Chapter 3

"Laura, have you calmed down yet?"

Joseph's voice on the other end of the line sounded tired, as if Laura was the one who'd done something wrong and he was being forced to come smooth things over.

"What do you want?" Laura asked coldly.

"Laura, stop making a scene. You know how much I love you. We've been together for so many years — a little fight isn't enough to break us up, right?"

Laura laughed despite her anger. "You've got some nerve."

"Laura, baby... forgive me. I wasn't thinking straight when things happened with Ella."

Laura frowned. "Why would a normal person not be thinking straight? Were you on drugs? Do I need to call a rehab center for you?"

"No! What are you talking about?" Joseph panicked. "Ella seduced me — I didn't mean for it to happen!"

"I wonder if Ella would be mad enough to kill you if she heard that," Laura said, glancing at her phone, which was recording the call, a thoughtful smile on her face.

"She..." Joseph paused. "She's had it rough too. Ever since you came back, she's had a real inferiority complex. When she asked you for things, it was just her way of proving she still mattered — she was scared the family would forget about her."

Laura laughed out loud. "You're unbelievable, Joseph. Just because something's wrong with your head doesn't mean everyone else is stupid too. You think you can fool me?"

"I'm serious!" Joseph said through gritted teeth. "So Laura, cut her some slack and come home. We can work out the painting situation — I'll give you whatever you want!"

"So that's why you called," Laura said. She'd seen through his real motive from the start.

She asked lightly, "How much are you offering? More than what Ella's paying her ghost painter? Or can't she find the right one?"

Joseph was stunned. "How did you know about that?"

"I was bluffing. Didn't think you'd actually admit it."

Laura had no intention of bringing up Lena.

She was done being patient. "Joseph, I've been recording this whole conversation. Keep pushing me and I'll post it online for everyone to see what Ella's really like."

She hung up and blocked his number.

After breakfast, Laura headed out to look for a space to rent.

She was ready to rebuild her career, and she needed a place to use as a studio.

She contacted an agent and toured a few spots. In the end, she settled on a shared gallery on Willow Street.

She'd just been reborn, and in her past life she'd been foolish enough to let the Garcia family drain her dry. She had some money now, but not a lot — she could only afford something on the cheaper end.

She was about to sign the contract when the manager suddenly got a phone call.

The man who'd been all smiles moments ago now looked uncomfortable. He turned to Laura and said hesitantly, "I'm sorry, I can't rent to you."

"Is it the price? We can talk it over."

"No, it's just... I can't rent to you. Not you specifically."

Laura smiled. "So I'm being targeted?"

Just then, an angry voice came from behind her. "Did you think about this moment when you were going after Ella?"

A man in a sharp suit strode toward her — Liam Garcia, the eldest son of the Garcia family.

His brow was furrowed tight. He grabbed Laura's wrist. "What gives you the right to rent a place out here? Get back home and apologize to Ella!"

"Let go!" Laura's wrist felt like it was about to be crushed. She yanked twice but couldn't break free, so without hesitating, she drove her knee straight into Liam's groin.

"Agh!" Liam hadn't expected Laura to fight back, let alone hit him there. The pain made him release her. He doubled over, his face twisted in agony.

Laura dusted off her hands. "You're in real estate, and this is what you're doing — teaming up with an agent to make my life difficult. Very impressive."

"Laura! You've gone too far!"

Liam was shaking with pain and rage, his face pale. "Who was it that took you out of that orphanage? And this is how you repay us?"

"You wanted to use me, and you treated me like dirt," Laura said with a shrug. "And you want gratitude? Just having anything to do with you people makes me sick."

Liam nearly passed out from fury. "I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

He raised his hand toward Laura — and then a lazy, amused voice cut through the air from nearby.

"What kind of coward raises his hand at a woman?"

Liam froze. Laura turned her head.

A man in a silk shirt, brimming with roguish charm, sauntered over and tilted his chin at Laura. "Looking to rent a space?"

"Yes," Laura said. Something about his presence caught her attention, and she looked at him a moment longer. "Who are you?"

"Grant Brown. I own this place."

He spoke with both hands still in his pockets. "Who said this space couldn't be rented to her?"

The manager broke into a cold sweat. "Mr. Brown, I didn't know you'd be here today... I'm sorry. Of course she can rent it."

"Mr. Brown, I'm Liam Garcia from Garcia Properties — you've probably heard of us." Liam quickly reached for his business card. "This is my sister. She won't be renting anything. I apologize for the poor behavior..."

"Liam, I have nothing to do with you," Laura said, almost laughing.

She stepped up to him and looked him straight in the eye. "Looks like you really want to make this a clean break."

"Laura, I'm warning you—"

She ignored the threat and smiled. "Don't you sometimes bring your friends to that villa in the Lake District and do a little something... exciting?"

Liam's expression shifted slightly. "What's it to you?"

"Keeping society safe is everyone's responsibility. Recreational drug use is one thing, but you've got fentanyl stored in that basement. I'm calling the police right now."

She pulled out her phone.

"Laura, you—"

Liam's face went white. His whole body started to shake. Before she could dial, he turned and bolted — clearly rushing back to destroy the evidence.

But the Lake District was an hour's drive away. No matter how fast he moved, he wouldn't beat the police.

Laura called and gave a detailed description of where the drugs were hidden.

Liam didn't use himself, but he had a lot of friends who weren't exactly law-abiding.

In her past life, Laura hadn't known any of this — not until someone else discovered it and reported it. Then Liam and Emily had gotten down on their knees and begged her, and she hadn't been able to say no. She'd stepped forward and taken the blame.

She saidhe drugs were hers.

Not only had she donated a kidney to Emily, but barely out of the hospital, she'd also served three years in prison for Liam.

She hung up and turned to Grant. "Can we sign the rental contract now?"

Grant studied her, his expression unreadable, a faint, amused smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Was that really your brother just now?"

"Biologically, yes. In every other way, no," Laura said.

"You're something else," Grant said, his smile deepening. "We can sign — but not a rental contract."

He gestured broadly. "I'll let you have this entire gallery. And I won't charge you rent."

The most Laura could afford was maybe a twentieth of this whole space.

Her eyes went wide. Too good to be true. "What's the catch?" she asked, on guard.

"Twenty percent of everything you earn over the next two years."

Grant leaned in slightly, meeting her eyes. "Don't try to cheat me. I'll be checking the books carefully."

Laura narrowed her eyes. "You're sure I'll actually make money? You haven't even seen my work. Have you?"

Something clicked. "Do you know me? Back then..."

The person she'd met at the orphanage — could it have been him?

Grant just smiled, that same unreadable look, and didn't answer. "Say yes and sign. Hesitate any longer and the offer's gone."

"Fine." Laura took a deep breath and decided to take the chance.

The contract was signed, the paperwork done. The gallery was empty now except for Laura.

She stood in the middle of the open space, thinking about how to set it up.

Ella had a show planned for July. So she'd have one too.

And she'd make sure hers came first.

She was still turning it over in her mind when her phone rang.

It was Charles. She didn't want to pick up, but he kept calling, one after another, until she finally answered.

"What is it?"

"Your mother is in the hospital — because of you!" Charles's furious voice came through the phone. "Are you going to come see her or not? You ungrateful daughter!"