I had been married to Matthew Zackman for 20 years, taken care of my bedridden mother-in-law for ten years, and supported him as he transformed from a rural teacher to a well-known professor. Everyone called me a model of a virtuous wife and a great contributor to the Zackman family.

When my mother-in-law was on her deathbed, she held my hand and said that she still wanted me to be her daughter-in-law in her next life.

Matthew had held me in his arms and said gratefully, "Jamie, you've worked so hard all these years. I'll make it up to you in the future."

I thought the hard times were finally over, but my mother-in-law had just passed away when he handed me a divorce agreement and embraced my best friend, who had grown up with me.

He said, "Jamie Lingsworth, I've endured this marriage for 20 years and am finally free. Rosie is the one I've loved all along."

I left the marriage empty-handed and was forced to wander the streets until a car accident ended my life.

When I reopened my eyes, I had returned to the day of my blind date 20 years ago.

The matchmaker was enthusiastically praising Matthew, "This young man is a diamond in the rough! He's kind and filial. Whoever marries him is one lucky woman!"

I looked at the polite and sincere-looking man across from me and smiled. Then, I threw the matchmaking document in my hand into the trash can. "Sorry, I don't think we're a good match."

The smile on Matthew Zackman's face froze. He propped up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose bridge, his tone still gentle. "Ms. Linsworth, do we have a misunderstanding here? We can take our time getting to know each other. No need to come to that conclusion so quickly."

The matchmaker, Miriam Winston, also got anxious and grabbed my hand. "Oh, Jamie, you silly girl! It's hard to find a fine man like Mr. Zackman, even if you search high and low! Don't be foolish!"

I gently withdrew my hand as my gaze calmly fell upon Matthew. In my previous life, it was his gentle and refined appearance that deceived me for an entire lifetime.

I had thought he would not be poor forever and that his character made him one of a kind, so I took out all my savings, gave up the opportunity to further my studies at an art academy, and stayed with him in that small town. I took care of the house for him, entertained his superiors for him, and gradually paved the way to a bright future for him.

However, what happened in the end? After achieving success and fame, the first thing he did was to kick me away.

I smiled slightly. "Mr. Zackman, it's not a misunderstanding. You're great. It's just that I'm not good enough for you." Having said that, I stood up, took my bag, and turned around to leave.

"Jamie!" Matthew grabbed my wrist at once.

I turned around and looked at him icily.

He seemed to realize he had lost his composure and loosened his grip. "Ms. Linsworth, I just find it a pity. I promised my mother I'd find a wife as gentle and virtuous as you. I—"

I interrupted him and forcefully shook off his hand. "Then keep looking, Mr. Zackman. Stop following me. It's unsightly."

I walked out of the noisy café without looking back.

The early summer breeze brushed against my face with a hint of warmth, and I let out a long sigh of relief, thinking how great it was. It was not too late to change things.

Just then, my best friend, Rosalie Beck, called.

I swiped to answer the call, and her soft, concerned voice immediately came through. "Jamie, how did the blind date go? Ms. Winston said Mr. Zackman is a really nice guy. Did you meet him?"

I leaned against a sycamore tree by the roadside. Watching the mottled shadows cast from the tree, I chuckled softly. "Yes."

"That's great! What's he like? Is he as Ms. Winston said?"

"Yeah, he's got potential," I answered flatly.

Rosalie, on the other end of the line, seemed relieved. Her voice was full of joy. "I knew it! Jamie, you have to seize the opportunity! For a woman, marrying a good man is more important than anything else! Don't worry. I'll treat Mr. Zackman like a brother after you marry him!"

She had said the same thing in my past life.

Then, while I was overwhelmed with caring for my mother-in-law, she wore the dress I bought to comfort Matthew. While I was begging for funding for his research project, she accompanied him to various academic conferences as his confidante. In the end, she held my husband's arm as she told me, "Jamie, I'm sorry. Love is uncontrollable."

I closed my eyes, suppressing the simmering hatred within me. "Rosalie, why don't I give him to you if you think he's a good man?"

On the other end of the line, Rosalie's breath hitched.

"Jamie, what... What are you saying?" Rosalie suddenly panicked. "We're best friends. How could I—"

I casually interrupted her, "Good things should be shared among friends. Haven't you always said that you want to find a man who's ambitious, filial, and kind to you? Matthew perfectly meets all your requirements."

"But... But he's your blind date!"

"I've rejected him." I watched the people coming and going on the street, feeling that the whole world had brightened up.

"So, he's free now. You have Miriam's phone number, right? Hurry up, or you'll miss out on such a great opportunity." After saying that, I hung up without waiting for her reaction.

I could imagine how shocked and secretly delighted Rosalie would be on the other end of the line.

In my past life, she spoke highly of Matthew countless times in front of me, urging me to settle down quickly. However, she had just wanted me to clear the obstacles ahead for her first. After I helped build Matthew's success, she swooped in and reaped the benefits.

I would grant her wish in this life. I wanted to see how Rosalie would live the good life she desired with her beloved bachelor without my family background and savings as start-up capital and without my connections and sacrifices paving the way for him.

Back home, my mother was sitting on the couch waiting for me. Seeing me return, she immediately asked, "How was it? Was Mr. Zackman alright?"

My father also peeked out from his study.

My parents were ordinary workers with a traditional mindset. They always believed that a stable family mattered the most for a woman. In my past life, they were satisfied with a cultured son-in-law like Matthew.

I sat down beside them and calmly said, "Dad, Mom, I don't like him."

"Huh?" My mother looked disappointed.

"Why? Ms. Winston said he..."

"He said his mother is in poor health and takes medication year-round. He also has a younger brother in university, and the family relies entirely on his salary."

I ripped apart Matthew's filial and responsible facade, revealing the stark reality.

My mother's expression changed. "Well… is the burden that heavy?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Besides, I don't want to get married so early. Dad, Mom, I want to pick up my paintbrush again. I want to apply for a postgraduate program at an art academy."

It was a dream I had kept hidden in my heart for 20 years.

In my past life, I gave up my guaranteed postgraduate admission for Matthew.

He had vowed, "Jamie, once my career is stable, I'll definitely support your further studies."

However, when he became a professor, he told me, "You're almost 40. What's the point of all this fuss? Isn't it better to stay home?"

My dad listened to me, remained silent for a long time, and finally nodded. "Okay, go for it if you want. Don't worry about things at home." He had always been more open-minded than my mom.

My eyes welled up with tears as I nodded heavily.

…

The next day, I was looking for postgraduate entrance exam materials in a bookstore when Matthew suddenly appeared and blocked my way. "Ms. Linsworth, I know I'm being presumptuous, but I still want to try again."

I closed my book and looked at him. "Mr. Zackman, I've made myself very clear."

"I know." He smiled bitterly, his voice carrying a hint of pleading. "My mother found out yesterday that you disapproved of me, and she didn't sleep at all. She fell ill this morning."

I sneered inwardly.

In my past life, I was too soft-hearted and went to visit his mother after she fell ill. As a result, I was surrounded and guilt-tripped by his family. I ultimately agreed to the marriage against my will.

I looked him straight in the eye and uttered, "Mr. Zackman, your mother is sick. She should be taken to the hospital to see a doctor. You shouldn't come to me, a stranger you've only just met. I'm not a doctor; I can't cure her."

Matthew's expression instantly turned rather gloomy. He took a deep breath and explained in a heavy tone, "Jamie, I just hope you'll pay her a visit. She really likes you and keeps talking about you. She says you're exactly the daughter-in-law she wants. Just... have some pity for an old lady. Go and visit her, will you?"

His voice held a slight tremor, and his eyes were slightly red.

I put the book in my hand back on the bookshelf and turned around to leave.

"Jamie! Are you that heartless?" Matthew's voice suddenly rose.

The people around us all looked at us.

I stopped and met his slightly displeased gaze with utter calmness. "Mr. Zackman, please watch your words. We have nothing to do with each other except for a failed blind date. You're making so much noise in public that you're bothering me."

His chest rose and fell violently. He was clearly furious.

"Okay, okay, okay," he repeated himself with a gloomy look in his eyes.

"Jamie, I'll remember this." He turned around and hurried away, looking somewhat disheveled.

I received a call from an unknown number that night. A frail, elderly woman's voice said, "Is… Is this Ms. Linsworth?"

I immediately recognized the owner of the voice—Matthew's mother, Cassandra Zigger.

"Mrs. Zackman, hello," I replied politely but distantly.

Cassandra lamented on the phone, "Oh, Jamie. I know Matthew isn't lucky enough to be with a wonderful woman like you. But... But I just want to see you and say a few words to you in person. Otherwise, it'll weigh on my chest. I'm afraid… I'm afraid I won't be able to get over it."

Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke.

I gripped the phone and stayed silent.

She had also done this in my previous life. Every time Matthew wanted something from me, she would conveniently fall ill, feel something weighing on her chest, or feel like she was dying. Time and time again, I became soft-hearted and gave in.

"Jamie, I don't ask for anything else. I just beg you to come to the hospital and see me, okay? Just... pity me." Her voice was full of pleading as if I would disagree.

I took a deep breath, knowing they would stick to me like glue if this was not resolved once and for all. I agreed. "Okay. Send me the address. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon."

After I hung up, I looked out at the night sky. My eyes grew colder. Since Matthew and his mother were insisting on putting on this show, I would play along. However, this time, I would write the script.

…

The next afternoon, I arrived at the hospital as promised. Just as I reached the entrance to the inpatient department, I saw Rosalie waiting there.

She was wearing a simple white dress with light makeup. She immediately came to greet me, her expression full of worry.

"Jamie, you're finally here! Mrs. Zackman... hasn't eaten anything since this morning. She keeps talking about you." Rosalie naturally took my arm as if we were still best friends who could talk about anything.

"Is that so?" I casually pulled my hand away. "Let's hurry inside. Don't keep the old lady waiting."

Rosalie's eyes flickered for a moment before she returned to her gentle and kind demeanor as she led me toward the ward.

The moment I pushed open the ward door, the strong smell of medicine struck me in the face. Cassandra was lying weakly on the bed. Matthew sat beside her, feeding her water.

Seeing me enter, Cassandra's eyes lit up instantly. She struggled to sit up. "Jamie. Jamie, you're here..."