Chapter 2
Back then, Derek had knelt beside her, swearing an oath to her parents.
He promised that within ten years, he would rise to the top and give her the life she deserved.
He said, "I love Jenna more than I love myself."
He vowed, "I'd rather die than ever betray the love in my heart."
The once brooding, rebellious boy had grown into the distinguished and confident rising star of Rithol City's business scene.
He could finally make her happy without even trying, but instead, he told her he was in love with another woman.
In her previous life, she had spent ten years hopelessly devoted to him, refusing to let go. But this time, she finally learned to let go.
Jenna wiped away her tears, pulled out her phone, and dialed her mother's number.
Her mother picked up almost instantly, sounding surprised.
She said, "Hello, Jenna?"
Jenna's voice broke as she spoke, "Mom."
Her mother immediately noticed something was wrong.
She said, "Jenna, what's going on? Why are you crying? Whatever it is, talk to us. We're here for you. As long as we're around, there's nothing you can't get through."
Jenna couldn't hold it in anymore, and tears streamed down her face.
A few years ago, the Ramirez Group expanded overseas, but she stayed in Rithol City because of Derek.
Because of Derek, her relationship with her parents had grown distant over the years.
She thought her parents resented her, so she didn't dare reach out too often, afraid of upsetting them.
But in her previous life, when her parents found out she and Derek had divorced, they didn't hesitate to fly back to Rithol City and support her.
Even at the very end, all they cared about was whether she was happy.
Jenna bit down hard on the back of her hand until she tasted blood, forcing herself to calm down.
She said softly, "No, I just miss you and Dad.
"Dad's birthday is coming up in a few days. I'll come back and celebrate with you both."
After chatting with her mom for a bit, Jenna hung up and booked a flight overseas for seven days later.
In seven days, she would leave the place that had once felt like her grave.
She would also leave Derek behind for good.
She would never look back.
After booking her ticket, Jenna took out the pregnancy report from her bag.
She had meant it to be a surprise for Derek for their seventh wedding anniversary.
But he vanished for an entire night, and the first thing out of his mouth when he came back was asking for a divorce.
In her previous life, he had lost his temper and kicked her. She lost the baby because of it.
She couldn't stop blaming herself for failing to protect her child.
Right before she died, she saw the faint image of a child tumbling from the bridge.
She dashed over, trying with everything she had to save that child, but ended up sacrificing herself instead.
As she hit the freezing water, she didn't even try to fight. She just let herself drift down to the bottom, letting go of everything at last.
Jenna headed straight to the hospital, not even hesitating before going right to psych.
The doctor ran a bunch of tests, his face turning grim.
He said, "Ms. Ramirez, have you gone through some kind of trauma? From what I'm seeing, your mental health is in a pretty bad place. You might be showing signs of schizophrenia."
Just as she expected. Although her body had traveled back in time, the psychological damage wouldn't be completely erased by her return.
Though, for now, she wasn't experiencing hallucinations.
Jenna pressed her nails into her palm, her face ghostly pale.
She handed the pregnancy report to the doctor.
Jenna said, "I'm pregnant."
The doctor glanced at the report and sighed. "Ms. Ramirez, with your current condition, pregnancy isn't safe for you right now.
"Hallucinations, delusions. These symptoms could make it hard for you to look after yourself, and could even endanger your baby.
"You really should start your medication soon so you can stabilize your condition first."
Jenna's fingers brushed over her flat stomach, her heart aching with a bitter, tangled pain.
Jenna said, "I'll think about it."
She left the doctor's office and walked out of the hospital.
She hadn't gone far when she caught sight of Derek and Lilah arguing in the women's clinic hallway.
Lilah was going crazy, hitting her own stomach as she cried and yelled, "Seventy percent of your assets? Seventy percent! And she wants 51% of the company, too.
"Why? You busted your ass for all this. Why should she get everything?
"Didn't you say you loved me? You're handing her all that money and still expect me to believe you love me? Don't kid yourself. Love is where the money is!
"I'm not having this baby. I'm done. If we're broke, how are me and the kid supposed to live?
"If the baby's just going to suffer, I might as well end it now and get it over with."
Derek saw her like this and freaked out, rushing over and pulling her into his arms, his heart aching for her.
He said, "Lilah, please, stop hitting yourself. If you're mad, hit me. Just don't hurt yourself or the baby.
"Don't worry, I'll make it all back.
"I'm only giving her that money so I can make a clean break and marry you sooner. Because you're worth it, Lilah. Do you get that?"
He looked down at Lilah in his arms, his gaze sincere, as if she were the most delicate treasure in the world.
Jenna was about to leave when Lilah, still in Derek's arms, suddenly spotted her. Her gaze turned sharp and hostile.
Jenna frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
Suddenly, Lilah broke free from Derek's embrace and grabbed two empty IV bottles from a passing nurse's cart.
Jenna barely had time to react before Lilah was suddenly right in front of her.
Lilah's eyes were blazing with pure hatred.
"Who says you have to get a divorce? If she's dead, you can marry me clean and easy, can't you?" Lilah hissed.
Smack!