Chapter 2

The moment I’d sent Kalan off with my parents and stepped into Mrs. Miller's yard, a deafening crash echoed in my ears.

“BANG!”

A tightly swaddled baby hit the tiled floor. Blood slowly stained the blanket red.

I stared, frozen, then lifted my gaze. Upstairs, Claudia gave me a defiant look before she vanished.

Owen and Mrs. Miller rushed out at the sound. Mrs. Miller screamed, her legs buckling beneath her.

Owen staggered over, trembling, and glanced at the infant.

“Cassie, the baby… the baby isn’t breathing.”

I couldn’t even bring myself to look. I sprinted upstairs. Claudia had locked herself in a room.

I kicked the door hard.

“ Claudia! Open this door! Who did you throw down?!”

There was no answer from inside, but I could hear her and her friend giggling.

“ Claudia, what if they call the cops? My mom won’t hit me, will she?”

“Nah, we didn’t mean to, right? Besides, the police don’t arrest minors.”

Those fearless words pierced my ears like thorns. I couldn’t stop trembling.

I slammed my entire weight against the wooden door.

“Get out here! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?! This is murder!”

Owen, who had just arrived, quickly grabbed me. His eyes were bloodshot.

“Cassie, calm down. Don’t scare them.”

My eyes, filled with pure hatred, locked onto him. It was just like the last life.

Our son was dead, and he was still worried about scaring Claudia.

Mrs. Miller wiped away tears. “ Claudia went too far this time, but you don’t have to be so unforgiving.”

“The baby was only three months old. He’s gone, so he’s gone. You two can just try for another.”

I froze, utterly stunned. It took a moment for their words to register. They thought it was my son who had died.

But I had just given my son to my parents.

Whose tiny body was lying downstairs?