Why were the police bringing the crate of white powder to our house?

To my surprise, when the crate was opened, there was no white powder. Instead, over a dozen gold bars were in the crate.

"Officers, why is there so much gold?" Dad asked, bewildered.

However, as soon as he stepped forward, the police pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him.

The sudden turn of events completely stunned me. My first instinct was to rush forward, but the police stopped me.

"Why are you arresting my father?" I asked.

"Upon investigation, the box contains stolen gold bars from a heist that happened over a decade ago. They were taken mid-transit. We've also managed to confirm that the mastermind was your grandfather. Your father's guilty expression now proves he was connected too."

Just then, the officer, whose name was Shawn Fontaine, gave me a complicated look. "You personally made the call to send your father to jail. His actions will be a stain on your family name and bar you from civil service. Despite that, you should take pride in helping us catch a criminal and recover national assets."

I couldn't believe it. "That's impossible. How could my father be a criminal? Dad, tell them it's a misunderstanding!"

However, when I turned to look at Dad and saw the guilt, sorrow, as well as the shock of betrayal written all over his face, I was rendered speechless.

"Is it true?" I murmured.

Dad looked at me and slowly revealed the truth. "Your Grandpa wanted to improve our lives and brought back this crate for safekeeping. But when I saw the gold bars, I learned the truth about the heist.

"Back then, the consequences for such a crime were severe. Mom was pregnant with you, and to protect you, I chose to hide it."

So Grandma was telling the truth? How could that be? In my past life, that crate was full of heroin!

Even as the police led Dad away in front of me, I was still reeling from the shock.

Wasn't that supposed to be heroin? How could it contain gold bars? How could Dad be a criminal?

Just then, the door opened, and Mom rushed in, having heard the news. "Honey?"

However, when she saw the empty house, she realized something.

"No…" she whispered.

She then collapsed to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Mom's illness was acting up.

"Mom!" I exclaimed.

This scene, identical to one from my past life, rekindled my deepest fear.

I frantically rushed to support Mom, but she stared intently into my eyes, barely breathing as she said, "Your Dad messed up, but it was all for you. And yet, you reported him."

Mom's voice was choked with emotion as she added, "Vanessa, are you upset that your Dad didn't give you money for a luxurious lifestyle? Is that why you sought revenge?"

"No, that's not true! Why would I hate Dad? I never wanted to hurt him!"

Yet, before hearing my explanation, Mom passed out.

I frantically carried her to the hospital for emergency treatment. I rushed all the way there and left her in the nurses' care. I fainted briefly from exhaustion, only to see Grandma in my dream again.

She looked heartbroken as she said, "Your mother's condition is dire. Only Dr. Vance at Central Hospital can help her. If you don't go now, it'll be too late!"

I woke with a start, but I felt conflicted. In my past life, I'd witnessed Dr. Vance's skills. If he could intervene on time, then he could save Mom.

I then glanced at the time and realized that James' accident was due to happen two hours later. It was completely avoidable. I called him immediately.

The call connected quickly, and I heard James' comforting voice. "I heard all about what happened to your crops, babe. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I felt warmth bloom in my heart. James was such a good person, and yet he died because of my stubbornness in my past life. This time, I swore I'd save Mom and ensure nothing happened to James as well.

So, I said, "James, I need a favor. Stay where you are this afternoon. Don't move. I'll come see you tonight, alright?"

I racked my brains for a suitable answer.

Yet, James didn't hesitate as he replied, "I don't know why, but since you sound so serious, it has to be important. Don't worry. I'll do as you say and wait for you to come pick me up."

I nodded emphatically, then wiped away my tears and rushed to Central Hospital. I skipped all formalities and fell to my knees before Dr. Hank Vance.

He immediately realized the gravity of the situation and chose to treat Mom.

I glanced at the time and realized I was an hour early.

Hank himself said that since I was on time, there was a greater chance of a full recovery for Mom.

However, it wasn't until the three-hour surgery was over that Dr. Vance removed his mask to give me the good news. "The surgery was a success. She'll make a complete recovery with proper rest."

Mom lay on the hospital bed. She slowly opened her eyes, but she closed them bitterly upon seeing me.

She was still angry at me, but I wept with joy regardless.

At least I managed to save Mom this time, and I managed to escape from Grandma's awful dreams.

My first thought was to call James to tell him the good news, but all my calls went unanswered. What was going on?

Before I could recover from the shock, a commotion erupted in the hospital, and I heard someone yelling my name.

I turned around, and what I saw sent chills down my spine.

James' mother, Anna Wilson, was striding toward me as she launched into a tirade. "Vanessa West, you bitch! You killed my boy!"

"Did something happen to James? How's that possible? I asked him to stay put—"

Anna suddenly went berserk, cutting me off. "So it was your fault after all? Do you know that my son died because a drunk driver hit him while he was waiting for you at the intersection? You killed him!"

This felt like a huge blow to my senses.

James was… dead?

My eyes widened in shock. I couldn't believe this was happening.

I deliberately steered clear of Grandma's instructions in the dream. So how did I end up killing James?

Before I could react, Anna suddenly pulled out a knife from her pocket—the very same knife that killed me in my past life. She then lunged at me with a vicious thrust.

Yet, at that moment, someone shoved me aside violently and took the blow.

"Vanessa! Run!"

It was Mom.

With a sickening slice, the blade pierced her chest. Her blood spattered onto my face.

I snapped out of my daze, only to see Mom lying in a pool of blood. She was clutching at Anna's leg and yelling, "Vanessa! Go!"

Anna was unable to break free. Furious, she kicked Mom again, glaring at me menacingly as she hissed, "You little shit! If you don't get the hell over here and pay for my son's life, then I'll kill your mother before I come after you!"

The kitchen knife in Anna's hand was about to plunge into Mom's chest when, in a flash, realization dawned on me.

I understood why Grandma was haunting my dreams, and why I couldn't change the cause of the tragedy. I suddenly understood everything.