Rebirth: Take Back My Everything

　　As we drove away, I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Shelly still kneeling there, her fists clenched, staring at us with a look that could kill. A cold sweat broke out on my back, and I quickly looked away.

　　Back at home, I couldn’t shake her last look from my mind. I had this nagging feeling she wouldn’t just let this go. Sure, I managed to refuse her this time, but what about the next time? As long as we kept visiting, we were bound to run into her again.

　　I talked it over with Ashley and suggested his parents, Robert and Diane, move to the city for a few months. It would be more convenient for me during my pregnancy, and the house across the street was already prepared for them.

　　Within a few days, Robert and Diane moved in, and I finally felt a bit more at ease.

　　Shelly’s wedding was less than a month away. Once she was married, she’d have no reason to bother us anymore. I counted the days, not daring to relax until her wedding day passed.

　　I thought the nightmare from my previous life was finally over. Feeling relieved, I convinced Ashley to spend a few days at a friend’s place for a little getaway.

　　But things didn’t go as planned.

　　Just as we got back from the trip and were leaving the train station, we saw a crowd gathered ahead. Curious, we went to take a look and saw a man harassing a young woman. As I was about to pull Ashley through the crowd, the girl turned her head and locked eyes with me.

　　My heart skipped a beat. It was Shelly. What was she doing here?

　　Panic surged through me. She was supposed to be married. Why was she out here just days after her wedding? What was going on?

　　The pain of being pushed down the stairs in my past life came rushing back, along with the memory of her triumphant smile. I was on the verge of breaking down, but I forced myself to stay calm. I grabbed Ashley’s hand, trying to leave.

　　Suddenly, Shelly broke free from the man and ran towards us, shouting, "Ashley, help me! I don’t know this man!"

　　All eyes were on us.

　　Ashley, always concerned about appearances and with a soft heart, couldn’t ignore her. Shelly’s tears made him insist on taking her home with us.

　　When I refused, he argued with me. "She has nowhere else to go. She’s just a young girl in trouble. How can you be so heartless?"

　　Shelly, seeing my stern face, apologized with red eyes, "I’m sorry for causing trouble. Since Catherine doesn’t want me, I’ll just leave." She wiped her tears and started walking towards the exit.

　　Ashley, feeling even more sympathetic, stopped her and looked at me. "Catherine, she’s on her own. Her dad won’t know she’s with us. Let her come home with us. She has nowhere else to go!"

　　People around us started whispering, and some even took out their phones to take pictures. If I kept insisting she leave, I’d look like the bad guy, so I reluctantly agreed.

　　During the entire drive to Robert and Diane’s place, I wore a stern expression. As soon as we got inside, Shelly started crying again, trying to kneel and thank me.

　　Seeing her act made me feel sick, and my face grew darker.

　　Ashley, noticing my reaction, quickly took the bags from me and handed them to Shelly. "Shelly, please help put these away. Go wash up and join us for dinner."

　　Watching Shelly skillfully organize the items and head to the kitchen, I felt a wave of doubt. How did she know her way around my in-laws' house so well? Even I didn’t know where everything went.