After Being Strangled By My Nephew, I Was Reborn

“Adoption. I don’t need to give birth myself,” I said. “There are plenty of kids in the system who need a home. I’ll have plenty of choices.”

“That’s ridiculous!” My mom snapped, getting worked up. “Those kids aren’t even related to you!”

“If I raise them, they’re mine,” I said, locking eyes with Ethan. “Better than relying on an ungrateful brat like him.”

“They’re not your blood! What kind of nonsense is this?” My mom fumed. “We should spend our money on family, not waste it on strangers! You’ve got plenty of cash, why throw it away on other people’s kids?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll move out.”

My mom was so angry she was shaking. She slammed the door as she stormed out, probably going to huddle with Richard and Lilith to figure out their next move.

But I didn’t wait around for them to gang up on me. I started packing up to leave, but Ethan blocked my way, seething. “Who said you could just leave?”

“What’s this about? Just because I won’t buy you a bag, I’m not allowed to go where I please?” I glared at him. “Or are you planning to force me to stay?”

Ethan’s face flushed with anger as he reached out to grab me. “I said you’re not going anywhere!”

I quickly stepped back and shouted, “Touch me, and you’ll regret it!”

My loud voice brought my mom and Lilith rushing out. Seeing the standoff, my mom frowned and scolded, “Claire, Ethan’s your nephew. It’s just a bag—do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?”

“Mom, you do remember I’m just his aunt, right?”

I responded coldly, “From now on, I won’t spend another penny on him. If he’s so capable, let him buy it himself!”

“Claire, just because you’ve got a little money, you think you’re something special?” Ethan snapped, his face red with anger. “This is my house. If you’ve got the nerve, don’t come back!”

I kept my expression blank, then turned to my mom and Lilith. “You heard him. He doesn’t want my ‘dirty’ money.”

“Ethan, she’s your aunt!” Lilith scolded, then added, “Claire, really? Ethan’s still a kid. Why are you being so tough on him? We’re family! You’re making it sound like we’re strangers.”

“Exactly,” my mom chimed in. “Your sister-in-law and I talked, and we don’t agree with you adopting a child. How could you bring a kid with an unknown background into our family? Since you’re not getting married, the Morris family’s bloodline depends on Ethan. As his aunt, can’t you be more generous?”

“And why do you think you have any say in what I do?” I asked, irritation seeping into my voice. “Unknown background? Bloodline? Mom, do you think we’re royalty or something?”

Speaking of unknown backgrounds, in my previous life, after I died, my soul wandered and saw Lilith with a man named Liam. They were more than familiar, and Ethan was their son. Richard had no clue and happily treated Ethan as his own.

In my past life, I longed for family, gave them everything, and ended up with nothing. Now, looking at their disgusting faces, any trace of affection I had left was gone, replaced with pure disgust.

I’ve always been easy to talk to, but this time I was firm. My mom’s face went pale, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Claire, what’s gotten into you? You’re going against everything I say. Let me tell you, if you dare adopt a child, I’ll pretend I never had a daughter!”

In the past, those words would’ve broken me, and I would’ve immediately backed down. But things are different now. I looked at her smug face and smiled. “That’s perfect—I can finally move out.”

Her face froze, and she glanced nervously at Lilith.

I calmly added, “Mom, cutting ties is fine, but let’s be clear. I won’t be responsible for any of your expenses anymore, and you can forget about getting a single penny from me!”