I am a non-marriageist. Naturally, my nephew assumed my assets would one day be his and even had the nerve to ask me for a $10,000 bag to impress his girlfriend.

When I turned him down, he held a grudge and strangled me in my sleep.

To protect him, my mother erased the security footage of his crime and lied, saying I had taken my own life. They happily inherited everything, boasting, “She was just a fool; we got what we deserved!”

But then, I woke up. It was the same day my nephew asked for the bag.

——

“Auntie, I only have one birthday a year. Just get it for me,” Ethan said, clutching my arm. He made it sound like a request, but his tone was more demanding. “It’s not that expensive, just $10,000. If you buy it, I’ll make sure my girlfriend, Chloe, knows how generous you are.”

My mother and Richard, Richard, were focused on their meal, not even trying to intervene. Lilith, my sister-in-law, added casually, “Claire, you’re not getting married, so you’ll need Ethan to look after you when you’re older.”

I looked down at my hands, remembering what happened in my previous life.

Back then, I’d refused to buy the bag because it was too expensive. Lilith warned that if I didn’t buy it, Ethan wouldn’t take care of me in my old age. Even though I had a good income and no plans to marry, I tried my best to meet their demands.

But Lilith used that refusal against me. When I said no again, Ethan held a grudge and later strangled me with a scarf while I slept—a scarf I had bought for Lilith.

To cover up for him, my mother deleted the security footage and claimed I had committed suicide. They inherited everything, just as they’d wanted. Ethan and his cronies even bragged, “That Claire was cheap. If she’d just handed over the money sooner, maybe I would’ve let her live.”

He laughed, tossing my photos to the ground and stomping on them, saying, “She got what she deserved!”

My mother rushed to stop him, more concerned about him hurting his foot than about me.

It was all so absurd.

“Auntie, say something!” Ethan demanded, his impatience growing. “Why are you so stingy? I’ll pay you back when I start making money!”

Hearing his entitled tone, I kept my cool and replied calmly, “It’s too expensive. I can’t buy it for you.”

“Why not?” Ethan snapped, slamming his hand on the table. “It’s just a bag! You make so much money every month, why can’t you buy one?”

It was laughable. I smirked, “I’m just not buying it.”

With that, I got up and headed back to my room. Just before I closed the door, I could still hear him grumbling, “Look at her! It’s my birthday, and she’s being so stingy!”

Lilith was whispering something too, shooting me a glance as she spoke.

I ignored them, feeling a deep sense of disappointment. These people—this is the family I’ve always longed to be close to.

But now that fate’s given me a second chance, I’m not going to let their schemes get the best of me.

Not long after, my mom came in with a plate of watermelon, practically pushing it at me, eager for me to eat.

I didn’t move. Instead, I looked at her and said calmly, “Did Ethan put you up to this?”

She looked a bit flustered, probably ready with some excuse, but I cut her off. “I already told him I’m not buying it. They’re only twenty—what do they need with a $10,000 bag? I don’t even spend that much on mine.”

“Tell him it’s not happening.”

“Why won’t you buy it for me?”

Ethan suddenly barged in, pointing at me accusingly. “Claire, with that attitude, do you really think I’m going to take care of you when you’re old? If you’re too stingy to drop sixty grand, you’re just setting yourself up for a lonely death. Let’s see who’s going to be there for you!”

“Who said I’m counting on you to look after me?” I replied, my voice icy. “Just because I don’t plan on getting married doesn’t mean I don’t want kids. I’d rather spend my money raising my own children than waste it on you.”

My mom was taken aback. “Who are you going to have kids with?”

“Adoption. I don’t need to give birth myself,” I said. “There are plenty of kids in the system who need a home. I’ll have plenty of choices.”

“That’s ridiculous!” My mom snapped, getting worked up. “Those kids aren’t even related to you!”

“If I raise them, they’re mine,” I said, locking eyes with Ethan. “Better than relying on an ungrateful brat like him.”

“They’re not your blood! What kind of nonsense is this?” My mom fumed. “We should spend our money on family, not waste it on strangers! You’ve got plenty of cash, why throw it away on other people’s kids?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll move out.”

My mom was so angry she was shaking. She slammed the door as she stormed out, probably going to huddle with Richard and Lilith to figure out their next move.

But I didn’t wait around for them to gang up on me. I started packing up to leave, but Ethan blocked my way, seething. “Who said you could just leave?”

“What’s this about? Just because I won’t buy you a bag, I’m not allowed to go where I please?” I glared at him. “Or are you planning to force me to stay?”

Ethan’s face flushed with anger as he reached out to grab me. “I said you’re not going anywhere!”

I quickly stepped back and shouted, “Touch me, and you’ll regret it!”

My loud voice brought my mom and Lilith rushing out. Seeing the standoff, my mom frowned and scolded, “Claire, Ethan’s your nephew. It’s just a bag—do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?”

“Mom, you do remember I’m just his aunt, right?”

I responded coldly, “From now on, I won’t spend another penny on him. If he’s so capable, let him buy it himself!”

“Claire, just because you’ve got a little money, you think you’re something special?” Ethan snapped, his face red with anger. “This is my house. If you’ve got the nerve, don’t come back!”

I kept my expression blank, then turned to my mom and Lilith. “You heard him. He doesn’t want my ‘dirty’ money.”

“Ethan, she’s your aunt!” Lilith scolded, then added, “Claire, really? Ethan’s still a kid. Why are you being so tough on him? We’re family! You’re making it sound like we’re strangers.”

“Exactly,” my mom chimed in. “Your sister-in-law and I talked, and we don’t agree with you adopting a child. How could you bring a kid with an unknown background into our family? Since you’re not getting married, the Morris family’s bloodline depends on Ethan. As his aunt, can’t you be more generous?”

“And why do you think you have any say in what I do?” I asked, irritation seeping into my voice. “Unknown background? Bloodline? Mom, do you think we’re royalty or something?”

Speaking of unknown backgrounds, in my previous life, after I died, my soul wandered and saw Lilith with a man named Liam. They were more than familiar, and Ethan was their son. Richard had no clue and happily treated Ethan as his own.

In my past life, I longed for family, gave them everything, and ended up with nothing. Now, looking at their disgusting faces, any trace of affection I had left was gone, replaced with pure disgust.

I’ve always been easy to talk to, but this time I was firm. My mom’s face went pale, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Claire, what’s gotten into you? You’re going against everything I say. Let me tell you, if you dare adopt a child, I’ll pretend I never had a daughter!”

In the past, those words would’ve broken me, and I would’ve immediately backed down. But things are different now. I looked at her smug face and smiled. “That’s perfect—I can finally move out.”

Her face froze, and she glanced nervously at Lilith.

I calmly added, “Mom, cutting ties is fine, but let’s be clear. I won’t be responsible for any of your expenses anymore, and you can forget about getting a single penny from me!”

Before my mom could respond, Lilith frowned. “Claire, how can you talk to your mom like that? You’re an adult still living at home, relying on others. How do you justify talking to her like this?”

My mom, catching on to what I meant, cried even harder. “Your dad passed away early, and I worked so hard to raise you. And this is how you repay me? Claire, have you lost your conscience?”

I sneered, “You’re mistaken, Lilith. I have my own place. The only reason I’ve been staying here is because Mom said Richard doesn’t make much, and since you refuse to work, the family needed extra support. As for relying on others—that’s never been the case for me.”

My mom’s face twisted, and she dropped the fake tears, slapping me hard across the face. “Don’t you dare spread lies! When did I ever say that?”

Ethan smirked, watching me get hit. “Serves you right!”

My cheek stung, but I didn’t flinch. “You know what you said, Mom.”

“Know what?” she yelled back, furious. “Claire, you’re so ungrateful! After all these years, this is how you repay me?”

“Mom, don’t try to guilt-trip me. Cutting ties was your decision, not mine,” I said coolly. “No matter what you say, I’m adopting that child.”

I turned and walked away, ignoring her wails and curses about how I’d get hit by a car and die.

To outsiders, my mom was the picture of kindness—easygoing and always smiling. But with me, she was venomous, wishing me dead with every harsh word. I used to think I just couldn’t make her happy, but now I see she’d prefer me dead, just to get her hands on my money.

I didn’t even bother packing a bag. I went straight back to my own place, which I hadn’t visited in ages. A thick layer of dust covered everything, so I spent the night cleaning. By the time I collapsed on the sofa, exhausted, I finally felt a sense of peace.

When I first bought this place, my mom was furious. She thought, as a girl, I had no business buying a house. If I had money, it should go to Richard so our family could get a bigger place. I usually listened to her, but this time, I didn’t. I bought the house in secret. When she found out, she stormed over, kicking me down in front of everyone and calling me shameless for “wasting” the family’s money.

People tried to intervene, but she chased them away with insults. Her words still ring in my ears: “Who do you think you are? Just because you’ve made a little money, you think you’re better than me? I raised you, and every penny you earn should go to me and Richard! How dare you make decisions on your own? You ungrateful brat!”