Chapter 1

The matchmaker's shrill voice pierced through our dilapidated house.

"Mr. Johnson, Mary's leg is disabled! She can't do much farm work. Sarah is not only pretty but also finished middle school. She's perfect for you."

Mark Johnson gave me a cold glance and sneered, "What use is education for a girl? I need to marry someone like Mary who can bring good fortune and bear sons to carry on the family name."

I stood by the bed, watching coldly, my hands clenched into fists to stop them from shaking. I wanted nothing more than to beat Mark Johnson to death right there.

I knew he had also been reborn.

In our previous life, Mark had naturally married me, the prettier one, while my sister married the poorest farmer in the village.

At first, the Johnsons doted on me, their beautiful and educated daughter-in-law.

But then my sister gave birth to five sons in a row. Her husband's family went from barely scraping by to becoming the most prosperous in the village. My sister's sons all became college graduates, and her husband became a successful businessman. Everyone praised my sister for bringing good fortune.

Meanwhile, I had three daughters in succession. The Johnsons gradually lost face in the village and started calling me a curse.

Mark forced me to try the new in vitro fertilization in the city.

But the doctor said it was the man's problem - Mark had a chromosomal disorder and could never have boys.

The Johnsons couldn't understand and refused to listen. After returning home, they started forcing folk remedies on me to make me bear a son. I was tortured beyond recognition, but still gave birth to another girl.

Mark hated me for making him lose face in the village. One night, in a drunken rage, he beat me to death. His mother smothered our daughters to save on food.

My sister Mary burst into tears of joy. With her condition, she never expected to find a good match, let alone have the handsome ranch foreman specifically ask for her hand.

Our parents were nervous. Mr. Johnson was the village chief's son, and his uncle was supposedly a high-ranking official in the city. How could such a family want Mary?

But a good son-in-law was hard to find, so Dad immediately agreed: "Alright, Mary will marry you. Whatever bride price you offer is fine, we're not picky."

Mark immediately pulled out $500! Everyone's eyes went red with envy.

"Mary is so lucky!"

Seeing that Mary could marry so well, my parents immediately turned their attention to me.

"Mark, please find a good match for Sarah too. She's even better than her sister in every way."

Mark laughed loudly: "Her? Don't let her ruin someone else's life. Anyone in our village who dares to marry her is going against me!"

My parents panicked, not understanding how I had offended him.

The Johnsons wielded a lot of power in the village. No one dared to openly oppose Mark, so after he said that, no one would dare marry me.

I smiled and pointed to the inconspicuous educated youth, Tom Quinn, standing at the edge of the crowd.

"Then I'll marry him!"

My father objected first: "Nonsense! He's an outsider with no roots here. If you marry him, you won't even have food to eat. You'll end up living in a barn, suffering for life!"

But Mark approved of this idea.

"Good! Tom Quinn can't lift a finger to work, always buried in his books. He's perfect for you."

My father was wary of Mark. Seeing his approval, he dared not say more and could only ask if Tom was willing.

Tom's face turned red as he came before me and nodded.

"I... I'm willing, but I can't afford a bride price for your family right now..."

I smiled and shook my head. He himself was the greatest treasure.

In this life, not only would I have the last laugh, but I would make those who harmed me pay the price!