Blurb：
Vanessa died betrayed by her best friend Patricia, poisoned for trying to save Patricia’s unborn twins from a dangerous pregnancy termination. Reborn to the critical moment Patricia is determined to donate her kidney to her brother Kevin, Vanessa now sees the toxic family dynamics clearly. This time, she won’t stop Patricia from her self-destructive mission to save Kevin, even if it means Patricia sacrifices her marriage to Mark and her precious pregnancy. In this intense tale of revenge and second chances, Vanessa navigates a web of family obligation, IVF struggles, and the poisonous consequences of Patricia’s savior complex. Will Vanessa’s new strategy lead to a different outcome, or will history repeat itself in this gripping drama of life, death, and betrayal?
Content：
My best friend Patricia was five months pregnant when her younger brother, Kevin, had kidney failure and needed a transplant.
Against the advice of her doctors and family, Patricia was dead set on terminating her pregnancy to donate a kidney to save Kevin.
I tried everything to reason with her, wearing my voice out until I finally convinced her not to terminate.
Later, Kevin passed away in the hospital due to complications.
Patricia blamed his death on me and poisoned me with Paraquat in my water glass, killing me.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself reborn back to the day Patricia was determined to terminate her pregnancy to save her brother.
[“Vanessa, how could my husband and mother-in-law be so heartless! He’s my only brother! I have to do this, but they’re blocking me at every turn. I don’t even want to go home right now.”] Patricia mumbled angrily through a mouthful of pungent blue cheese, her favorite.
Hearing the familiar voice, I slowly snapped back to reality, meeting Patricia’s disdainful expression.
I realized I had indeed been reborn, back to the moment Patricia, furious that her husband Mark and his mother were preventing her from terminating the pregnancy to save Kevin, had come over to my apartment.
Just like last time, Patricia had stormed in, plopped down on my couch, and started ranting.
[“If I don’t do this, my parents will never forgive me. I’ve always been the one who holds everything together. If I fail now… what use am I to them?”]
[“Who will be there for me if my marriage falls apart? He’s my anchor. I need him.?”]
[“Mark and his mom keep going on about the babies… They’re not even here yet! Their family is their whole world, but what about mine? Don’t my feelings count?”
“I can have other children! But I can’t get another brother! If he’s gone because I did nothing, how could I ever live with myself?”]
[“I can always have more kids, but if my brother dies, how can they possibly replace him?”]
She ranted on, all while shoveling my expensive imported blue cheese into her mouth. My heart ached—for the waste, but infinitely more for the twin babies growing inside her.
She and Mark had struggled for five years to conceive. The countless IVF cycles, the hormonal rollercoasters, the heartbreak—it was a journey I’d witnessed firsthand.
Now, finally pregnant and in the clear after a risky first trimester, she was ready to throw it all away.
It wasn’t like there were no other options. Her parents were in decent health. Her two sisters could have been tested.
But Patricia acted like she was under a spell, convinced she was the family savior, that they couldn’t manage without her, taking every burden onto her shoulders.
When her brother needed a down payment for his car, she’d secretly taken out a loan..
When his fiancée wanted a lavish wedding, Zoe had drained her savings to contribute.
But herself?
The t-shirt she was wearing was one she’d snagged from my closet two years ago.
I’d advised her countless times to be kinder to herself, but she never listened.
In the end, my well-meaning advice cost me my life.
This time around, I wouldn’t try to stop her.
If she wanted to be Kevin’s crutch so badly, then fine! Let her!
[“Vanessa, I’m talking to you!”] Patricia nudged me with her foot.
I turned to her and nodded.
[“You’re right. The guilt would be unbearable if anything happened to him. Your family relies on you so heavily. You’re the only one who can fix this..”]
[“Exactly…”] Patricia suddenly paused, looking at me with disbelief. [“Vanessa, that’s not what you said last week. You told me I was being reckless. That I’d regret it..”]
[“You were trying to talk me out of it, saying I shouldn’t end the pregnancy after trying so hard to conceive.”]
Yes, this drama had been going on for nearly two weeks.
The first time Patricia mentioned it, I had been adamantly opposed to her terminating the pregnancy to donate a kidney.
I suggested her two younger sisters could get tested to see if they were a match, or her parents could try.
Failing that, Kevin could get conservative treatment until after her babies were born – with modern medicine, he could likely wait those four months. Then she could reconsider donation.
But what had Patricia said then?
She said, [“Vanessa, how could you suggest my sisters get tested? What if one is a match? My parents would force them to donate!”]
[“My middle sister just had a baby; how could she raise a child if she donated a kidney?”]
[“My youngest sister is finally in a good relationship. This would scare any man away!”]
[“My parents are definitely out of the question. They’re too old; they couldn’t handle that kind of surgery.”]
After running through everyone, she concluded that she was the only suitable donor in the entire family.
Since she was so convinced, why should I argue? Of course I would let her have her way this time.
[“Patty, Patty,”] I said earnestly, [“Last time, I wasn’t thinking clearly. But now I get it. As your best friend, I should support you. No matter what you decide, I’ll be your strongest backup,” I said with earnest sincerity, but Patricia’s expression visibly darkened.
We were still talking when a knock sounded at the door.
I got up to answer. It was Mark and his mother.
[“Patty, Patty, we’re here to take you home. Come back with Mom,”] Mark’s mother said with a forced smile as she entered. Seeing Patricia sprawled on the couch, her smile faltered for a second before returning.
[“I’m not coming back. Not until you agree to let me terminate the pregnancy to save my brother.”]
Mark followed her in, shooting me a glare before adopting the same coaxing tone as his mother. [“Come on, Patty, let’s go home.”]
[“You like that fancy cheese, right? We’ll buy some on the way home. Come on.”]
Patricia allowed herself to be half-pulled, half-led back home.
As soon as Patricia left, I started figuring out how to escape this mess.
How could I get away from this toxic friendship? This time, I was staying far away from her family drama..
I was debating whether to take a long leave or find a new job when, during a meeting, the boss mentioned an open position for a company transfer.
The transfer was to Denver, Colorado – we had a factory there. The previous manager had retired, and they needed a replacement.
Denver’s high altitude wasn’t something us sea-level folks adapted to easily. Plus, the hardship pay wasn’t that great. When the boss brought it up, the conference room fell dead silent. No one made a sound. Even breathing seemed quieter, everyone afraid of being singled out.
This was perfect. Exactly what I needed.
I immediately raised my hand. “Sir, I’ll go. I’ll take it.”
Under the astonished stares of my colleagues and the boss’s relieved smile, I secured the transfer to Denver.
I got home after work and had barely laid down when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Patricia standing there, eyes red.
She saw me and threw herself into my arms.
[“Vanessa, everyone’s ganging up on me. What am I going to do?”]
[“Kevin can’t wait any longer; I have to terminate the pregnancy soon.”]
[“But I went to three different clinics today, and they all said the pregnancy is healthy and they won’t do the procedure.”]
Of course not! The babies were five months along – viable fetuses. No reputable clinic would agree to terminate a healthy pregnancy at that stage.
[“Vanessa.”] Patricia looked at me pitifully. [“What do I do? I can’t find anyone to do the procedure, and Kevin can’t wait!”]
[“Do you have any ideas? Or know any doctor friends?”]
I shook my head, feigning helplessness..
This life, I was determined to stay clear of this disaster.
Avoiding toxic people was priority number one.
Patricia sighed. She turned and spotted the takeout Mexican nachos I’d ordered for myself on the table, her eyes lighting up.
[“Spicy nachos! Vanessa, how did you know I love these?”]
[“Seriously, since I got pregnant, my mother-in-law won’t let me eat anything spicy or greasy, says it’s bad for the babies. Today, I’m indulging at your place!”] With that, she opened the container and started shoveling the nachos into her mouth.
Watching her devour my dinner, I was speechless.
I’d just wanted to relax for a bit, find something to watch while I ate.
I was starving!
Patricia inhaled the nachos in record time. She wiped her mouth and grinned at me, [“Eat! Why aren’t you eating?”]
Lady, you ate it all! What am I supposed to eat? Lick the cheese sauce off the container?
I shook my head, [“Nah, I’m not hungry.”]
For the next few days, I was busy handing over my work. The Denver transfer was scheduled for a month later. The boss shook my hand, his face creased with relief.
[“Vanessa Johnson, I have to say, I’m impressed! I really hadn’t expected you to be such a team player!”]
[“Young people should get out there and explore more.”]
[“Besides, Denver isn’t charity work. There’s a $7,000 hardship bonus for the year. Not bad, right?”]
I nodded enthusiastically, agreeing wholeheartedly.
What a great deal – good for them, good for me, good for the company.
Patricia hadn’t contacted me for three days, no texts, no visits. I was enjoying the peace.
On the fourth morning, as I was heading to work, I opened my door and nearly bumped into Mark and his mother.
They glared at me like I was the enemy.
[“Where’s Patty? Where are you hiding her?”]
[“What are you talking about?”] I was genuinely confused.
[“Make Patty come out. Has she been hiding at your place all these days?”] Mark’s mother pushed past me, barging into my apartment, yelling, [“Patty! Get out here! Come out right now!”]
The apartment was quiet. Empty.
[“Where is she? Where’s Patty?”] Mark demanded.
I shrugged. [“I don’t know. She hasn’t contacted me for three days.”]
Suddenly, Mark’s mother slapped her thigh and wailed, [“That stupid girl! She must’ve gone behind our backs to get an abortion!”]
[“Oh, my miserable life!!”] She wailed, pinching Mark hard on the arm.
[“You useless man! Can’t even control your own wife! You let her run out after an argument, didn’t even try to bring her back! And now look! Wife gone, babies gone!”]
Patricia had indeed terminated the pregnancy. She’d found a private clinic near the border, paid way over the odds, and convinced a doctor to do it.
Maybe because she was older, she had complications and ended up hospitalized for a long time.
She was too scared to tell Mark, afraid he’d be furious. She didn’t dare tell her parents either, knowing they’d be too busy with Kevin to care for her.
She told her youngest sister, who took care of her during the hospital stay.
Mark eventually tracked her down to the clinic. Seeing Patricia weak and pale in the hospital bed, Mark’s mother almost fainted.
[“You stupid girl! How dare you kill my grandbabies behind our backs! Oh, my poor babies!”]
Mark, usually meek and quiet, stood there stone-faced. He looked at Patricia and spat out two words: [“Divorce.”]
[“What?”] Patricia stared in disbelief.
[“I said, divorce.”] Mark helped his sobbing mother up and walked out without a second glance.
Mark was dead set on divorce. When Patricia was finally discharged and tried to go home, she found the locks changed. Her key didn’t work.
Patricia pounded on the door like a maniac, [“Mark! Open the door! I know you’re in there! We’re not divorced yet!”]
Mark cracked. He finally opened the door.
Patricia stormed in and plopped back onto the couch, starting her usual spiel.
It was the same old song: Kevin was the family’s only hope, she had to save him.
Babies could be replaced, a brother couldn’t.
Mark and his mother had heard it all before.
Patricia refused to agree to the divorce. At first, she tried sweet-talking Mark, apologizing, promising that once Kevin was saved, she’d be a good wife.
Mark, finally seeing sense, wasn’t buying it.
So Patricia resorted to threats. [“If you dare divorce me, I’ll go to your office and make a huge scene. I don’t care about my reputation; let’s see if you can afford to!”]
Mark definitely couldn’t afford it. He’d lived a quiet, unassuming life for decades. He couldn’t handle Patricia’s threats.
About a week later, Patricia got the news she was a match for Kevin. The doctors said the surgery could proceed once the money was ready.
Patricia was ecstatic. She came straight from the hospital and camped outside my apartment.
I was swamped with handing over my work, so I was getting home late every night.
I stepped out of the elevator and saw Patricia sitting slumped by my door.
She saw me and immediately started complaining. [“Why are you so late? I sent you so many texts; you didn’t reply to any of them!”]
I just said, [“Oh, sorry, work’s been crazy. Didn’t have time to check.”]
[“What’s up?”]
Patricia came inside and sat on the couch, wringing her hands silently.
[“Well? What is it?”] I prompted.
Seeing me being cooperative, Patricia finally gathered her courage. [“Vanessa, could you… could you lend me… thirty thousand dollars?”]
[“How much?”]
[“Thirty thousand.”] Patricia held up three fingers, then added a third for emphasis.
[“What do you think I am? Trust fund baby? I don’t have that kind of money!”]
[“Well, how much can you lend?”] Patricia looked at me expectantly. She knew my salary was decent, and I wasn’t a big spender. I must have some savings after years of work.
I spread my hands apologetically. [“I just bought a condo. Right now, I don’t have spare cash; I’m living off my credit card just to cover groceries.”]
Patricia exploded when she heard I’d bought property.
[“Vanessa Johnson! What does a girl need to buy property for? Your future husband will buy a house when you get married!”]
[“You have money for that but won’t lend it to me? Are you planning to die an old maid?”]
[“Your parents didn’t talk you out of it? Honestly, such impulsive nonsense! Property is so expensive! What makes you think you can afford it?”]
[“Quick! Before the market crashes, sell it! Lend me the money! Kevin needs the surgery!”]
The audacity was breathtaking.
Seeing her dead-serious expression, I realized this wasn’t a joke. She genuinely believed this.
[“I’m not selling it.”] I said flatly. [“Why do you have to come up with all the money for Kevin’s surgery? What about your parents? Your sisters?”]
Patricia’s eyes darted away. [“My parents don’t have any money. Kevin’s wedding cleaned them out.”]
[“My middle sister doesn’t have much either; her husband controls the finances, he wouldn’t give it to her. My youngest sister… sigh, don’t even get me started.”]
[“I’m the oldest. Helping my brother is my duty. Besides, I’m asking to borrow it, not demanding it. I’ll pay you back!”]
I still didn’t lend her the money. Patricia stormed off.
A day later, I saw her post on social media: [“You really find out who your friends are when you’re in trouble.”]
She was talking about me. I didn’t care.
Because I hadn’t lent her money, Patricia initiated a silent treatment.
Usually, she bombarded me with messages daily; now, radio silence.
I was enjoying the peace.
Three days later, Patricia updated her feed: [“Blood runs deeper than water. Always.”] The picture showed her and Kevin being wheeled into the operating room together.
This life, she had donated her kidney. I have to admit—I was kind of curious how things would turn for her after this.
I was busy with work handover. Apart from occasional glimpses of her life through social media, I wasn’t interested and didn’t want to know.
But the less I wanted to know, the more the situation seemed determined to find me.
One night, coming home late, I found a pale and frail Patricia slumped by my door.
It had been a week since she started ignoring me. She looked ghostly white, had lost a scary amount of weight, and her cheeks were hollow.
Seeing me, she gave a weak smile.
Once inside, she spoke slowly. [“Mark wants a divorce… but I don’t want one. He… filed papers.”]
[“I talked to a lawyer. In my condition, it’s very likely the judge will grant it. Vanessa, what do I do?”]
Honestly, I’d guessed Mark would divorce her after she secretly terminated the pregnancy. He was thirty-three. He couldn’t afford to wait. What if Patricia couldn’t get pregnant again? What then?
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