Chapter 2

2

I skipped the afternoon classes and went straight home.

As soon as I walked in, I heard Jackson's angry voice. "It is all Annie's fault. I can't believe she's trying to steal your spot in the program."

"Don't blame Annie," Lillian replied, sounding pathetic. "I am just a guest in this house. I don't have a say. Naturally, they'd keep the best for her."

She sighed, sounding mournful. "I just don't know how many years I'll be gone. Jackson, what will I do if I miss you?"

I almost laughed out loud.

She was such a manipulative piece of work.

That rural program was not a vacation. It meant eating scrap food and doing endless manual labor.

In our last life, Lillian had avoided it specifically because she knew how hard it was.

I did not expect her to play the victim so well in front of Jackson.

I pushed the door open. I mimicked her innocent look, blinking my eyes at them.

"Lillian, the teacher said there was only one spot left. I thought about it, and I put your name down."

"I just couldn't bear to see you and Jackson be separated."

Lillian's body went stiff. Her face turned pale instantly. "You put my name? Is the form already turned in?"

Jackson was the only one celebrating. "What is wrong, Lillian? Aren't you happy? We can be together now!"

Lillian forced a smile. "Of course, of course. I just... I'm worried about Annie."

"Maybe I should go see if I can get the form back? We should talk this over as a family."

I waved my hand and pushed Lillian into Jackson's arms.

"Don't worry about me. As long as you and Jackson can stay together, I'm happy."

I turned and walked to my room.

As the door closed, I caught a glimpse of the sheer hatred in Lillian's eyes.

In my last life, Jackson and I got married a year after returning from the program.

Lillian was a snake. She seduced a high-ranking officer in the city while I was pregnant.

Jackson came home heartbroken and took his frustration out on me and the baby.

He treated me so poorly that I lost my first child.

The next two pregnancies were just as hard. I lost them both within a few months.

I nearly died giving birth to my daughter.

The doctor told me I could never have children again. My body was too weak.

Working in freezing water during the rural program had already ruined my health.

Combined with the stress and Jackson's physical outbursts, my body was broken.

Because of that, Jackson and his mother looked down on me even more. They called me a useless woman who couldn't provide a son.

The humiliation I suffered in that house was enough to make me cold and determined in this life.