Chapter 2

Seeing Carter drag that familiar, oversized suitcase through the door, I realized I had been reborn.

Before I could even speak, Carter barked his warning:

"Don't touch this suitcase. Seriously."

In my past life, when he said this, I didn't ask questions. I stupidly assumed it was some confidential equipment for his work.

Looking at the absurdly massive suitcase now, I realized how laughably naive I used to be.

Amber, his young intern, was hiding inside right now.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. Forcing a warm smile, I spoke.

"Why can't I touch it? What's inside, Carter?"

I reached out, pretending to help him lift it.

Carter shoved my hand away, his tone growing sharp and irritated.

"Are you deaf? I said don't touch it!"

"It's highly toxic chemical waste from the lab. If it leaks and gets exposed to light, it releases lethal gas. You'll die if you breathe it in!"

"I'll handle the disposal later. Just leave it alone."

Toxic waste? Honestly, that was a pretty accurate description of her.

I sneered inwardly, but put on a terrified face and scrambled backward.

"Why would you bring something so dangerous home? What if it leaks?"

Seeing that I bought his lie, Carter's face filled with smug satisfaction.

"Relax. I know exactly how to handle 'it'."

"Just mind your own business."

He heavily emphasized the word "handle," and casually tapped the side of the suitcase with his foot.

The suitcase trembled slightly. It looked like whoever was inside was trying desperately to hold in a laugh.

My eyes turned icy cold.

Bringing your mistress home in a suitcase for a thrill? They really thought of me as a prop in their little bedroom game.

The phantom pain of my bones shattering against the concrete in my past life surged through my body.

I looked up at Carter.

"Then you'd better make sure you handle 'it' thoroughly."

Carter let out his first genuine laugh since entering the house. Whistling a tune, he dragged the heavy suitcase into the study.

That night, I lay in bed and pretended to be fast asleep.

Before long, Carter slipped out of bed, creeping out of the room like a shadow.

The light in the study flickered on.

Following the faint glow shining through the door crack, I walked barefoot down the hallway.

I pressed my back against the wall, holding my breath.

Amber's whiny voice drifted out of the room.

"You took forever, Carter! I was practically suffocating in that stupid bag."

Carter laughed. "Hey, you were the one who wanted a thrill. Wasn't it exciting?"

Amber giggled coyly. "It's only exciting when you're making me feel good."

In my past life, I had woken up to get water, noticed the light, and heard their flirtatious whispering.

My mind had gone completely blank. I threw the door open and saw Amber and Carter naked, wrapped around each other.

I lost my mind, screaming and hitting them. Carter pretended he wanted to "explain" while backing me toward the window.

Then, he suddenly slipped behind me and shoved me out.

Afterward, Carter bribed a shady psychiatrist to falsify a medical report, claiming I had severe clinical depression and had jumped to commit suicide.

My fists clenched so tight my knuckles turned white. The memory of my bones breaking screamed in my head, making my whole body shake.

Carter and Amber's voices drifted out again.

"You're so much fun, Amber. Clara is like a block of wood in bed. Every time I suggest something new, she acts like it's disgusting."

"If I didn't need her money, I would have dumped her a long time ago."

Amber whispered, "If you want her money so bad, why don't you just poison her? There are drugs online that leave no trace."

"I've been slipping stuff into her vitamins for six months, but the bitch hasn't had any reaction. I think I got scammed by the dealer."

"Besides, I saw on the news that toxicology reports can detect that stuff now. I don't want to risk it."

Carter had been poisoning me for six months?