Chapter 1

Edith's POV

My husband, Benjamin Olsen, looked at me in disbelief. "Edith, are you seriously taking your anger out on your own son? He's only four! You need to know when to stop!"

My son, Owen Olsen, looked stunned by my words for a moment. Then his little face flushed red, and he clung even tighter to Hailey Franklin's leg. "Fine! One million dollars it is! I don't want you as my mom anyway!"

So, in his eyes, I was such a horrible mother, even though I woke up two hours early every day to prepare nutritious breakfasts for him. I had even passed up opportunities for promotion just to have more time to spend with him.

Hailey hurried to play the peacemaker, putting on her usual act of kindness. "Owen, what have I taught you about being rude? You shouldn't talk to people like that."

Owen pouted in protest. "She's rude too! The day before yesterday, when Dad was spending time with you, she kept calling him over and over to bother him!

"Aunt Hailey, you also taught me that you should give people a taste of their own medicine when they're mean!"

Benjamin's expression changed instantly. "Edith, I was with Hailey the other day because—"

I cut him off with a raised hand. "You spent our anniversary with her. That'll cost you money too."

Benjamin froze and stared at me as though he no longer recognized the woman standing before him.

After a long silence, he pulled a bank card from his wallet and flung it onto the ground. "Edith, even your own son can't stand you. Maybe you should take a good look at yourself and figure out why."

He wrapped an arm around Hailey and led her to the car. As they drove away, the exhaust blew straight into my face.

I simply crouched down and picked up the card in silence.

Its sharp corners dug painfully into my palm, but the pain only strengthened my resolve to go through with this. After all, in my previous life, when Benjamin had stood by and let Hailey take what was mine, I'd cried and thrown tantrums in a desperate attempt to stop her.

Not only had I failed to win back his love, but he had even given my mother's burial plot to Hailey so she could bury her pet dog there instead.

In a fit of rage, I'd slapped Hailey across the face and demanded a divorce from Benjamin.

I'd thought that would make him realize his mistakes. Instead, determined to teach me a lesson, he'd agreed to the divorce without hesitation. He'd even hired one of the best divorce attorneys in the country and exploited every legal loophole until I was left with nothing.

Just days after the divorce, I suffered a sudden cardiac emergency.

I didn't even have enough money to call an ambulance. Somehow, I managed to drag myself to the hospital and forced myself to keep going despite the pain.

Faced with the staggering medical bills, I finally broke down. I swallowed my pride and called Benjamin again and again.

He didn't answer a single call. Instead, he had Hailey use his phone to send me a voice message.

"Edith, you're the one who willingly gave this man to me. You don't get to change your mind and take him back."

Desperate for the money I needed to save my life, I waited in vain. All I received were photographs of Hailey flaunting her victory.

In my final moments, I watched helplessly as Hailey wore my bathrobe and sprayed on my favorite perfume. She kissed my husband on the very silk bedsheets I'd painstakingly washed myself.

Now that I'd been given another chance at life, even if I could never have love, I could at least secure enough money to keep myself alive.

What I hadn't expected was that the son I'd been unable to let go of in my previous life would also turn against me and side with Hailey.

Before I could even begin to process the hurt, my phone suddenly rang.

It was the doctor.

"Ms. Dawson, we've found a compatible heart donor for you. We can schedule your surgery as early as next month."

My knees nearly buckled at the wonderful news. I had to brace myself against the wall just to stay upright.

In this life, I wouldn't have to die in a hospital corridor, consumed by despair.

I'd barely hung up when Benjamin sent me a message.

Benjamin: [I was out of line earlier. I promised I'd make it up to you with a proper wedding ceremony, remember? The designer has delivered your custom wedding dress to the house. Come home and try it on.]

I didn't reply, but I didn't refuse either.

Five years ago, when I'd married Benjamin, his family had just gone bankrupt. They were so broke that they couldn't even afford a proper wedding ceremony.

Back then, I'd believed in his abilities with all my heart. I was certain he'd eventually make a comeback and rebuild his fortune.

I'd thought he'd give me the grand wedding he'd promised, one that would make everyone envious.

Who could have imagined that once he'd made it big, Hailey would come along and steal both his attention and our son's affection?

And so, even after all these years, I'd never gotten the wedding he'd promised me.

…

When I got home and pushed open the door, I immediately saw Benjamin and Owen gathered around Hailey, who was wearing a wedding dress. Neither of them could stop praising how beautiful she looked.