On the eve of New Year's, I secretly invited my best friend's husband to spend the night with me and ring in the new year.

In my previous life, he had always eyed me with a disturbing hunger, even going so far as to steal my underwear from my room.

When I confided in my best friend, her response was far from sympathy.

“My husband is the most honorable man I know,” she snapped. “Even if you stood naked in front of him, he wouldn’t even bat an eye!”

“You're just jealous of me and the man I’ve found. You probably threw your panties in my house to try to seduce him!”

But that New Year’s Eve, it wasn’t just a stolen glance. My best friend’s husband crept into my home and forced himself on me.

I called the police, but his defense was simple and cruel: he claimed I had seduced him.

I tried to explain myself, but my father’s words cut through the air like a sharp blade.

“You’ve always had a knack for flirting with other people’s husbands. Why are you still so shameless?”

My mother’s fury was evident as she stamped her foot, her voice trembling with rage.

“No wonder you kept saying you invited your ‘beloved’ over and told us to leave you alone. So this is what you’ve been up to!”

“Now, after the fact, you’re calling the police? You want to ruin another family and extort money, don’t you?”

With my parents’ harsh words weighing down on me, I was painted as the villain, nothing more than a vengeful seductress.

My best friend, blinded by rage, stormed into my house.

“You disgraceful slut,” she spat. “Not even my husband is safe from you! Today, you’ll see the consequences of stealing what belongs to me!”

With fury in her eyes, she tore off my clothes and dragged me into the street, where her fists became my punishment.

Even as I took my final breath, I couldn’t fathom why my parents, who had always shown me boundless love, would turn their backs on me so completely, accusing me of things I never did.

But when I opened my eyes again, I was back on the eve of New Year’s.

——

“Nancy, it’s almost New Year’s! Your mom went out early this morning to get all your favorite dishes. And when she saw the fireworks stand, she couldn’t resist picking up a few varieties for you. You’re in your twenties, but to your mom, you’ll always be her little girl.”

My father’s arms were laden with bags, his gaze warm and full of affection as he looked at me.

My mother playfully swatted at him, smiling as she spoke, “Nancy will always be my baby. If anyone else has it, we have to get it for her too.”

As I watched this familiar scene unfold, it hit me like a bolt of lightning: I had been reborn.

As I was lost in thought, my mother approached her hand gently, brushing my forehead.

“What's wrong, Nancy? You look so pale. Are you feeling okay?”

Her eyes, brimming with concern, locked with mine, sending a chill down my spine.

I had always been her only child, and my parents were the epitome of doting.

From the moment I was born, they had given me everything I wanted, never once raising their voices in anger.

Even as I grew older, they continued to treat me like a delicate treasure, cradling me in their hands.

Yet, it wasn’t until the betrayal of my past life that I realized the twisted side of the parents who had loved me so dearly.

I steadied myself and met my mother’s gaze, asking with a seriousness that caught her off guard, “Mom, am I really your biological daughter?”

My mother froze, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

Then, as if I had told a funny joke, she laughed, squeezing my hand affectionately.

“You silly child, of course, you’re our daughter.”

She continued, her voice warm with love, “Your father and I tried for years before we were blessed with you. The whole neighborhood knows how much we longed for you.”

My father’s voice took on a serious tone as he added, “Your mom’s health wasn’t great, and it was difficult for her to conceive. When you were born, she lost so much blood, we almost lost her.”

“She cried, begging the doctors to save you, no matter what. She said your life mattered more than hers, and if anything happened to you, she wouldn’t be able to go on.”

“Nancy, all these years, your mother and I have cherished you with everything we have. Why would you ask such a thing now?”

My mom was clearly concerned, her voice filled with hesitation. “Did your dad and I do something to upset you?”

I could see the worry in their eyes, a look that tugged at my heart. I smiled softly, shaking my head, assuring them it was nothing before retreating to my room.

They had always adored me and protected me with everything they had. I didn’t believe for a second they could ever hurt me. But why had they, in my previous life, stood by and helped my best friend’s husband accuse me? What had gone wrong?

As I pondered, something suddenly clicked in my mind.

I grabbed my phone, dialing a number with urgency. “I need you to look into something for me. Do it quickly.”

An hour later, the information came through. My hand trembled as I held the phone, the cold grip of fear settling in. It was exactly what I had feared.

Just then, my best friend posted a message on her social media.

“No rumor or gossip can break my love for you. I firmly believe you are the best.”

Attached was a photo of her and her husband, their hands intertwined, a picture of intimate affection.

I couldn’t help but click “like” quietly.

Then, without a second thought, I opened the chat with my best friend’s husband, Colton Gasper, and sent a simple message.

“Can you ring in the New Year with me tonight?”

Within seconds, Colton replied. “Just the two of us?”

I typed back quickly, my fingers moving with anticipation. “Yes, is that okay?”

For a moment, the message bubble showed “typing,” followed by a few pauses, erasures, and hesitations. Finally, he typed. “I’m coming to pick you up now.”

I didn’t respond but instead turned to my parents, saying softly. “I have something to do; I’ll be back later.”

At the sound of my voice, my dad immediately reached into his wallet, pulled out a card, and handed it to me. “Are you going out to celebrate the New Year with friends? Take this card, spend it as you like, and come back when you’re done having fun.”

My mom chimed in, her voice warm yet teasing. “Yes, young people should go out more.”

“You’re too much of a homebody. You’ve never had a relationship at your age. I’m worried you’ll be too innocent; what if someone tricks you in the future?”

Her words were soft, filled with a mother’s concern, but there was love in her gaze.

I didn’t argue. I simply took the card, flashed them a small smile, and turned to leave.

In the underground parking lot, Colton’s car was already waiting, its headlights cutting through the shadows.

As soon as he spotted me, Colton immediately stepped out of the car, his eyes darting around the parking lot as he asked, “Where’s my wife? Is she with you?”

I gave a casual shrug, playing the part of innocence.

“No, it’s just me.”

Colton studied me, his gaze sharp and full of suspicion.

“Don’t play games with me. You must be here to test my loyalty to my wife.”

“I’m not falling for it.”

He called out to the empty lot, his voice carrying in the quiet night.

“Sweetheart, I know you’re here. I came to pick you up. Hurry up and come out; stop causing trouble.”

I watched him, amused by his guilty actions, and couldn’t help but scoff.

“Stop calling out. I’m not that bored to come out and test you.”

With a slow, deliberate step, I walked toward him, my fingers adjusting his collar as I spoke softly, “I just simply wanted to ask you out.”

Hearing my soft whisper, Colton’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and his voice deepened.

“Really?”

I smiled faintly, meeting his gaze with a hint of mystery in my eyes.

“Of course.”

Our eyes locked in a silent, charged moment.

Colton’s breath grew noticeably heavier, his unease palpable.

“Aren’t you worried my wife might find out?”

He paused, his voice dropping lower.

“Once, a woman merely spoke to me for a while, and my wife beat her so badly, she’s still in the hospital.”

“If she finds out you asked me to ring in the New Year with you... she might kill you.”

Having lived through this in my past life, I knew Colton’s words were true. But instead of stepping back, I leaned in, flashing him a flirtatious glance as I whispered softly, “If neither of us says anything, how would she ever find out?”

Colton visibly relaxed, his hesitation melting away. He scanned me with a glimmer in his eyes before turning and getting into the car.

I offered a small smile and slid into the passenger seat.

Once inside, Colton turned to me with a question.

“Where do you want to celebrate the New Year?”

I met his gaze and responded without hesitation.

“A hotel.”

Colton’s eyes sparkled with excitement at my reply. But just as quickly, he put on an air of seriousness.

“I agreed to come with you for the New Year, but don’t think I’m here for anything else.”

“I’m not that kind of man.”

I couldn’t help but admire Colton’s pretending skills; it was no wonder my best friend trusted him so completely.

But this level of acting wouldn’t fool me.

After all, in my past life, the way he had pounced on me like a wild animal was still etched in my mind.

I raised an eyebrow, a sly smile curling at the corners of my lips as I teased Colton.

“Are you still a man?”

“The mood’s already set, and you’re still hesitating?”

Clearly provoked by my taunt, Colton seemed to lose his composure. His gaze shifted over me like a predator eyeing its prey.

After a beat, he asked, clearly unsure, “Nancy, are you trying to set me up?”

I rolled my eyes, a sarcastic laugh escaping my lips.

“Do you really think I’d go out of my way to set myself up for you?”

“If you’re too scared, just say so. I won’t push.”

With that, I feigned disinterest, turning as if to leave, knowing full well I had him right where I wanted.

This tactic of retreating to advance worked like a charm, instantly making Colton anxious.

He stopped pretending and yanked me back, his voice tense, “Alright, alright, I’ll indulge you this time.”

With that, he revved up the engine and sped toward the hotel.

As we drove, Colton’s phone buzzed relentlessly.

Noticing he was deliberately ignoring it, I casually glanced at the screen and asked, “Why aren’t you picking up?”

Colton turned the phone away with a shrug, “It’s just work. Nothing important.”

I saw that the caller was my best friend.

But I said nothing; instead, I focused on the view outside.

Soon enough, Colton parked in the hotel lot.

As we stepped out, a sharp wind whipped around us.

Colton shivered slightly, and without thinking, I pulled off my scarf, gently draping it around his neck.

“Put this on quickly. Don’t freeze out here.”

The unexpected gesture caught Colton off guard, making him pause for a moment.

Colton stared at me for a moment, his gaze softening before he spoke with gratitude, “You’re really something.”

Before I could even respond, my best friend stormed in, flanked by a group of her friends, all of them glaring at us with fiery eyes.

“Well, well, Nancy,” she sneered, her voice dripping with venom.

“I’ve always known you were after my husband, and now I’ve caught you red-handed!”

“I never thought you’d be this shameless, hiding behind that innocent face.”

“If you’re so desperate, why not just sell yourself? Why cling to someone else’s man?”

“Stealing another woman’s husband, what a victory, huh?”

Their cruel words sliced through the air, and the crowd celebrating nearby quickly took notice.

Whispers spread like wildfire, and soon, the murmurs turned into open condemnation.

“Couldn’t have guessed it. She looks so sweet and innocent, but she’s really just a shameless woman behind closed doors.”