I was barely up on Saturday morning when a text from Zach popped up.

He was all: [Make sure you dress up today; we're having lunch with my folks.]

Flashback to my previous life. Zach rushed to introduce me to his parents, and we got hitched right after graduation. But after that, he showed his true colors.

Just the thought of my ex-mother-in-law was enough to make me queasy.

Last time, I gave it all up for love—no dowry, brought property and a car into the marriage.

I figured my sacrifice would make him appreciate me, but it only led to deeper deceit.

And his mom was just the same.

Before the wedding, she couldn't praise me enough.

Once I was part of the family, she flipped like a switch—always had me slaving away or berated me for not popping out grandkids.

She was head over heels for Heather, always praising her as the perfect daughter-in-law.

Her blatant favoritism made my insecurities worse.

Desperate for her approval, I used my dowry to help out financially, only to be repaid with betrayal and my eventual demise.

Seeing her smile, and crow's feet nearly catching flies, I fantasized about dunking her head in a toilet.

Zach gave me the eye to bring out the gift I'd prepped.

Right, the "gift."

I handed over the fancy gift box, mentally preparing for the drama to unfold.

My would-be mother-in-law took the gift but didn't open it right away, which irked me.

"Auntie, go on, open it up," I urged.

"Oh, dear, it's bad form to open presents right away."

Her smile was so wide it nearly split her face.

Then it hit me—I'd mistakenly called her mother-in-law. Well, it wasn't official yet.

"My bad, Mrs. Joshua. Back home, it's common to call elders 'auntie,' just slipped out."

Her smile quickly vanished.

Despite her reluctance, she finally opened the gift in front of me.

"Wow, this is that hot new luxury face cream, right? Thanks, Olivia!"

Wait, what?

I was sure I'd packed a dead rat!

How did it turn into the same high-end face cream as last time?

I caught Zach's eye, and we locked gazes—I knew immediately.

He'd switched it out.

He'd go to great lengths to lock this down.

"Olivia, what's your mom's job?"

"She farms."

Her face fell.

Zach leaned in and murmured, "Local government worker."

The auntie's smile snapped back, "And your dad?"

"He's between jobs."

"Oh?" Her eyes bulged a bit.

Zach whispered again, "Actually, he made a killing in the stock market last year."

Her grin came back even wider.

Man, her acting could win awards.

"By the way, that face cream set me back $1,580. Make sure you reimburse me," Zach said the second we left the restaurant.

His nerve! Right after we got out, he was already hitting me up for cash.

I glared at him, "Dream on. You're not getting another penny."

Typical Zach—every time I got money, he'd swoop in to "manage" it for me.

"You just won that $8,000 scholarship, right?" he prodded.

I stared him down, realization dawning.

His affection was always just skin-deep—it was always about the cash.

"Get lost," I snapped.

I was done with his games.

In my last life, today was supposed to be a high school reunion with Heather and the crew.

I couldn't wait to show up and drop some punches in the faces of the bullies.

I'd been honing my newfound taekwondo skills after the rebirth.

Today was the day!

I spun on my heel to leave.

But Zach blocked my path.

"Since when do you bite back?" he teased, reaching to pinch my cheek.

I knocked his hand away, revulsion clear on my face.

I squinted at him, my voice firm, "From today on, you won't see a dime from me."

Zach's smirk remained, but a cold shadow passed over his eyes.

"What happened to our plan? Your money was supposed to help fund our wedding."

I almost wanted to slap my past self for being so naive.

Grow some brain, former Olivia!

I had handed him every dime during school, all my scholarships, then my salary—believing we were building a future.

He turned those funds into stocks, rode the bull market, and bought a house that all became premarital assets.

It wasn't until my death I found out the house was only in his name.

"Yeah, keep dreaming," I retorted.

"Fund our wedding? Consider it a donation to your family's altar."

"We're done. You're a dumpster fire."

Zach's eyes flared with fury, a vein throbbing on his temple.

Oh, is the mask slipping now?

I arched an eyebrow, challenging him.

"You think you can break up with me?" he looked down at me, using his height to intimidate me.

Memories of his past abuse flashed before me, stirring a wave of fear.

His fist clenched, ready to strike.

I dodged swiftly, my training kicking in, and I bolted at a speed only light could chase after.

His roars of anger and the sound of his phone smashing echoed behind me.

So exhilarating!