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.”

“Exactly, seducing your best friend’s husband, this is beyond shameless!”

“Some people just love to steal what isn’t theirs. It’s repulsive!”

“Someone like you, willing to be the other woman, deserves to be beaten into submission!”

The insults flew at me like arrows, but I remained unmoved.

My best friend approached, fury in her eyes as she spat, “Last time, I accused you of deliberately leaving your underwear at my house to tempt my husband. You denied it then.”

“Well, now we have the proof. What do you have to say for yourself?”

I met her gaze, shrugging indifferently.

“I have nothing to say.”

Seeing that I was still unfazed, my best friend’s anger flared. She grabbed my hair, her voice seething, “You slut, you steal another woman’s husband and act like it doesn’t bother you, huh?”

“Today, I’ll teach you the price of stealing my man!”

Her hand lifted, ready to strike, but before she could make contact, a voice rang out,

“Stop! Let go of my daughter!”

I turned toward the voice, and my heart skipped as I saw my parents rushing toward us, their faces a mix of concern and authority.

As soon as they arrived, my father, like a knight defending his kingdom, seized my best friend’s wrist with unwavering strength, his voice steady and commanding. “My daughter has always been respectful and virtuous; she would never stoop to such lows.”

“There must be some misunderstanding here.”

My mother, fierce as a lioness protecting her cub, enveloped me in her arms, her voice thick with emotion.

“Yes, I can’t believe my daughter would ever do something like that!”

“You must have misunderstood her!”

Her gaze turned to me, desperate and urgent, “Nancy, you need to explain to Samarah Vespertine. This isn’t like you. There’s a misunderstanding, isn’t there?”

I remained composed, unaffected by the storm around me, my words calm and unwavering.

“There’s no misunderstanding. I pursued her husband, and I don’t regret it.”

My best friend scoffed, her eyes narrowing with a cold sneer, “Did you hear that? She’s admitting it; she tried to seduce my husband!”

“She dares to take what’s mine? Today, I’ll make sure she pays the price!”

With a swift movement, she yanked a dagger from her bag and lunged at me, fury written all over her face.

Seeing this, my mother acted without hesitation, grabbing my best friend’s arm before kneeling in front of her, her voice trembling with desperation.

“Samarah, Nancy is not the person you think she is. There’s been some kind of misunderstanding.”

“Give me just one day, and I will make sure this is cleared up.”

“If you’re truly angry, come at me. Take my life if you must, but please don’t hurt my daughter.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she pleaded, her words carrying the weight of a mother’s love, a love that would sacrifice anything for her child.

The sight of her, so vulnerable yet filled with fierce protection, stirred something in the crowd around us.

“Though the daughter might be a handful, it’s clear her mother has a heart of gold.”

“Unmatched, the love a mother has for her child. A woman who’d offer her life to protect her daughter is truly rare.”

“This mistress is lucky to have a mother who loves her so deeply.”

Even my best friend’s friends couldn’t help but exchange looks, some whispering.

“I’d heard rumors about Nancy’s mother, but seeing this, she truly would lay down her life for her daughter.”

It was then I noticed that even Samarah, in her rage, was visibly shaken by my mother’s selfless plea.

Samarah’s gaze lingered on my mother for a long moment, her cold eyes scanning every inch of her before she slowly put the dagger back into her bag.

With a calculated calmness, she turned to me, her voice icy. “Nancy, I’m letting you off today, just for your mother’s sake.”

“But I’m giving you one day. Tomorrow, you’d better—”

Before she could finish, I acted in a split second, pulling a brick from my bag and slamming it into my mother’s head with a sickening crack.

Blood exploded from her skull, the horrifying sound echoing through the silence.

She crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll, lifeless, her body a tragic heap of defeat.