Chapter 2

"Are you insane? Who told you to buy an eight-dollar cupcake? Do you know how many cartons of eggs eight dollars can buy?!"

A piercing, screeching female voice echoed in my ears. My vision was still a bit blurry.

The voice continued to screech, "You’re spending my son's hard-earned money! You useless spendthrift, I’m going to teach you a lesson!"

I blinked, my mind in a daze, only to realize I was back in my own apartment.

Brenda Miller, my boyfriend’s mother, was glaring at me. Her fleshy face was twisted with rage, and her eyes looked like they wanted to burn me alive.

My hand clenched around the bakery bag, crushing the cupcake inside.

Seeing my reaction, Brenda got even angrier. She raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.

"How dare you glare at me! You bitch, you need to learn some manners!"

"Look at you, ruining a perfectly good cupcake! I’m going to beat some respect into you today!"

Feeling the stinging burn on my cheek, the truth finally sank in. I had really been reborn.

The humiliation and torture of my past life were still fresh in my mind. Looking at the arrogant Brenda in front of me, a dark, raging fire ignited in my chest.

After dating for two years, my boyfriend, Justin Miller, and I graduated from college.

I joined my family's conglomerate to prepare to take over the business. Justin, on the other hand, wanted to start from scratch to build his own empire.

During that time, I secretly funded him with hundreds of thousands of dollars, hoping he would succeed.

Unfortunately, Justin was not business material. After six months of playing CEO, he blew through all the money. He was so broke he couldn’t even afford his rent.

One evening after work, I saw Justin standing by the entrance of my building, dragging a suitcase, looking like a beaten dog.

He looked at me with pitiful, begging eyes. "Chloe, you're the only one who truly cares about me in this city."

He was handsome. Seeing him humble himself and beg me, I couldn't bear to say no. So, I took him upstairs.

How could I have known that the moment Justin stepped into my 3,000-square-foot luxury penthouse, his eyes would gleam with pure greed?

He whipped out his phone and called his parents in their small hometown.

"Mom, Dad! I got a massive penthouse in the city! Come over right now!"

His parents moved fast. The very next day, they showed up at my door with massive bags, happily marching into my apartment. Without even asking, they took over my master bedroom.

Justin moved into the guest room, while I—the actual owner of the apartment—was relegated to the tiny maid's room.

I told Justin this was completely inappropriate, but he just waved his hand impatiently.

"My parents worked hard in the countryside their whole lives. What’s wrong with them wanting to enjoy a little luxury now?"

"Chloe, you said you loved me and my family. Is this how you show it? My parents will be so heartbroken if they hear this."

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