Chapter 1

After my daughter caused a hit-and-run accident, she knelt in front of me, sobbing.

"Mom, I just got accepted into Yale University. I have such a bright future ahead of me. If I go to prison, my life will be over. Please, I’m begging you—save me…"

I agreed.

Two years in prison, and neither my husband nor my daughter visited me even once.

When I was finally released, I learned the bitter truth: it had all been a plot between my husband and daughter. They had transferred all my assets into their names long ago.

The daughter who once wept and begged me to take the blame now spat at me, calling me a worthless, ugly ex-convict, and kicked me in the chest.

I died on the spot, despite efforts to save me.

But when I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Charlotte received her college acceptance letter.

“Mom, Dad! My scores are out! I got into Yale University!” Charlotte Carter, my adoptive daughter, exclaimed excitedly.

“Well, of course, you did! After all, you’re Jack Carter’s daughter! Yale is one of the top universities. You’ve made your parents so proud. Honey, didn’t your year-end bonus just come through? Give it all to Charlotte and buy her that BMW,” my husband Jack declared proudly.

It was a conversation I knew all too well, and I immediately realized—I had been reborn.

“Dad, I’m still young. A car would be too flashy. Besides, Mom works so hard to earn that money. I’d feel bad spending it,” Charlotte said sweetly.

In my past life, I had always thought she was a kind, dutiful, and considerate girl. But after going to prison, I learned she was nothing more than a snake hiding behind a sweet smile.

"But your dad promised you—if you got into Yale, you’d get a BMW," Jack said, glancing at me expectantly.

Jack was a stay-at-home husband, and all our household expenses were covered by me. In my previous life, I had even felt guilty for not giving him a child of his own.

"Why are you looking at me? You made the promise, not me," I said coldly.

Both Jack and Charlotte stared at me, wide-eyed.

In my past life, they were always perfectly in sync—Charlotte playing the innocent angel, and Jack playing the doting father—all to squeeze money out of me. And I, foolishly, had fallen for it time and time again, thinking Charlotte was a loving daughter and Jack a generous man who treated her like his own.

But now, watching them put on the same act, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Did you lose your mind today? Charlotte got into Yale! That’s something to celebrate! You can’t even buy her a car? Do you even deserve to be her mother? Or is it that you’ve never truly seen her as your daughter?" Jack lashed out at me.

“Dad, don’t say that. $50,000 isn’t a small amount, and Mom’s business needs the cash to keep things running smoothly. It’s fine if we don’t buy the car,” Charlotte said, still playing the part of the understanding daughter.

"Fine, then we’ll get her a cheaper one—how about a $30,000 car?" Jack shouted, turning his anger toward me.

"Have you been living under a rock? Since when is a $30,000 car considered cheap? If you want to buy her a car so badly, why don’t you use your own money?" I mocked.

Jack stared at me, unable to believe I had just said that.

Charlotte had the same shocked expression, as though the world had flipped upside down.

In my past life, their tricks had always worked on me, and I would have done anything for them. I got swindled time and time again, and still believed they were good people.

“Mom, I don’t need a car. Please don’t fight. This is all my fault,” Charlotte whimpered, tears spilling from her eyes.

In my previous life, I would have hugged her, wiping away her tears, and promised her anything she wanted.

But this time, I knew better—Charlotte was a manipulative viper.

Watching her fake tears made my blood boil.

SLAP!

I slapped her across the face, hard.

Father and daughter stood frozen in shock.

Charlotte looked at me, terror and confusion in her eyes.

“A mosquito bit your face. I swatted it too hard,” I said, feigning concern, as I reached out to touch her reddened cheek.