Chapter 3

03

Skylar's lips curved into a sweet smile, but I saw the calculation in her eyes. "Uncle, Auntie, I actually have a favor to ask. Could you guys come to Gideon's hometown with us?"

My parents froze. They clearly hadn't expected her to be this shameless.

"Skylar, we aren't even blood-related. If anyone should go, it's the Millers."

My mom's voice was full of disgust. My dad frowned and took a step back like she was contagious.

Skylar didn't expect this reaction. Her eyes turned red and tears started rolling. "Auntie, you know how they treat me at the Miller house. They don't care about me."

Suddenly, the front door burst open. Gavin's parents, the Millers, walked in.

Mrs. Miller was fuming. "Skylar! How have we mistreated you? Have we ever let you go hungry or cold?"

Gavin followed them in. Hearing his mom scold Skylar, he immediately got defensive. "Mom, Dad, you've never given us any real love!"

Mr. Miller's face turned purple with rage. He kicked Gavin right in the back of his knees, forcing him to hit the floor. "You ungrateful brat!"

Mr. Miller looked at my parents with deep shame. "Sir, Madam, we came here to apologize. It's all our fault for causing you so much trouble."

I was confused. The Millers were usually very arrogant intellectuals. Why were they being so humble?

Mr. Miller dragged Gavin in front of my parents and forced him to stay on his knees. He apologized sincerely and officially called off the engagement.

Skylar knelt down next to Gavin, crying and begging. "Uncle, Auntie, blame me! It's all my fault. Don't be mad at Gavin."

Gavin hugged Skylar, his gaze defiant. "Mom, Dad, this is the last time I call you that. Don't expect me to take care of you when you're old!"

With that, he and Skylar walked out of the house without looking back.

There were five of us left in the room. We looked at each other and realized instantly―we were all reborn.

From the Millers, I learned what happened in the other timeline. After Skylar brought Gideon's parents to our city, she manipulated Gavin.

Gavin actually turned his own parents over to Gideon's family. They were treated like slaves and endured horrific abuse.

The Millers were proud people; they couldn't handle the shame and eventually took their own lives.