The Quiet Conspiracy

"Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Fiona. Her staff dorm is being renovated, so she's gonna stay with us for a few days."

My sister, Judy Floyd's, voice crashed over the room like thunder.

I looked up.

Judy was bouncing with excitement as she introduced her friend, Fiona Shepard, to my parents. Fiona was a young woman with a cool, slightly embarrassed face.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd. I'm Fiona. Thank you so much for having me. I honestly didn't know where I'd go."

Right then, I realized I'd been given a second chance. I'd been sent back to the day Fiona moved into my parents' house.

I still hadn't had time to change out of my uniform, and Fiona kept glancing at me.

"Judy, who's this?"

Judy ran over and hugged my neck, her voice bright. "This is my brother. He's cute, right?"

Fiona finally looked me over properly, a little shy. "Yeah, he's handsome. You're pretty, too. Your parents have really good genes."

My parents and Judy burst out laughing at that.

Just like before, Fiona knew exactly how to charm people. In her first week in our house, everyone was saying what a thoughtful, sweet girl she was.

Judy even pushed past my wife, Lara Floyd's, objections and urged Fiona to work for us as a nanny.

Seeing Fiona again now made my skin crawl. In my last life, she had destroyed my family. This time, I vowed to make her pay.

Judy led Fiona into her room. Not long after, Fiona came out wearing an apron and went into the kitchen.

"No, you're our guest. We can't let you cook for us," my parents protested.

"I didn't graduate from college, and I do housekeeping work. I can't afford rent, but I can at least cook," Fiona said. "Please, just sit and try some of my cooking."

She quickly won the elderly couple over and dove into making dinner.

"Judy, you should treat Fiona well. Look at her—she might not be well-off, but she's got pride and carries herself with dignity. She's a good kid," my father said.

He was a regular retired civil servant, and he admired Fiona's attitude.

But I started asking questions.

"Judy, how did you meet Fiona? You're a lawyer, and she's not the kind of person you'll come across usually."

"Oh, FIona's old boss accused her of stealing, so her company hired me as her defense lawyer. That's how I met her. She's really great. She even brings me food at the firm."

In my last life, I never understood how Judy and Fiona became so close.

Was Fiona's friendship planned from the start?

At dinner, Fiona kept the mood light with jokes here and there.

"Nelson, I saw your wedding ring. Where's your wife?" she asked casually.

I swallowed the food in my mouth. "She's pregnant. I told her to stay home and rest."

Judy suddenly set her utensils down. "Nelson, why don't you hire Fiona as your nanny? Lara's really sick from the pregnancy, and Peter needs looking after. We know Fiona—she's reliable. Wouldn't she be perfect for your house?"

My parents agreed right away.

I was about to refuse, but then I thought, if I pushed Fiona away, who knew what kind of foul trick a schemer like her might pull? It was better to keep her where I could see her.

"You're right. It actually sounds like a good fit."

Fiona looked thrilled. "Really? You'll hire me? That's amazing. I promise I'll do my best!"