Life is full of regrets

David’s face drained of color, then flooded with angry red. He dragged Ellie into the stairwell, his voice sharp with accusation—as if she had stripped him of every shred of dignity.

“Don’t you dare accuse me! A widow’s reputation is fragile enough. Carolyn is a virtuous woman. I won’t let you tarnish her!”

“She seems to have a very clear view of *your* business, though.”

Ellie sniffed, letting a note of hurt creep in. “Carolyn? It’s always Carolyn with you. It really upsets me.”

“Consider this your final warning. Send your precious sister-in-law packing, back to where she came from. Or we’re getting a divorce.”

In truth, Ellie was just playing with him.

Just as he had played with her life in her last one.

Divorce had never been up for negotiation.

Whether David sent Carolyn away or not, this marriage was already over.

Hearing the word ‘divorce’, David’s brow furrowed; his tone softened slightly.

“Ellie, my brother is dead. She’s all alone in the world. You want me to send her back to that mountain village? How would she survive?”

“Have a little compassion, will you?”

Only in the final days of her past life had Ellie learned the truth: Carolyn and David had been childhood sweethearts.

They had compassion, alright—for each other. But where was that compassion when she was bleeding out on the floor, begging and crying for help?

It seemed all their sympathy was reserved for one another.

Ellie gave a casual shrug.

“Can’t bear to part with her? Then I guess it’s divorce.”

A heavy silence settled in the stairwell.

The next morning, Joe regained consciousness.

Ignoring the searing pain in her abdomen, Ellie tended to her father—administering injections, giving medication, keeping vigil through the night. Only when he drifted back to sleep did she return home for a change of clothes before heading back to the hospital.

The moment she stepped inside, David was there, gently offering her a pill as if yesterday’s fight had never happened.

“Ellie, time for your vitamins.”

She took the tablet, held it up to the light bulb, turning it over and over.

*Plunk.*

She dropped it into a glass of water and let out a cold laugh.

“David, don’t insult my intelligence. An abortion pill? You think a doctor wouldn’t recognize one? If you suspect the child isn’t yours, you can always divorce me.”

“Just don’t try to play dirty.”

Her words drained the color from his face.

“You…”

Before, she’d swallow whatever pill he gave her without a second glance. Now she was inspecting it?

After a brief panic, David regained his composure. He pushed the glass toward her. “Ellie, just drink it. It’s for the sake of our marriage.”

Ellie took the cup and flung the contents directly into his face.

At that moment, the bedroom door opened.

Carolyn, seeing David drenched, hurried over with a handkerchief to dab his face. Then she positioned herself behind him, pressing close, letting her tears fall onto his shoulder with soft, dramatic patters.

“It’s all my fault. My body failed me. Your brother died, and I couldn’t even give him an heir.”

She reached out and grasped Ellie’s hand.

“Sister-in-law, David’s child is the only hope left for the family. You can’t be so selfish, trying to pass off some… bastard as his…”

Ellie pulled her hand free and fixed Carolyn with a steady gaze.

She’d let this woman into her home out of pity, a widow alone in the world.

Looking back now, her past self had been a fool. She’d forgotten the fable of the farmer and the snake, ignored every warning about playing with fire.

She had no interest in arguing with Carolyn. Nor any intention of continuing this farce of a marriage.

“David,” Ellie said with a faint smile. “Make sure she’s gone by tonight. Otherwise, we’re filing for divorce first thing tomorrow.”