Live Like a Weed, Unyielding and Tough

I shivered, realizing she had been reborn again, too.

In my second life, as I lay dying in that stable, she hissed, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have jumped to my death. You think giving up Peter makes us even? Hand over that heirloom!"

That was when I knew she'd been reborn like me.

She had killed me once. That would be enough.

Now I just wanted to escape with my baby. Still, she wouldn't let me go.

...

"Melva, get her some maid clothes and take her to the kitchen," Peter ordered. "She's cooking for Nicole."

He scooped up Nicole and softened. "Let's get you upstairs to rest."

The maids surrounded me, leaving no way out. I sighed, getting up from the ground and following them to the kitchen.

When I brought the steaming oatmeal to their room, Nicole was in a flimsy nightgown, her figure barely showing a bump.

Peter was massaging her legs, all gentle.

My own legs were swollen and shaky, but I stood quietly.

Nicole slid her foot up, teasing him. He sucked in a sharp breath, letting out a suppressed growl. He pressed down on her foot and glanced at me.

"Oatmeal is getting cold," he said. "You want some?"

Nicole pouted. "Are you tired of me already?"

He melted, pulling her close. "I'd never. I just didn't want to hurt you."

She cut him off with a kiss. Soon, their gasps and moans filled the room, but neither of them sent me away.

By 3 a.m., they finally quieted down. The oatmeal had congealed, just like my heart.

Melva let me go. Now that my bedroom had been locked, she dumped me in a cramped storage room downstairs.

After she bolted the door, I slumped against the wall, forcing down the cold oatmeal. No matter what, I'd protect my baby. He was the only family I had left in this world.

Born an orphan, I had always craved a family.

In high school, Peter was my sunshine. I felt unworthy, only watching him from afar.

When his family went bankrupt and his parents died, I gathered my courage and found him in the street.

His family had once sponsored me, so I took him in naturally. I cooked for him, gave him every penny I had, and encouraged him to start over.

In my dingy apartment, he proposed, promising me a real home.

But when Nicole came back, it all fell apart. My years of devotion couldn't compete with his childhood crush.

My mind wandered until I caught something important.