Chapter 2

They then told Liam, who had just rushed home,

“We came home and found Aurora in the kitchen getting ready to cook something, and there was a fire. It was horrible.”

My husband was heartbroken. He eventually committed suicide by slitting his wrists.

I cried and screamed beside him, but I couldn’t make him hear my voice.

This time, I won't be foolishly generous.

So, this time, I told Chloe,

“An engagement is out of the question. Our kids will choose their own partners when they're older. Marriage should be about freedom, you know. As for this house, I can’t make that decision alone; I need to discuss it with my husband.”

Chloe and Ryan’s suggestions were rejected, and their faces fell.

Since Liam was still on a business trip, the issue of the house was temporarily put aside.

It was a shame I'd agreed to let them move in *before* I was reborn; I’d have to find an excuse to kick them out later.

However, I immediately had security cameras installed throughout the house.

But just like in my previous life.

Chloe and Ryan’s financial situation simply couldn't support their "premium parenting plan."

During Chloe’s pregnancy, they not only wanted to freeload off my family’s high-end nutritionist.

They even spent money hiring pianists, violinists, and vocalists to come to the house for musical prenatal education for her baby.

Meanwhile, my home became a noisy, chaotic mess, driving me absolutely insane.

Ryan had been working frantically, often staying late into the night.

But soon, with such lavish spending, their wallets quickly emptied.

Yet, neither of them was willing to halt their "premium parenting plan."

For this, they turned their attention to me.

I watched through the security camera as Ryan stopped Chloe, who was looking for expensive organic snacks in the kitchen.

“Chloe, we’re running low on cash. We can't even afford to pay Mrs. Rodriguez next month. Why don't you ask Aurora for some money?”

Chloe looked surprised.

“Already? How could that be? Don't we have tens of thousands in savings?”

Ryan sighed.

“Tens of thousands is nowhere near enough. The teachers' fees alone are six thousand a month, and we've already bought so many designer baby clothes for our son. We’re way over budget; our credit cards are maxed out.”

Chloe frowned, annoyed.

“That's too fast. Fine, I'll ask Aurora. She has so much money; a few hundred thousand is nothing to her.

“Honestly, why is Aurora so stingy? She's loaded, and her husband makes a ton of money too. But she’s so cheap with us, knowing we don't have much, she doesn't even offer to help.”

That evening, Chloe stopped me as I was about to head back to my room after dinner.

Watching Chloe’s overly sweet expression as she asked for money, I suddenly remembered my past life, how she always used that same look when she wanted something from me.

As for the money, in my previous life, when she asked, I immediately gave her half a million dollars.

Then she said,

“Aurora, you’re so rich! I always see online how other best friends buy houses and cars for their friends, sniffle… I can’t believe I have such a good friend right here. My dear, sweet Aurora, can I pay you back in a few years?”

I was easily swayed by her. I felt needed by my best friend and pitied her lack of money, so I immediately told her not to worry about paying it back.

Only then, I didn't notice the envy in her eyes.

My kindness was misunderstood by her as showing off, making her feel even more entitled to my possessions.

My generosity yielded no returns.

This life, of course, I wouldn't be so stupid, blindly giving without expecting anything in return, only to feed a hungry wolf.