And then he'd collect a massive payout.
My blood froze in my veins, then surged hot with rage the very next second.
I remembered so clearly—in my final moments of my past life, Brent had his arm around his new girlfriend.
He looked down at me crumpled on the floor like I was garbage, mocking me, saying my parents and I deserved to die.
"All you had to do was pay me the $90,000 and spread your legs so I could have a taste. But no, you had to play innocent and fight back."
"You got your parents killed and ended up branded a lunatic and attempted murderer."
He laughed. There wasn't a shred of pity in his eyes—only smug satisfaction.
"All it took was a little maneuvering, and everything your parents owned became mine. I'll be living large off their money for the rest of my life."
"Hahaha, Miranda Vance—I really should thank you."
"Don't worry. After you're dead, I'll burn a couple extra paper offerings for you."
In that moment, despair swallowed me whole. Hatred coiled around my heart so tight I couldn't breathe.
It should have been a joyous New Year, a time for family reunions and celebration.
Instead, my family was destroyed. I died with my eyes open, drowning in grief and rage.