being a wife?" David snapped.

"Can't you just cook for yourselves?" I shot David a look, his face flushing with anger. "I'm not your maid."

I glanced at Melissa, who was cowering behind David, still playing the victim.

"We've got a mooch living here," I said. "If she won't do a thing for me, why on earth should I cater to her?"

Melissa's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling as she cried out, "David..."

Seeing how mean I was to his old flame's daughter, David couldn't take it. "This is ridiculous. You really don't deserve to be a mother."

He rushed over, ready to start an argument, but I just scoffed and slammed the door right in his face.