Yvonne was clad in high-end brands, her makeup flawless and her hair immaculately styled. Every move she made carried the effortless grace of a wealthy lady.

I had just left the operating room. I hadn't slept for almost 24 hours, and I looked like I had lost my soul.

I wore the most comfortable tracksuit from an unbranded brand, bought from a small street shop. I couldn't compare to her at all.

"No, thanks. I don't need your makeup right now," I answered.

With that, I took a seat and started eating. After performing intense surgeries, I hadn't eaten all day.

While I savored the food, Finn suddenly walked over and laid a check for a hundred thousand dollars in front of me.

"This money is for the sake of what we once had. I just want to help you. Treat yourself better. Find a more respectable job. Buy some new clothes, and learn to love yourself.

"Sylvia, the past is already past. Don't drown in it. If it weren't for you... Forget it. That doesn't matter.

"What matters is that you mustn't lose all motivation for life and let yourself go just because I left. Alright?"

I looked up in confusion. His unfinished thought made me wonder what I had done in my previous life that made him abandon me so decisively after he was reborn.

In that previous life, the fervor of our young love led us into marriage. He had his dream of pursuing a career in music, and I wanted to study medicine. Both paths required money and energy, so one of us had to give way.

Because I loved him, I gave up the chance to pursue a master's and doctorate in medical school. I started working early and used my income to support both of our dreams.

However, he repeatedly failed and grew depressed. Eventually, he fell into despair.

I was like an endless reservoir of energy for him. Every time I dragged myself home exhausted, I still comforted him patiently.

I thought he would understand my love.

I didn't expect that when he wanted a new guitar and I refused because we couldn't afford it, he would smash the guitar in anger.

"You know what? If I had listened to Yvonne and gone to study in Amesden with her, I wouldn't be suffering like this! I really regret being with you!"

After that, he stopped playing guitar and gave up on his dream.

Whenever I thought of him saying he regretted being with me, I would often end up crying in the middle of the night.

Nevertheless, I made one last attempt. I hugged him and whispered, "Finn, I want to have a baby with you."

He pushed me away hard, his eyes full of disgust.

"How are we supposed to afford raising a child? I told you before that I hate kids! I don't want to have children with you!"

Those words shattered my last remaining hope.

During the New Year, a huge truck came straight at us and took our lives.

At that moment, I felt no fear, only relief.

Now that we had both been reborn, we chose to keep our distance. There was no need to cling to old feelings.

I quietly pushed the check back toward him. "No. I don't accept things from strangers. Thanks."

He frowned and questioned, "Sylvia, am I a stranger to you? What do you mean?"

I answered, "I can buy my own clothes. Whatever my job is now, I think that it's respectable and nothing to be ashamed of. I haven't lost my motivation for life. You should give the money to someone who really needs it."

He held the check and pressed his lips together as he stood there in silence.

Yvonne walked up to Finn and glanced at the check in his hand. She seemed to understand what had happened. Anger flashed in her eyes, but she still forced herself to appear gentle.

"Sylvia, you don't want our kindness? Fine. Then we'll offer you something more practical.

"I just opened a nail salon on Mainford Avenue. Come work there. I'll set you up as an apprentice. The pay isn't high, about 600 dollars a month. But you'll learn a skill. Even if you hit rock bottom later, you can still open your own nail shop.

"So, how about it? Are you interested in giving it a try? That job should be a lot more respectable than what you are doing now."

I kept eating calmly and refused Finn's and Yvonne's kindness.

I said, "Thank you, but I'm happy with my job. I'm not planning to switch."

A former classmate chimed in, "Sylvia, why aren't you grateful? Finn and Yvonne are kind-hearted. They're giving you money and a job. Take it!"

"Right. Your life's already tough. What pride do you even have left? You showed up just to grab resources, didn't you? Stop pretending!"

Yvonne plastered on an insincere smile. "Guys, don't say that! Maybe Sylvia really loves her current job!"

She turned to me and said, "Sylvia, we're offering this because of our past friendship. Don't miss out on this opportunity just because of your pride!"

I honestly had no idea why they kept trying to pressure me into accepting money and job offers.

I insisted, "I really don't need it. Thanks."

Yvonne's smile stayed gentle, yet her eyes were full of mockery and disdain.

Finn gripped the check and sneered. "Useless! We're trying to give you a hand, and you still won't take the chance! Stay poor forever!"

Right after that jab, a group of guys rushed over and tried to make me drink.

"Sylvia, you look so pitiful. Take one shot and I'll transfer you a thousand dollars."

"If you really need money, I can pay you even more!"

They were ogling me. The others laughed, and no one came to my aid.

I frowned. This class reunion was nothing like I had pictured. If I weren't waiting for someone, I'd have walked out already.

I was about to call security when Finn crushed his cigarette and grabbed the arm of the man hassling me. His eyes were cold and full of anger. "Back off."

The man's hand hurt so badly that he howled.

Yvonne tugged at Finn's sleeve and asked, "Finn, what are you doing?"

His expression remained cold. "I'm stepping in. This is a class reunion, not a place for you to do whatever you want."

With that, he flung the man away. The guy didn't dare argue, but he shot me a vicious glare.

I couldn't help looking at Finn. I hadn't expected him to help me.

Yvonne almost ground her teeth to dust, but she still forced a smile. "I heard that the heir and CEO of Crestford Group are meeting upstairs. Maybe we'll get lucky and catch a glimpse of the wealthiest man in Abgate City!"

The faces of my former classmates lit up at once.

The wealthiest man in Abgate City was young and handsome. He was just over 30 years old and already had a five-year-old son. Yet, no one had ever seen his wife.

"So we might see his wife today? I have to post that on TikTok!"

"We might be the first ones to catch a glimpse of her!"

Soon, a line of bodyguards escorted a young boy into the hall. The crowd buzzed with excitement.

"That boy must be the son of Abgate City's wealthiest man! He's really good-looking!"

The guy who had teased me earlier hadn't dared to say a single word when Finn hit him, but now he was spouting nonsense in front of me.

"Sylvia, if Yvonne hadn't booked this place, a nobody like you would never have had the chance to see the son of the wealthiest man in Abgate City.

"If I were you, I'd be kneeling right now to thank her. You might even land a good job and marry a guy like me. You know, I make six grand a month."

Idiot!

I ignored him and turned to look at the boy.

Everyone rushed over to the boy with fawning smiles. They pulled out their phones, eager to take pictures and videos with him.

Even the usually arrogant Yvonne came over, putting on a warm, friendly act for the boy. "Hello! What would you like to eat? It's on me."

She tried to pinch his cheek.

But a second later, the boy ignored everyone and walked straight toward me. No one saw that coming.

He smiled sweetly and threw himself into my arms before saying, "Mom, you're finally here."