Chapter 146

I stood silently, a bitter smile playing on my lips, listening to them chatter about their baby as if I weren't there. Chase, do you still remember our child? The one who never saw a sunny day? Snowflakes began to fall from the overcast sky, the wind whipping my hair and dress wildly. I stood on the rooftop, looking down.

When we lost our child, I considered ending it all. That night, on that same rooftop, I let the cold wind wash over me, consumed by despair, wanting to join our child.

I still don't know how Derek found me, but he stopped me. He said that as long as I lived, there was hope for revenge. So I held on, fueled by vengeance for myself and our child.

But ultimately, my kindness overwhelmed me. Those who harmed me lived happily, while I suffered day and night. Must I be haunted by Chase's shadow forever?

I thought I was fading, that reincarnation offered a fresh start. But then Grandma was nearly killed by Nicole, and Ann died with her eyes wide open. If my soul disappeared, would justice ever be served?

The course of this life was set, deepening my resentment. I didn't want rebirth; I craved revenge! Debts of this life should be settled here. Those who wronged me should pay with their lives. Good people shouldn't die miserable deaths, and the wicked don't deserve to live. Even if dragged to hell, I would bring them down with me.

Any way possible, if heaven granted another chance, I would seize it. Please, I want to live! I don't want to die without settling the score!

I leaped from the high platform, determined to finally break free from Chase's hold. The cold wind roared past as I closed my eyes, shattering the chains that bound me. Amidst the howling wind, I heard a woman's voice.

"It is so exhausting to live this life!"

"I don't want to marry that cripple."

"Mom, it hurts so much. Would dying take the pain away?"

"Mom, don't be sad. I just can't keep going. I love you."

Who was that?

No one was nearby, yet I heard a woman's voice—not my own. She sounded deeply pained, unable to continue. If I could meet her, I would tell her how precious life is, how living brings hope.

The ground rushed closer, and to my astonishment, I found myself hundreds of meters from Chase. That had never happened before. Just as my body neared impact, a flash of silver light appeared. Pain shot through my wrist. Pain? Feeling it again was surreal, like a dream. After death, I'd lost all sensation except sight, even pain. But now, I felt it. How was this possible?

I looked down and saw myself lying in a bathtub, bright red blood mingling with dark roses floating on the water. I tried to move, and blood poured from my wrist. I didn't know what was happening, but one thing was clear: I seemed to be reborn! The original owner of this body had given up on life, but my will to live was too strong. In that moment, life and death traded places.

She was gone. And I was back.

But I couldn't celebrate—I was about to die again.