Chapter 2. My past life: rebirth.

~Flashback.~

Kara's POV.

“Are you still on that painting?” 

Tasha,My husband's sister asked as she came in with her ringing phone.

I took one long satisfying look at the family portrait I've been working on for months and smiled.

“Here, your nemesis is calling.” 

My smile fades a bit as soon as I see who it is.

It's my mother-in-law.

“Hello mom, hope you've been well?” I cautiously ask.

“Yeah yeah, I met my friends at a café and they really want to come to my son's house, what can I do? We're coming over, just prepare something simple.”

“M-mother-??”she hung up

Tasha hurriedly collected her phone and picked up her laptop, ready to go out.

“Tasha, where are you headed?”

“ I'm out to look for part-time jobs.” she replied smugly.

“Could you maybe tidy up the living room while I prepare something for mother's friends? You made a mess of the place.” 

“Nope,I'm late for my interview already. I'm off.” 

she runs out of the house barely putting on her shoes, successfully stopping me from trying to persuade her further.

Okay. Let's get to work before mother arrives with her friends.

What should I prepare?

I'll prepare egg fried rice with tofu stew, avocado toast and sweet grilled chicken.

I carefully set down my paint brush and remove my painting apron before proceeding to pick up the vaccum cleaner.

~30 minutes later~

Ding. Ding.

That must be Aiden's mom. Thankfully I was able to tidy up the house and prepare the meal on time even though I cut myself and the toast is little burnt, what a relief.

“I'm coming mother.”

“What took you so long??” 

“I'm sorry, I was trying to-”

“Save it. These are my friends, say hi”

“Hello, welcome.”

“Thank you, so you're our friend's daughter-in-law? You're as meek as a lamb. Very obedient.”

“Oh, thank you. Come in, this way please” I'm not sure that's a compliment but I'll take it as one.

“What's this? Kara, did you prepare this yourself?” Mrs Harlow asked with spite and disdain all over her face.

“ Yes mother, is it not to your liking? You've not taken a bite yet. Although the bread burnt a little.” 

“Follow me.”

My heart started racing, I just followed with my head down.

“Why did you prepare it yourself? You don't even know how to cook. Does that toast look edible to you?” She yelled as soon as we entered the room, frustration written all over her face.

“I'm sorry mother, I just wanted to do my best since you said your friends were coming” tears fall freely from my eyes while I respond with my head down low, actively avoiding eye contact and staring at my feet.

“ What's up with the big bandage on your finger? Someone might think you cut your finger off.”

“S.sorry, I cut myself while preparing the meal. I really wanted to give it my best”

“Exactly. You call that your best? Is it burnt or you just did rubbish? I wouldn't even feed that to my dog. You should've just ordered Chinese seafood with vegetables and some nice side dishes or are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?? Since your in-laws are —” 

“Not at all mother, I'd never do that. Please take this card and have a treat with your friends,hmm? Please just forget it, please. I beg of you. Accept the card please, it'll make me feel better.”

“Tsk. Whatever.” she harshly collect the card from my hands and walk out of the room.

“Ladies, let head out for something nice” 

“What about the food your daughter-in-law prepared?" 

“Leave it, I'll treat you to something better.”

“If you say so, thanks for treating us. We'll take our leave now. Next time, we'll eat with you.” 

“That's fine ma, thanks for coming.”

Oh I'm late for the exhibition.

As soon as they leave, I hurriedly take a shower and leave the house.

On my way out, I meet Aiden's mother.

“Mom? I thought you left?”

“I was about to, I just wanted to ask you for a little favor.”

“of course mother, go ahead” 

“ Could you put in a good word for your husband in front of your father so they can promote him to a better position? His current position is too lowly.”

I purse my lips together before smiling slowly.

“ Mother, Aiden's not complaining about his current job” 

“Do you think he'll come to you, whining like a lost puppy about his job? What kind of man does that? He'll be too embarrassed. That's why as his mother, I have to do it for him since you can't use your brain and notice how weary he looks whenever he gets back from work these days.”

My eyes start rimming red around the corners as beads of tears threaten to fall while I continue looking at my feet.

“I'm sorry mother, I'll talk to him about it when he's back later tonight.”

“Tch. Better.” A smug grin spreads across her face as she walks away while I struggle internally to keep my tears at bay.

I walk to my car and sit behind the wheels trying to calm myself down before driving. I get a call from David, my stepmom's personal guard and assistant. 

“Hello young miss, could you please help me bring a document from my boss's room since you'll drop by the house before coming here? She forgot to pick it up from the first drawer beside her bed and it's an important paperwork needed for the auction.” 

“Sure thing, no problem.” I sniffle and clean my tears. 

“Then could you also give your husband a call when you're here?”

“Oh, Aiden is busy with work and won't be able to come.,”

“Huh?”

“I'll tell him to drop by when he's done today” 

“Oh-alright then”

I took one final look at my backseat to make sure the family portrait I spent weeks working on, was perfectly safe before turning on the ignition.

~~~~~~~~~~

Shortly afterwards, I arrived at the home I grew up in after I was adopted and walked in after two deep breaths.

“Hello??, is anyone home??”

silence.

  I guess not.

I walk straight to my stepmom's room to pick up the forgotten document and touch up my face a bit.

 Then I tried calling Aiden. A letter came in the mail for him from his office on my way out and two words were written in bold- RESIGNATION LETTER.

One ring. Two rings.

He keeps screening my calls. Maybe he's busy.

I half-run to my car and drive straight to the exhibition. Upon getting there, I carefully bring out the family portrait painting and walk in, carefully making my way to the place the exhibition is taking place.

That was the first time I was seeing it clearly but I didn't pay much mind then.

I walk in to see Aiden Livestreaming Serena's while she explains paintings with journalists and interested influencers.

His eyes all lit up like a child being fed candy while seeing the stars for the first time.

He's supposed to be at work.

“Aiden” I called out to him excitedly while waving an arm.

“Oh. K-kara, you're here.”

He looked like a deer caught in headlights.