Bianca and Mom panicked at the scene while Jason stood quietly to the side, observing everything. ...After my divorce from Howard, I took Cassie and moved to another city. I was not taking any chances—Bianca had repeated the same twisted choices she made in my previous life. She had posted photos of herself holding her dead child's body online and entered them in a photography competition, causing quite a stir. I feared her inevitable disappointment and would grow desperate when her plans failed. Back then, she used my name to extort money from the college girl, leading to my death. Hence, I decided to move as far away as possible.I changed everything, from my phone number to my social media accounts, and even got a new ID card. Perhaps because the incident had gained so much attention, Bianca actually won third place in the photography competition with that photo.When I saw the news, I studied the picture carefully. Maybe because Zachary was her biological son, this photo
I remained silent, but Jason continued anyway, saying, "Bianca and Howard deceived us for so long. Are you really okay with that? Or do you actually think you can escape?""What do you mean?" I asked cautiously.Jason suddenly laughed. "Bianca burned through her photography prize money in three days. It wasn't nearly enough for her. "Now she's using your name to extort money from the victim and spreading rumors online, manipulating public sympathy. I heard the victim has attempted suicide several times already. What do you think someone does when pushed to their absolute limit?"He hung up abruptly after that. When I tried calling back, I discovered he had blocked my number. Panicked, I checked the security feed again—Jason made a gesture toward the camera.It was the same gesture Zachary had made when scattering my ashes into the ocean in my previous life. Jason must have been reborn too!I rushed to my boss' office to request extended leave. After that, I immediately went home
If I told Michelle the truth, she would seek revenge against Bianca, making me an accomplice even if I was not the actual killer. Moreover, giving Jason such leverage over me would mean dancing to his tune forever.I could not risk that when I had been given a second chance at life. I wanted to watch Cassie grow up, not end up with blood on my hands or a reputation in ruins.The pounding on the door grew more violent, and I could hear metal scraping against the lock. I quickly pushed a heavy cabinet against the door, called the police, and arranged for Cassie to stay overnight at school. "Daniella, I know you're in there!" Michelle screamed. "Open the door! I'm a victim too—I didn't kill Zachary! Why are you blaming everything on me? How far are you going to push me?"Thankfully, the police arrived just in time. As the police restrained her, she yelled hysterically, "Let go of me! I'm going to kill her! My life's worthless now anyway. A life for a life!"After the police subdued
"Daniella, how could you be so heartless? Do I mean nothing to you as your mother?" Mom emerged from the crowd, trying to slap me.However, I caught her wrist and pushed her back, causing her to stumble. Then, I said coldly, "I only did what needed to be done. Actions have consequences."Instead of cursing at me, you should pray for your precious daughter. If I find any more evidence during these three years, I won't hesitate to extend her time working in prison.""You ungrateful child!" Mom screamed as Howard stepped forward. "Daniella, how can you talk to your mother like this? You used to—" I quickly cut him off. "I don't need you to lecture me on this. If I remember correctly, we're divorced. If you want to call her mom, that's your business. She means nothing to me."With that, I walked away, leaving them all behind. From that day forward, I cut all ties with Howard, Bianca, Jason, and Mom. The last time I heard about them was during one of my weekly live streams when I c
"Mommy, Uncle Jason says he'd like some Bourbon," said my son, Zachary Moore.Looking at his innocent face, I suddenly realized I had been reborn. I rushed toward the girl sitting at the corner of the table and hugged her while crying."Cassie, I'm so sorry. I can't believe it took me this long to recognize you. My precious child, I'm so sorry...""Mommy, what are you saying? I'm your son," Zachary said as he pulled me away,He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving up and down. Before long, a flush spread across his face, a sign his heart condition was about to flare up.Yet, I could not bring myself to care about him now. My attention was all on my daughter, Cassie Hepburn. Even though she was five, she looked smaller than a three-year-old child.She wore loose, faded clothes without a hint of color, clothes that had clearly been worn for years. They probably would not have even let her wear these clothes if it were not for this family dinner at the restaurant. In my memori
"Daniella, stop joking around. We're sisters, so it's normal for our children to look alike," Bianca said nervously. "Cassie, come here right now!" At Bianca's harsh command, Cassie's tiny body trembled as she tried to slide down from my arms. I did not want to hurt her, and without any proof, I knew Bianca would not let me take her. Reluctantly, I set Cassie down and watched as she ran to Bianca's side. "You little brat, are you trying to get on my nerves?" Bianca snapped, reaching out to twist Cassie's ear. Before I could step in, the door to the private dining room burst open. The server exclaimed, "Ms. Sawyer, your son's in trouble!"Zachary had been born with a genetic heart condition that required surgery. Since his birth, I spent a fortune on his medical bills. In my previous life, I had sacrificed everything to make him healthy and even helped him get into the prestigious Loirue College.I had even lost my job and became what my husband called a washed-up housewife. I
Just then, Bianca returned and pretended to scold Zachary before pulling me to sit down. "Daniella, Zachary's sick and in pain. It's normal for him to be irritable," she said, trying to comfort me. She continued, "Don't take it personally. I just spoke with the doctor, and the surgery is scheduled for Monday. You can go downstairs now and put down the 50 thousand dollar deposit for the pre-op tests." I yanked my hand away from her. "Didn't he say he doesn't want my help? You handle the surgery arrangements. If you have the money, treat him and take him as your son; if not, let him figure it out himself.""How can you say that? You can't hold a grudge against a five-year-old child! He doesn't know what he's saying. Besides, you're his mother. How could you abandon your child when he still has hope for treatment?"Bianca's angry voice drew attention from the neighboring patients, who peered over with pitying looks. However, Zachary's pride could not handle their stares. In his r
Bianca and I were sisters, yet I was always forced to give way to her. Whether it was new clothes or toys, Bianca always got first pick. I even had to settle for the man she had rejected as my husband."Mom, what if Zachary isn't really my child?" I asked quietly.Mom froze for a moment before quickly composing herself. "How could he not be? Besides, you've raised him for all these years. You'd develop feelings even for a pet dog after that long. Could you really watch him die?"Looking at Mom's expression, a sudden realization hit me. "So, you've known all along that Zachary isn't my biological child?"Mom's face fell instantly, and she tried to deny it. However, the more guilty someone felt, the louder they tried to prove their innocence. I stood there, stunned, as the weight of it all crashed down on me. The grief overwhelmed my entire body down to my bones as I cried out, "Why? Why would you all do this to me?" "Daniella, what's wrong with you?" Mom snapped, her
"Daniella, how could you be so heartless? Do I mean nothing to you as your mother?" Mom emerged from the crowd, trying to slap me.However, I caught her wrist and pushed her back, causing her to stumble. Then, I said coldly, "I only did what needed to be done. Actions have consequences."Instead of cursing at me, you should pray for your precious daughter. If I find any more evidence during these three years, I won't hesitate to extend her time working in prison.""You ungrateful child!" Mom screamed as Howard stepped forward. "Daniella, how can you talk to your mother like this? You used to—" I quickly cut him off. "I don't need you to lecture me on this. If I remember correctly, we're divorced. If you want to call her mom, that's your business. She means nothing to me."With that, I walked away, leaving them all behind. From that day forward, I cut all ties with Howard, Bianca, Jason, and Mom. The last time I heard about them was during one of my weekly live streams when I c
If I told Michelle the truth, she would seek revenge against Bianca, making me an accomplice even if I was not the actual killer. Moreover, giving Jason such leverage over me would mean dancing to his tune forever.I could not risk that when I had been given a second chance at life. I wanted to watch Cassie grow up, not end up with blood on my hands or a reputation in ruins.The pounding on the door grew more violent, and I could hear metal scraping against the lock. I quickly pushed a heavy cabinet against the door, called the police, and arranged for Cassie to stay overnight at school. "Daniella, I know you're in there!" Michelle screamed. "Open the door! I'm a victim too—I didn't kill Zachary! Why are you blaming everything on me? How far are you going to push me?"Thankfully, the police arrived just in time. As the police restrained her, she yelled hysterically, "Let go of me! I'm going to kill her! My life's worthless now anyway. A life for a life!"After the police subdued
I remained silent, but Jason continued anyway, saying, "Bianca and Howard deceived us for so long. Are you really okay with that? Or do you actually think you can escape?""What do you mean?" I asked cautiously.Jason suddenly laughed. "Bianca burned through her photography prize money in three days. It wasn't nearly enough for her. "Now she's using your name to extort money from the victim and spreading rumors online, manipulating public sympathy. I heard the victim has attempted suicide several times already. What do you think someone does when pushed to their absolute limit?"He hung up abruptly after that. When I tried calling back, I discovered he had blocked my number. Panicked, I checked the security feed again—Jason made a gesture toward the camera.It was the same gesture Zachary had made when scattering my ashes into the ocean in my previous life. Jason must have been reborn too!I rushed to my boss' office to request extended leave. After that, I immediately went home
Bianca and Mom panicked at the scene while Jason stood quietly to the side, observing everything. ...After my divorce from Howard, I took Cassie and moved to another city. I was not taking any chances—Bianca had repeated the same twisted choices she made in my previous life. She had posted photos of herself holding her dead child's body online and entered them in a photography competition, causing quite a stir. I feared her inevitable disappointment and would grow desperate when her plans failed. Back then, she used my name to extort money from the college girl, leading to my death. Hence, I decided to move as far away as possible.I changed everything, from my phone number to my social media accounts, and even got a new ID card. Perhaps because the incident had gained so much attention, Bianca actually won third place in the photography competition with that photo.When I saw the news, I studied the picture carefully. Maybe because Zachary was her biological son, this photo
A small hand touched my face, and I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks. "Don't be scared, Mommy. I'll protect you," Cassie whispered. "I'm not scared," I choked out. "I'll take good care of you, Cassie. We'll both be fine." As long as I kept her out of harm's way, the chaos would resolve itself. Just like in my previous life, the police would show up soon to handle those men.However, I had not expected the fight to spread into the restaurant. As the sounds of fighting drew closer, I overheard Bianca and Mom's malicious voices. "Quick, he's running toward the kitchen—catch him!" My heart skipped a beat—we were in the kitchen area. I held Cassie tightly against me as footsteps approached, cold sweat breaking out on my back."They're here!" The curtain was yanked aside, revealing Zachary's face twisted in an evil smile. He taunted, "Mommy, you're going to die again.""Look out!" someone screamed as a flash of steel appeared behind Zachary. In the next instant, one of t
"Cassie, what are you doing here?" I exclaimed.Cassie's tense little face relaxed considerably when she saw me. She rushed into my arms and whispered in my ear, "Grandma and Uncle Jason went to school and told the teachers they needed to take me home. Mommy, aren't you happy to see me?"My expression must have been too serious because Cassie started fidgeting with her fingers nervously. I forced down my anxiety and managed a small smile, saying, "Of course I am, sweetheart."I'm just worried the food here might upset your stomach. How about we go home, and I'll make you some honey garlic wings instead?""Daniella, having food outside once in a while won't hurt," Bianca interrupted. "Kids aren't that fragile. This place is perfectly clean.""No thanks," I replied firmly. "Cassie can't handle this kind of food. I'll take her home and cook for her."My unease grew stronger, especially when I noticed several burly men entering the restaurant. I wanted to leave with Cassie immediatel
I wished the relative's words were true, that I was not Mom's biological daughter. At least then, it would have brought some comfort to my heart. Then again, perhaps what he said was actually true after all.Somehow, Mom and Bianca had convinced Howard not only to pay for Zachary's treatment but also to drive them home. Bianca shot me a smug look as she eagerly helped Howard with his shoes while Mom bustled into the kitchen, claiming she wanted to help around the house.Howard said, "Daniella, Mom told me everything. You and Bianca giving birth on the same day was fate, and at least the baby wasn't switched with a complete stranger's child—that's something to be thankful for.""Since you've been caring for Zachary's condition from the start, you know his needs best," he continued. "Take time off work tomorrow and go to the hospital."He's only five... There's no need to hold grudges, especially since you were the one who mixed up the babies in the first place." I scoffed, "Zachar
In my previous life, I had dedicated everything to caring for Zachary's special condition. I personally handled every aspect of his life, from his meals to his medical care. I even constantly monitored his emotional state to prevent any dangerous episodes. Despite everything, he still betrayed me in the end. I was the one who had told him the old wives' tale about scattered ashes preventing reincarnation. It was just a casual dinner conversation, yet he had ultimately used it against me.Since fate had given me a second chance and showed me his true colors, I would not make the same mistakes again. This time, no matter what happened to him—whether he lived or died—it was no longer my problem. "Daniella, even if Zachary isn't your child, he's still your nephew. Can you really bear watching him die?" Mom blocked my path.I smirked. "Mom, you already took all my money last time. Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't."Years of paying for Zachary's medical bills had drained my savin
Cassie called out softly, "Mommy."Tears streamed down my face as I could no longer contain my emotions, and I pulled her tightly into my arms. In this life, I swore to protect her and watch her grow up healthy and strong. ...When Zachary was discharged from the hospital, Bianca and Jason threw a celebration dinner and specifically invited me. It was our first contact since the confrontation at the hospital. At the dinner, one of the relatives got drunk and started bragging. He slurred, "Helen, you looked down on my son for being a war photographer, saying he'd get himself killed and you wouldn't let your daughters marry into our family to suffer."Then, he burst into laughter, adding. "But look now—he just won a 50 thousand dollar prize for a single photo! I should thank you for refusing to let your daughters marry him!"Mom's face cycled through various shades of red and purple before she snapped back, "What's so special about that? Bianca studies photography too! Your son w