Chapter 3

She set the pen down and immediately switched to a sweet smile.

"By the way, would it be okay to pay monthly? One month's deposit plus three months upfront is a lot... I'm really tight on cash..."

In my last life, I'd agreed to that fatal request.

Which meant that when she later refused to pay rent, I didn't even have enough grounds to take her to court.

This time, I looked at her fake smile.

And spoke slowly.

"Sure."

Her eyes lit up, and she opened her mouth to thank me.

But I continued.

"Monthly payments are fine, but we need to spell out the terms."

"Payment due by the fifth of each month. After that, a one-percent daily late fee."

"Deposit is eight hundred, fully refundable at move-out if there's no damage."

"The tenant shall not alter the property's intended use or engage in any activity that damages the landlord's reputation."

I picked up the pen and wrote each clause neatly in the supplementary terms section of the lease.

When I finished, I looked up at her.

"Black and white. Any objections?"

She clearly hadn't expected this.

The smile on her face cracked.

"I don't think we need to be this detailed, do we? We trust each other..."

"Trust?"

"Sophie, a lease is a lease."

"The more specific, the better for both of us."

She had nothing to say to that.

In the end, she could only mutter.

"Fine. Write it down."

After signing, she proposed paying just the first month's rent and half the deposit.

In my last life, I'd agreed to that too.

Foolishly accepted cash, and later she claimed she'd never paid that much.

Nobody believed me.

This time, I opened Venmo on my phone.

"Send it here. Keeps a clear record."

She hesitated, but said nothing. She sent the payment.

The notification chimed.

I pocketed my phone and stood up.

"Good. Here are the keys."

"Water, electricity, gas. Handle them yourself."

"If there's an issue, text me."

I left the keys and turned to go.

But Sophie stayed rooted to the spot, as if she wanted to say something else.

She looked down, seemingly fidgeting with her skirt, her voice going soft again.

"I'm really a nice person, you know... If you ever need anything, just call me..."

I glanced at her.

She lifted her head, a faint, ingratiating look in her eyes.

Ha. Still performing.

In my last life, she'd performed just like this while digging my grave.

"Sophie."

I cut her off.

"We're landlord and tenant. Nothing more."

"You pay rent, I provide the house. As long as you pay on time, we're good."

"Save the rest."

Her expression stiffened, caught off guard.

Finally, she forced a smile.

"Okay. You're really... all business."

I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

Just as I was about to leave, I turned back suddenly. The look of contempt on her face switched instantly to a sweet smile.

"Thanks so much! You're the best!"

I looked at her, turned, and walked out.

Ha. Can't even keep the mask on?

In my last life, I'd only been worried about a young graduate, so I hadn't paid much attention to what she wore or carried.

Looking back now, I'd been so easy to fool.

A fresh graduate making thirteen hundred a month. How was she renting a place this expensive and carrying bags that pricey?