Chapter 1

My best friend died during surgery. I was devastated.

Then my husband's company went under. He filed for divorce and left our son with me.

Creditors swarmed us, demanding payment. They even crippled my son.

Finally, they dragged us to a villa district.

I saw with my own eyes my supposedly dead best friend wrapped in my ex-husband's arms.

Her daughter sweetly called him "Dad."

Then the creditors ended both our lives.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my best friend told me she had cancer.

"Chloe, I have cancer. I don't have much time left."

She hung her head, crying like a delicate flower, beautiful enough to make even another woman's heart ache.

Sure enough, my husband Vincent spoke up, righteous and firm.

"Serena, you're Chloe's best friend. We won't abandon you. Don't worry, we'll cover all your medical expenses."

Serena looked up, tears glistening. Hope flickered in her eyes as she gazed at us.

When I didn't respond, Vincent pulled me aside and lowered his voice.

"Chloe, I know she's your best friend. It's fine, we can afford this."

Yes. In my past life, they'd performed this exact scene right in front of me.

I believed Serena really needed the money. I was grateful for my husband's concern, his understanding.

But not long after, huge sums started moving from our account to Serena's.

Just as I was about to confront Vincent, I was told Serena's surgery had been moved up.

We rushed to the hospital.

Less than an hour later, they told us the surgery had failed. We should see her one last time.

Serena grabbed my hand. "Next life, let's be best friends again. I'm trusting you with my daughter."

I cried until my voice gave out, nearly collapsed, completely missing Serena's clumsy acting and obvious lies.

After the funeral, we brought her daughter home to live with us.

Just as life was getting back on track, Vincent's company went under.

He said he didn't want to drag me down and filed for divorce. Our son would stay with me.

He took Serena's daughter with him. My son and I left the city.

Later, the creditors found us. They didn't ask questions, just started smashing everything in the house.

When my son tried to stop them, they broke both his legs. Twisted his hands into something unrecognizable.

I begged them through tears to spare us. Promised we would pay back every cent.

Finally, they gave us some breathing room.

I worked while taking my son to countless doctors, trying to settle the debt.

Just when we'd finally paid it all off, the creditors came again. They dragged us to a villa district.

My son and I were confused. They forced us to our knees and made us look through the iron gates.

There she was. My supposedly dead best friend, smiling sweetly, whispering sweet words to Vincent.

Her daughter looked at Vincent affectionately and called him "Daddy."

They saw our wretched state clearly and showed expressions of contempt.

Then they waved their hands slightly, and the creditors ended both my life and my son's.

My son and I harbored overwhelming resentment. Perhaps heaven had eyes and gave me a second chance at life.

So you like to fake your death? This time, I'll let you taste what real death is like!