Chapter1

My brother-in-law, Dan, had dug himself into a massive hole with some shady loan sharks. Naturally, his entire family turned on me—led by my mother-in-law, Dorothy—pressuring me to bail him out with my dowry.

I refused. So Dorothy threw a full-blown tantrum, even threatening my husband, Nelson, with death if he didn't "handle" me.

And handle me he did—by stealing from my bank account behind my back.

When I found out, I confronted the Reeds in a screaming match so vicious it sent me into early labor. And when things got life-or-death? They refused to pay for the emergency surgery that could've saved me.

Why?

Because they'd just found out I was carrying a girl.

Dorothy and her family begged Nelson not to "waste" money on me.

"It's just a girl," she'd said. "Even if she lives, what's the point? That money should go toward your brother's debts."

Then, with chilling calm, she added: "And let's be honest—childbirth is always risky. Her parents are dead. If she dies, everything she owns becomes yours."

On New Year's Eve, I died on that operating table. Me and my unborn daughter—gone, just like that.

But then I woke up.

Back in my living room. On the couch. Drenched in cold sweat.

I looked down—and there it was. My belly, eight months pregnant, round and heavy.

I'd come back. I'd been reborn.

A glance at my phone told me I had three days until the loan sharks showed up at Dorothy's door.

Memories of their cruelty—their cold indifference—flashed through my mind. I forced myself to breathe, to stay calm.

I rested a hand on my belly. "It's okay, baby girl," I whispered. "This time, I won't let anyone hurt us."

Then the door opened. Nelson was home.

He strolled in, all smiles, carrying a shopping bag like the picture-perfect doting husband.

A stark contrast to the cold, distant man I remembered.

I turned to him, letting my expression darken as I slowly set my phone down.

As expected, he noticed immediately. "What's wrong? You don't look happy," he said, concern dripping from his voice.

I sighed wearily. "There's trouble at the company. One of our projects hit a funding gap. Since I'm the legal rep, I could be personally liable."

Nelson's face fell. He dropped onto the couch beside me, stunned.

I explained that if I could just cover the shortfall, we'd be fine—but I'd already poured all my money into the business. I had nothing left.

He went silent. His jaw clenched. Then, with all the gravity of a man ready to move heaven and earth, he promised he'd find a way to help.

I pretended to be touched. But inside? Nothing but icy disgust.

If I hadn't seen his true colors in my past life, I might've fallen for that act again. He played the concerned husband so well.

That evening, we went to see his family.

The second we walked in, Dorothy's fake-cheerful smile vanished.

"I told you," she sneered, "women have no business running companies. Now look—you've dragged the whole family down with you."

I lowered my head, feigning shame, and gave Nelson's sleeve a small tug.

He opened his mouth to defend me—but Dan cut in first. "Come on, bro. That's a ton of money. What's the plan?"

Then, with a laugh: "Don't look at me. I'm still single—I've got nothing."

Nelson shot me a helpless look.

"If I can't cover it," I said softly, "I could go to jail. And I'm still pregnant… with Nelson's baby."

Dorothy scoffed. "You don't even know if it's a boy yet. Don't use that baby as leverage."

She crossed her arms. "Alisha, we talked. We're just a middle-class family. We can't take on that kind of burden. Figure it out yourself."

In my past life, Dorothy had sworn she'd do anything—even threaten suicide—to get my dowry for Dan's debts. She'd promised they'd move mountains to help me if I were ever in trouble.

But when it really mattered? Those promises were just lies—hooks to reel me in.

Thank God I wasn't that naive fool anymore.