She Was Born Again, So She Stopped Begging For Their Love Chapter 08

She Was Born Again, So She Stopped Begging For Their Love Chapter 08

standing in the tune sunshine, she suddenly found it all ridienden,

It took her thirty two years in her past life us learn a lesson. In this ute, she learned it in throw.

You don’t get what you deserve from the wrong people.

You can’t squeeze oil from a stone. You can’t beg rain from a cloudless sky.

She walked to the bus stop. As she waited, her phone buzzed.

A message from Grandma Eleanor. “Sweetie, it’s your birthday next week. Grandma made your favorite chocolate cake. When are you coming to get it?”

Grace’s eyes welled up instantly.

The whole world might have forgotten her birthday. But Grandma never would.

The whole world thought she was “fine.” But Grandma thought she was the best granddaughter in the world.

She typed fast. “Grandma, I’ll come this weekend. Save the cake for me. I want to eat so much of it.”

Then she added, “Grandma, I got into the best university. Your girl is amazing.”

This time, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

Not sad tears. Complicated tears. A mix of relief and bitterness.

She stood at the bus stop, her back to the Bennett house, crying like a thirteen-year-old.

But she knew-this would be the last time she ever cried for this family.

That summer after graduation, Grace laid everything on the table.

She didn’t take the entrance exam. So she spent the whole month of June working.

Three jobs. Teaching assistant at a training center in the mornings. Shelving books at the library in the afternoons. Online translation work at night.

Her schedule was packed from 7 am. to 11 p.m. Hardly a moment free.

Richard called to ask how her SAT went. She said, “I didn’t take them.”

Five seconds of silener

“What ”’

“I didn’t take the SAT, I was accepted early mmy sophummjé yeat,”

Another five seconds of silence.

“Then Richard’s voice changed. Something Grace had never heard before. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Would you have cared?”

Her voice wasn’t sharp. It was almost gentle. That gentleness was more unnerving than any anger.

It meant she didn’t care about the answer anymore.

Richard said nothing.

Grace didn’t wait. “Dad, I will turn eighteen next month. From now on, I won’t ask you for another

penny. You don’t have to worry about me.

“What are you saying? Are you upset about Chloe? I’ve told you so many times—she has no parents. It’s right that we treat her well. You’re our own flesh and blood. How could we not love you?”

=

Grace laughed.

A short, soft laugh. Like a breath pushed out of her throat.

But on the other end of the line, hearing that laugh, Richard felt a chill run down his spine.

“Dad,” Grace said, “you say you love me. Do you even know when my birthday is?”

Silence,

“Do you know my SAT score?”

Silence.

“Do you know what building and room number I lived in during high school?”

Long silence.

Grace waited three seconds. Then she said, “It’s okay. You don’t need to know. You won’t need to in

the future either.”

This was missl st hadn’t had time to do in her pani fide,

In her past life, she waited. Waited for her parents to come armmd. Waited for them to mik, ulay!” Waited for them to one day suddenly realize they had another daughter.

She waited until she died. They never did.

This time, she wasn’t wälting.

She ripped the bandage off for them. I know you don’t love me. I don’t need you to,

We’ll go our separate ways. Owe each other nothing.

After hanging up, Grace thought her hands would shake.

They didn’t.

Her hands were steady. Like a surgeon’s.

She texted Chloe. “Chloe, I’m counting on you to take care of Mom and Dad from now on. You’re better at being their daughter than I am.”

Chloe replied instantly. “Grace, what do you mean? Where are you going?”

Grace didn’t answer.

She called her grandmother. When the line connected, her voice finally had warmth. “Grandma, I’m coming to see you next month. I bought you a massage chair. Your back isn’t good. Use it often.”

Grandma laughed on the other end. “Why spend that money? Save it for yourself.”

“Grandma, I have money now. I can take care of you.”

This was the first time in this life she had used the word “take care of.”

Not being taken care of. Taking care of someone else.

She was finally no longer that Grace who needed pity, who was passed around like a hot potato, who- had nowhere to go.

She had strength. She had choices. She could protect the people she loved.

On ber eighteenth birthday, Grace ate a bowl of long-life noodles alone at a small restaurant near

The pandles wi ve handmade. The broth wow sïtiunered Jooze bond. Affilipp attoohge the city et the volk-liglolycrispy pia the way she liked in

Shplate-slowly, One bite at a Hue Like aritual

Hallway through, her phone buzzed.

A zmessage Ironi Michael. “Grace, happy birthday. See you in Bostoji.

she stared at the message for å long time.

Michael had gotten into the same university as her. In the same city.

Not a coincidence. She had helped him with his application.

At the time, she said, “With your scores, this school is your safest bet. And Boston has good internships.”

She was objective. Professional. Like a guidance counselor.

What she didn’t say was that Boston was big, but if he was there too, at least she would have someone to talk to when she wanted.

She put down her phone and finished her noodles.

The bowl was clean. Not a drop left.

She wiped her mouth, paid, and walked out.

The late June wind was hot, blowing warmly on her face.

The streets were full of people. Everyone had somewhere to go. Someone to go home to.

Grace stood on the street and took a deep breath.

Eighteen years.

Thirty-two in her past life, eighteen in this one. She had lived fifty years in total. Finally become someone who didn’t need anyone.

She didn’t know if that was luck or tragedy.

Four years of college, Grace was busy, but fulfilled.

Schoolwork wasn’t hard She’d already studied it in lon past like Hire Paslanmiralty amen

She spent more time on making, money Translation Tutorng: fivesting fzery penny pri ancyanat use She became financially independent in her first year. Never asked her family for another và nh

Richard called a few times. She answered. Their conversations were short

He asked if she needed money. She said no. He asked if she was coming home for the holidays. Whe

said no. He said her mother missed her. She was quiet for two seconds, then said, “Oh, really. “Her

voice so flat it was like she’d heard a not-very- funny joke..

Linda never called.

Either Richard was lying, or Linda just didn’t care.

Grace thought the latter was more likely. She didn’t care which it was anymore.

Chloe texted often.

Holiday wishes. Reminders to bundle up when the weather changed. Long messages on Grace’s birthday.

But what’s the use of these shallow words?

Grace read them. Sometimes replied. Never deeply.

Not because she was cold. Because she knew herself.

She was the kind of person who either gave nothing or gave everything.

In her past life, she gave everything. Got shattered.

She didn’t dare in this life. Not because she was afraid of the pain. Because she was afraid that if she let her guard down, she’d find herself back in that north-facing room, waiting for a door that would never open.

Winter break of junior year, Grace got a call from Richard.

His voice sounded much older. Tired in a way she’d never heard before. “Grace, your mother is. sick.”

Her grip on the phone tightened.

“What’s wrong?”

‘Gallstones. Needs surgery. You should come back.”

Grace was silent for a long time.

She remembered when Linda had surgery in her past life. She took a month off work to go home and

take care of her.

Every day, she stayed by Linda’s bedside. Washed her. Fed her. Helped her to the bathroom. Did everything a caregiver would do.

Linda lay in the hospital bed, held her hand, and her first word were, “Has Chloe been busy with work lately?”

That thorn had been stuck in her for two lifetimes. Still wasn’t out.

“I’ll send money.” Grace said. “But I can’t come back. It’s almost finals.”

A lie. A bad one. There were no important finals in the first semester of junior year.

But Richard believed it. Or maybe he just didn’t care enough to call her out.

“Alright.” His voice was disappointed-whether at her not coming back or at her in general, she couldn’t tell. “Take care of yourself.”

He hung up.