This time, even if it costs me everything, I will protect my daughter.

After staying with her for a while, I went to the nurses' station and hired a senior caregiver with fifteen years of pediatric nursing experience.

I gave her strict instructions—she was not to leave my daughter's side for even a moment.

In my previous life, I didn't learn the truth until after Nora was gone.

The reason she'd had that accident, the skin abrasion that led to the infection—it was because Elijah had devoted all his attention to his precious first love and her son.

He'd promised to watch over our daughter, but his negligence had been criminal.

She could have held on longer. She should have had more time.

He was the one truly responsible for her death.

With Nora properly cared for now, some of the weight lifted from my chest.

It was time to make my next move.

By the time I got home, darkness had fallen.

Elijah sat on the couch, his expression sour, his tone dripping with passive aggression.

"Oh, so you do remember where you live? I thought you'd abandoned this family entirely."

Caroline Lambert was there too. The moment I walked in, she rolled her eyes with theatrical disdain.

I ignored them both and headed toward the bedroom to grab a change of clothes.

But Elijah stood and blocked my path.

"Cassandra. Your mother's gold jewelry—where is it? It's gone."

I stopped mid-step and let shock flood my face. "How would you know it's gone?"

He faltered, his gaze sliding away. "I went to the old family house today to clean up. The box was empty."

"Where did you put it? Nora's surgery requires money urgently. I was going to discuss selling the jewelry to help cover the costs..."

As if. In my last life, he'd stolen that gold to shower gifts on Anita Pruitt.

This time, when he couldn't find it, he'd panicked.

I let out a cold laugh, cutting him off. "Selling gold won't cover it anyway. If you're serious about raising funds, sell your car."

"Absolutely not!" Elijah shot to his feet. "I need that car for work! It's how I make money!"

That's when Caroline chimed in.

"If you ask me, that money-pit of a girl isn't worth treating at all. Even if she recovers, she'll just be a burden. Better to let her go peacefully and try for another child."

She'd said the exact same thing after Nora died in my previous life.

Back then, I'd been drowning in grief, too shattered to respond.

This time, I wanted to tear her apart with my bare hands.

But I reminded myself: if I want these people to pay, I have to endure.

I forced a hollow smile. "Mother, Nora is your own granddaughter."

"So what if she is?" Caroline spat out a sunflower seed shell. "A sick child is just a debt collector from a past life! Look at what you and that girl have done to my son—dragged him down until he's a shadow of himself!"

Elijah stood beside her in silence, clearly endorsing every word.

I looked at the two of them and, strangely, found myself smiling.

"Actually, the money issue is already resolved."

Both of them turned to stare at me.

"I won the lottery." I kept my voice light, almost bored. "A scratch-off ticket. Fifty million dollars."

The living room went deathly still.

A few seconds later, Elijah lunged toward me. "Are you serious?! Where's the ticket? Let me see it!"

I didn't show him the original. I only let him see the photo on my phone.

His eyes practically pressed against the screen, his breathing growing ragged.

Caroline crowded in beside him, and for the first time, something resembling a smile cracked across her pinched face.

When I mentioned I'd be claiming the prize alone, Elijah's panic was immediate.

"That's out of the question! A sum that large—I'm coming with you."

His eyes gleamed with naked greed. "Besides, I've been thinking about upgrading to a G-Wagon..."

I cut him off.

"No need. Our prenuptial agreement is very clear—we keep separate finances. This prize money is my personal property. It has nothing to do with you."

Elijah's expression curdled.

That agreement? He was the one who'd insisted on signing it.

He'd said that since we were equals, going fifty-fifty was only fair—it would prevent money disputes down the road.

Now I understood. He'd only been protecting his assets from me.

That night, I pretended to fall asleep early.

Elijah tore through the apartment, hunting for that scratch-off ticket.

I'd anticipated his greed. The ticket was already hidden somewhere he'd never think to look.

When he came up empty, he retreated to the balcony and called Anita.

His voice drifted through the glass, fragmented but clear enough:

"That's right—fifty million! Once the money hits the account, I'll have Gideon extend Hayden's life! Fifty more years this time! And if that's not enough, we'll add more!"

"Nora? Who cares about her. Even if she recovers, she'll just be a sickly burden. Better she dies and reincarnates sooner—spare everyone the suffering!"

"If Cassandra hadn't been so easy to manipulate, you think I would've married her? Anita, you know the truth. You're the only one in my heart..."

I trembled beneath the covers. Even a tiger won't devour its own cubs. But Elijah? He was worse than an animal.

No matter. Judgment was coming for both of them.

On the day I claimed the prize, Elijah insisted on tagging along. He was more excited than I was.

When the winnings hit my account, his eyes practically glowed.

The lottery official smiled at me. "Ms. Salazar, would you be interested in making a donation? We partner with several charitable organizations—"

I didn't hesitate. "Five million. I want to establish the Butterfly Children Relief Fund."

Children like my daughter deserved a fighting chance.

Elijah's face went dark. "Are you insane? That's five million dollars!"

I didn't spare him a glance. "Five million it is. It's my money. I'll spend it however I want."

His jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grind. But with reporters hovering nearby for interviews, he couldn't make a scene.

After the cameras left, Elijah offered to carry my bag—and slipped my bank card into his pocket when he thought I wasn't looking.

Moments later, his phone rang. He feigned urgency.

"Cassie, something came up at the office. I need to handle it—can't drive you home..."

I knew exactly where he was going. I played dumb.

"Sure. Be careful."

What Elijah didn't know? I'd already swapped that card with one of his own forgotten ones.

The two cards were nearly identical. Without close inspection, impossible to tell apart.

But his old card had been abandoned years ago. Not a cent left in it.

Let's see him extend his precious Anita's son's life with an empty account.

The moment his car pulled away, I activated the hidden camera I'd planted in his jacket.

He didn't go to the office. He drove straight to Anita's place.

Her son lay in bed, face ashen, breath barely stirring.

Gideon was already there, arranging strange ritual implements.

The instant Elijah walked in, Anita threw herself into his arms, eyes rimmed red.

"Eli, you're finally here!"

"Hayden's gotten worse. The doctors say he might only have days..."

"Don't panic. I brought the money, didn't I?"

Elijah pulled her close and produced the bank card with a flourish.

"This time, I'm buying Hayden fifty more years!"

Gideon took the card, examining it carefully. "You're certain the balance is sufficient? Fifty years requires an enormous price. If the funds fall short... there will be a backlash."

Elijah cut him off. "I'm certain! I watched forty-five million land in that account with my own eyes! Just start already!"

Gideon asked no more questions. He began preparing the ritual.

Seven oil lamps flickered to life around Hayden's bed. Ancient words spilled from Gideon's lips.

On my screen, Elijah watched the boy with desperate intensity.

Anita knelt beside the bed, clutching her son's hand, murmuring prayers under her breath.

As the ritual reached its peak, Gideon bellowed an incantation.

The burning talismans and incense ash suddenly surged toward Elijah.

He flinched but didn't dare move.

A moment later, an eerie white light rose from his body, drifting slowly toward Hayden on the bed.

Color flooded back into the boy's cheeks at a visible pace. His breathing steadied, grew stronger.

"It worked!" Anita sobbed with joy.

Elijah exhaled in relief, turning to her with a smile.

"See, Anita? I keep my promises. Hayden will grow up healthy now, and we can finally—"

The words died in his throat.

Anita's face had gone white with horror. Her hand trembled as she pointed at him.

"Elijah, you..."

"What? What's wrong with me?"

She scrambled across the floor, snatched up a mirror, and shoved it in front of his face.

Through the surveillance feed, I watched him see his reflection—and heard the inhuman scream that tore from his throat.