Part 2My Mother's "Diet Pills" Were Actually Killing Me to Save My Brother

But I never imagined I would travel back in time to when it all began.

I clenched my fists, my whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Partly from excitement, partly from resentment.

I silently vowed that this time, I wouldn't let them have their way.

"What are you spacing out for? These are special diet pills Mom went to great lengths to get for you. They're very expensive."

Mom's smile concealed her malice, her tone tinged with sarcasm.

I can't believe I never noticed before in my past life.

"Thank you, Mom."

I grabbed the small diet pills, smiling as I eagerly popped them into my mouth.

In reality, I had hidden all the pills in my chubby fingers.

"I'll definitely slim down, right?" I asked.

Mom nodded, satisfied and about to leave.

"Mom, can I have a bottle? I'll take some pills when I'm hungry."

Mom raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased by my enthusiasm. She took out a bottle of diet pills from her pocket and placed it on my bedside table.

"Of course. Jelena will definitely become a beautiful girl after slimming down."

I nodded.

Of course I would slim down, but through my own efforts.

In my past life, I hadn't lost weight because of her repeated interference.

This life, I definitely wouldn't let her have her way.

I huddled under the covers, planning my next steps.

Luckily it was winter, so I could just wear thick clothes and Mom wouldn't notice if I had slimmed down or not.

I hid all the diet pills away. Tomorrow I would exchange them for similar-looking pills.

They were all small white pills, so she probably wouldn't notice.

Since she was so eager for my brother to live, using her own life shouldn't be a problem, right?

I snuggled into the warm blankets and fell asleep.

The next morning, Mom came in with hot water. She wasn't concerned about me - she just wanted to make sure I took the pills.

I took the hot water from her. As I got out of bed, I stumbled slightly, spilling the scalding water on her hand.

"Ahh!!!" she screamed, slapping me across the face. I cupped my cheek and closed my eyes, tears immediately streaming down.

"Mom, how could you hit me? I won't take the diet pills anymore. Mom, you don't love me anymore. Mom, just keep fattening me up! I don't want to diet anymore."

Having died once already, I naturally knew what her weak spot was.

There was no way I would let her manipulate me so easily again.

I watched her face freeze, disregarding the burn on her hand as she rushed to boil eggs to soothe my face.

"Look how careless Mommy was. Jelena, forgive Mommy, okay? We're too fat, it's not good for our health. Let's take the diet pills and slim down, alright?"

I nodded, enjoying her fawning attention. It felt pretty good.

Mom saw us off at the door, telling me: "Be careful at school."

As she said this, her face concealed a hint of malice.

She was actually hoping I would be bullied and abused at school.

Because when I was at home, she had to wait on me hand and foot, leaving her little time to care for my brother.

So she was happy to see me bullied.

But having lived through this once before, there was no way I would let history repeat itself.