Chapter 1: The Debt I Never Owed

My sister-in-law was pregnant, and she said that in the village, giving birth was as simple as pushing the baby out. But I insisted she go for a prenatal check-up. It turned out she had a high-risk pregnancy, and a C-section saved both her and the baby.

My nephew was born weak and sickly. Every time he fell ill, my sister-in-law would tell him, "Blame your aunt for this. She was afraid you'd compete for the family inheritance. That's why she insisted I go to the hospital, and you were born prematurely, harming your health!"

Because of this, my nephew hated me. Later, after being mocked by his classmates, he put pesticide in my water, watching me die in agony.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my family asked for my opinion. This time, I decided not to interfere. I wanted to see what kind of child she would give birth to.

I was reborn on the day we discovered my sister-in-law was pregnant. She was proudly showing off her belly, saying, "I asked the local wise woman, and she said this one is definitely a boy."

"Hahaha, I'm the one bringing honor to the Barnes family! You finally have a male heir!" She glanced at me and added, "What good is an education for a girl? You're getting older and still single. Having a baby boy is the most important thing!"

Her belly looked quite large, probably over seven months. My mother couldn't stop smiling, "Exactly! Boys are the best! Mila, you've worked hard!"

Then, my mother hesitated, "Mila, the neighbors say you should go for a prenatal check-up. Have you gone?"

My sister-in-law scoffed, "That's just something rich folks worry about. Mom, you didn't have any of those checks when you had Rhett and Ryann. It's just a way for hospitals to make money."

"We're tougher than those city folks." My mother nodded, feeling it made some sense. Then she looked worriedly at me, "Ryann, you're smart and well-read. Do you think it's okay not to go for a check-up?"

My sister-in-law's eyes instantly fixed on me. I paused, recalling my past life. Back then, my mother had asked me the same question. I knew how crucial prenatal check-ups were. Women could develop many complications, and the baby's development was uncertain. Check-ups were essential to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

So, I had firmly insisted my sister-in-law see a doctor. Her expression soured, but I offered to pay, and with the family's persuasion, she went to the hospital. It turned out she had a high-risk pregnancy and needed an immediate C-section to save both her and the baby. Thanks to the successful surgery, both my sister-in-law and nephew were safe, though he was born weak.

But I hadn't expected my sister-in-law to be ungrateful. Every time my nephew fell ill, she would whisper in his ear, "Blame your aunt for this. She didn't want you to compete for the inheritance, so she convinced the family to have you born early."

"That's why you're so weak and sickly!" My nephew grew to hate me. One day, after being mocked for his frailness, he poisoned my water with pesticide, killing me.

My sister-in-law found out right away. She convinced my brother to tell everyone I had taken my own life because I was too old to get married. My parents believed this story, but on the seventh night after my death, I overheard them whispering, "Ryann, don't blame us. Michael is the family's only heir ..."

It turned out my parents knew the truth. They were accomplices. This was the family I had given up everything for. Thinking of this, I looked at my mother and sister-in-law's faces and smiled.

"It's Mila's baby, so it's her decision."

My sister-in-law rolled her eyes, "Of course. I know what's best for my baby."

Fine, let's see what kind of child you end up with this time.