Chapter 2

That evening at dinner, the four of us sat around the table in heavy silence. Jason and Monica exchanged a glance. Finally, Monica spoke up first.

She scooped some vegetables onto my plate, smiling sweetly. "Dad, please don't be upset with us. Jason and I just feel bad for you, seeing how exhausting things are between you and Mom."

"That's right, Dad." Jason jumped in immediately. "Look at you. You're not even 50 yet, but your hair's already gone gray. You should let go and start living your own life."

Here they went again. I set down my fork and looked straight at Monica. "Monica, are you pregnant?"

The fork slipped from her and clattered onto the floor. "Dad, how… how did you know?"

How did I know? In my previous life, when I was being crucified in the court of public opinion, she had clutched her stomach and collapsed in a dramatic faint.

The doctor confirmed that she was two months pregnant, and the news exploded across social media. The story practically wrote itself. A man about to become a grandfather, cheating on his wife while his pregnant daughter suffered.

I reached out and gently placed my hand on her still-flat stomach. "Sweetheart, I'm your father. I can read you like a book. You think I wouldn't notice something this important?

"You're at a critical stage right now. You can't be stressing yourself out. I need to stay home and take care of you and the baby. So from now on, no one brings up divorce again."

My words left Monica with no room to argue. After all, what kind of father would be so devoted to his pregnant daughter one moment, only to abandon her to pursue a new relationship the next?

My firm stance forced Jason and Monica to back off for the time being. The atmosphere at home remained awkward, but at least on the surface, things returned to normal.

A few days later, Claire left on a business trip to a neighboring city. She wouldn't be back for a week.

The moment she was gone, my dutiful daughter made her move.

That afternoon, I was watching TV in the living room when the doorbell rang. Monica practically bounced to the door and ushered a woman inside.

"Dad, I want you to meet someone," she said brightly. "This is Linda Calcraft. I ran into some trouble at work a while back, and she really helped me out. I invited her over today so I could properly thank her."

I looked at her carefully

It was her. Linda. The woman who had died alongside me in my previous life.

She appeared to be in her mid-40s, wearing a tasteful dress that complemented her elegant, refined presence. She'd clearly taken good care of herself over the years.

She stood awkwardly by the entrance, holding a bag of fruit. The moment our eyes met, something flickered in her expression. It was the same look she'd given me the first time we met in my previous life.

Apparently, since I refused to divorce, Monica couldn't wait any longer. She'd brought Linda straight to the house.

"Ms. Calcraft, please have a seat."

Monica guided her warmly to the couch across from me, then rushed off to make coffee. When she returned with two cups, she set them down and exchanged a meaningful look with us. I couldn't tell if it was meant for Linda or for me, but I caught it either way.

After that, Monica glanced at her phone and gasped. "Oh no, my friend just texted. She needs me right away. I have to run out for a bit."

She turned to me and added, "Dad, Ms. Calcraft is our guest. Make sure you take good care of her for me!"

With that, she grabbed her purse and practically fled the apartment.

Only Linda and I remained in the suddenly quiet living room. I cut straight to the point. "What did Monica tell you?"