After Mira returned from work that night, she didn't even bother having dinner first before asking me for my ID.

"Did you bring your ID back, Aly?"

I pretended to rummage through my bag before I pulled out the fake ID that I had made that day.

Mira took it from me and tucked it away somewhere.

Satisfaction spread through me when I thought about how she would just be exchanging the fake ID for another fake ID.

The next day, Mira left the apartment, pretending that she was going on a hike. She only came back late at night.

I caught a flicker of glee at my impending misfortune in her eyes when she returned the ID to me.

…

In the days that followed, I snooped through Mira's chats with the three men whenever she was at work. Their conversations became more and more explicit with each day that passed.

All three of them wanted to meet Mira in person.

Mira was a smart woman. She decided to start with Daniel first, the brainless heir of the richest family in Bayville.

"Are you that desperate to meet me? Can't we just keep chatting online?"

"I'll give you the handbag you like if you meet me in person."

"I don't care about materialistic things. An emotional connection is my priority. If I'm truly interested in you, I won't care even if you're as poor as dirt."

"I'm sorry. I was being too shallow. I'm begging you. Let's meet in person. Just once. I really want to see you."

After playing coy for a few more minutes, Mira finally agreed to Daniel's request.

They agreed to meet at Gold Sphere the next day. It was the most high-end shopping mall in the city and was full of branded stores.

It was laughable how Mira had insisted that she wasn't interested in money.

The nickname that she gave to Daniel was quite fitting—he truly wasn't the brightest tool in the shed.

Mira dressed simply the next day. She wore a clean, white shirt and a pair of jeans, completing her outfit with a canvas sling bag that was nearly bulging at the seams.

When I snuck a look inside the bag, I realized that it was full of makeup products.

I didn't expose Mira just yet. The show was just beginning, after all.

After disguising myself, I put on a surgical mask and followed Mira to Gold Sphere.

At around 11:00 am, I saw myself enter the mall with a man from the entrance on the first floor.

Mira looked identical to me at that moment. Meanwhile, the man next to her was the same man who had left me in the mountains in my past life.

Daniel looked at Mira adoringly as he led her into a branded store. She put on a show of being unwilling to browse the products, prompting him to coax her into trying on the clothes and shoes.

Mira's expression remained unchanging as if she wasn't convinced in the slightest. Her reaction caused Daniel to panic, and he guided her to the second floor.

"I know you're not interested in these things, Aly, but I can't let you leave empty-handed. Why don't you choose a bag? Do it for me, please?

"This necklace suits you so well, Aly. I'm not good at choosing these things, but the jewel is quite large. Why don't I give this to you as your birthday present? Please accept it for my sake. We've known each other for so long, after all.

"This ring looks so pretty on your finger, Aly. It's practically made for you."

I tailed them and listened to Daniel beg Mira again and again.

The two of them continued their little game of tug-of-war for quite some time before Mira finally accepted Daniel's gifts. She didn't forget to wear a reluctant expression when she did.

In the end, Daniel bought five bags, three necklaces, and two rings for her.

I saw Mira grinning widely to herself when she thought no one was looking.

"I'll just pretend that you're temporarily storing these things at my place for now, Danny. I normally don't dress up, so I won't have any use for these bags or jewelry."

"Fine. As long as you're willing to accept these gifts."

I pulled out my flask and asked the waiter in one of the nearby cafes to fill it with hot water.

Mira and Daniel had just exited the store when I stepped out of the cafe. They were carrying several large bags with them.

"I hope you enjoy the surprise that I prepared for you today, Mira," I thought to myself. "Daniel's a ruthless and paranoid man. I'm going to make sure that he sees you for who you really are!"

I hurried toward them. Pretending to accidentally bump into someone, I aimed the flask at Mira's head and let it slip through my fingers.

The hot water cascaded down on Mira.

Mira screamed. "My face! It burns!"

She used both hands to cover her face as she sank to her knees and wailed in pain.

Daniel hastily grabbed some tissues and tried to wipe her face, setting off a chain reaction that couldn't be stopped.

The tissue became covered with a reddish and yellowish paste in an instant.

Daniel was stunned as he alternated his gaze between the tissue and Mira.

Mira finally realized what was happening at that moment. She was too scared to raise her head. Her eyes were darting around behind the gaps between her fingers.

After deciding on her escape route, she ignored the searing pain in her face and leaped to her feet, attempting to make a break for it.

"Where do you think you're going, Aly?" an icy voice asked from behind her.