Rebirth:After Being Betrayed by My Best Friend and Husband

I was barely up on Saturday morning when a text from Zach popped up.

He was all: [Make sure you dress up today; we're having lunch with my folks.]

Flashback to my previous life. Zach rushed to introduce me to his parents, and we got hitched right after graduation. But after that, he showed his true colors.

Just the thought of my ex-mother-in-law was enough to make me queasy.

Last time, I gave it all up for love—no dowry, brought property and a car into the marriage.

I figured my sacrifice would make him appreciate me, but it only led to deeper deceit.

And his mom was just the same.

Before the wedding, she couldn't praise me enough.

Once I was part of the family, she flipped like a switch—always had me slaving away or berated me for not popping out grandkids.

She was head over heels for Heather, always praising her as the perfect daughter-in-law.

Her blatant favoritism made my insecurities worse.

Desperate for her approval, I used my dowry to help out financially, only to be repaid with betrayal and my eventual demise.

Seeing her smile, and crow's feet nearly catching flies, I fantasized about dunking her head in a toilet.

Zach gave me the eye to bring out the gift I'd prepped.

Right, the "gift."

I handed over the fancy gift box, mentally preparing for the drama to unfold.

My would-be mother-in-law took the gift but didn't open it right away, which irked me.

"Auntie, go on, open it up," I urged.

"Oh, dear, it's bad form to open presents right away."

Her smile was so wide it nearly split her face.

Then it hit me—I'd mistakenly called her mother-in-law. Well, it wasn't official yet.

"My bad, Mrs. Joshua. Back home, it's common to call elders 'auntie,' just slipped out."

Her smile quickly vanished.

Despite her reluctance, she finally opened the gift in front of me.

"Wow, this is that hot new luxury face cream, right? Thanks, Olivia!"

Wait, what?

I was sure I'd packed a dead rat!

How did it turn into the same high-end face cream as last time?

I caught Zach's eye, and we locked gazes—I knew immediately.

He'd switched it out.

He'd go to great lengths to lock this down.

"Olivia, what's your mom's job?"

"She farms."

Her face fell.

Zach leaned in and murmured, "Local government worker."

The auntie's smile snapped back, "And your dad?"

"He's between jobs."

"Oh?" Her eyes bulged a bit.

Zach whispered again, "Actually, he made a killing in the stock market last year."

Her grin came back even wider.

Man, her acting could win awards.