Chapter 2

2

Shae spent half the night complaining that Leo didn't love her anymore.

I didn't offer any comfort. I just listened to her vent.

Once she finished her food and her rant, she finally looked at me cautiously.

"Gia, can I stay at your place for a few days?"

I sneered internally, but kept my face neutral.

"Shae, you need to be more understanding of Leo. He's just stressed. He still loves you. I'll drive you back now, or he'll start worrying."

I grabbed my keys to head to the parking lot. Shae called out to me as I stood up.

"Gia, you..."

Her eyes darted between the messy table and my face. I knew exactly what she meant.

In the past, I would pay for everything to cheer her up. Over time, she got used to me picking up the tab.

But I wasn't going to enable her anymore.

I pretended not to understand. "What is it?"

She hesitated. "Gia, aren't you... aren't you going to pay?"

I almost laughed out of pure irritation.

"I didn't eat anything. Why would I pay?"

Shae didn't expect me to say that. A look of hurt flashed in her eyes, and she tried to say something else.

I didn't stick around for her mess. I went straight to the car and waited. Eventually, I saw Shae pay the bill with a look of extreme physical pain on her face.

Once she got in the car, I drove her straight back to Leo's house.

Before she got out, she asked me uncertainly, "Gia, do you really think Leo still loves me?"

I mocked her in my head, but spoke with total confidence.

"Of course he loves you. Didn't he say you were his world? Who else would he love? You're just overthinking things."

Hearing my answer, Shae finally smiled and headed inside.

I burst out laughing the moment she walked away.

Only a fool believes what a man says when he's in the honeymoon phase.

Besides, even the most intense love gets worn down by the petty details of daily life.

Leo might tolerate her for a while, but I didn't believe he could last forever.

Sure enough, as soon as I got home, my phone rang. It was Shae.

"Gia! Leo doesn't love me! He wants a divorce! I don't want to live anymore!"

Hearing her hysterical crying, I was certain I was living a second life.

In my past life, after she came to stay with me, Leo discovered she had hidden even more unnecessary purchases. She had even blown money on gaming accounts.

Leo reached his breaking point and demanded a divorce.

While I was out buying blankets, Shae made this exact call. Then, she ignored my pleas and burned my house down.

After Shae died, I went to Leo for compensation. Not only did he refuse to pay, but he also used my old texts with Shae to claim I encouraged her to take her own life.

I remembered how my parents aged overnight to pay my debts. I remembered my brother being dumped by his girlfriend because we were broke.

I took a deep breath to suppress the hatred in my heart.

Thankfully, none of that had happened yet. This time, Shae and Leo were going to stay stuck together.

I pretended to be worried as I spoke.

"Shae, you're exaggerating. Leo loves you so much. How could he divorce you?"

She started her dramatic performance. "Gia, he's not joking this time! He already called a lawyer! What am I going to do? I can't live without him."

"He's so angry right now. Can I just stay at your place for a couple of days until he cools down?"

Absolutely not! Go die somewhere else!

I quickly cut her off.

"Running away won't solve anything. You need to talk it out with Leo. You guys were so in love; I'm sure you can fix this. Go talk to him right now."

Shae tried to argue.

I hung up immediately and started packing my bags to flee.

In my last life, I didn't spend enough time with my parents. I was going to use this chance to avoid Shae and visit them.

To make sure Shae didn't break in while I was gone, I changed my door code before leaving.

At the complex gate, I showed Shae's photo to the security guards. I told them she was a dangerous person with a history of starting fires and that she shouldn't be allowed in.

Once the guards memorized her face, I finally felt safe driving away.

Shae called me several times on the road. I ignored every single one.

I drove straight to my hometown. My parents were shocked to see me.

Looking at their faces, which hadn't yet been hollowed out by grief and debt, I almost cried. I held it back.

They asked why I was home.

I couldn't tell them about the rebirth, so I made up a vague excuse. Finally, I told them to be careful if Shae ever showed up.