Sophie has always been like this.

Whenever I fight with Ethan, she steps in under the guise of helping me.

She advises Ethan to be magnanimous and apologize first.

On the surface, it seems like she genuinely cares for me.

But her persuasions always end with "I don't really understand the thoughts of little girls; I can't even learn to be like that myself."

Over time, Ethan's dissatisfaction with me grew.

I've told Sophie many times not to interfere in our relationship.

But all I got in return were Ethan's reproaches.

"It's because you're so picky and dramatic. If you could just be carefree like Sophie and not take things to heart, we wouldn't fight."

"You're too suspicious. She's your sister-in-law. You really need to get over your jealousy."

As time passed, we fought more and more because of Sophie.

Until I brought up breaking up.

Only then did Ethan promise never to secretly meet her again.

But after my death, I learned they had never stopped contacting each other.

Every night he told me he was working late was spent drinking and watching movies with Sophie.

If it weren't for my brother's repeated instructions to take care of Sophie after his death, I would have cut ties with her long ago.

After my brother died, Sophie never remarried.

My parents felt bad that she was widowed at a young age, so they gave her all of my brother's compensation money.

Suddenly wealthy, she quit her job and spent her days eating and drinking with a group of men.

I reminded her many times that we support her dating, but not to get involved with men who already have partners.

But not only did she not listen, she brazenly said, "We're like brothers, so what's wrong with having a meal together? You girls are just too dramatic."

Later, a man's wife came to our door, cursing Sophie as a vixen and saying she sent half-naked photos to her husband under the guise of being a good friend.

After that, Sophie did quiet down for a few days.

But then she shifted all her attention to Ethan.

"Emma, don't be angry. I just scolded Ethan. Don't stoop to his level, okay?"

As soon as I arrived at my new house, I received a call from Sophie.

Usually, I would argue back and have a big fight with her.

But this time, I deliberately said, "It's my bad temper. Sophie, don't be mad, just give the phone to Ethan..."

Before I could finish, she hung up.

Of course, Sophie was afraid my words would be heard by Ethan.

After all, only my unreasonable behavior could highlight her magnanimity.

After setting up the surveillance camera in our new home, I quickly left.

That night, my phone chimed with a notification.

I hurried back to the room, put on my headphones, and opened the app.

There I saw two bodies entangled together.

"Are we doing the right thing by Emma?" Sophie murmured.

The rest of her words were muffled as Ethan silenced her with a kiss.

Confirming they had been intimate, I forced down my nausea and turned off the camera feed.

At that moment, my phone buzzed with a text from Ethan.

[Emma, don't be mad. I'm at the new house and I bought your favorite cake. Come join me!]

Ah yes, in my previous life, I had rushed over at midnight after receiving a similar message.

But what greeted me then was the sight of their naked bodies entwined together.

Could it be...

In the footage, a nude Sophie carefully placed Ethan's phone back where it belonged.

I let out a cold laugh.

It seems my death in the past was no accident after all—it was all thanks to my dear sister-in-law.

With this realization, I called my future mother-in-law.

If Sophie wanted to stir up trouble, I'd be more than happy to add fuel to the fire!

I saw Sophie again three days later at a friend's birthday party.

Even with full makeup, she couldn't hide the bruises under her eyes.

That night, when Ethan's mom arrived at the new house, she found them in the living room, tangled together in a compromising position.

Ethan's mom had witnessed Ethan's dad cheat when she was younger, and without a word, she marched over and started hitting Sophie.

Caught off guard and hurriedly trying to get dressed, Sophie had no chance to fight back.

Even with Ethan trying to shield her, she couldn't escape the beating.

Watching her awkward struggle, I feigned concern and asked, "Sophie, what happened to your face? You didn't... have another run-in, did you?"

My voice wasn't loud, but it caught everyone's attention.

Our friends who knew about Sophie's past quickly turned their gazes toward her.

"No way! She got beat up once and still dares to flirt?" someone whispered.

"Can't she just date someone single instead of going after married men?" another added.

The crowd began to murmur and gossip.

In a panic, Sophie put on sunglasses and protested, "What are you all talking about? I just fell!"

Ethan stepped in to defend her.

"Come on, you're all girls here. Is it really fair to accuse her like this?"

"Let's be real; Sophie is Emma's sister-in-law. Emma hasn't said anything, so why are you so quick to jump in?"

"Could it be... that this injury has something to do with you?"

The girl who spoke up was Jane—Sophie had previously sent her husband nude photos late at night.

I quickly intervened to smooth things over.

"It's my fault! Sophie has been helping me with wedding plans lately and has been spending all her time with Ethan. There's no way she'd be out with anyone else."

"Sophie, you're usually so carefree; you wouldn't take this stuff seriously, right?"

Sophie's face shifted between shades of blue and purple as she finally gritted her teeth and replied, "Of course not! I'm just a tomboy; I don't take things like this to heart!"

Just then, the birthday cake was wheeled in, bringing this little drama to an end.