Chapter 1

I held the exclusive state college recommendation letter in my hand and bowed deeply to the admissions director.

"Thank you, Mr. Henderson. I will report on time next week!"

In my past life, I gave up this rare opportunity just to marry Derek Mitchell.

It was only after we got married that I found out he had already secretly pledged his life to Amber Collins.

He only married me because of pressure from his family.

From then on, he treated me as the culprit who ruined their happiness.

When Amber's husband passed away, Derek couldn't wait to force me into a divorce while I was still sick in bed.

He just wanted to make room for her.

Now that I am reborn, I'm leaving this hypercritical mother-in-law, gambling father-in-law, and greedy sister-in-law all to her.

I am going to have my own career and life, and never be controlled by anyone again!

1.

"We are about to get married, why do you still want to go to college?"

Derek leaned against the doorframe, a hint of impatience on his face, though he tried to suppress his temper as he spoke to me.

"You're a woman, family is the most important thing. You don't want to be separated from me for that long, do you?"

He then added, "Why don't you give this opportunity to Amber?"

My hand paused, tightly gripping the recommendation letter until the paper curled slightly around my fingers.

He used the exact same words to persuade me in my past life.

Back then, I foolishly thought he just didn't want a long-distance relationship and was considering our little family.

I never imagined that every word he said was just paving the way for Amber.

I thought he was only nice to her because they were neighbors who grew up together.

It wasn't until later that I found out he had been deeply in love with Amber for a long time.

It was just that his mother despised Amber's poor background, forced them apart, and made him marry me instead.

After all, my parents were dead, and I had a steady paycheck from the auto plant, making me much easier to control.

As soon as Amber's husband died, he impatiently made me sign the divorce papers.

I was so sick I couldn't even get out of bed, but he just coldly said, "Be the bigger person and step aside for Amber."

Gritting my teeth, I trembled and asked, "You two can't even wait for this short amount of time?"

He frowned, his tone filled with annoyance. "I've already waited for decades."

His sister, Brittany, sneered from the side and chimed in. "Harper, you haven't even given our Mitchell family a child after all these years. Did you want to leave my brother all along?"

"Besides, you are just a blue-collar plant worker. How can you compare to Amber? She is a college graduate!"

I smiled bitterly, slowly closed my eyes, and said nothing.

They didn't know that it wasn't me who didn't want kids; Derek refused to touch me.

I spent my entire life as a joke in their eyes.

In this life, I absolutely won't let that happen again!

Thinking of this, I let out a soft breath and looked up at Derek. "I got it. I will explain everything clearly to the admissions director."

Seeing that I didn't argue, a flash of triumph appeared on Derek's face. "Good that you understand. Besides, it's nice for you to stay home and take care of our family…"

I didn't listen to the rest of his bullshit, turned around with the letter, and walked away.

In the office, the admissions director was busy working.

I stood at his desk, handed him the recommendation letter, and bowed deeply. "Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will report on time next week!"

He looked up at me with a relieved smile. "Good! That's the ambition a young person should have. Seize the opportunity, study hard, and don't let the board down."

I nodded. The moment he took the letter, it felt as if all the crushing weight on my shoulders had been lifted.

In this life, I will never sacrifice my future for anyone.