Chapter 4

The call connected quickly, and I heard James' comforting voice. "I heard all about what happened to your crops, babe. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I felt warmth bloom in my heart. James was such a good person, and yet he died because of my stubbornness in my past life. This time, I swore I'd save Mom and ensure nothing happened to James as well.

So, I said, "James, I need a favor. Stay where you are this afternoon. Don't move. I'll come see you tonight, alright?"

I racked my brains for a suitable answer.

Yet, James didn't hesitate as he replied, "I don't know why, but since you sound so serious, it has to be important. Don't worry. I'll do as you say and wait for you to come pick me up."

I nodded emphatically, then wiped away my tears and rushed to Central Hospital. I skipped all formalities and fell to my knees before Dr. Hank Vance.

He immediately realized the gravity of the situation and chose to treat Mom.

I glanced at the time and realized I was an hour early.

Hank himself said that since I was on time, there was a greater chance of a full recovery for Mom.

However, it wasn't until the three-hour surgery was over that Dr. Vance removed his mask to give me the good news. "The surgery was a success. She'll make a complete recovery with proper rest."

Mom lay on the hospital bed. She slowly opened her eyes, but she closed them bitterly upon seeing me.

She was still angry at me, but I wept with joy regardless.

At least I managed to save Mom this time, and I managed to escape from Grandma's awful dreams.

My first thought was to call James to tell him the good news, but all my calls went unanswered. What was going on?

Before I could recover from the shock, a commotion erupted in the hospital, and I heard someone yelling my name.

I turned around, and what I saw sent chills down my spine.

James' mother, Anna Wilson, was striding toward me as she launched into a tirade. "Vanessa West, you bitch! You killed my boy!"

"Did something happen to James? How's that possible? I asked him to stay put—"

Anna suddenly went berserk, cutting me off. "So it was your fault after all? Do you know that my son died because a drunk driver hit him while he was waiting for you at the intersection? You killed him!"

This felt like a huge blow to my senses.

James was… dead?

My eyes widened in shock. I couldn't believe this was happening.

I deliberately steered clear of Grandma's instructions in the dream. So how did I end up killing James?

Before I could react, Anna suddenly pulled out a knife from her pocket—the very same knife that killed me in my past life. She then lunged at me with a vicious thrust.

Yet, at that moment, someone shoved me aside violently and took the blow.

"Vanessa! Run!"

It was Mom.

With a sickening slice, the blade pierced her chest. Her blood spattered onto my face.

I snapped out of my daze, only to see Mom lying in a pool of blood. She was clutching at Anna's leg and yelling, "Vanessa! Go!"

Anna was unable to break free. Furious, she kicked Mom again, glaring at me menacingly as she hissed, "You little shit! If you don't get the hell over here and pay for my son's life, then I'll kill your mother before I come after you!"

The kitchen knife in Anna's hand was about to plunge into Mom's chest when, in a flash, realization dawned on me.

I understood why Grandma was haunting my dreams, and why I couldn't change the cause of the tragedy. I suddenly understood everything.