After Seven Years, Rebirth Taught Me One Thing I’d Burn the Money Before Giving It to Her Again

I had been backing Emma for seven years and my feelings for her matched that duration she finally agreed to be with me but later I discovered she was into her Childhood Buddy she grew up with she had always despised me thinking I embarrassed her by showering her with money for a decade after we tied the knot she was ice cold towards me and eventually she just moved out to live with her old friend I was left solo watching over an empty house and ended up passing away in hopelessness after I got a second chance going

back to the day I chose to support her Emma's childhood friend stood in front of her and yelled at me you think you're so awesome just cuz you've got money we don't need your charity I chuckled you've got it twisted I wouldn't back you even if I had to burn cash Jake you think you're something just cuz you've got some damn money think having money makes you special we don't need it as I glanced at Liam who was guarding Emma I felt a bit lost my eyes met Emma's she was 20 still carrying a touch

of Innocence wearing a worn out linen dress she was stunning tall and slim with porcelain skin and her eyes sparkled like stars making even the tattered dress look classy I couldn't help but step back grabbing the table to steady myself how long since I saw Emma like this 10 20 years it felt like ages from my past life Emma was slightly startled when I recoiled Liam kept talking but I couldn't hear a thing everything before me was exactly as it had been in my last life she didn't want my support but I kept pushing to

help her I'd loved Emma for seven years and knew her family was struggling her dad was a hopeless Gambler who would drink himself out after losing all his cash then come home and beat her and her mom her mother couldn't handle the abuse and eventually took her own life by drowning Emma had been hustling collecting trash and juggling odd jobs since she was a kid relying on scholarships to get through school I on the flip side grew up in a wealthy family we shouldn't have crossed paths but she was always a top student so our

private high school aiming for higher graduation rates gave her a scholarship and we ended up at the same school back then our Circle was filled with spoiled rich kids who weren't into studying spending their days waiting to go abroad get degrees and come back to run their family businesses only Emma was different she had clear goals studied hard in class and worked after school despite having no cash she never saw it as something to be ashamed of always dignified and tough she was unique like a beautiful resilient Wild Orchid in a greenhouse totally out of

place among the decadent flowers around her that's when I fell for her I loved her so much I couldn't stand seeing her suffer back then I was young and clueless always thinking I knew what was best for her she had to work nights and couldn't make it to breakfast so I'd bring her lunch from home Emma the wagu beef my family's Chef makes is topnotch you got to try it and the fuagra my dad had it flown in specially it's bomb I was an only child spoiled with every Comfort their over-the-top pampering had left me

clueless I just wanted to give her the best completely ignoring whether she wanted it or not our classmates would tease Jake what does she know about fagra she probably can't even afford chicken liver I'd snap back mind your own damn business I didn't notice Emma's fingers turn white as she gripped the lunch boox tight after a moment she handed it back and coldly said thanks for the offer but no thanks don't be like that Emma a girl winked at her if you get with Jake you'll never have to work again just take the chance yeah

then your dad can gamble as much as he wants and won't have to touch your tuition money anymore hahaa everyone burst into laughter I slammed the table and stood up shut the hell up they stopped laughing but Emma suddenly stood and walked out I chased after her trying to give her The Lunchbox Emma don't listen to them just eat the food or you'll be too wiped out after working tonight she stopped and suddenly turned around I froze her eyes were full of hate and disgust teenagers have terrible memories I quickly forgot that moment and kept

pursuing Emma for her I even started studying seriously and ended up at the same University my dad was thrilled and doubled my allowance College made Emma even busier her scholarship got rejected and the poverty Grant went to a classmate with connections at her lowest she could only afford a single bun from the cafeteria each day filling up on free soup I couldn't watch her struggle and offered to support her but she refused she worked three jobs a day and eventually collapsed on the street from exhaustion I couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her insisting on

giving her money Emma why won't you take my money what are you trying to prove by working yourself to death I went to her class advisor and forcibly paid her tuition by then I had matured a bit and knew to respect her Pride so when we ate I always pulled her along and pretended I couldn't finish my food asking her to share it with me when we went out I'd claim I'd got free tickets and insisted she'd come along gradually it seemed like Emma and I were getting closer I supported her until graduation even backing

her childhood friend Liam to make her happy after graduation Emma started her own business she had always been an outstanding student and during school she developed stock trading software with her friends they faced countless rejections and couldn't secure any Investments I couldn't stand seeing her so down so I asked my dad to invest in her company I remember that night Emma was unusually quiet as I held her almost drifting off she suddenly spoke Jake why do you do all this at the time I thought she was asking why I was so good to her so

I confidently replied because I like you Emma do you like me I held her hand I've been so good to you if you don't be with me it'd be really ungrateful I was just kidding but Emma didn't say anything and I thought she agreed by default so we got together two years later Emma and I got married the wedding was simple Emma said she didn't like crowds so we only invited a few close family and friends they were all my relatives and friends on her side she was the only one Emma stayed distant even after

we married I was foolish back then thinking it was just her nature believing that if I kept being good to her I'd eventually melt her heart even if it was made of stone but I didn't expect her heart could never be warmed because it had always belonged to someone else in the third year of our marriage our conflicts became irreconcilable I couldn't stand her coldness day after day and confronted her asking if she still loved her childhood friend she just stared at me coldly without saying a a word when I pushed tooo hard she simply

slammed the door and left her coldness drove me to Madness and Obsession every time she came back I'd confront her argue and in our worst fights I'd lose control and say if I had known you were such an ungrateful wretch I'd have raised a dog Instead at least it would wag its tail at me for a moment her expression showed anger but she quickly calmed down after that day she stopped coming home all together I later found out she had been with her childhood friend all along they built a new home together and she was

even pregnant with his child those years she lived a happy and fulfilled life outside while I was left alone in an empty house my once overflowing love had turned into poison filled with hate Emma became successful in her business richer than my father I had nothing left to use against her the only thing I had was our marriage I bet my life on Revenge I refused to divorce her no matter how much money she offered she had destroyed me and I would never let her live peacefully the men she loved would always be nothing more

than shadowy third parties the child she had with him would always be an illegitimate child born in the shadows Emma didn't dare take me to court fearing a public divorce would tank her company's stock price and the other board members wouldn't agree to it so we dragged it out for 10 years during those years no matter how hysterical or crazy I got even when I eventually softened and begged her she never wavered never came back to see me I wasted away day by day in despair growing weaker as I fell ill in the end I

died in misery I snapped back to reality and looked at Emma beside me an overwhelming hatred surged through me making my heart feel like it was about to explode for a moment I could barely stand after I died she must have finally gotten what she wanted perhaps the way she treated me was meant to speed up my death I still remember how my medication was suddenly switched before I died when I asked the butler he simply said it was a milder drug I didn't suspect anything but not long after taking that medication my health started

to deteriorate rapidly until I couldn't even sit up anymore it wasn't long before I breathed my last it was her wasn't it who else could it have been she hated me so much enough to want me dead immediately she wanted to marry Liam how cruel she was I looked at Emma forcibly suppressing the urge to Lunge at her and end her life right then and there I was filled with such hatred I believe that aside from being too young and not knowing how to protect her Pride I had never done anything wrong to Emma I

didn't even force her into marriage I had even asked her if she wanted to marry me and if she didn't I would have waited and yet she hated me this much Liam just like in my previous life shouted at me Jake you think you're so great just cuz you've got money what gives you the right to insult people like this hated me this much Liam just like in my past life shouted at me Jake you think you're so great just cuz you've got money what gives you the right to insult people like this take your

filthy money and get lost I looked at him Liam wasn't badl looking he just appeared a bit shabby in his worn out sportsare staring at me with agitation this was the guy Emma loved the one she'd rather kill me to be with it was the same in my past life Emma and I were having a decent conversation when I suggested she could pay back my tuition fees after she started earning treating it like alone but Liam suddenly accused me of throwing money at her claiming I was humiliating Emma it was only later during my arguments

with Emma that I slowly realized she had always thought I was throwing money at her humiliating her I suddenly found it all quite laughable looking at Liam's protective stance I smirked you've got it all wrong I wouldn't back you to even if I had to burn the money Emma's expression changed drastically Liam's face went blank for a moment what did you say I smiled h you think my support is an insult to you don't you we're classmates how could I insult you like that if that's how you feel then forget it you too can keep

doing your jobs Liam's family situation was similar to Emma's his dad had fled with debts leaving his mom to work herself sick to support his education and now she was bedridden at home maybe because of their similar backgrounds he and Emma had always been close and he was always around her he often liked to tag along whenever Emma and I went out sometimes when I was reluctant he'd confront me in front of Emma Jake are you avoiding me cuz I'm poor don't you want to be friends with me before I could respond Emma would link

arms with him and say seriously if you think we're not good enough then we won't go I had no choice but to take him along during meals he'd stare at the Lobster on his plate and say do you eat this well every day we really do live in different worlds don't we several times just when Emma and I were having a good conversation he'd suddenly drop something like that and Emma's smile would fade stopping her from talking to me at first I thought he was just being thoughtless but later once when Emma and I were

walking together I turned back to say something to him and caught the look in his eyes Liam's face was expressionless but his eyes were full of malice and hatred when he saw me turn around he was caught off guard and quickly forced to smile but all I felt was a chill down my spine it was then I realized he despised me or rather he hated me actually right after Emma and I got married there was a brief period of Harmony her company was starting to take off and she secured her first big contract after the

celebration she drunkenly wrapped her arms around me smiling as she said honey what do you like your wife will buy it for you I felt sorry for her knowing how hard it was for her to earn money so I held her content there's no need your company is just getting started and you need the money I'm happy just knowing you care but she wouldn't let it go hanging onto my neck and pouting my husband should spend the money I earn I'll buy you a car what kind of car do you like even as she fell

asleep she was still murmuring Jake I have money now you don't have to compromise with me or suffer with me anymore sure enough the next day she bought me a car but before I could even respond Liam showed up he looked at the car keys in my hand with a strange expression then he suddenly snatched the keys from me smiling at Emma as he said oh I remember Jake had a car like this when he was in college A friend gave it to him right he used to complain that it was too cheap to drive

around whether that was true or not I had long forgotten but Emma's expression immediately darkened she took the keys from him without a word and left after that she started to grow distant from me the next time I saw the car it was Liam driving it with a smile playing on his lips he pretended to be nonchalant as he said Jake Emma gave me the car you're not upset are you of course I demanded that he return the car to me a flash of resentment crossed his face as he loudly asked you have so many

cars why do you have to fight me for this one you have so much much and I only have this one Emma angrily pulled me away let go if you didn't want it why fight him for it or do you just like competing for things at the time I was too proud to take such an insult and we ended up having a huge argument that didn't end well it wasn't until later that I understood Liam wasn't talking about the car he was talking about Emma he thought I had taken her away from him that's why

he hated me so much Emma suddenly grabbed my arm in a panic p as if realizing something was terribly wrong wait I turned back only to be momentarily stunned by the look on her face there was intense turmoil in her eyes as if something deep inside her was about to break free even her voice trembled slightly Jake why aren't you supporting me anymore don't you like me anymore her sudden desperation shocked me what was wrong with Emma had she lost her mind or was she angry about how I spoke to Liam but in my previous

life at this point I hadn't even won her over yet she had always been cold and indifferent to me never showing any warmth had she gone mad I tried to shake her off let go but she only held on tighter her eyes even rening slightly Jake don't you like me anymore are you abandoning me this time I was genuinely scared when had Emma ever said something like this to me I widened my eyes in disbelief em have you lost your mind or are you possessed but she didn't answer just stared at me intensely her gaze

was filled with Obsession and Madness my temper flared up she had treated me so horribly in my past life and now she dared to glare at me like this didn't you think my support was humiliating you Emma or are you just shamelessly waiting for me to beg you to live off me Liam opened his mouth clearly not expecting me to speak to this way of course in my previous life this was when I was most infatuated with her I had been careful with every word afraid of hurting her Pride but now I didn't care at

all Emma who do you think you are I sneered ungrateful and treacherous I wondered how I could have ever fallen for someone like her but instead of getting angry Emma's face drained of color leaving her deathly pale I yanked my hand away from her grip and left without looking back the card I'd given Emma had 200,000 ween on it it was enough to cover her tuition and living expenses I took the card and spent the money myself instead if giving her the money only led to trouble I might as well buy myself a new watch

at least it would tell me the time in my previous life apart from that one car Emma never gave me anything birthdays anniversaries holidays I always carefully picked out gifts for her but she never seemed to remember or maybe she just didn't care meanwhile Liam had turned into a rich Playboy overnight he spent Emma's money on everything cars watches clothes spending hundreds of thousands at a time every time he bought something new he'd flaunt it in front of me Jake Emma got this for me from Paris what did she get you he'd smirk nothing I

bet and then and I would have a huge fight making our relationship even worse Looking Back Now I wonder why I ever cared so much about what she gave me I could buy anything I wanted myself so I added another 100,000 to the 200,000 and bought myself of vodka and Constantine as I got off the bus back to school I unexpectedly ran into Liam and Emma when Liam saw the new watch on my wrist his expression changed filled with barely concealed hatred and jealousy at this point Emma was still dirt poor and so was he

the sweatpants he was wearing were fraying at the edges even though he' tried to trim the loose threads and iron them flat but anyone could tell at a glance that they were cheap clothes bought from a roadside stall Jake you really are rich he stared intently at my wrist a vason Constantine that's really expensive just one watch costs more than our tuition for several years he leaned close to Emma saying deliberately we really do live in different worlds don't we in the past whenever he said something like this I would always try to explain but

my words usually made Emma even more unhappy now I couldn't care less I smiled slightly looks like you're not just poor you're also not very bright took you this long to figure it out my family lives in a 500 met Villa in the city center you live in a 30 met rundown apartment on the outskirts of course we're not from the same world Liam's face turned green and his features Twisted momentarily I walked up to him and spoke slowly enunciating each word Liam you'll never be part of my world you can die of jealousy if

you like Emma quickly tried to play the victim with Liam I scoffed what else can you do besides cling to a woman you're like a cockroach in the gutter no need to hunt for Emma you two are equally disgust disgusting like peas in a pod after cursing out those two scumbags I went home feeling pretty satisfied it wasn't that I didn't want revenge on them I still remembered how they drugged me in my past life but for one the drugging hadn't happened yet in this life so I had no evidence and two I wasn't about

to waste my life on trash like them the torment of my previous life was painful enough in this life I just wanted to stay away from those too whether they thrived or suffered it had nothing to do with me anymore I wanted a fresh start however even though I wanted to stay away they seemed determined to haunt me a few days later a friend came to find me grinning as he delivered the news you didn't support Emma and Liam so now they're in a real mess they can't even afford their tuition I heard Emma's been

working herself to the Bone and the other day Liam wanted to buy new pants but even after trying to pay with WeChat alipay and his card he couldn't scrape together the 81 he had to sell that iPhone you bought him just to barely cover his tuition it took me a moment to remember that in my past life before this point I had noticed Emma's phone was outdated so I bought her the latest iPhone 14 pro Max however the very next day I saw that phone in Liam's hand I lowered my eyes and mocked is that

so they really are broke I hadn't walked more than a few steps before Liam blocked my path he was visibly agitated grabbing me with indignation Jake why aren't you supporting Emma anymore do you realize her GPA is the highest in her major if she can't continue because of tuition can you live with that at first I was stunned then I couldn't help but laugh in my past life I eventually figured out what kind of people they really were they wanted someone else's money but didn't want to swallow their pride they'd take the food Bo off

your plate and then curse you for giving it to them the epitome of shamelessness whether she's top of her class or not has nothing to do with me I Shrugged I'm not her father how can you say that some classmates who knew us gathered around and Liam emboldened pointed at me as if I were some sort of villain you've got a watch that's worth more than our tuition for years what's the big deal about supporting us or are you just so selfish that you'd rather waste your money than help someone in need he probably thought

everyone was like Emma easily swayed by his Shameless arguments before I could respond my friend spoke up his family's wealth was on par with mine but he had a much shorter fuse he sneered at Liam what mental institution left its doors unlocked and let you out you idiot if you need money go beg for it or better yet sell yourself even though you're ugly someone might pay 80 win each time do it 10 times for 800 e and after a 100 times you'll have enough for tuition you've got arms legs and a brain why the

hell are you begging other people for money is everyone supposed to be your dad Liam who was used to being sneaky and passive aggressive was stunned into Silence by such a direct confrontation other classmates chimed in yeah if you're broke apply for financial aid you can't just go around demanding money with that attitude Shameless no wonder you're broke Liam took a step back his eyes wide with disbelief I sneered I often treated my classmates to meals and outings so naturally they sided with me looking back what did Liam have besides Emma he couldn't beat me

in anything if I hadn't been so obsessed with Emma in my past life someone like him wouldn't have even crossed my path just then Emma appeared Liam hurried over to her ready to play the victim I just asked Jake to support you he has enough money to buy all these watches but he won't help you I don't know what I did to offend him but he insulted me terribly Jake immediately changed his tone speaking softly I know you look down on me but I'm only thinking of Emma she's so talented I felt a wave of

disgust Liam was like a leech he didn't bite but he was annoying as hell the most infuriating part was that he was like a ghost impossible to get rid of Emma frowned slightly did you insult him I couldn't help but laugh mockingly of course she was always like this the moment Liam acted pitiful she would immediately scold me without even asking what happened in the past I would jump up and argue with her then secretly feel hurt but not anymore I lifted my gaze to Emma yes he's right I did insult him but to my

surprise Emma didn't get angry she lowered her head her tone was soft almost pleading then he must have done something wrong to upset you she then turned to Liam Jake isn't unreasonable apologize to him I was dumbfounded for a moment I wondered if I was still dreaming Liam was equally shocked after a long pause he stammered in disbelief Emma what are you saying Emma's face darkened I told you to apologize Liam's expression shifted from shock to anger how can you do this I was just as bewildered Emma the girl who held Liam in her heart

was actually telling him to apologize to me had she lost her mind a fleeing thought crossed my mind could it be that she was reborn too but I quickly dismissed the idea no way in my past life Emma hated me so much she even drugged and killed me if she had been reborn she would have stayed as far away from me as possible she must have some other scheme I stepped back eyeing her wearily Emma seemed hurt by my reaction looking at me with Wounded eyes Jake I know I was wrong before will you forgive

me don't you still like me let's be together I'll make up for everything I owe you the more she spoke the more agitated she became by the end she was staring at me as if I were some long lost treasure her voice even trembling slightly this was absurd I couldn't help but clench my fists in my past life I had chased after her wasted my entire life all for her to say those words but even at the end she never told me she liked me yet now after I'd cursed and humiliated her she was telling

me she liked me what about everything I had sacrificed in my past life I curled my lips into a sneer my voice dripping with disdain be with you Emma who do you think you are what makes you think you're good enough to be with me my clothes cost more than you could earn in 3 years of work you're too full of yourself what makes you think you deserve to be with me didn't she feel humiliated by me then let her feel what real humiliation was sure enough Emma's face turned white she hastily said I may

not have money now but just wait I'll be rich one day well she wasn't wrong about that she did end up making a lot of money but what did that have to do with me the hatred and disgust in my heart were almost unbearable I looked at her with contempt and said Emma even if every woman in the world died I still wouldn't be with you after I left that day Emma kept staring at me looking lost and forlorn she looked pitiful her shoulders seemed to slump and she stood there as if her soul had

been drained but I felt nothing but cold disdain I didn't know what Emma was up to whether she had suddenly come to her senses or had simply lost her mind the Jake who once loved her unconditionally was long dead in my past life he was never coming back without my support Emma and Liam were having an even worse time in this life than in the last Emma's software didn't sell and her attempt at starting a business failed I heard they were so broke now that they were close to selling their blood but none of that

was my concern anymore the next morning my phone rang I picked it up and the screen showed the name Sophie she was an old friend of mine I felt a bit disoriented it had been over 10 years since I'd last seen that name when I was with Emma she didn't like me having female friends nor did she like my second generation rich buddies slowly I drifted away from many of my old friends Sophie and I had been family friends since childhood and our relationship was always good the car she gave me for my birthday during

University was from her I only remembered now that she had said it was a gift from her dad after she landed a big deal she had told me to cherish it but back then my heart was full of Emma and I had no space for any other woman that car ended up sitting unused at home when I answered the call her excited voice came through the phone Jake I heard you finally put Emma in her place before I could say anything she continued excitedly it's about time she's been using you and manipulating you we didn't

dare say anything before but you finally come to your senses I smiled slightly what's up there's a gathering tonight same old place 8:00 you've got to be there after hanging up it took me a while to remember that the old place was a bar we used to hit up a bunch of us childhood friends often went there together but after getting involved with Emma I stopped going out much I used to be Reckless and headstrong but for love I had clipped my own wings I stopped going to the mall and for the first time I

learned to shop at Street stalls and markets I stopped wearing luxury Brands and carefully picked out clothes that cost just a few dozen win just so Emma wouldn't frown when standing beside me I avoided the rest restaurants I used to frequent and when we did eat out it was just cheap meals at small local joints I had turned myself into a timid and cautious person all in the hope that she might love me a little more I used to love her so deeply with all my heart when I arrived at the bar that night Sophie

was delighted and kept urging me to drink I didn't refuse enjoying this long-forgotten sense of ease these friends were genuinely good people especially Sophie when I got married she even told me to come to her if I ever felt wronged I'll take care of Emma for you and she did go after Emma at that time Emma had just gotten pregnant I was overjoyed thinking that having a child would finally bring her back to me and I eagerly awaited the birth of this little life but later I found out the child wasn't mine it was Liam's

I went mad smashing everything in the house and scream scaming at Emma and then Liam took it even further deliberately calling me in the middle of the night letting me hear him and Emma being intimate his heavy breathing mixed with the sound of bodies colliding echoed through the phone my stomach churned and I clung to the toilet vomiting until I was dizzy I vomited bile and stomach acid and by the end I was freezing shivering uncontrollably when I looked up the man in the mirror was pale with bloodshot eyes filled with emptiness tears and snot

streamed down my face when Sophie found out she stormed into our house and slapped Emma if I hadn't stopped her she might have torn all of Emma's hair out as I held her back Sophie's eyes were red as she screamed at Emma you heartless Jake treated you so well and this is how you repay him Emma didn't fight back that time blood trickled from the corner of her mouth and she stood there silently head bowed what are you thinking about Sophie nudged me drink I clinked glasses with her and down the drink after a few

rounds Sophie was Tipsy her face flushed as she leaned closer and whispered you really don't like that Emma anymore I glanced at her and she quickly averted her eyes her ears turning pink I couldn't help but find it amusing Sophie liked me I knew that but in my past life my eyes were only for Emma and I even fell out with Sophie because of her but when Emma treated me poorly Sophie was the first to stand up and defend me if I were to find a wife in this life I'd want someone like her now

I understood that sometimes love couldn't solve everything Emma and I were Worlds Apart in background upbringing and circumstances she grew up in a harsh environment with sharp edges and deep-seated insecurities cold and aloof I was raised in a loving family which gave me the confidence to give up everything for love but it also became the reason for my downfall I thought love could conquer all but I didn't realize that someone like Emma couldn't be changed by love alone I nodded yeah I was blind before Sophie lowered her head slowly leaning closer to me whispering then

what about me before she could finish someone suddenly grabbed my arm startled I turned around to see Emma's face pale and tense her eyes downcast her body stiff and her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of emotion I couldn't understand come with me I didn't want to cause a scene in front of my friends so I reluctantly followed her outside let go as soon as we were outside I yanked my arm away disgusted what the hell is wrong with you what kind of crazy act are you pulling now Emma didn't respond just stared at me

intently since my rebirth her attitude towards me had been submissive almost trying to please me but now her eyes were red rimmed her expression strained she croaked Jake what did you just say I froze then gritted my teeth and said said I said I don't like you anymore I was blind before don't like me anymore Emma let out a strange laugh then grabbed my collar her eyes locking onto mine her voice as cold as ice say that again Jake all those times you said you loved me said you wanted to be with me said you'd

never leave me were they all lies her expression was crazed but I was stunned something wasn't right I hadn't said any of those things to her in this life those were the words I had said to her before we got married in my past life how could you possibly know that Emma quickly realized she had said something wrong and instinctively took a step back I spoke in a low voice Emma you've come back too haven't you she was silent the midnight wind howled as it swept past dragging Dead Leaves across the ground filling the air

with a cold desolate chill occasionally a car would pass by its lights flashing briefly before Fading Into the Darkness Emma I forced a bitter mocking smile how dare you she had really come back too after all she did to me in the last life how could she dare to say those things to me now in my past life I had said those words to her and I had meant them but what was the result I died with endless regret in this life I finally wanted to move on to live a better life but she had

the audacity to rip open my wounds again mocking me with the fact that I could never escape the misery of my past Emma seemed flustered Jake let me explain yes I was reborn but I've come to understand things now I was so stupid in the last life I didn't realize that I had already fallen in love with you I'll make it up to you okay I slapped her head I had never hit a woman before even if my past life when she betrayed me but I didn't regret this slap I spoke slowly deliberately Emma how

dare you how dare you after hurting me so deeply to casually tell me you had loved me all along I put all my anger and pain into that slap using every ounce of strength I had blood seeped from the corner of her mouth but she simply wiped it away her tone eerily calm is that enough if you're still not satisfied hit me again as many times as you need even though her words were harsh her eyes suddenly rened and tears began to fall I was shocked Emma had never cried in front of me before in

the last life even during her toughest times when her dad gambled away all her hard-earned tuition money and then beat her she didn't cry as she went to school the next day bruised and battered she worked three jobs a day fainting from Hunger hunger and exhaustion multiple times but she didn't cry then either I had once believed she had a Heart of Stone but now she was shedding tears in front of me her tears mixed with the blood at the corner of her mouth she looked utterly defeated her body hunched over begging Jake come back

if you hate me you can kill me if you want just don't leave me I felt like I was going crazy Emma are you out of your mind mind what the hell is wrong with you she lowered her head her voice trembling I was so insecure before I was constantly on guard thinking everyone was out to hurt me you were so good so exceptional completely out of my leak I didn't dare to love you and I didn't dare to believe that you truly loved me I was terrified that after I let myself be happy one

day you'd tell me that I wasn't good enough that you were just playing with me Jake I was so stupid and I deserve to die you can hit me or curse me I don't care just please come back she was sobbing now as if she needed to release all the emotions she'd been holding in you don't know what those years after you left were like for me I couldn't hold back anymore and let out a cold laugh Emma weren't you in love with Liam didn't you drug me to death for him in the last life

drugged Emma froze what do you mean drugged don't play dumb I gripped the railing by the roadside afraid that if I didn't I might hit her again my medication had been switched my health had been improving but after that it kept getting worse until I might hit her again my medication was switched my health had been improving but after that it kept getting worse until I bit down hard on my tongue the bitterness spreading in my mouth the woman I loved had killed me for another man Even just recounting it was unbearable I didn't Emma

cried out desperately I never did that I even told the butler to take good care of you how could I possibly want to kill you we locked eyes and a realization dawned on both of us if it wasn't her the only other person who had access to my medication and wanted me dead it had to be Liam so it was Liam who killed me my heart was filled with conflicting emotions but I wasn't surprised I was already dead did it really matter who killed me even if it wasn't Emma Liam had killed me for her

sake so she wasn't completely innocent I felt a deep weariness a fatigue that seeped into my bones whether it was love or hate I was truly exhausted in this life I just wanted to stay far away from her and live in peace the Autumn rain came suddenly pelting the ground with cold hard droplets Emma stood in the rain looking utterly pitiful her face was wet with either rain or tears Jake I'm begging you and what about Liam I asked my face devoid of emotion you two had a child in the last life what about that

Emma fell silent after a long while she finally spoke her voice strained he got me drunk we only did it that one time I let out a bitter mocking laugh laugh saying nothing Emma lowered her head even further from the beginning to the end the only person I ever loved was you I never loved Liam she continued just then a cold menacing male voice echoed from the darkness nearby then what am I to you Liam stepped out from the Shadows he was still wearing that old tracksuit now soaked from the rain clinging tightly to his

body Emma he said his expression blank but Madness flickering in his eyes you love him so what does that make me what do all these years I spent with you mean Emma clenched her fists tightly and the look she gave him was no longer one of her usual tenderness but pure hatred it was clear Liam hadn't been reborn he was still the same Liam from the previous life he hadn't poisoned me in this life so there was nothing I could take revenge for Emma understood this too and said nothing Liam was stunned you hate me

Emma you actually hate me if it weren't for you constantly driving a wedge between Jake and me we wouldn't have ended up like this she replied coldly driving a wedge Liam laughed Emma he dropped the pretense entirely if it weren't for your own insecurities and arrogance how could I have manipulated you it's your own Twisted mind you wanted him but you were too scared so you kept hanging around me trying to make him jealous to prove to yourself that he loved you to feed your sick need and now you're blaming it all on me Emma's

Nails dug into her Palms Jake Liam tilted his head his expression one of feigned innocence as if he were asking a trivial question you had everything so why did you have to take Emma from me he didn't seem to need an answer continuing on his own you had a good background good looks everyone fawned over you loved you adored you anything you wanted they'd bring to you without you even needing to ask so many people loved you why did you have to take Emma from me his voice began to tremble with bitterness and rage she

was all I had why when I only had one person did you have to take her too you already had so much I remained calm and said Emma is a person who she loves is her choice I can't force her besides I never won in this game of love I was the one who lost completely is that so Liam stepped closer and I noticed for the first time he had been hiding one hand behind his back a sense of for boing washed over me I started to step back but it was too late he suddenly

drew a knife and lunged at me die his face Twisted with Madness if you die Emma will be mine again Jake why should you be so happy you deserve to die he was too close and I couldn't Dodge in time his bloodshot eyes were the last thing I saw as the blade rushed toward me but then I was suddenly shoved aside by a strong force the sound of the knife piercing flesh was muffled by the rain Liam froze as he looked at Emma standing in front of him his hand still gripping the knife KN began

to tremble and he stammered in panic Emma I stumbled as I turned around seeing the knife buried deep in Emma's abdomen blood diluted by the rain ran down in pale pink streaks she seemed not to notice the pain only smiling as she looked at me as long as you're safe that's all that matters by the time we arrived at the hospital Emma had already slipped into unconsciousness she had lost too much blood and was immediately taken into the ICU for emergency treatment Liam was also taken away by the police who had arrived on The Scene

It wasn't until the third day that Emma finally woke up I walked into the hospital room looking at her feeling like a thousand words were stuck in my throat but I couldn't say a single one she looked frail her face as pale as paper yet she still managed to force a weak smile Jake are you okay my emotions were all over the place why did you take that knife from me her eyelashes fluttered downward I don't know I just didn't want you to get hurt Liam's knife had been aimed straight at my heart what are

you going to do now I suddenly asked Emma quickly understood what I meant and gave a bitter smile I'll do what needs to be done tell the truth that was your husband in your past life you even had a child with him I sat down on the bed opposite hers she replied softly but he killed you I fell silent Emma coughed a few times wincing in pain then in aoar voice she said Jake I really know I was wrong I was so terribly wrong before if I could change would you not I cut her off

you saved me but I also died because of you in the last life at most we're even even if you took that knife from me it doesn't erase the hurt you caused me her eyes rened and she bit down hard on her lip to stifle her sobs but Jake you once said you would always love me I suddenly felt so tired letting out a bitter laugh Emma love can be worn out you spent 10 years wearing mine down little by little until it was all gone Emma's face turned Ashen filled with helplessness and fear Jake

you can't say that you were the one who said you loved me first before leaving I turned to look at her One Last Time Emma had lost a lot of weight and the hospital gown hung Loosely on her frail frame her face still bore the features of the girl I once loved but her soul had grown old perhaps we did love each other once but the timing was all wrong but now I said quietly Emma I really don't love you anymore as I walked out of the hospital room I could still hear her desperate sobbing

but Jake what am I supposed to do why did I come back to live again just to hear you say you don't love me anymore then I might as well have died in the last life I lowered my head my eyes dry I couldn't cry anymore because all my tears had all already been shed in the last life I walked away quickly leaving those Ang cries behind me in the end I heard them no more Emma didn't cover for Liam he was sentenced to seven years in prison for attempted murder the university also expelled him

I heard his mom couldn't handle the shock and committed suicide by jumping from a building I didn't attend the trial I had already come to understand why Liam hated me so much it wasn't really about Emma it was more about his jealousy of me jealous that I had everything so he tried every way to take Emma from me to prove that he could win against me when he realized he had lost Emma too he snapped I heard that when he found out about his mom's death he completely lost his mind becoming delirious and even cursing

out the judge during his sentencing naturally I had arranged for someone to deliver the news of his mom's death to him I also had my dad pull some strings to ensure that Liam received special attention in prison I never forgot about the poisoning in my past life in theend end he had to pay back what he owed me 3 years later I married Sophie both our families placed great importance on the wedding hosting a Grand Banquet all the notable figures in the city were invited making it a very prestigious event just as Sophie and I

were about to take the stage my secretary hurried over holding a red envelope there was nothing written on it Mr Lee there's a card inside this red envelope I verifi IED it and it was real but there was no name on it he frowned and asked what should we do about it Sophie and I exchanged a glance both guessing who it was from she smiled well if someone's so eager to give us money we might as well accept it at that moment my phone buzzed with a message it was from an unknown number with no

greeting just a single sentence if you ever stop loving her come back I'll be waiting for you forever Sophie scoffed she can wait all she wants not even in the next life will she get what she wants in front of her I deleted the message and blocked the number let's go I said taking her hand and smiling slightly everyone's waiting for us those Dark Knights are finally behind me and I'll never look back again when I saw Jake again I froze the man standing before me was the 20-year-old version of him full of youthful energy

a stark contrast to the weary lifeless man etched into my memory I couldn't tear my eyes away from him greedily drinking in the sight it had been so long so very long since I'd last seen Jake when the butler told me he had died in my past life I didn't believe him until I went back and saw his cold lifeless body it was strange in that moment I didn't feel anything at all everything around me faded away for a few seconds I couldn't see or hear anything it wasn't until they frantically helped me up that

I realized I had collapsed calmly I asked the butler did he leave any Last Words the butler shook his head the gentleman didn't say anything oh so he hadn't left me a single word but then again there was nothing left to say between us when we were young and in love he spoke sweet words to me later when we turned against each other we dragged every hurtful truth out into the open brutally lashing each other with them he cursed me saying I would die a miserable death I called him pathetic what else was there to

say the good and the bad had all been said until there was nothing left it was around that time I started to feel a dull pain in my chest at first the pain was faint and subtle not particularly sharp but it soon began to spread like poison boring holes through my heart it felt as if my heart was being pierced a thousand times over the pain so intense I had to kneel to endure it I looked at Jake he lay there quietly on the bed utterly unresponsive if it had been before even in our worst

fights he would have come over to check on me no matter how angry he was he was always that foolish but this time he didn't even spare me a glance of course he was dead completely dead he would never appear before me again as I thought this I didn't feel sadness it was as if I were thinking about someone else's problem my body and mind had become disconnected as though they belonged to someone else separated from the heart that continued to ache what should I do such a bother I thought I had a meeting scheduled

for tomorrow now it would have to be delayed because I needed to arrange his funeral suddenly I felt an itch in my throat and after coughing a few times I noticed the butler's horrified expression he exclaimed in a panic Madam who blood is this I wondered then the itching in my throat became unbearable and I violently coughed up a mouthful of blood the butler was frantic trying to drag me to the hospital but there was only one thought in my mind oh so this is my blood after Jake died I didn't shed a tear I

even went home and packed up some of his things he didn't have much for someone who once loved luxury his room was now almost empty with only a few pieces of cheap clothing from Street Markets that's good I thought after all our entanglements it was finally over it wasn't until I opened the cabinet and saw the shelves full of medicated oils that something broke inside me I remembered how when I was working as a delivery driver I'd been in an accident and injured my leg every time it rained the pain was unbearable these medicated oils

were specially made for me by someone Jake had found I used to tease him for buying so many and he'd laugh while massaging my leg what if they stopped making them one day but after we got married I rarely came home and when I did it was only to argue I'd barely use these oils not even half a bottle only then did it hit me that we did have some good times together I had once thought he was wonderful too but in the endless cycle of arguments and torment all that was left of us was

our ugliness suddenly I felt a warm wetness on my face I reached up and touched it I didn't even realize when it happened but my face was already covered in tears after Jake died I didn't forget him as quickly as I thought I would instead he appeared in my dreams every night as if deliberately torturing me sometimes I'd dream of When We Were Young and he'd cheerfully hand me a lunch boox Emma this is the best wagu beef my family's cook makes how strange back then I only found him arrogant and annoying but now I

realized that his straightforward way of showing love was actually endearing it wasn't until later that I learned that dish of wagu beef was his favorite he wanted to share his favorite things with me wholeheartedly and without reservation but at that time I wasn't worthy of such precious love my insecure self-conscious heart was too sensitive raising defenses that wounded anyone who tried to get close Jake had a good family he was handsome and so many people liked him I couldn't believe he would actually love someone as worthless as me rich people had too many tricks up

their sleeves he must have been playing with me so I treated him worse and worse I wanted to push him away he was like a rare creature that didn't belong in my Bleak Dark World throwing my entire ecosystem into disarray leaving me at a loss but I also wanted to selfishly confirm his love for me again and again clinging to the hope that he wouldn't give up how pathetic and how hateful after we got married our relationship seemed to improve a little but Liam kept reminding me that he and I would never be part of

the same world as Jake and he was right the first time I got some money I was so excited to buy Jake a car only to find out later that it was an outd Model A Suitor had given him back in University what's there about me for him to like at the time I didn't understand my own heart I thought I genuinely hated him but I couldn't help getting closer to him I kept bringing Liam around showing up in front of Jake and I sickly fed on the hurt in his eyes as if to reassure

myself that he cared about me look He does care about me later on in my dreams Jake changed again he lay in a hospital bed his eyes cold Emma I don't love you anymore and then I would wake up with a start unable to sleep for the rest of the night it happened night after night sometimes leaving me happy other times terrified I had no choice but to seek out a spiritual master I asked him Master does he have some unfinished business do I need to perform a ritual to help him pass on the master

looked at me for a long time and then sighed lady he said clasping his hands together in a gesture of compassion it's not him who's holding on I sat on the mountain for a long time that day before I finally understood it wasn't him who couldn't let go it was me it turned out I had fallen in love with him long ago 3 years after Jake's death I started to lose my mind I completely ignored Liam and our child no matter how much raged I would only reply coldly you insisted on having this child it

has nothing to do with me on Jake's birthday I took two bottles of sleeping pills with alcohol to make sure it was Final I also slit my wrists the excruciating pain slowly dulled a gentle breeze suddenly passed in front of my eyes the sunlight was warm and I could hear birds chirping nearby soft fingers suddenly grasped mine I turned my head and there he was the 20-year-old Jake right in front of me Emma he said with a smile what took you so long I looked at him for a long time and my vision began to

blur with tears then I slowly turned around and hugged him tightly holding on as if my life depended on it he was startled and pushed me away what's wrong with you who bullied you then he hugged me back laughing soft sof L what's gotten into you did you miss me my voice broke with tears yes Jake I missed you I missed you so much I couldn't take it anymore if only I could stay in that moment forever it would be better than hearing him say he didn't love me anymore it was in that moment I

realized the pain of being pierced by a thousand arrows was nothing compared to this I lay in bed crying until I was hoarse if that's the case why was I even brought back I thought I could win him back reverse our tragedy but instead I lost him completely the pain in my chest was so overwhelming that I could barely breathe I laughed and cried at the same time I thought I'd gone mad but then I realized that I was more clear-headed than I had ever been I clearly understood now my rebirth was only for atonement

it was to make me endure all the suffering he had gone through death isn't the true departure now he has truly left left me for good and I will live out the rest of my days in this endless despair never to escape