Chapter 1

"Paisley Clark, I've always known you only took care of me all these years because of my inheritance. You never actually cared about me.

"You've lived in my house for years without paying a single cent in rent, and now, you want me to give you money?

"Let me tell you this—my money is mine to do with as I please. Even if I decide to throw it all away, you won't get a penny. Cam is my daughter, my own flesh and blood. So what if I decide to leave it all to her?

"Take this 50,000 dollars as my compensation for you, and get out of my face. From now on, we owe each other nothing!"

When I walked out of the hospital, my aunt, Leah Clark's words kept ringing in my ears.

I had taken care of her for 15 years. I never once complained about the hardship or exhaustion that I faced every day.

I even worked while supporting her for those 15 years. I never got married, never had children, and wasted the best years of my life.

It wasn't because I didn't have feelings or couldn't fall in love. It was because I was afraid. I was afraid that if I started my own family, I'd end up neglecting her or putting her second.

Yet none of that mattered to Aunt Leah. To her, it was only natural that I made these sacrifices. I deserved to be judged if I didn't.

Then there was my cousin—her "precious" daughter, Camila Simpson. The year Aunt Leah lost her leg, Camila took off for an exchange program overseas and stayed there for 15 years.

She never spent a single day caring for her.

But now, Camila was back. All it took was a few tears, a kneeling apology, and suddenly, Aunt Leah decided her daughter was the only one who truly mattered.

If I hadn't stumbled upon that revised will while cleaning the house, I would've still believed Aunt Leah's promises. I'd still foolishly think that she'd leave her house to me.

The worst part came when I confronted her at the hospital, asking her about her decision. She lashed out at me instead of giving me an explanation and told me to leave.

She even pulled out a bank card with 50,000 dollars in it and threw it in my face. Just like that, 15 years of my life were reduced to a single 50,000-dollar bank card.

That's barely 10,000 dollars every three years. Anyone hearing this would probably think I was some wandering vagrant.

Not to mention, I wasn't some nobody 15 years ago. I had graduated from a top university and even landed offers from major companies.

If not for Aunt Leah begging me to stay by her side and urging me to take a simple job nearby, I wouldn't have ended up as a cashier at a supermarket.

I stormed out of the hospital, feeling furious and disoriented. Without even realizing it, I wandered to the riverbank nearby.

At first, I just wanted to clear my head. But the railing along the river was so old and unstable that it broke the moment I leaned on it.

The area was quiet. It was the kind of place that only came alive at night.

I couldn't swim, and there was no one around to help. So, I slowly closed my eyes and allowed myself to sink.

My whole life flashed before me as the water pulled me under. I didn't feel angry—just pathetic and pitiful. I had wasted my life because I was chained by family obligations and the promise of a house.

I thought everything I earned should go toward securing a home for myself. That was why I willingly gave up my ambitions and stayed with Aunt Leah, serving her like a maid.

In the end, it was all for nothing.

I had been so naive, thinking greed and loyalty wouldn't betray me. But they did, and I was then left with nothing but regret. If there's a next life, I swore I'd never repeat the same mistakes.

With that thought, I let myself sink deeper into the water.

But when I opened my eyes again, I found myself sitting in a lecture hall. I was surrounded by my college roommates.

Some of them were playing on their phones under the desk. Some were napping with their heads on books, and others were chatting with their boyfriends.

That was how I found out I had returned to 15 years ago!