Chapter 3

A few scruffy guys with bleached hair often stood by the school gate, smoking and checking out the passing girls.

As I walked past, one of them whistled.

I stopped and glared at them.

They actually looked away. "Damn it, what are you staring at? Never seen handsome guys before?"

I crunched on a candy, my mouth as sweet as honey. "Hey, guys, could you do me a favor?"

In a few days, a heavy evening rain would fall, and Preston would "accidentally" drive by and offer me a ride home.

Using that opportunity to make me stay at their house.

I wouldn't disrupt the timeline. The unknown butterfly effect was too scary. My goal was to take control.

That day arrived quickly. I stood at the school gate, remembering how I'd waited five minutes in the last life. The rain grew heavier, and I, worried about missing the last bus, had flown out, clutching my backpack.

My clothes were quickly soaked. Preston poked his head out of his car window. "Daisy, your brother-in-law is here to pick you up. Hurry, get in."

I pretended to be grateful and started to run towards him, but one of the thugs grabbed me.

He ripped my clothes, slapped my face.

"Help! Mmph..."

The thug stared, dumbfounded. "Sis, you're a savage."

"Say some curse words, will you? And give a sinister laugh," I whispered, coaching him.

Preston approached with a stick. Seeing only one thug, he relaxed a bit.

"Get lost, before I call the cops."

I coughed a few times, and the other thugs emerged from the shadows.

I leaned close to the thug, whispering, "Beat that man senseless."

A kick landed in my stomach. I collapsed onto the ground, my eyes fixed on Preston. "Preston, save me!"

He stood at the intersection, hesitant to move.

I broke free from the thugs, lunged at Preston, pinning him tightly.

Then I signaled the thugs with my eyes.

The beating lasted about ten minutes. The two guys on lookout at the alley entrance barked like dogs – someone was coming.

The thugs fled, and I clutched my ripped clothes.

"Preston, please don't tell the family the truth. Just say I fell. I don't want them to worry.

"All I want right now is to study hard."

Preston looked outwardly unharmed, but I'd specifically told them to aim for the fleshy parts.

I got into the car. Preston suddenly glanced at me.

"Daisy, how did you get mixed up with them?"

I shook my head, crying into my clothes the whole way.

But halfway there, my legs started trembling uncontrollably.

This wasn't the route home.

"Preston, where are we going?"

"Central Road is jammed. I took a detour."

"Oh. ...Preston, thank you for tonight."

Preston gave me another look and pulled over.

Outside, it was pitch black, only the car's headlights cut through the darkness. It was a deserted village.

"Daisy."

"Hmm." I closed my eyes, feigning a yawn.

The silence was deathly. In the dim light, I knew Preston's eyes were glued to me.

I dared not look at him.

My teeth bit hard into my lip.

The windows were tightly closed, the air thick with a sickening smell. Preston lit a cigarette, took a few drags, then suddenly leaned closer to me.

His pale face was expressionless. "Did you… did you also get reborn?"

"Preston, what are you talking about?" I frowned. "Reborn?"

"Did you get reborn, Preston? Then why didn't you remind me to bring an umbrella today?" I pouted, feigning annoyance.

Preston's eyes shifted, the flesh on his face relaxing. "Just kidding."

He pulled a bottle of soda from somewhere. "Thirsty?"

I took a sip.

He watched me, pondering something. I couldn't let him suspect me, so I took another big gulp.

The car suddenly lurched.

I seized the opportunity and spat out the drink.

The car window was hammered loudly. "Hey, buddy, you picked a real spot to park your car."

It was a taxi driver.

Preston got out, wanting to let it go, but the driver wouldn't.

"What if you go back on your word later and try to extort me?"

I looked back. There was someone in the taxi.

I got out, wanting to get a closer look, but no one was there.

The driver sat by the side, smoking, giving us a meaningful look.

"Some people, hmph.

"Little girl, stay away from guys like him."

Preston pointed at him. "What do you mean?"

"You're so scared of calling the cops. Got other crimes on your conscience, do you?"

"Spreading rumors is illegal!"

I ran over and handed the driver a bottle of water.

Preston's car had two compartments. I took a bottle from the left one.

Just as the driver was about to drink, Preston snatched it back. The water was indeed tainted.

If it hadn't been for that car accident… I shot the driver a grateful look.

I said apologetically, "Preston, I still have homework to do, and I have early morning class tomorrow."

Preston, back to his "good brother-in-law" facade, called a taxi.

The April air already held a hint of warmth, but as it brushed against me, I hugged myself, shivering.

I replayed Preston's actions and glances in my mind.

I was certain. Preston had also been reborn.

But rebirth was always predicated on death. How had Preston died?

I stayed in the room on the far right of the second floor, right next to Jade and Preston's bedroom.

The walls were an elegant white, and in the center hung a happy family portrait.