Chapter 4

Jillian muttered to herself as she searched my home, messing up everything that I had just neatly arranged.

Fury bubbled within me.

I grabbed Jillian's braid and shoved her back to the police officers.

"Do you think everyone's like you and sees Kelvin as a precious treasure? He's not here. Get out of my house!"

Tears rolled down Jillian's face as she trembled.

"Did you see that, officer? My mother always treats me this way."

A stern look crossed the officer's face. "She's your daughter. How could you treat her that way?" he scolded.

I used every bit of willpower within me to stay calm and explained, "Her father and I are divorced, and he has custody of her. It's impossible for her to get lost on the streets in the middle of the night. She must have called you to intentionally harass me.

"I suggest that you get in touch with her father directly. I'll give you his contact information."

However, Jillian didn't believe me and was convinced that Kelvin was in my home.

"You're the only reason why Daddy would stay out for the entire night," she said.

I nearly told her the truth just then. But after mulling over my thoughts, I realized that Jillian wouldn't believe me anyway. In fact, she might even direct her ire at me when her shame morphed into fury.

Thus, I swallowed my words and simply gave Jillian's address to the police officer, telling him to take her home.

…

The next day, the police officer explained the situation to me.

Apparently, Jillian was left alone at the house the day before. She grew scared when she couldn't contact Kelvin, and when she tried to get in touch with me, she realized that I had blocked her number.

She was worried that I would refuse to see her, which was why she called the police and told them about me.

Unfortunately, the police fell for Jillian's lies because she was only ten years old. He even tried to advise me.

"Your daughter just missed you too much. A mother and daughter shouldn't fight for an extended period of time. You should treat her better in the future."

His words rendered me speechless. After all, I knew that no one would believe me even if I told them that Jillian was constantly fighting me for Kelvin's attention.

I had no choice but to message Kelvin, telling him to bring his new wife back home as soon as possible.

…

The peace barely lasted for a few days.

I received a call from Jillian's teacher.

"Jillian keeps hiding in the restroom and refuses to come out. She said that she's only willing to go home if you pick her up. I know that you don't have custody of her, Ms. Breeson, but that doesn't mean that you're not responsible for taking care of her.

"Besides, Jillian only started acting out because you and your husband got a divorce. It's not right for you to just sit by and do nothing."

Jillian's teacher continued to emotionally blackmail me. She even claimed that she would post about me online and let the netizens criticize me if I continued ignoring Jillian.

Terrified that this incident would affect my work, I steeled my nerves and dropped by the school to pick Jillian up.

…

Jillian was uncharacteristically well-behaved. Not only did she sweetly call me "Mommy", but she also hugged me of her own volition, saying, "I missed you so much, Mommy."

Jillian's teacher watched us with a relieved expression.

I could only smile awkwardly and take Jillian home, my heart beating wildly in my chest the entire time.

Jillian's expression immediately darkened after she placed her bag down. She roughly locked the door before I could react and said, "Daddy hasn't been home in days. It's all your fault, you vixen! The two of you are already divorced, so why do you keep seducing him? Why do you insist on fighting me for him?"

The hideous expression on Jillian's face was identical to the one she wore in my past life.

Fear gripped my heart, and I tried to escape.

Unfortunately, Jillian was blocking the door. She shot a wicked grin at me as she pulled out a glass bottle.

"You must be so proud of your pretty face. You won't be able to fight me for Daddy once I ruin your looks!"

My body stiffened as a wave of nightmarish memories washed over me. I stood rooted to the spot.

Jillian gripped the bottle of sulfuric acid tightly and stalked toward me.

Just then, Kelvin's voice resounded through the door.

"Come and meet your new mother, my dear Jillian!"

Jillian's hand jolted violently.