I spent twenty years married to David Miller, ten of those caring for his bedridden mother, and helped him climb from a struggling local teacher to a renowned professor. Everyone praised me as the epitome of a devoted wife and loving mother, the unsung hero of the Miller family. On her deathbed, my mother-in-law, Eleanor, held my hand, saying she hoped I’d be her daughter-in-law again in another life. David hugged me, expressing his gratitude. “Scarlett, you’ve worked so hard all these years. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” I thought my suffering was finally over, that happiness was within reach. But before her body was even cold, he handed me divorce papers and embraced Chloe, my best friend since childhood. He looked at me, his voice devoid of emotion. “Scarlett Stone, I’ve tolerated you for twenty years. Finally, I’m free.” “Chloe is the only woman I’ve ever loved.” I left with nothing, ended up on the streets, and a car accident took my miserable life. Then, I opened my eyes, finding myself twenty years in the past, right back at my blind date. Aunt Carol, the matchmaker, was practically gushing about David: “This young man is a real catch, truly good-hearted, devoted to his family. Any woman would be lucky to marry him!” I looked at the man across from me, appearing refined and sincere, and smiled. Then I tossed the blind date profile I was holding into the trash. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’re a good fit.”
David’s smile froze. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice still gentle. “Miss Stone, is there something I’ve done to mislead you?” “We can take our time getting to know each other. There’s no need to jump to conclusions.” Aunt Carol panicked, grabbing my arm. “Scarlett, dear, what are you doing? A promising young man like David is a rare find! Don’t be foolish!” I gently pulled my hand away, my gaze calm as it rested on David. In my previous life, it was this gentle, elegant demeanor that fooled me for an entire lifetime. I believed his humble background was temporary, that his character was beyond reproach. So, I took out all my savings, gave up the chance to study at a prestigious art college, and rooted myself in that small town with him. I managed our home, networked with his superiors, and slowly, meticulously, paved his way to a brilliant career. And what did I get in return? Once he achieved fame and success, the first thing he did was kick me aside like a useless stepping stone. I curved my lips into a slight smile. “Mr. Miller, it’s not a misunderstanding. You’re a great person; I’m simply not worthy of you.” With that, I stood up, grabbed my bag, and turned to leave. “Scarlett!” David grabbed my wrist. I turned back, looking at him coldly. He seemed to realize his lapse in decorum and loosened his grip. “Miss Stone, I just feel it’s such a pity.” “I promised my mother I’d find a gentle and virtuous wife just like you.” “I…” “Then keep looking.” I cut him off, forcefully shaking his hand away. “Mr. Miller, please stop following me. It’s embarrassing.” I walked out of the noisy cafe without looking back. The early summer breeze kissed my face with a gentle warmth, and I let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief. It felt so good; everything was still salvageable. Just then, my best friend Chloe called. I answered, and her sweet, concerned voice immediately filled my ear. “Scarlett, how was the blind date?” “I heard Aunt Carol say that David is a really great guy. Did you meet him?” I leaned against a maple tree by the road, watching the dappled shadows, and chuckled softly. “I did.” “That’s wonderful! What’s he like? Is he everything Aunt Carol said?” “Yeah, he’s a guy with potential,” I replied, my voice flat. Chloe seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her voice bubbling with delight. “I knew it! Scarlett, you have to seize this opportunity! For a woman, finding a good man is everything! Don’t worry, once you and David are married, I’ll be there for him, like a sister!” In my previous life, she said the exact same thing. Then, when I was overwhelmed caring for his mother, she’d be wearing the dress *I’d* bought, comforting David in my place. While I was scrambling to secure funding for his research, she played the role of his empathetic confidante, accompanying him to academic conferences. In the end, she wrapped her arm around my husband and told me, “Scarlett, I’m so sorry, love is beyond our control.” I closed my eyes, suppressing the searing hatred that pierced through me. “Chloe, if you think he’s so great, why don’t *you* have him?” Chloe’s breath hitched.
“Scarlett, you… what are you talking about?” Chloe’s voice suddenly grew flustered. “We’re best friends; how could I ever…” “Friends should share good things, shouldn’t they?” I cut her off smoothly. “Didn’t you always say you wanted a driven, family-oriented man who would treat you well? David perfectly fits all your criteria.” “But, but he was *your* blind date!” “I already rejected him.” I watched the bustling street, feeling like the whole world had brightened. “So, he’s a free man now.” “You have Aunt Carol’s number, right? Better act fast. A real catch like him won’t stay available for long.” With that, I hung up before she could react. I could just imagine the look on Chloe’s face right now – a mixture of shock and secret delight. In my previous life, she’d spoken endless praises for David, subtly nudging me to settle down quickly. All she wanted was for me to clear the path, navigate the thorns, and once I’d helped David rise, she’d swoop in and enjoy the fruits of my labor. This time, I’d make sure she got her wish. I wanted to see how, without my family’s resources and savings as his initial capital, without my connections and sacrifices paving his way, Chloe would manage to live the ‘good life’ with her beloved ‘catch’. Back home, my mom was waiting for me on the sofa. As soon as I walked in, she asked eagerly, “Well? How was it? Was David okay?” My dad also poked his head out of his study. My parents were working-class, a bit traditional, always believing that a stable home was the most important thing for a girl. In my previous life, they were incredibly pleased with their educated son-in-law, David. I sat down next to them, speaking calmly. “Dad, Mom, I didn’t like him.” “Oh?” My mom looked disappointed. “Why not? Aunt Carol said he was…” “He said his mother isn’t well and takes medication constantly,” I explained. “And he has a younger brother in college, all dependent on his single salary.” I stripped away David’s carefully crafted image of devotion and responsibility, revealing the raw truth. My mom’s face clearly changed. “That’s… quite a heavy burden, isn’t it?” “Yeah,” I nodded. “And, I don’t want to get married so early.” “Dad, Mom, I want to pick up my paintbrushes again. I want to apply for grad school at the art academy.” This was a dream I’d kept hidden for twenty years. In my previous life, I gave up direct admission to grad school for David. He had sworn to me, “Scarlett, once I’m settled, I’ll definitely support you in continuing your studies.” Later, when he was settled and a professor, he told me, “You’re almost forty, what’s the point of all this fuss? Isn’t it better to just be content at home?” My dad listened, silent for a moment, then finally nodded. “Alright, if you want to apply, go for it. Don’t worry about things at home.” My dad had always been more open-minded than my mom. My eyes burned, and I nodded emphatically. The next day, I was at a bookstore, looking for grad school materials, when David suddenly appeared, blocking my path. “Miss Stone, I know this is presumptuous, but I still wanted to try again.” I closed my book and looked at him. “Mr. Miller, I think I’ve made myself quite clear.” “I know,” he said with a bitter smile, his voice tinged with a plea. “My mom, she found out you didn’t like me yesterday, and she couldn’t sleep all night. She fell ill this morning.” A cold laugh flickered in my heart. In my previous life, I was too soft-hearted. After his mother fell ill, I went to visit, only to be morally blackmailed by his entire family. Eventually, I half-heartedly agreed to the marriage. I looked him straight in the eyes, speaking each word distinctly. “Mr. Miller, if your mother is ill, you should take her to the hospital and find a doctor.” “You shouldn’t come to me, a stranger you’ve only just met. I’m not a doctor; I can’t cure her.”
David’s face instantly darkened. He took a deep breath, his voice heavy. “Scarlett, I just want to ask you to go see her. She really likes you, she keeps talking about you, saying you’re exactly the daughter-in-law she always imagined. Just… have some pity for an old woman, and go see her, okay?” His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes were glistening. I placed the book back on the shelf and turned to leave. “Scarlett Stone!” David’s voice suddenly rose sharply. “Are you really so heartless?!” People around us started to stare. I stopped, meeting his slightly displeased gaze with a calm stare. “Mr. Miller, please watch your words.” “Between us, there’s nothing but a failed blind date. You’re causing a disturbance in public, and it’s making me uncomfortable.” His chest heaved violently; he was clearly furious. “Fine, fine, fine,” he repeated three times, a dark, brooding look in his eyes. “Scarlett Stone, I won’t forget this.” With that, he turned and walked away quickly, his back view showing a touch of humiliation. That evening, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. On the other end, a frail, elderly female voice asked, “Is this… Miss Stone?” I immediately recognized it as Eleanor Miller, David’s mother. “Hello, Mrs. Miller,” I replied politely but distantly. “Oh, Scarlett,” Eleanor sighed dramatically over the phone. “I know, it’s our David who doesn’t have the good fortune to be worthy of such a wonderful girl like you.” “But, but I just want to see you, to say a few words to you in person. Otherwise, my heart feels so heavy… I’m afraid I won’t… I won’t get over this.” As she spoke, her voice started to break with tears. I held the phone, silent. In my previous life, she was always like this. Whenever David wanted something from me, she would conveniently get sick, heartbroken, or couldn’t go on. And I, time and again, softened, time and again, compromised. “Scarlett, dear, I’m not asking for anything else, just for you to come to the hospital and see this old woman, please?” “Just… have pity on me.” Her voice was full of pleading, as if I had no choice but to agree. I took a deep breath, knowing that if I didn’t deal with this once and for all, they’d stick to me like a bad rash. “Alright,” I agreed. “Send me the address. I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon.” After hanging up, I looked out at the dark night sky, my eyes growing colder by the second. David, since you and your mother insist on putting on this show, I’ll gladly play along. This time, however, I’ll be writing the script. The next afternoon, I arrived at the city hospital as planned. As I reached the entrance of the inpatient department, I saw Chloe waiting there. She was wearing a simple white dress and light makeup. Seeing me, she immediately came forward, her face full of concern. “Scarlett, you’re finally here! Mrs. Miller… she hasn’t eaten since this morning, she’s been constantly asking for you.” She naturally linked her arm through mine, as if we were still inseparable best friends. “Really?” I gently pulled my hand away. “Then let’s go in quickly. We shouldn’t keep her waiting.” Chloe’s eyes flickered, but she quickly resumed her gentle, kind demeanor, leading me towards the病房 (hospital room). As she pushed open the door, a strong smell of medicine wafted out. Eleanor was lying weakly in the hospital bed, and David sat beside her, feeding her water. Seeing me enter, Eleanor’s eyes immediately lit up, and she struggled to sit up. “Scarlett, Scarlett, you’re here…”
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