Chapter 1
In my past life, Dad cheated and had another family on the side.
To take me with her, Mom left without taking anything.
Life was so, so hard for us…
When things got really bad, Mom took me to the busiest street corner.
“Baby, Mommy’s gonna throw herself in front of some rich guy’s car in a bit, make them pay us some money so you can get something to eat…”
But after the screech of brakes, Mom was lying in a pool of blood and never got back up.
What about me? The car’s brakes failed and it came straight for me too.
Next time I opened my eyes, I’d been reborn-right back to the day Mom and Dad were talking about getting divorced.
“When we get divorced, who are you gonna live with?”
“With Dad!”
“Sienna, after your mom and I split up, who do you want to live with?”
Dad tried to keep his voice gentle, but I could see the barely contained excitement in his eyes.
He was happy?
Of course he was. He was about to ditch me and Mom-his two burdens-so he could be free to marry the woman he’d loved and lost
when he was young.
Back in the day, Dad had been head-over-heels for this girl, but Grandma couldn’t stand her. Said she was “too wild” and wouldn’t take proper care of her precious son.
Dad cried, threw tantrums, even went on a hunger strike, but Grandma wouldn’t budge.
Hell, Grandma actually went to the girl’s house and tore her apart so badly that her whole family packed up and left town.
Just like that, the lovebirds were torn apart.
Later, Dad gave up and married Mom-Grandma’s handpicked choice.
After marrying Dad, Mom became a full-time housewife, taking care of him like he was made of glass.
Turns out Grandma hadn’t wanted a daughter-in-law for her son-she’d wanted him a second mother.
Grandma lived forever, but even the oldest people eventually kick the bucket.
Sure enough, one day Grandma closed her eyes, stretched out her legs, and died.
Finally, nobody could hold back Dad’s “great love” anymore.
The day after Grandma’s funeral, Dad couldn’t wait to lay it all out for Mom-he wanted a divorce.
Mom fought it, cried, begged, but Dad was dead set on the divorce. Couldn’t wait another second.
He moved out, didn’t give a damn what people thought, shacked up with that woman, and even cut off Mom’s living expenses.
He didn’t love Mom, and honestly? He didn’t love me that much either.
When Dad hit Mom with his “economic sanctions,” she didn’t break..
When Mom was running around looking for work to keep us afloat, she didn’t break.
But when I got appendicitis and ended up in the hospital, and Mom couldn’t scrape together the money for my medical bills-that’s when she finally broke.
I’ll never forget that scene:
The grim hospital hallway, Dad looking down from his high horse: “Divorce me, and I’ll pay.”
Mom was practically on her knees, tears streaming down her face.
“Fine… I’ll divorce you.”
Dad got his answer and couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Mom called after him, like she was asking him but really asking herself: “Why? Sienna’s your daughter too.”
Dad paused for just a second, didn’t answer, then walked away even faster.
I was hiding behind the half-open door, leaning against the wall because of the pain.
All the happiness belonged to Dad.
All the suffering belonged to Mom and me.
“I’m staying with Dad.”
“What?” Dad looked like he’d been slapped, double-checking what he’d heard.
I looked up, staring him dead in the eyes, spelling it out: “I said I’m staying with you. My father.”
Mom went white as a sheet, swaying on her feet.
Her voice was so quiet that if I hadn’t been watching her closely, I wouldn’t have heard her whisper “Why?”
I answered softly: “Mom, you can’t afford to take care of me.”
We’d tried it in my past life.
It was hell.
