Punishing the Heartless Family

My mother, in her bid to force me into marriage, drugged my soup and sent me to a man's bed. Once the deed was done, she loudly proclaimed that I had become damaged goods.

My reputation was utterly ruined and I was forced to marry the abusive man she had carefully chosen for me. Eight months into my pregnancy, I died under the blows of his fists.

When I opened my eyes again...

I secretly switched my and my brother's soup bowls.

In this life, I would let the son you cherish the most suffer in my place.

Part 1

My last memory before dying was of myself, heavily pregnant, curled up in a corner, covered in blood and begging for mercy.

"Using pregnancy as an excuse to be lazy! You drag your feet even when asked to fetch water. Every woman gives birth, so why do you act like you're special?"

My husband, Martin, walked up to me, holding a bottle of alcohol and slapped me across the face.

"Don't think I won't teach you a lesson just because your family is here! I'll kill you today and let's see who dares to stand up for you!"

I was completely unprepared when the sudden force of his slap knocked me to the ground. Staggering, he then kicked me hard in my big belly. I curled up in pain, my body trembling as sharp, excruciating agony shot through my abdomen, nearly causing me to pass out. As my consciousness blurred, I could hear my mother's sharp, mocking laughter in the background.

"Oh dear, Martin, what are you saying? Quinn has just been spoiled by us. You go ahead and set her straight! Quinn is truly fortunate to have found you. Back when I was a daughter-in-law, I would've been thrown into the pig cage already!"

My brother joined in the mocking, kicking me and jokingly said, "Martin, when a woman doesn't listen, you've got to show her who's boss. That way, she won't embarrass the family."

As soon as he finished speaking, Martin's fists rained down on me, blow after blow. I struggled desperately, crying out for help until I could no longer breathe.

Even after my death, my cruel mother and brother didn't stop at just that. They didn't even spare my body.

They live-streamed their fake mourning to gain attention, letting my corpse rot without burial. My mother wept and wailed, claiming she was a parent burying her child.

The explosive story of a pregnant woman dying from domestic violence quickly stirred sympathy online. The mother and son reinvented themselves as influencers, raking in money and eventually buying a large villa in the city.

…

When I opened my eyes again, I heard my mother, Lily, calling from the kitchen, "Quinn, it's your birthday today, so I made you beef hot and sour soup!"

Beef hot and sour soup was the beginning of my hellish life in my previous life. My overwhelming hatred was almost consuming me.

Taking advantage of her turning away to chop vegetables, I secretly switched the two bowls of soup.

I knew my mother had always been biased. Even when she made soup with the intention of drugging me, the bowl with more meat was always reserved for my brother.

The soup contained a sedative that would cause confusion and intense heat. Now that it was your son who was getting it, let's see what you did this time.

Part 2

My mother watched with satisfaction as I finished the entire bowl of soup, humming happily as she took the other bowl to my brother, Kevin.

I kept my head down, playing with my phone while secretly watching him. Before long, his eyelids started to droop. I yawned, mimicking his reaction and said, "Mom, I'm so tired. I want to go back to my room and rest."

Lily perked up at my words, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Alright, go rest. I'll take a walk for a bit."

I rubbed my temples, unsteadily got up and made my way back to my room. As I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of my mother excitedly rubbing her hands together before hurrying out.

I knew she was heading to Martin. Our families were from the same village, so it would only take a few minutes to get there. Without wasting any time, I quickly moved my dazed brother into my room.

I hid in the corner of the yard, waiting for the drama to begin.

Before long, my mother returned home with Martin. They hurried in, whispering to each other.

"Mrs. Billman, I heard that educated college students have stubborn tempers. Are you sure this will work?"

My mother clicked her tongue in disdain and said, "How stubborn can she be? She's still just a woman when it comes down to it! If necessary, I'll invite the whole village to see. What can she do then? If that doesn't work, I'll cause a scene at her school. After all, she's going to be expelled anyway. The more she studies, the more arrogant she becomes. If this rebellious daughter won't obey, it’s better to marry her off soon and get the bride price. At least I'll have that to ease my worries."

I held my breath, my head buzzing with anger. In my previous life, Martin had blackmailed me into marrying him by secretly recording a private video and causing a scandal at my university. The video spread like wildfire among classmates and teachers and I was eventually expelled under the pressure.

It turned out it was my mother’s idea all along. No wonder she tried so hard to convince me to give up college and never contributed a single penny to my tuition.

Relieved by this, Martin let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly unbuckled his belt, rushing toward my room.

My mother grinned widely, revealing her yellowed teeth and walked contentedly toward the village entrance.

Laugh all you wanted, Mom. The happier you were now, the more you would regret it later.

The show was about to begin.

Part 3

After my mother left, a piercing scream from Martin was followed by the sound of crashing and banging from the room.

Martin had a volatile temper. In my previous life, even the slightest inconvenience would set him off, resulting in violent outbursts. Sometimes he would use his fists and feet, other times he would grab a weapon. Since marrying him, my body was always covered in bruises and wounds.

As expected, Kevin's pleas for mercy soon filled the room.

At this moment, my mother arrived with the village women, eager to "join the excitement."

An attentive woman, hearing the commotion, asked curiously, "Lily, what's that noise coming from your room in broad daylight?"

My mother feigned ignorance, deliberately raising her voice as if pondering aloud, "It does sound like something is going on…"

"Could it be that Quinn and Martin are talking inside? Since she came back, she's been with him every day. I wonder what they're up to."

"But that noise... it sounds like..."

My mother clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Oh, no! This wicked girl."

The village women, catching on, tiptoed and peered into the room, whispering and gossiping among themselves.

A few young wives blushed, covering their mouths and giggling.

Seeing my chance, I jumped out with a smile and greeted, "Mom, it's quite lively! What are you all watching?"

My mother turned around, startled, "You... what are you doing here?"

I shrugged and replied, "Where else would I be?"

A few of the village women glanced between me and the room. Out of the crowd, someone suddenly said, "Lily, it sounds like the man inside is your son, Kevin."

Before anyone could react, the door was kicked open with a loud bang. Kevin, naked and disheveled, was thrown out of the room.

On closer look, his pale skin was battered and bruised, his face swollen and disfigured, with blood oozing from his lips as he weakly tried to speak.

"Help... help me."

My mother, her face drained of color, collapsed to her knees, clutching Kevin. Her tears and snot flowed freely as she cried out in distress.

"Who did this to my son?"

Martin, still fuming, brandished a chair, ready to smash it. "Why did you give me a raving mad dog instead of my wife?"

The village women watching were stunned into silence, their eyes darting between Kevin and each other, trying to make sense of what they had just heard.

My mother shook with rage, pointing at Martin and shouting, "Who are you calling a dog? Your whole family is a pack of dogs!"

Martin, not backing down, stormed up to my mother and started smashing things wildly. "Lily, what is this supposed to mean? Didn't you say it was foolproof? Dare to play tricks in front of me! I see you’re tired of living, old bone!”

To protect Kevin from getting hurt, my mother endured a few blows herself and ended up with a lump on her head. She reached out her hands and cried out, “Murder! He’s trying to kill me!”

The onlookers, seeing that things were about to turn deadly, finally stepped in to help, pulling Martin out of the courtyard.

At this moment, my mother seemed to suddenly remember something. She looked down in panic at my younger brother, who was flushed and breathing heavily and was momentarily stunned.

After a while, her resentful gaze fell on me. “Quinn, you!”

I was bewildered and pointed at myself. “What’s wrong with me?”

I had only given back as good as I got, letting your beloved son endure a bit of suffering. Don’t worry, this was just the beginning.

She sat on the ground, her teeth clattering as if she had just swallowed a lump of excrement.

I pretended to have a sudden realization and quickly pulled out my phone. “Oh, right, I’ll call the police immediately! How outrageous! Martin actually beat my brother like this. He must pay for it!”

My mother was so scared that her face turned pale. She struggled to snatch the phone from my hand and, raising her voice, yelled, “You wretched thing, how dare you!”

The onlookers, who had just pulled Martin away, were taken aback by her intense reaction and looked at Lily in confusion.

I was sure my mother wouldn’t dare to call the police, so I continued to add fuel to the fire.

“Mom? Why aren’t we calling the police? Are we just going to let Kevin get beaten without any consequences and be falsely accused? My brother could never be interested in men! We can’t let this go!”

I stepped aside and asked those village women for a phone.

Lily bit her lips hard and, in a fit of rage, shoved me to the ground. “Quinn, I told you not to!”

I collapsed on the ground, looking hurt and confused. “Mom?”

“Aren’t you usually so protective of your brother? Why are you acting like this today...”

Suddenly, I covered my mouth in surprise and exclaimed, “Could it really be that my brother...”

I didn’t finish my sentence, but the onlookers caught on and started to mediate. “Oh, Quinn, don’t call the police. Maybe your brother was just playing around! You all agree, right?”

“Yes, yes. It doesn’t look like Kevin’s injuries are serious; it’s just a minor issue.”

My mother reluctantly nodded, looking like she had swallowed a bitter pill.

I pretended to be distressed on the outside, but inside, I was overjoyed. The injuries didn’t seem severe; it was likely just a couple of broken ribs at most.

“Well, it’s almost mealtime and my husband will be coming home soon. I’ll head out now.”

“I need to go too...”

The women and other onlookers quickly disappeared.

My mother hurriedly took Kevin to the hospital.

Deservedly so.

Not only was Kevin injured, with medical expenses amounting to twenty thousand, but rumors spread through the village like wildfire, claiming my brother had unusual preferences and liked men.

My mother was so frantic and overwhelmed by the situation that she couldn’t spare any attention to my matchmaking affairs.

But suddenly, one day on my way home, someone hit me from behind and knocked me out.

When I woke up again, I found myself tied up and lying on a familiar bed. It was the house I had lived in with Martin in my past life.

My scalp tingled as I nervously surveyed the surroundings, repeatedly confirming it was indeed the same room from my memory. Then, Martin walked in, grinning ominously.

“Quinn, do you still remember me?” Martin’s voice made me freeze in shock.