Part 3The Ungrateful Soul Reborn: I Know Their Secrets

In her previous life, Chloe's father died in a construction accident when she was in middle school.

Her mother, Brenda, raised her alone, working odd jobs.

But the typical story of a child from a poor family maturing early didn't happen with Chloe.

She exploited Brenda's guilt over being a single mother, constantly demanding more.

Anywhere money was needed, Chloe never held back, never got a part-time job, just held out her hand to Brenda.

Even after she started working, she complained her salary wasn't enough to live on.

That woman, Brenda, who had been strong her whole life, never imagined the daughter she depended on would exploit her for her own selfish enjoyment.

Working multiple jobs a day, she unconditionally funded her vampire daughter's vanity and laziness.

Finally, Brenda collapsed from exhaustion and illness.

At her worst, Brenda called Chloe, asking her to come back, wanting to see her.

But Chloe refused.

【Stupid woman. Has her brain gone soft? I'm not a doctor. What good would calling me back do?】

That was the last call Brenda ever made.

She died alone from her illness.

Days later, her body was discovered by the landlord, who called Chloe to deal with it. Only then did she show up.

Reluctantly, she initially planned to just pay someone to cremate the body and be done with it.

But while going through Brenda's belongings, Chloe found my phone number.

Checking my profile on social media, she confirmed I was that Eliza Hayes, the moderately famous businesswoman.

When Chloe was younger, Brenda had told her stories about escaping her controlling family back home and how her good friend, me, had helped her start a new life.

Chloe had always dismissed these as tales of two poor girls helping each other, scoffing at them.

But seeing my social media profile, she instantly realized her mother's "good friend" was me.

With this connection established, a new idea sparked in her mind: hold a proper funeral for her mother.

It would let her contact me and get close to me, and bonus, she could collect funeral donations. A quick buck for Chloe.

At the funeral in the previous life, I showed up. My reaction was the same as when I first saw Chloe moments ago – disbelief and grief.

Seeing my old friend again, only to find she was gone, leaving behind a daughter who looked so much like her younger self...

Feeling guilty for not reconnecting and helping Brenda after I became successful, I agreed to become Chloe's godmother, essentially taking her in.