Chapter 4

As the day Caleb Vaughn planned to leave for Los Angeles drew closer, I sweet-talked my parents, saying I missed Grandma Mae and wanted to visit her to see the new ducklings on her farm.

My parents, who always indulged me, packed up immediately without a second thought. Just as we were heading out, Mrs. Eleanor Vaughn opened her door and looked at us curiously.

“Heading out?” she asked.

My dad chuckled warmly. “The kid wants to visit her grandma. We’ll be gone for a few days.”

Mrs. Vaughn smiled and nodded, her eyes trailing after us as we left. I kept my face neutral, though my fists clenched tightly in anger, nails digging into my palms. How foolish I had been in my previous life to think this woman genuinely cared for me. Only later did I realize her true intentions.

She’d had her sights on our family home all along. After my parents passed in a tragic accident, she worked tirelessly to push me and Caleb into marriage, playing the role of the caring neighbor while manipulating the situation for her benefit.

In those days, I was a grieving orphan, completely defenseless. Her sweet demeanor and constant care broke through my walls. And because I liked Caleb, I let myself be guided into the marriage. Little did I know, it had all been a calculated plan from the start.

I exhaled slowly, suppressing the trembling born of anger. Smiling, I started talking to my parents about Grandma Mae’s new pony, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb rushing by. He had likely realized I had also been reborn, forcing him to speed up his plans to leave.

When we arrived at Grandma Mae’s, we sat down to a hearty dinner. The joy of being with my parents and grandma enveloped me, but then my mom’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, frowning. It was Mrs. Vaughn.

“Caleb insists on going to Los Angeles to become a singer. He’s refusing to go to school, and now he’s threatening to leave no matter what. Daniel and I can’t convince him. Could Leona come back and talk to him? The two of them are so close—he’ll listen to her!” Mrs. Vaughn’s voice quivered with desperation.

Her words mirrored those from my previous life. My mom looked at me, hesitant. Traveling back to Willow Creek at this time would be difficult. I placed my fork down calmly, took the phone, and replied.

“Mrs. Vaughn, this is Caleb’s decision. I can’t interfere, and even if I tried, he’d only resent me for it. I think you should respect his choice.”

Before she could respond, I hung up, swiftly blocking her number. My efficient actions left my parents stunned. Grandma Mae, ever wise, broke the silence. “Eat your dinner. Other people’s troubles are their own. We have no reason to get involved.” Her words resonated deeply with me.

After dinner, I crouched in the yard, scratching our dog behind his ears while my parents approached hesitantly.

“Leona,” my mom began, her tone cautious. “You’re different lately. What’s going on?”

My dad, though silent, watched me with concern. Their worried faces made my chest tighten. I wiped at my eyes, surprised to feel the sting of tears.

“Mom, Dad,” I said, my voice steady despite my emotions, “I had a dream.”

I described it as a vivid nightmare, recounting every detail of my past life—the manipulation, the tragedies, and how I became a pawn in the Vaughns’ schemes. My dad’s face darkened as I spoke, his expression growing stormy with each word.

When I explained how everything started with Caleb’s decision to leave and Mrs. Vaughn’s request, understanding dawned on their faces.

“Sweetheart, you’ve been through so much,” my mom murmured, wrapping her arms around me protectively. Her tears wet my hair as she whispered reassurances.

My dad, ever pragmatic, lit a cigarette and announced firmly, “That settles it. When we get back, we’re moving. We need to get as far away from the Vaughns as possible.”

I hadn’t expected such unwavering support. Overcome with gratitude, I nodded, tears spilling freely. Hugging my mom tighter, I soaked in her warmth.

We stayed at Grandma Mae’s for two blissful weeks. I got a bit of a tan from working outdoors, and when we returned, she sent us home with a carload of fresh produce.

Before we moved, we spent a few more days in our old house. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, Mrs. Vaughn appeared, her tear-streaked face contorted with a mix of desperation and anger.