"Mom, I like this tutor. Can we keep her?" Harry asked.

Both Harry and Ryan looked at me expectantly. Even Ryan's mom, Emma, pitched in, "I really like Evelyn."

Emma warmly grabbed Evelyn's hand, her wrinkled face lighting up with smiles. Then she glared at me and urged, "Scarlett, hurry up and pay this month's salary to Evelyn!"

Evelyn, acting all meek like a blushing bride, just stood there.

She was the one who had wrecked the home I'd worked so hard to keep together.

As I looked around at all these 'familiar faces,' I felt dizzy. Feeling my body healthy again, I knew for sure. I was reborn.

In my previous life, I didn't think much of Evelyn. She graduated from a no-name college and seemed a bit low-class. So, I didn't keep her on as a tutor.

Ryan chewed me out, saying I was clueless about tutoring and never cared about Harry's schooling.

He was so "cared" that he dished out 200,000 dollars to Evelyn.

Ryan argued that despite her mediocre college, Evelyn was a top-notch teacher. He claimed her students' test scores shot up by 40 or 50 points. A teacher like that was hard to find.

Under the guise of caring about Harry's studies, Ryan got mixed up with Evelyn.

I was furious and demanded Ryan get the money back.

After all, Harry was already in his junior year. There was no way he needed 200,000 dollars worth of tutoring to finish high school.

But Ryan said, "How can I take back money I've already given? Besides, I'm just trying to save you the headache of worrying about our son's grades. If his grades improve, the money's well spent. Don't mix up what's important."

Ryan's got no shame. For years, he'd been lost in his dream of being a Oscar winner. And I was stuck managing everything at home and working to support his pipe dreams.

Every single one of his shows had been on my dime. After all this money and time, his acting was still trash, not even B-list.

Even Harry, who normally hated tutors, did a complete 180.

Harry said to me, "Mom, I really want to study with Ms. Scott. Don't you want to spend money on me?"

I couldn't believe Harry thought I was skimping on him. His clothes and shoes were always the latest. He had the top-of-the-line Apple gadgets. He even got twice the allowance of his peers.

I'd poured tons of money into his education over the years. For example, I'd hired multiple tutors from top schools, and he'd scared off every one.

Because I opposed keeping Evelyn, I got nothing but grief. So, that might be what they really thought.

With that in mind, I swallowed my anger and managed a smile. Then I nodded, agreeing to keep Evelyn.

"How else can I make them pay if I don't let her stay?" I thought.

I installed surveillance cameras in the bedrooms, living room and study. I wasn't just preventing them from stabbing me in the back. I needed evidence.

This morning, when I came out of the bedroom, Evelyn was already setting the table like she owned the place. She caught my eye, flashed a sweet smile, and said, "I whipped up some breakfast at home and brought a some over. Want some?"

I eyed the breakfast spread - fried chicken and waffles, cheeseburgers, even beef stew.

"Ms. Scott, don't bother next time. That's the maid's job," I said.

Evelyn's smile stiffened for a moment. Then she tucked a stray hair behind her ear, her face perfectly painting a picture of sorrow.

Ryan jumped to her defense immediately. "Scarlett, how can you say that? Evelyn was just being nice."

Meanwhile, Harry was scarfing down his food and complained, "Mom, you want to diet and wear fancy clothes, so you eat light. Why do we all have to stick to your oatmeal diet too? I'm over it!"

They seemed to have forgotten the whole light eating thing was all for Ryan's damn dream of being an Oscar winner.

Ryan had no self-control, so I had to manage his diet to help him stay in shape. We even went vegetarian to keep him happy.

Ryan was not getting any younger, and his acting wasn't getting any better. If he didn't stay in shape, no amount of money I throw at his career would help.

Then Emma butted in, "Yeah, Harry's growing, and Ryan needs good food to work hard. Evelyn made really good food. Scarlett, you might save on the maid and pay Evelyn instead."

I went straight to the study, printed two contracts, and slammed them down in front of Evelyn.

If Evelyn was so eager to be our maid, she'd have to sign on the dotted line.

One of the contracts was for tutoring. It spelled out that Evelyn had to boost Harry's scores by 20 points per subject, and I'd pay her 4,000 dollars a month.

The other one was for housekeeping. It listed her daily chores - cooking, washing dishes, laundry, and cleaning. I'd pay her another 6,000 dollars a month for that.

Evelyn bit her lip, looking offended. Her pen just hovered, unable to land on the paper.

An angelic bitch like Evelyn always knew how to stir one to pity. And it would always work.

Predictably, Ryan blasted me, "Why do you always have to make everything so serious? We all know Evelyn well enough. Making her sign contracts is just insulting. Home isn't your office, don't make it unbearable!"

I sneered at him and said, "First off, Evelyn's been here a day. How well do we know her, really? Plus, you're the ones who wanted her as both tutor and maid. I'm paying her for work, How is a fair contract an insult? That's ridiculous."

Ryan looked away, guilty and silent.

Evelyn, sensing the mood shift, quickly changed her approach. Tears streamed down her face as she wiped her eyes and turned to leave.

"If Ms. Abney doesn't want me here, I'll just leave," she said, her voice cracking perfectly.

Ryan saw his chance and lashed out at me. "Scarlett, you're going too far!"

Harry panicked as Evelyn walked out. "Mom, why do you have to be so tough on her?"

I couldn't believe Harry would defend an outsider. I was too upset to say any more.

Emma grabbed Evelyn's hand and shot me a dirty look.

"It's just a contract, Evelyn. Sign it, and I'll raise your pay," she said softly, winking at Evelyn.

I thought, "What a joke. She's promising raises with my money?" I internally rolled my eyes, finding the whole situation ridiculous.

After Evelyn signed, I grabbed the contracts and walked off.

Changing shoes at the entryway to leave, I overheard Ryan. "Come on, let's eat. Let her starve if she wants. She's always acting so high and mighty. I'm sick of it!"

Though I had long been disillusioned with Ryan, his words still stung.

All these years, he'd taken my sacrifices for granted, never acknowledging how hard it was for me.

His first love was upset, and he didn't hesitate to demean me, his own wife, to make her happy.

I walked back to the dining room barefoot, slamming my heels on the table. The loud clank silenced everyone.

Angrily, I said, "What do you mean I want to starve? Ryan, back when I was young, I drank with directors until I got a bleeding ulcer to get investments for you. Look at all this greasy food. What here can I even eat?"

Ryan used to promise that once he became a star, he'd focus on the family. I was foolish enough to believe him and worked tirelessly to support him.

Now, thinking about it just turned my stomach.

Before I walked out, I glanced at Ryan, his face greasy with food.

I thought, "A man can't be fed by two women. Go ahead, eat. Every bite you take just speeds up your downfall."

First, I went to the bank and pulled up the statements showing Ryan had transferred 200,000 dollars to Evelyn using a duplicate card from my account. Then, I put a limit on that card.

At the office, I checked the home surveillance.

I saw Emma sneaking out with her bag, definitely off to gamble.

Harry wasn't studying at all in his room. He was totally lost in his video games.

As soon as Ryan and Evelyn entered the bedroom, they started kissing and touching each other desperately.

Watching it all on the monitor, I was so grossed out I threw up. I hadn't even had breakfast.

That evening, I came home to find fewer condoms in the box.

I thought, "Makes sense. Even if Ryan's crazy about Evelyn, he wouldn't risk having a kid with her.

After all, that would be solid proof of adultery.

Ryan, I'll make sure your efforts with Evelyn in the bed won't be in vain."

I planned to poke holes in the rest of the condoms, but when I grabbed one, it already had a hole.

The surveillance footage showed Evelyn with a needle in the room.

Clearly, she was more desperate to secure her future with a child than I thought.

That night, I packed up under the guise of a business trip but actually moved to a hotel.

In the previous life, Harry always aced his midterms and finals.

Ryan always credited Harry's good grades to Evelyn's tutoring, which kept Evelyn around our house.

But when SAT time rolled around, Harry barely scored half of what he got on practice tests.

It bugged me how Harry aced his midterms and finals when all he did was game under Evelyn's watch.

Harry's midterms were just around the corner. I tailed Evelyn when she sneaked out one day.

I saw Evelyn receiving several test papers from Harry's school director, Zack Burns.

She even planted a shy kiss on Zack's shiny face.

Evelyn was definitely playing the long game. Ryan wasn't Evelyn's only safety net.

So, her options included a balding middle-aged teacher with a modest salary and a good shaped actor. No wonder she had her sights set on Ryan.

After all, with me, she had a cash cow. Even a divorce would leave Ryan pretty loaded.

After getting the papers, Evelyn went to the hospital. She got her pregnancy test results and smirked, touching her belly proudly.

While she was in the bathroom, I snagged the report she left outside. Sure enough, Evelyn was pregnant.

With that bombshell, the real show was about to start. It was time for me to head home and watch the fireworks.

When I got home and opened the door, Ryan was all cozied up with Evelyn on the couch. They jerked apart as if caught red-handed when they heard me come in.

Ryan looked totally caught off guard and blurted out, "Why didn't you say you were coming back early?"

Instead of asking if I was tired from my trip, he was more annoyed that I didn't give him a heads-up. Clearly, I'd crashed his date.

Ryan's nauseating behavior just added another layer to my disdain for him.

I brushed him off, kicked off my shoes, and walked further in.

I asked, "Ms. Scott, why aren't you tutoring my son? Just lounging around watching TV?"

Evelyn slowly stood up and said, "Harry is working on his worksheets. I didn't want to disturb him, so I came out here."

"Great, I'm starving. Ms. Scott, why don't you whip up something to eat?" I suggested.

Evelyn stood there, hand on her belly, shooting glances at Ryan.

Ryan jumped in, "Scarlett, how can you ask her to cook?"

"You insisted on her playing maid, didn't you? You even paid her 200,000 dollars. Why shouldn't she cook?" I shot back.

Ryan shut up when I mentioned the 200,000 dollars, guilt all over his face.

Evelyn spoke up weakly, "Well, I'm not feeling well today..."

Just then, there was a loud bang. Harry had slammed his door open, annoyed from his game being interrupted.

"Mom, why the noise as soon as you get back? Ms. Scott's already said he's not feeling well. Can't you just grab something to eat outside? Why does she have to cook for you?" he complained.

I held back my anger, opened the fridge, and grabbed the premium Wagyu beef I had bought earlier.

But the Wagyu and all the other fancy supplements were gone.

"Where's my Wagyu?" I demanded.

Harry was rummaging through my suitcase on the floor and casually said, "I gave it to Ms. Scott."

I closed my eyes briefly and said, "Harry, that was for me to get some nutrients."

Harry retorted, "So what, it's just some supplements. Ms. Scott works so hard taking care of us every day. Why shouldn't I share with her? You're loaded, mom. Just buy more. Also, you always flaunt your money to boss Ms. Scott around. And hey, why didn't you bring me any gifts? I promised my friends. Just give me some money, and I'll buy them myself. Seriously!"

I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. Then I slapped Harry across the face, turning his head with the force.

"She's lounging around here and you think she's got it tough? What about me, working my butt off? Do you even remember who I am?" I yelled.

Harry froze for a second, then, shockingly, tried to hit back.

Ryan held Harry back. Evelyn tried to intervene but ended up shoving me.

I crashed against the corner of a table, pain shooting through me.

Suddenly, Evelyn was on the floor, blood spreading from her.

Both Harry and Ryan were stunned.

Emma, just back from cards, threw herself on the floor, crying out, "Oh, my grandchild! What a tragedy!"

Clutching my back, I stood up straight and said, "Mom, your grandson Harry is right here. Who are you mourning for?"

Emma stopped crying and started to dab at her tears, clearly putting on a show.

Harry glared at me and yelled, "You're a murderer!"

Ryan banged the table and declared, "Exactly, you killed an unborn child. I'm calling the cops. You're going to jail for life!"

Watching this ridiculous scene, I almost laughed out loud, tears streaming down my face.

My son, whom I almost died giving birth to, was accusing me of murder.

And the man I'd spent my youth with was ready to throw me in jail.

Right then, I realized that despite getting a second chance at life, I'd been played by Evelyn again.