Chapter 2

In my previous life, my parents had loved me more than anything. They treated me like their little princess and gave me everything I could have wanted. They even built me a dream playhouse.

When I got married, they gave me a hefty sum of money and plenty of gifts, just so I would never be mistreated by my husband's family.

Even when the neighbors called me a jinx who had caused Bryan's death, Dad stormed over, his eyes bloodshot as he barked, "There's no one else like Renee! She's not a replacement for anyone, and don't you ever call her a jinx!"

And yet, they had refused to choose me both times.

Another aftershock hit, and the rubble pressed down harder. I could feel the wound in my abdomen rip wider, sending waves of excruciating pain through me.

Beside me, Bryan began to sob.

Mom panicked and yelled, "Renee, can't you hear Bryan crying? How can you be so selfish and just watch him die?"

Dad dropped to his knees in front of the rubble and begged, "Renee, please. We're begging you. Save your brother."

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, then forced the words out. "Okay. Save Bryan."

Mom's eyes lit up immediately, and she rushed off to get the rescue crew.

Watching her walk away with a smile on her face, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Dad, Mom, you two are such fools. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have saved him anyway."

The rescue crew began lifting the concrete slab. Mom crouched beside me, calmly explaining how I could drag myself out, even if it meant losing my leg.

What she was telling me was horrifying, yet she spoke as though she were discussing something perfectly ordinary.

"Ready! Lift!" the captain shouted.

The slab jerked violently, grinding against me and crushing everything in its path. My breathing grew shallow, and every movement tore my wounds open, shooting waves of agony through my whole body.

Still, I dragged myself forward with everything I had.

I didn't want my parents to break down again, and I didn't want Bryan to blame himself for my death.

When the pain became unbearable, I instinctively reached out, wanting to grab my parents' hands.

But they had already rushed to Bryan's side, cheering him on. "Come on, Bryan! Show us you're stronger than Renee! You have to survive! Don't let her replace you again!"

Those words fired up Bryan's competitive streak. He fought his way out with everything he had. His determination earned him applause from everyone around us.

Whatever hope I had left disappeared completely.

My grip gave out.

The slab came crashing down. Agony ripped through me as my ribs shattered. I felt blood pooling inside me.

The moment Bryan was pulled free, he threw himself into our parents' arms.

Tears of joy streamed down their faces. "Thank God! Our son made it!"

Nobody paid any attention to me.

I clenched my jaw and crawled free from the wreckage. I looked toward them, barely clinging to life.

Just then, a paramedic hurried over.

"There is only one spot left in the ambulance. Who goes first?"

I was freezing. Clinging to my last breath, I carefully inched my way toward Mom, hoping for one final hug.

She looked relieved when she saw me crawl out, seemingly unharmed. But as soon as I reached for her, she misunderstood, and her expression darkened.

"Look at you! So selfish!" she spat in disgust. "You watched us get down on our knees and beg you to save Bryan, and you didn't care at all. Now that there's an ambulance, you're trying to take his spot? You really were born to ruin our lives!"

There was nothing but resentment in her voice.

Dad tugged at Mom's sleeve, telling her to stop, but that only seemed to set her off.

"Was I wrong? Wasn't it enough that she had all our love in our first life? Now she's trying to take Bryan's place too! My poor boy!"

Dad sighed helplessly and turned to the paramedic. "Take our son. We choose our son."

I watched as Bryan, who had barely suffered more than a few scrapes, was loaded into the ambulance.

I smiled through my tears and closed my eyes for the last time.

"Mom, Dad, in this life, I don't owe you anything anymore."

Before getting into the ambulance, Mom glanced at me lying motionless behind the rubble. Thinking I was just throwing a tantrum, she muttered, "Ungrateful brat."