Chapter 1Second Life, Scorched Earth

My mother-in-law made my life hell during my postpartum recovery. Even when I jumped off the roof, she showed no remorse.

Given a second chance at life, I decided I wouldn't tolerate it anymore. I was determined to teach that mother and son a lesson.

* * *

"You couldn't even give me a grandson, so what's wrong with me finding someone else?"

I stood on the rooftop, holding my three-month-old daughter.

The wind howled, carrying my mother-in-law's voice even further.

She'd always been materialistic, blatantly favoring boys over girls, incredibly two-faced – saying one thing to your face and another behind your back.

Before the wedding, she showered me with sweet talk, making me dizzy with promises, convincing me to ignore my parents' objections and marry Jake.

After the wedding, the mask came off, revealing a monster.

My husband, Jake, wasn't the sharp, capable man he'd pretended to be. Quite the opposite – lazy and a total mama's boy. After our daughter was born, he barely visited, letting his mother "take care" of me during my recovery.

When I finally got out of that postpartum haze and went looking for him, I found out he'd secretly bought a house, and there was a pregnant woman living in it.

The postpartum period is rough enough, prone to physical and emotional issues. The constant gloom plunged me into postpartum depression.

So, after that series of blows, I ended up on the rooftop.

I looked at my daughter in my arms and managed a weak smile. Behind me, my mother-in-law was already starting her usual drama queen routine.

Spouting nonsense like, "Our family needs an heir! How dare a woman who can't even produce a son think about ending her life!"

I tuned her out like background noise.

Gently, I stroked my daughter's soft cheek.

Sweet baby girl, maybe in the next life, if we're lucky, you can be Mommy's daughter again.

As I jumped, I turned and saw my parents' faces.

Suddenly, it hit me – I'd lived such a pathetic life, letting everyone down.

If there was a next life...

If I could just start over...