After Rebirth: Uncovering My Stepmother's Hidden Affair

When I opened my eyes again, I knew I had a chance to change everything. I wasn’t going to let my stepmother kill my mother and ruin our lives again. This time, I was ready.

The day Mom was hospitalized, I was right there, watching over her. When my father's gaze lingered a bit too long on Madison Gates, the intern nurse who would later become his downfall, I intervened. "Dad, let's transfer Mom to another hospital," I said, trying to sound casual but firm.

Dad looked puzzled. "Why? What's wrong with this hospital?"

With a pointed stare at Madison, who was busy feigning innocence, I made my point clear. "I don't trust this place," I declared firmly, my eyes never leaving hers.

My father's gaze shifted between us, his brow furrowing with uncertainty. But Madison, with her sly fox-like eyes, was a master manipulator. She locked eyes with my father, casting a spell that seemed to erase my presence entirely.

That was my cue to step in, quite literally. I positioned myself between them, breaking their eye contact. "Do you get it now? To stop you from having an affair," I snapped at Dad.

Caught off guard, my father stumbled over his words, his guilt written plainly on his face. "What are you talking about? I don't even know her," he mumbled defensively. This was their first encounter, but I knew it wouldn't be their last.

In my last life, things fell apart when Dad and Madison fell for each other right in front of my mom's hospital bed. Mom passed away about a month later and after the funeral, Dad married Madison and moved her into our house. I was 20 and she was 22.

I was furious. I hung my mom's portrait in the house and smashed all their wedding stuff. No matter what I did, I couldn't stop Dad from marrying his new young wife and letting her take over. Dad just watched me go nuts and said coldly, "It's not your turn to handle my affairs yet. Your mother has passed away and I don't need your consent to marry anyone."

"But Dad, she's only two years older than me! How do you think that looks? How do you think I feel?" I yelled.

Dad slammed the table and roared, "I can't marry a young woman? Should I marry a granny to make you happy?"

"But Mom's body isn't even cold yet..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Do you mean I have to mourn your mother for three years?" he snapped back.

I pointed at him, so frustrated I could barely speak. "You! You! You!" I stammered.

After a while, Dad calmed down and said, "Don't worry. She signed a prenup. I only gave her one house and one car. I promised to help her family get jobs at the company after the marriage. The rest of the property and anything related to the company has nothing to do with her. I'm a businessman, not a fool. If we have kids, the property will be split equally. I won't treat you unfairly. After you graduate, you can come work at the company. The position of successor won't change."

He lit a cigarette, took a slow drag and said in a commanding tone, "You are my daughter and there will be no less for you. But this house is still mine to run."

I was beyond angry and slammed the door on my way out. I refused to answer his calls after that. I didn't go home until I heard about his death.

My thoughts snapped back to the present. Seeing Madison throw seductive glances at my dad right in front of me, I leaned in close to her face and suddenly yelled, "What are you looking at?"

She jumped, dropping the medicine bottle and spilling its contents all over the floor. Dad quickly moved to comfort her, "Are you scared? It's okay, I'll get the doctor to bring another bottle."

I glared at Dad and pressed the call button for the head nurse. Madison stayed focused on my father's soothing words, completely ignoring the mess she made.

When the head nurse walked in, I started ranting. "What kind of hospital is this? Is this supposed to be a VIP ward?"

The head nurse saw the medicine on the floor and gave me an apologetic look, saying, "Miss Sanchez, please don't be upset. If there's a problem, let me know and I'll make sure it's resolved."

I stared at Madison, who was practically glued to my father and she had the nerve to roll her eyes at me. I pointed at her and said to the head nurse, "Get rid of this intern! She spilled expensive medicine everywhere. Can’t she use her hands?"

"We’re sorry! She's still a student and just started her internship here. I'll send her back to school immediately," the head nurse responded, turning to Madison with a serious expression. "You're fired. Pack your things and go back to school. I'll call your teacher…"

Before the head nurse could finish, Dad jumped in. "Hey, it's cool. She didn't mean any harm. Just a little accident. My daughter's just being protective, you know."

The head nurse looked a bit confused, like she didn't get why I was making a big deal. "But... I’m a family member at a fancy hospital. My complaint's legit, right? Shouldn't she say sorry?"

I emphasized the "fancy hospital" part, hoping she'd catch on. And she did. She looked around the room, her expression changing.

She grabbed my hand, flashing a big smile. "Don't worry, Miss Sanchez. I'll talk to her. Let's give her another shot, especially since Mr. Sanchez is cool with it."

I was about to argue, but she squeezed my hand, stopping me. "Please, just for me. It'll make things easier."

With Dad being the boss and me just a student, I reluctantly agreed, stepping down. I nodded reluctantly, feeling a bit defeated.

Seeing me give in, the head nurse gave Madison a sign with her eyes. "You should say sorry to Miss Sanchez, okay?"

Madison rolled her eyes and muttered an apology.

Dad clearly had a soft spot for Madison and even if we moved hospitals, it wouldn't change anything. So, I decided to focus on helping Mom recover and making sure history didn't repeat itself.