Chapter 1

My nephew, Jace, was obsessed with collecting cigarette cards. To get them, he started smoking six cigarettes a day in middle school. The other kids started calling him the "Nicotine King."

Not only that, he became addicted to chewing tobacco. He'd walk around with a dark stain in his lip all day long.

I tried to stop him. I even brought him to the city to live with me so I could personally supervise his education.

Later, Jace managed to get into a decent city high school. But my family didn't thank me. They claimed I sabotaged his chances of getting into an elite Ivy-feeder boarding school.

"Our Jace used to be top of his class back home," they screamed. "How did he end up at a mid-tier school after staying with you?"

At the graduation party, they served me a dish of toxic wild mushrooms. I died in agony, paralyzed and suffocating while they watched.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I first discovered Jace's smoking habit.

This time, I looked at my sister-in-law, Sienna, and smiled. "Every generation has its own toys. Don't be so anxious."

1、

"Jace's mom, you really need to pay attention. Jace is digging through the trash at the local casinos for cigarette cards. He's even started dipping tobacco."

The homeroom teacher's voice echoed in my ears. I snapped back to reality.

I looked at Sienna, who was standing right next to me. Suddenly, it felt hard to breathe.

Just moments ago, my body was numb and burning from the mushroom poison. Now, it felt like a terrible nightmare.

Sienna didn't listen to a word the teacher said. She rolled her eyes, looking completely annoyed.

"Listen, Jace is a bright boy. It's just a hobby with the cards. Don't make it a federal case," Sienna snapped.

"As his parents, we'd know if he was smoking. Don't you agree, Valerie?"

Sienna turned to me, expecting me to back her up like I always did.

I froze for a second. Her words dragged me back to my previous life.

Last time, we met the teacher while out shopping. I had taken it very seriously.

I told Sienna that this was a dangerous path. I warned her that if a kid doesn't focus on school and gets hooked on nicotine, he'll end up a loser.

Sienna had argued that kids should have a childhood. She didn't want to stifle him.

Then, my stepmother, Cora, grabbed my hand. "Valerie, we aren't educated like you. Why don't you take Jace to the city for school?"

I didn't want to make things hard for my father, so I agreed. I found him the best school and drove him every day. I spent every night tutoring him.

When he only got into a local honors program instead of a top-tier private academy, the family turned on me.

"He was top ten in the state before you took him!" Sienna yelled. "You did this on purpose to ruin him!"

Jace even lied to my father, saying I abused him for years.

At the celebratory dinner, Jace handed me a bowl of mushroom soup. I died shortly after.

Because I died in a restaurant, they sued for a massive settlement. They even "harvested" my organs for a huge payout.

My family used my blood money to move abroad and live in luxury.

My father didn't even shed a single tear for me.

I gave my life for people who pushed me off a cliff.

Now, I just looked at Sienna and smiled. "He's just a kid. Kids love to play. It's no different from us playing with Pogs or marbles. No need to freak out."

The teacher left, looking helpless. Sienna nodded with satisfaction.

"See? That teacher just wanted a bribe. She's always targeting Jace!"

I just laughed internally. Fine, Jace is perfect. Let's see how perfect he stays this time.