Chapter 2After Rebirth, My Wife and I Parted Ways

The day I reincarnated was the same day I finally confirmed my university application.

Looking at my parents, who were still by my side, I vowed never to get involved with Stella again.

After the SATs, parties were popping up left and right. My friends and I had just finished one when I spotted Stella not far away, laughing and chatting with her own group of friends.

She wore a dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes crinkling when she smiled, making her stand out in the crowd.

"I heard Stella Reed isn't going to college; she's off to New York to be a singer!"

"Wow, is that what they call 'chasing your dream' these days? If she becomes a big star, shouldn't we get a few signed photos now, for future value?"

"Alex, aren't you and Stella childhood friends? You must know about her going to New York, right?"

My friend nudged me, and my gaze happened to cross the crowd, meeting Stella's as she casually turned her head.

Her eyes landed on me, freezing for a moment, a complex, unreadable light flashing within them.

Just that one look, and I knew: Stella had also reincarnated.

"I don't know. I have something to do; I'm heading back."

I turned away without a trace of lingering emotion. If she wanted to go to New York, let her. What did her life have to do with me?

As the day of Stella's departure approached, I playfully told my parents I missed Grandma and wanted them to come visit her with me.

My parents, who always doted on me, packed our bags without a second thought and took me out the door.

Just then, Monica Reed, Stella's mom, opened her door and looked surprised to see us leaving.

"Going somewhere?"

My dad chuckled, "Alex misses his grandma. We're staying a few days."

Monica smiled and nodded, watching us leave.

I pretended to be nonchalant, but inside, I clenched my fists tight, not letting my emotions show.

It was laughable that in my previous life, I believed Monica truly cared about me. Only later did I realize her motives were never pure from the start.

She'd had her eyes on our house for a long time, which was why she worked so hard to push Stella and me together after my parents died.

Back then, without my parents, I cried constantly. Gentle, good-tempered Monica took care of me daily, making me drop all my guard.

Plus, I liked Stella, so I naturally agreed.

Who would have thought they had been prepared from the very beginning?

I took a deep breath, hiding the slight tremor caused by my anger, and cheerfully talked to my parents about Grandma's new pony, though from the corner of my eye, I saw Stella's hurried footsteps.

Stella must have realized I'd also reincarnated, so her plan to leave home and chase her dream had to be moved up.