"She's always telling us how devoted and thoughtful you are. If she's with you, if you two can keep each other company, we'll have peace of mind."
Every word out of their mouths sounded so sincere.
The relatives and friends around us echoed them, piling on the pressure.
My daughter, Caroline Gray, looked up at me with helpless, uncertain eyes.
The scene was identical. Every detail, every line. That was when I knew—I had been reborn.
But only I knew the truth.
Kay Perry and the rest of them were performing. Every tear, every plea was calculated. They wanted to chain me here with guilt and obligation.
In my last life, I'd stayed because of the love I'd shared with Reg Gray for all those years.
They'd worn me down, and I'd given in.
It wasn't long before Kay's breast cancer worsened.
I'd believed Matthew would actually cover the medical expenses like he'd promised.
When I went to him, he fed me excuses.
"Jeanette, work hasn't been going well for me lately. Leila got laid off. We just can't swing it right now."
The monthly salary he'd promised. The medical bills he'd sworn to handle. None of it ever materialized.
I had no other options, and I couldn't just stand by while Kay suffered.