When I opened my eyes again, it was the day before Aunt Patricia's fall.
……
Every memory of my past life was razor-sharp. I knew exactly what would happen if I stayed. The second she fell, I'd be the first person she called.
For years, Aunt Patricia had been in poor health, and because I worried about her, I was the one who showed up. I cooked for her. I cleaned for her. I kept her company.
Her own son, Derek Abbott? He was overseas the entire time.
Not only that—he'd call her every now and then to ask for money.
And Aunt Patricia? She always praised me. Told me I was the closest person to her heart. Closer than her own child.
Until that day.
I got her call and rushed over, frantic. I'd genuinely believed that even if she wasn't grateful for everything I'd done, she wouldn't actively try to destroy me.
Then Derek came home. He took one look at his mother's condition and dragged me straight to court.
On the stand, Aunt Patricia sobbed like her heart was being ripped from her chest.
She said I pushed her.
That was the moment it finally clicked. The woman I'd treated like family had been setting me up all along.