“Trash!” my mom suddenly snapped, yanking me forward.
Karen’s smile faltered, her face turning pale.
<
Without sparing her another glance, my mom pulled me away, leaving Karen standing there, stunned and embarrassed.
I glanced back over my shoulder. Karen was still clinging to Carl’s arm, her expression a mix of anger and humiliation.
“Be happy, Karen,” I murmured under my breath.
Because if you’re not happy, I’ll never be satisfied.
15
As I approached the house, I noticed a crowd had gathered by the front gate, murmuring and pointing toward the yard.
“I can’t believe it… Jason and his dad, both killed in cold blood!”
“They were decapitated, too. I’m going to have nightmares for weeks!”
“Good thing Marie and her daughter weren’t home today. If they had been, the whole family would be dead.”
Hearing this, my mom pushed through the crowd like a madwoman.
When she saw the bodies lying in the yard, she let out an ear–piercing scream. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground before crawling toward Jason’s headless body.
She clutched his bloody corpse, sobbing uncontrollably.
The yard was a mess, the dirt soaked with streaks of blood.
I froze for a moment, my stomach lurching at the sight. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to feel sympathy.
The loan sharks Jason owed must have had enough of his games. When he couldn’t pay, they made him and my father pay the ultimate price instead.
In my previous life, my marriage to Carl had saved them. The dowry had paid off Jason’s debts, and they’d survived.
But this time?
This time, they got what they deserved.
I stood there silently, watching my mom crouch on the ground like a lifeless shell.
If she hadn’t spoiled Jason so much, if she’d treated us equally, maybe things would have turned out differently.
But life doesn’t work like that.
Even if we could rewind time a thousand times, she would still choose Jason every time.
A few minutes later, the police arrived.
Of course, I was the one who’d called them.
As soon as the officers stepped into the yard, my mom, who had been sitting motionless like a broken doll, suddenly sprang to life.
She threw herself at one of the officers, clutching his leg and wailing hysterically.
“Officer, you have to get justice for my son! Find the people who did this! Arrest them! Kill them!”
Her cries were so desperate and heart–wrenching that even I almost felt a twinge of pity for her.
“Ma’am, please calm down,” the officer said firmly. “We need you to file a report first.”
“File a report?!” my mom shrieked, her eyes bloodshot. “My son and husband were murdered, and you’re talking about paperwork? Go find
<
She looked like a wild animal, completely unhinged and consumed by rage.
Watching her like this, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
The bruises she’d left on my body throbbed faintly as I stepped forward, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.
“Officer,” I said softly, “I know what happened. You can ask me.”
My mom froze, her face twisting in confusion and disbelief.
