Chapter 3

Thalia was outgoing and open-minded. It had been months since we had last seen each other. She shot me a sultry look, her eyes dark with desire as she pushed me into my office.

Then, she shrugged off her jacket and backed me to the couch, saying slyly, "Tell me. Have you been naughty lately?"

If I hadn't been reborn, I would definitely waste no time playing along and have some fun with her.

However, I was now preoccupied with a growing suspicion. I needed to know whether my guess was right. So, I grabbed Thalia and shushed her.

Then, I deliberately closed the blinds and locked the door. I deliberately mussed my hair and wrinkled my clothes before dragging Thalia out of the firm 30 minutes later.

When we got inside the car, Thalia couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What was that about? You locked the door, but you didn't even— Holy shit! Why is this pervert going through your trash?"

She was referring to Francesca.

I'd connected my phone to the spy cams I'd installed in my office. Now, it was showing Francesca going through my trash in full HD.

My brain came up with a revolting conclusion. Could it be that the child…

Before I could finish the thought, someone pushed open my office door.

It was James. He was working overtime too.

He had a smug look on his face as he approached Francesca, saying, "See that, Francesca? Raphael's girlfriend is beautiful and rich. How could he ever be interested in you?"

Resentment flashed in Francesca's eyes. "What's your point? When you saved me from Edwin, you promised me that you'd help me get Raphael."

James scoffed. "I said I'd help you bear Raphael's child. His family is filthy rich. His parents are well-known entrepreneurs. You'd be living the good life as long as you give birth to his child."

"Then get to it!" Francesca snapped. "Raphael wouldn't even look at me. How am I supposed to get pregnant with his kid?"

"It isn't the only way to get pregnant," James replied calmly.

His eyes gleamed with malice as he lowered his voice, "All you need is the condom he used with his girlfriend. Take it and do IVF with his sperm. I'll help you with the rest.

"You can make use of the fact that the baby was born out of wedlock to get your hands on the inheritance rights. After all, you'd be the mother of the Mortis family's heir."

Francesca had a greedy look on her face as she listened to James' plan. Then, she nodded and said, "We'll do it your way."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I watched this unfold, and goosebumps appeared on my skin.

I finally understood how that child came to be in my previous life.

Francesca had rifled through my trash and taken my used condom with James' help. That was how she'd managed to bear my child.

Those disgusting low-lives! They had been after me right from the start.

It was no wonder I'd ended up in such a pitiful state in my previous life.

I switched the camera off.

Thalia's eyes were as wide as saucers as she breathed, "Goodness, babe. What sort of people have you been working with?"

She had heard their plan loud and clear, so she knew what they were up to. She was so disgusted by them that she looked like she might throw up.

"Oh, they're not people. They're monsters."

I sneered and locked my phone. Hatred burned in my heart as I recalled how Francesca had succeeded in framing me in my previous life.

A plan started to form in my mind.

Over the next couple of days, I brought Thalia to the law firm, deliberately flaunting our love in everyone's faces.

I would flirt with her during office hours. Then, I'd work overtime and act all lovey-dovey with her. I even turned it up a notch when Francesca was around.

I saw how Francesca went from jealous to straight-up resentful.

I could tell that it was almost time to wrap things up. So, I hired a private investigator to follow Francesca's brother, Edwin Langdon, to his favorite spot in the red-light district.

I had them nab his used condom after he finished with a prostitute. Then, I sneakily brought it to my office and threw it in the trash there.

My blood sang with sweet vindication when I saw the look of excitement on Francesca's face when she picked that condom up.