Chapter 1

There was no weightless sensation of dying, no frantic shouts ringing in my ears.

I, Susan Jenkins, trembled as I opened my eyes, only to find the familiar corridor and the glaring white lights overhead.

I was back in the same hospital I was in before my death. I'd actually been reborn!

Suddenly, my phone crackled with the urgent voice of my eldest son, Ryan Sutton.

"Mom, I'm talking to you! Can you hear me? That school district apartment is in huge demand. If we don't pay the down payment now, someone else will snap it up! I'm only short of 150 thousand dollars. Just help me cover it for now. I'll pay you back later."

It sounded just like the tone he'd adopt eight years from now when he forced me to hand over cash.

My grip tightened around the phone as memories came crashing back.

In my previous life, this was the exact day. I had just received my test results and learned something was wrong with my health when his call came in.

Back then, I had honestly told him there wasn't that much money left in the bank account that was supposed to hold the Family Bond Fund.

Yet, he said, "What? Not enough money? Mom, are you kidding me?"

In my mind, his eyes from the video call that time, glaring with anger, flickered before me.

"Mom, the three of us put in three thousand dollars every month. Eight years adds up to more than 800 thousand dollars! You must be confused, or you got tricked by some scammer and spent it all! Think carefully. Where did the money go? Did you give it to that distant nephew? I knew he was up to no good!

"I need 150 thousand dollars now, Mom. Withdraw it from the bank immediately. If the apartment's gone, what will become of your grandson's schooling?"

Those words broke my heart. I had lived my entire life frugally. I wore the same clothes for ten years and waited for discounts even on groceries. How could I have spent the money? However, none of them believed me.

Not long after that call, my second son, Victor Sutton, showed up with his daughter, smiling brightly as he held a trophy. "Mom, look! Isn't Molly amazing? The instructor says that if we enroll her in an international piano program, she's guaranteed to become a famous pianist! The money on your card is just sitting there anyway…"

My youngest son, Leo Sutton, was even more forthright. He texted me a picture of sneakers and said, "Mom, this is all I want for my birthday. It's only 30 thousand dollars. That's nothing compared to what you have on the card."

The moment I said there was no money left in the bank account, their expressions shifted instantly.

"Are you senile? The money must've been scammed away!"

"We've worked so hard saving that for you! How could you just waste it?"

"Hand over the money now! Otherwise, we'll get our relatives involved and let them decide who's right!"

And they really did. They went to every relative we had, telling them I had lost my mind and squandered my retirement savings.

I endured whispers and accusations. That night, unable to bear it any longer, I pulled out my IV and went outside for some air. That was when I was hit by a car.

…

"Mom! Are you listening?"

Ryan's voice rose sharply through the phone, yanking me back to the present.

His voice was thick with irritation when he said, "You must transfer the 150 thousand dollars today!"

I took a deep breath. My heart was still pounding, my palms slick with cold sweat.

In this life, I wouldn't let them manipulate me again.

Grinding my teeth, I said, "I don't have any money!"

Before he could respond, I hung up.

As the screen went dark, the image of myself crushed beneath car headlights from my previous life flashed before my eyes. Then, tears started streaming down my face.

These ungrateful sons—I was done with them!