Chapter 25

The winter wind was cold and unpleasant. Jolene stood alone on a deserted rooftop, a dazed look on her face. She had no idea how she'd gotten there, or why, in the blink of an eye, she was seeing the three people she most dreaded.

Simone held a boy's hand; Cedric held hers, his hand tucked in his pocket. Haughtily, the three stepped toward her.

"Where's your precious daughter?"

The words haunted Jolene like a nightmare. She looked around anxiously, searching for her daughter, but there was no one else.

Lifting her gaze, she saw a silver necklace, emanating a cold light that stung her eyes. She closed them reflexively. When she opened them, she was back in her bedroom. The sky was slowly brightening through the window; the night lamp illuminated the calendar: December 7th. On this day, in her previous life, the kidnapper had pushed her daughter from a rooftop.

Jolene gasped, wiping sweat from her forehead. Her slight movement woke Cedric. He slowly opened his eyes, still sleepy. "Did you have a nightmare?"

Not wanting to worry him, she shook her head. "It's a bit warm in here. I'll adjust the air conditioning. You should go back to sleep. It's still early."

"Mhm." He drifted back to sleep.

Jolene, however, couldn't. She replayed the dream's scenes, but the memories quickly faded. By daybreak, only the necklace remained.

"Necklace… The necklace… What does it mean?" she pondered, subconsciously placing her hand on her neck. She felt only skin.

That bare sensation triggered a memory. Jolene had returned the necklace to Preston because Simone wanted it! Simone envied Jolene's life and wanted to take everything—including the necklace.

Jolene wondered if Preston, by clutching the necklace before he died, was trying to tell her Simone was the murderer. A shudder ran through her as realization dawned. She had answers to long-held questions.

In her previous life, Simone and Preston were involved. Two major obstacles stood in the way of Simone becoming Preston's wife: Jolene and Clarissa, and Cedric. The former held the title of Preston's wife and daughter; the latter controlled the Norwood family's fate.

Ruthlessly, Simone executed her plan. She orchestrated the car crash and the kidnapping.

In this life, Jolene had gained the upper hand, altering the course of events. Twenty-seven-year-old Simone, having lost her parents and served six years in prison, had her life ruined. With her personality, she would undoubtedly seek revenge.

Preston was recently deceased. Simone's next targets: Jolene, Cedric, and their children. And today was December 7th. Everything mirrored her previous life. It was all part of Simone's scheme.

Understanding the truth, Jolene shook Cedric awake. He was dragged, still sleepy, to the police station. They found the officer in charge of the car crash investigation, and Jolene shared the information about the necklace.

With the necklace as a lead, the police began tracking Simone. Cedric and Jolene stayed home with the children. In the evening, the phone rang.

"Ms. Miller, we captured Simone Baker and her accomplices outside the kindergarten, based on your information. She confessed."

A tremendous weight lifted from Jolene's heart. Clarissa and Jamie, noticing her softened expression, clung to her.

"Mommy, I'm hungry. I want fried chicken!"

"Not for Jamie; she lost a tooth yesterday. How about shrimp?"

The children cared only about food. Jolene poked Cedric. "The kids are hungry. Don't you know what to do?"

Cedric stood, but the girls grabbed his hands.

"I'd rather eat out if Daddy's cooking!"

"Let's ask Mrs. Sawyer! Daddy's cooking is too salty!"

Their laughter faded as lights flickered on in nearby houses. The night sky was clear, magnificent. A good night for families.