Back then, Christopher was short and skinny. Although he was already eight years old, he looked barely five.

Mom had a soft heart. She felt sorry for him and even called his parents to talk about his nanny. In the end, she brought him home to live with us.

If it hadn't been for Mom, he might not have grown up safe and sound.

But even after all that kindness, he still showed no mercy when he came for her life.

He let go of my arm now, eyes clouded with mixed emotions.

"Alice, were you reborn too?"

I admitted it without hesitation. "Yeah. So drop the act, Christopher."

Hearing me admit it, Christopher actually let out a long breath of relief.

"Alice, you know that the surgery in our past life was an accident. This time, I'll make sure the surgical plan is perfect. Besides, who else in Aloria could possibly match my skill?"

As he spoke, he took my hand, eyes full of tenderness.

"We were married for so long. Haven't I always treated you well? Why don't you trust me?"

Christopher was always playing the role of a devoted husband.

But in our past life, he used "intimacy anxiety" as an excuse to avoid me after the wedding. He even secretly drugged me with sedatives just so he could bring Jennifer back to our home.

Whenever I caught glimpses of what was going on, he brushed it off as my hallucinations. I even blamed myself, thinking I was mentally unstable.

"Christopher, did you ever love me?" I stared straight into his eyes, trying to catch even a hint of sincerity.

He didn't even hesitate. "Of course."

He really was a brilliant actor. It was a waste that he ended up working as a doctor.

"Then, tell me. What exactly was that piece of meat in the fridge?"

A crack finally formed in his composed facade. His fingers clenched the hem of his shirt.

I had found it while cleaning the fridge. It was placed inside a delicate little box. When I opened it, the inside of the lid read, "To my dearest darling."

I'd wanted to throw it out immediately. Yet, he slapped me and screamed hysterically, "Don't touch my stuff!"

That was the first time he ever hit me, and the first time I saw that monstrous look on his face. It was obvious who the box was meant for.

"It's just a specimen I admired as a doctor."

He paused for a moment before abruptly shifting to his gentle voice.

"Why don't we hold the wedding in a few days? I know you've always wanted to marry me since you were a kid. Bring Ms. Morgan back to our hospital. Don't gamble with her health out of spite. You can't afford the kind of care she needs."

He spoke as if he'd already decided everything, and I just needed to go along with it.

I was about to say no when a weak voice cut in.

"Chris, are you two getting married?"

It was Jennifer, of course. She stood at the doorway, looking frail and sickly. Her eyes were filled with heartbreak and disbelief.

Her vulnerability made Christopher panic. He rushed to her side, full of concern.

"What are you doing here? You should be resting!"

Tears streamed down Jennifer's face.

"I shouldn't have come. I know that. I just wanted to wish you happiness," she said between sobs, her voice full of sorrow and reluctant acceptance.

Christopher grew more anxious. "You know exactly…"

Clearly aware of my presence, he swallowed the rest of his words.

I'd had enough of their sick little performance. I grabbed my packed things and turned to leave.

He caught my wrist and spoke in a rushed tone. "Let's register the marriage tomorrow."

"I'm not going," I said, yanking my hand out of his grip.

"Be good. I'll come pick you up at your house tomorrow." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

I was just about to respond when Jennifer conveniently collapsed.

Christopher let out a cry and scooped her into his arms, shouting for a nurse.

The ward erupted in chaos. He didn't even look at me once. From his arms, Jennifer shot me a smug, taunting smile.

Grandpa rushed Mom to Belston City overnight. The surgery would take place the day after tomorrow.

When we spoke over FaceTime, Mom looked much better. I finally let out a breath of relief.

That night, I slept more soundly than I had in years.

In my past life, after Mom died from that failed surgery, I couldn't sleep through the night. Depression swallowed me whole, and medication was the only way I could rest.

When I woke up next, Christopher's face was right in front of mine. I nearly jumped out of bed in fright.

"How did you get in here?"

He rolled his eyes, looking at me like I was an idiot. Then it hit me that he still had a key to my place.

"Come on, get up. We need to get our marriage registered. Then, we'll visit Ms. Morgan. I wonder how she's doing."

Christopher urged me like he was genuinely worried about Mom. I frowned, disgust rising in my chest. I was done pretending.

"In our past life, you deliberately made her surgery fail and gave her kidney to Jennifer, didn't you?"

His face went stiff, but he quickly replaced it with a hurt expression.

"How could you think that of me? I loved you so much. Why would I ever hurt your mom?"

"Cut the act. I heard everything you said to your assistant surgeon. You went to great lengths for Jennifer."

His expression shifted again and again.

Finally, he dropped the pretense and snapped, "Even if the surgery had succeeded, Ms. Morgan wouldn't have lived much longer. Wouldn't it be better to give the kidney to Jennifer? At least she could go on living with it."

Rage exploded from within me. I gritted my teeth as I said, "You're shameless! Despicable! Have you forgotten how well my mom treated you?"

He glared right back at me, refusing to back down.

"Didn't I give you my entire future? Without me, could you have lived such a comfortable life?"

My eyes burned as I shouted, "I didn't need that! I just wanted my mom to live! You're a murderer!"

I was about to throw him out when I saw Jennifer who casually lounged on the living room couch.

My anger flared further. I pointed at the door. "Both of you, get out!"

Jennifer put down her cup and gave me a pitiful look. "Alice, please don't fight with Chris because of me. I know I'm not good enough for him…"

Christopher stepped in front of her, pointing at me angrily.

"If you've got a problem, take it out on me! Jennifer's innocent. Stop picking on her!"

Jennifer hid behind him, raising her eyebrow at me in blatant provocation. Her eyes gleamed with gloating satisfaction.

"I'm not marrying you. Now, get out of my house," I said coldly.

Jennifer stepped closer, still playing innocent.

"Alice, please don't be like this. I only came here today to witness Chris' happiness. I already backed off like you asked. After you warned me, I haven't dared to dream of being with him ever again."

She was slandering me again. It wasn't the first time this happened, but Christopher believed her every time.

Sure enough, his temper flared. He shoved me back hard.

"You've gone too far, Alice! How dare you threaten Jennifer behind my back!"

His strength caught me off guard. I stumbled back, and the back of my head slammed hard against the nail holding the calendar on the wall.

A sharp wave of pain shot through me. I reached back to touch it and felt warm blood on my fingers.

Christopher gasped and rushed to my side in a panic. "I-I didn't mean to."

I tried to call 911, but my body gave out, and I slumped to the floor.

I groaned weakly, "Help… Help me…"

Christopher was a surgeon. He knew how serious this was.

He hurriedly crouched down, trying to assess the injury.

Just then, Jennifer's voice rang out again.

"That looks like major blood loss, doesn't it? I think we have the same blood type. Our kidneys are a perfect match too. If she ends up in the hospital, maybe I could even donate some blood to her."

Christopher's hands paused halfway through performing first aid. His gaze flickered, as if weighing something in his mind.

I stared at him in horror, a morbid chill shooting up my spine.