Chapter 1

Okay, so picture this: It’s Groundhog Day, but instead of a furry rodent, I’m stuck reliving the same freaking life. My ex, Kevin, and I died in a car wreck. I woke up, bam, back before we even started dating.

Last time around, we were married for seven years, seven years of me going through fertility treatments, you name it, hoping for a baby. He just kept blaming me, saying I couldn’t give him the perfect little family. Non-stop fighting.

This time? I’m letting him go. We both acted like we didn’t know each other, just brushed past in the crowd.

Fast forward seven years, and guess where I see him again? At my daughter’s dance recital at her preschool. He’s rolling up in some fancy new SUV, wearing a suit that probably cost more than my car. He sees me and can’t help himself. “Well, well, if it isn’t Sarah. Looks like you finally managed to lay an egg.”

I just ignored him, looking over at the little boy standing next to him. I knew the truth. The reason we couldn’t have kids wasn’t me.

My second encounter with Kevin was at my daughter’s pre-school dance thing. He was decked out in a custom suit that screamed “I make way more money than you,” acting like hot stuff. All the other parents were practically drooling, showering him with compliments.

“Mr. Miller, isn’t it? My kid goes to school with your son. I’m so impressed!” Then some lady got nosy. “Mr. Miller, you and your wife seem so happy. Any plans to add another kid to the mix?”

Kevin actually smiled. “My wife is pregnant, a few more months, and I’m going to be a Dad again.” Everyone started congratulating him.

Mrs. Davis, the teacher, was looking at me, way in the back. “Ma’am, are you a parent? The parents’ seats are up front!” Of course, everyone turned to stare.

“Sure.” I walked up and sat in an empty seat in the front row. Kevin’s face went stiff. “Sarah? I can’t believe you have a kid.”

I glanced at him. “Yeah, I have a daughter.” He looked like I’d slapped him, then laughed. “Adopted, right? Or a step-daughter?”

“Whatever she is, coming to your kid’s preschool recital dressed like you got your clothes at a garage sale? Talk about embarrassing her.”

Before I could say anything, a sweet little voice called out, “Mommy, look at me!” I turned to see my girl on stage.

“I see you, sweetie.” I saw Kevin’s son too. Weirdly, he was in the same class as my daughter, doing the same dance.

Kevin followed my gaze. There she was, this adorable little girl in a white tutu, waving right at me. His face just froze. He was staring at my daughter’s face.

Because she looked exactly like me. The eyes, the nose, the mouth, everything. It was like looking at a mini-me.

“Sarah, holy crap. You can have kids?” “How many rounds of IVF did you go through to make this happen? You couldn’t tie a man down, so you got pregnant? But he probably can’t even afford clothes for you. Was it worth it?”

I glared at him. Last time around, Kevin and his mom were always on my case, saying I was shooting blanks. They forced me into all sorts of treatments, which made me feel terrible, not to mention the stress.

He saw I wasn’t saying anything and smirked. “Guess leaving you was the best decision I ever made.” “Without you dragging me down, I’m successful, free, and rich. And now I have a son. Look at you, you look like you’re about to start working the night shift as a waitress somewhere!”

Kevin got louder and more obnoxious, showing off his fancy watch. “Take a good look. Italian-made. You could never afford something like this. You deleted my number, now you’re regretting it, right?”

I looked at it. Watches like that were just collecting dust in my house. I looked back at my daughter’s performance. “Congrats,” I muttered.

Kevin frowned, looking annoyed. “Sarah, can’t you admit you regret it? Even a little?”

I was genuinely confused. “I’m living my life, you’re living yours. What’s to regret?” Just then, Kevin’s son on the stage kicked over a prop. “Dad, why do you always look at her and not me?”

The prop landed on my daughter, hard. “Ah!” My daughter fell down, clutching her back. The performance stopped. Everyone gasped.

“Lily!” I ran on stage, checking on her. Thankfully, she just had a bruise. “Mommy,” my daughter said, sadly pointing to her broken emerald necklace. “Grandma just gave it to me….”

The necklace cost thousands, but that wasn’t the point. It was from my mom. I frowned, rubbing my daughter’s head. “It’s okay, honey. Mommy will get you another one.”

Before I could ask the kid what was going on, this loud, shrill voice cut through the air. “That was a Vioom! It’s worth thousands!” “How are you going to pay for it?”

A blonde woman in a tight dress, with a baby bump, stomped onto the stage, grabbing the broken prop. Kevin’s wife, Tiffany.

Kevin tried to calm her down. “Honey, it was our son who started it.” Tiffany lost it. “My precious baby wouldn’t hurt a fly unless he was provoked. The little brat probably deserved it.”

She turned to me, squinting. “Why are you sticking up for this nobody? Oh, I get it. It’s Kevin’s ex, Sarah!”

Kevin frowned. “Let’s focus on the matter at hand. Why bring up the past?” He pulled a credit card from his wallet and held it out to me. “Running into you today was unexpected. I can see you’re struggling, but I’m married now. You’re too late. My son made the first move, so the medical expenses are on us. Here’s a thousand bucks, buy yourself some vitamins. You’re going to need them. I hope your husband doesn’t blame you.” “Still, a woman should have her own kids. Otherwise, you’ll get dumped. Not everyone would give you the chances I did.”

I just laughed. He failed at everything he tried, and I was working three jobs to support him while trying to make him happy. And what opportunities was he talking about?

I was about to throw the card back at him when Tiffany snatched it. She looked ready to explode. “Honey! We feel bad for her, but we can’t give her money! It’s like admitting our son was wrong!”

I looked at her. “Let’s get one thing straight, your son threw a prop at my daughter for no reason.” Tiffany sneered. “For no reason? My son was teaching this little tramp a lesson for trying to seduce his father!”

She was losing it. I took a deep breath. My daughter was right there.

“Ma’am, watch your mouth. I could sue you for slander. Your son broke the prop. The emerald necklace was worth thousands, the dress worth thousands, the medical bills need to be paid as well. Now, we can settle this civilly, or we can take it to court.”

“Thousands?” Tiffany bent down, ripping the broken necklace off my daughter’s neck. She threw it on the ground and stomped on it with her heel. “I wondered why you were suddenly so concerned! You think I’m some hick who’s never seen jewelry before? That thing’s probably plastic. Good luck getting money for it.” “You want my husband? Today must be your lucky day.”

I stared at the ruined necklace, struggling to stay calm. “What do I have to regret?”

Tiffany tossed her head back. “You dumped my husband for being poor! Now he’s rich, wears fancy suits, and drives expensive cars. Tell me you don’t regret that.”

“I don’t regret anything,” I said, trying to stay calm. “Since you’re not interested in settling this quietly, I’ll just call the cops.”

Kevin’s face darkened. “Sarah, can’t you admit that you regret it, seeing your ex doing better, his son being better than your daughter?” He was so proud of his wealth and his “son.” I found it pathetic. His son didn’t look anything like him, the blind man.

I didn’t want to argue. I pulled out my phone, ready to call 911. Tiffany thought I was bluffing and laughed, patting her stomach. “I know you mother hens dote on your children because you can’t have any of your own.” “Sarah, I feel bad for you, but your husband is an idiot if he sticks around now. That’s a shame.

My face went cold. I raised my hand and slapped Tiffany as hard as I could. “I’ve had enough of you. Maybe I should let you know that your precious baby is most likely not your husband’s.”