Chapter 2

On the way, I suddenly got a text from my dad: [Emily, the school is processing the paperwork. You can start in seven days!]

I felt relieved right away, and a smile appeared on my face.

When we got to the hospital, Sophia was waiting at the entrance. I don't know if she really didn't see me or if it was on purpose, but she went straight for the passenger door.

"Mrs. Smith, you came to pick me up too? You're not mad that Mr. Smith came with me to the hospital last night, are you?" The girl's face showed just the right mix of surprise and guilt.

I shook my head and got out of the car to give Sophia the seat.

"Of course not. Being sick is serious. You get carsick easily, so you should take the front seat."

Sophia got into the passenger seat looking surprised, while James looked shocked.

He once promised me that the passenger seat was mine alone, and he would never let another woman sit there.

In all our years of marriage, no one had ever broken that promise.

In my past life, the first time I noticed something was off between them was when I found Sophia's lipstick in the passenger seat.

But this time, I didn't want to make a scene.

I smiled, my expression completely normal.

"I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm afraid I'll get carsick." Then I turned around, hailed a taxi, got in the front seat, and left.

Not long after I got home, James came back too.

When he saw me lying on the couch, he started questioning me angrily. "What was that about, leaving in a separate taxi? Did you have to embarrass Sophia like that?"

"You're still mad about last night, aren't you? But I'm a teacher—is it wrong to care about my student?"

Hearing this, I picked up my water and took a couple of sips, still completely calm. "It's normal for a young girl to be fragile when she's sick. I just wanted you to spend more time alone with her."

My words stopped James in his tracks, then he got even angrier. "Emily, you're finally admitting it! You're just jealous that Sophia is younger than you. She's so innocent, not calculating like you!"

I felt helpless. I was trying to help them be together, but now they weren't happy about it.

"Fine, Emily, I'll let it go this time."

James suddenly got a phone call. I could hear Sophia's sobbing voice on the other end.

"Mr. Smith, I think someone's following me. What should I do? I'm so scared. Should I call the cops?"

He rushed out immediately, and I started packing my things.

Halfway through packing, the police station called.

I heard it but deliberately didn't answer, because I remembered that at this time in my past life,

I was on the operating table being treated for a leg injury, and even though James knew, he chose Sophia again.

In his eyes, helping her get back the $300 her boss had withheld was more important than my life.

That was what made me break down and cause a scene at the school.

James, who was usually so even-tempered, had also ended up at the police station because of her before—because Sophia cried about being harassed by some creep, and he lost his temper.

"Show some respect to women. You have a mother, maybe sisters, maybe even a daughter!"

He beat the guy black and blue, and I was the one who picked him up. I even called him a hero back then. How stupid of me.

So this time I let the phone ring over and over, but never answered.