Chapter 1 Making a Change

My brain was in overdrive. If that pregnant woman didn't see me, maybe she would be fine. I stood at the entrance of the second-class cabin and looked around. An old woman was standing nearby, and she had a friendly air about her.

I went and bent over, then I spoke as naturally as I could. "You look just like my grandmother, ma'am. You remind me of her. I have a spot in the first-class cabin. 1A. Window seat, very spacious. It's cramped here, and I'd like to switch seats with you. Take it as a helpful gesture."

The old woman quickly shook her head. "I can't. First-class cabin? That must be expensive. I can't do this to you."

"It's alright, ma'am. I'm a young man. It's the same for me anywhere I sit. You're not getting any younger, and this place is like a sardine can. You deserve a better seat. Just help me out a little."

I was as sincere as possible, and the old woman looked at me with tearful eyes. "You're a kind man." She stood up. I helped her with her luggage and supported her as I escorted her to the first-class cabin.

My attention never left that pregnant woman. Her baby bump was only starting to show.

She was scrolling through her phone and didn't notice me.

Eventually, I came back to the second-class cabin, and my heart was racing. I quickly powered off my phone.

My parents died early, but they left me three properties and a big pile of inheritance—something only my wife knew about.

Last year, she insisted on getting personal accident insurance for me, and she wrote herself down as the beneficiary.

I argued with her, saying that it felt unlucky.

If it weren't for the comments, I'd have no idea she would conspire with her male best friend, Zack Lawson, to frame and kill me. Dream on. Once I got back, I would get a divorce.

It was the summer holidays, and I had fun in Shinborder.

…

Five days later, I bought a ticket home. I thought that was over. I thought if I changed seats, that pregnant woman's tragedy wouldn't happen.

The moment I stepped into the station, a group of people surrounded me, and in the lead was my wife. She strode up to me, looking furious and sorrowful. "How could you do this, Michael?"

She was loud enough to get everyone's attention.

Before I could do anything, a middle-aged woman pushed through the throng. She stormed up to me and slapped me hard. My head turned, and my ear rang.

"You bastard! You killed my daughter and her baby! If you hadn't refused to give her your seat, she'd never have died from exhaustion! I'll skin you alive! I'll get revenge for them!"

I covered my cheek, my mind blank. This was odd. That pregnant woman died? But I had changed seats, so how'd this come back to me?