Rebirth: Stay Away From Scumbags and Find the Starlight

I was thrown onto the bed, my neck viciously gripped by Alan Green. I've lost count of how many times this has been domestic violence. Reflecting on it, I've been married to him for ten years now. The suffocating sensation was unbearable, and I realized that I might have reached the end of my life. Looking at the face I had loved deeply for ten years, I ceased struggling. Tears trickled from the corners of my eyes.

Alan continued to spew insults. He called me a haggard old witch, useless, and said I might as well be dead. But he had forgotten how the belle of the college, who outshone all others, came to be in this state today, how the unattainable beauty he had pursued for two whole years ended up like this and how I, once happy and academically successful, came to this point.

I suddenly laughed, both tragic and ridiculous. Alan held me with one hand and slapped me hard with the other. "Laughing? You look like a damn ghost who is bad luck." I stared straight at him. " Alan, I'm pregnant." His expression faltered for a moment, his grip loosening. A smirk touched my lips, a flicker of satisfaction within. "It's not yours." I watched his expression shift from fear to fury, as he tightened his grip on my neck once again. "Bitch, are you cheating on me? Then I'll make sure you and your bastard die together."

I calmly watched him, devoid of any lingering affection, as he choked the life out of me. I was tired of living this life. Blinded by the light, I pulled the blanket over my face. It was quiet outside. I sighed. So, I wasn't dead after all. Like always, I lazed in bed a bit longer, then slowly sat up. Where was this?

Rubbing my eyes, I saw the soft pink sheets, the white curtains, and a tidy desk. I rushed to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. It was a face full of youthful vigor, irreplaceable at any time. I had been reborn back to the day after the college entrance examination.

I opened the bedroom door and walked slowly down the stairs. Everything was as I remembered. My younger brother, Calvin Miller, was whimpering at the dining table. "Mom, when is sister getting up? I'm really going to starve."

A woman in her forties, still graceful, appeared in my line of sight. That was my mother, Sophia Smith, who had died of a sudden heart attack in my previous life after hearing I was imprisoned. But I, her most beloved daughter, hadn't been able to attend her funeral. Sophia was pointing a spatula at Calvin's head. "Keep it down. Your sister is exhausted from just finishing her exams."

Calvin replied in disbelief, "My dear mother, do you remember that your adorable son also just finished his exams?" I couldn't hold back anymore. I ran down and hugged Sophia tightly. "Mom, I've missed you so much." Sophia was startled and quickly put down the spatula. "What's wrong with you? Why are you crying so early in the morning?"

Calvin brought over some slippers and placed them by my feet. "Put on your shoes, or you'll get sick, and mom will make me take care of you." I turned and hugged Calvin, "My dear brother, let me have a good look at you." Calvin looked up in alarm.

Gary Miller, just back from work, was shocked by the scene.

Calvin pushed me onto a chair with disdain, then ran to hide behind Gary.