I didn’t expect my parents to support me this much. Emotion welled up again, and I nodded, tears spilling over.
I hugged Mom tightly, soaking in her warmth.
We stayed in the countryside for half a month, and I noticeably got a bit more tan.
Before moving, we had to stay in the old house for a while. Just as we arrived, Aunt Vera opened her door, her eyes red from crying, with traces of bitterness she couldn’t hide.
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“Why didn’t you answer my calls?” Aunt Vera demanded, her expression somewhat twisted.
“Why didn’t you come back to help me find Caspian?” she suddenly shouted. My parents were startled, clearly not expecting her outburst.
I, however, looked at her coldly. After being her daughter–in–law for over twenty years, I knew better than anyone her talent for acting and twisting facts.
Mom wanted to speak up but I tugged at her sleeve.
“Let’s go inside. It’s unnecessary”
Mom hugged me, glaring at Aunt Vera, but she couldn’t resist leaving a parting shot: “You can’t manage your own son, and you expect Celeste to help you? What does Celeste have to do with your son’s actions? You’ve got the wrong person, I’m telling you!”
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Once inside, Dad immediately contacted a friend and scheduled house viewings for the afternoon. If all went well, we might move the next day.
Mom and I sat on the couch, and she gently stroked my hair. “It’s okay, it’s okay. We’ll soon be far away from them.”
I nestled into Mom’s embrace, murmuring a soft “mm.”
The house–hunting and moving process went faster than I expected. Even faster was the arrival of my acceptance letter.
This time there was no Caspian, no car accident. I happily went to pick up my acceptance letter from school.
1:04
<
When I got home, my parents were still discussing how much allowance to give me. I laughed with them, feeling incredibly happy.
But occasionally, I still dreamt of my past life. I remembered how I barely managed to support a family with my meager savings, enduring my in–laws‘ complaints, my children’s lack of understanding, and Caspian’s constant arguing. Those years were tough.
Thankfully, I’m starting anew.
I soon began the new school year. Standing on campus with my parents, they were happy about my decision to change majors.
In the previous life, I had just finished my parents‘ funeral at this time, then went with Caspian to that second–tier college in the suburbs. When people asked about our relationship, Caspian would instinctively keep some distance and force an awkward smile.
He’d say I was just a classmate, even though we were already engaged.
I shook my head, pushing away those unnecessary thoughts, and went with my parents to the registration area.
The new school marked a fresh start. After my parents reluctantly left, I quickly adapted to the new environment. Everything around me felt incredibly precious.
In the previous life, I couldn’t continue my studies because of family responsibilities. Now that I had the chance, I was more excited than
anyone.
When I returned home for winter break, I brought gifts for my parents with the scholarship money and writing fees I earned. Their eyes sparkled with joy, constantly praising me as their precious little angel.
That night, my parents teamed up to make a feast. At the dinner table, we chatted about recent events until Mom casually mentioned she saw Aunt Vera a couple of days ago.
“She and Uncle Heath went to the market to sell vegetables. After they were laid off, they barely got by on welfare…”
Mom sighed. “I heard Caspian signed with some company in New York. His training fees cost thousands a month and don’t cover living expenses. If he succeeds, that’s fine, but if not…”
I lowered my head to pick at my food, inwardly mocking.
Caspian won’t succeed. That’s not just me hoping.
He’s always been the type to show off. Right after signing with some shady company, he bragged about it on social media.
But he paid no attention to the company’s name.
Moonlight Entertainment was a small scam company that went bust in the previous life.
They tricked aspiring trainees, charging them fees for classes, and then sold them to another shady, unregulated company.
Those trainees had a rough time, spending tens of thousands without any performance opportunities or learning anything, only to be sent to another pit.
I heard only one trainee escaped, a rich kid whose family spent over a million on termination fees to gain freedom.
Caspian didn’t know because, at the time, he was indulging in the new college life, joining clubs left and right, completely forgetting his once unwavering dream.
He only remembered his dreams when we argued, blaming me.
Mom didn’t dwell on it. She quickly moved on to more amusing topics and shared a good laugh with Dad. I joined in, smiling with them.
After moving, I thought I wouldn’t see the Parker family again. But the next day, while meeting a friend and passing by a store, Aunt Vera caught me.
She looked more haggard than before, even though she had always taken good care of herself, and now she had a sickly aura.
Since my friend hadn’t arrived yet and I was alone, Aunt Vera seemed pleased. She grabbed my arm and started going on and on, mostly
