Chapter 2

Although Mr. Song had no affection for the original owner, he was never jealous of her. At least when it came to material things, he had never wronged her. He had no objection to the original owner's extravagant lifestyle.

Summer Reed got her driver's license in college and later bought a used car. While she wasn't an expert driver, she was more than capable on the road. The original owner's car was a BMW X5. As Summer sat inside, she guessed it must be a top-tier model. Even as a used car, its original price would have exceeded $100,000, and the difference in quality was unmistakable.

While driving back to the original owner's family home, Summer reflected on the connections between the plot and the characters.

The novel didn't provide much detail about Mr. Song, but it was clear he was a successful man. His parents had passed away early, leaving him without close relatives. Ironically, despite the substantial inheritance he left behind—enough for the original owner to live lavishly for a lifetime—his company faced a sudden crisis after his death, and the funds were depleted. The original owner, unfamiliar with business matters, struggled for six months before everything fell apart. In the end, all that remained for her and her son were two houses and a car.

From Summer's perspective—having once lived near the poverty line—owning two houses was more than enough. As long as the original owner didn't squander her resources, she could have lived comfortably with her son. Housing prices were far from cheap, and renting out one property alone could easily cover their living expenses.

But the original owner had never been content. With her beauty and ambition, she wasn't satisfied with just two houses. She wanted another "cash machine." While searching for opportunities, she met a wealthy widower. Under her deliberate charm, the man fell in love at first sight, and their relationship progressed quickly. He was sincere, even promising marriage. The original owner had achieved her goal—Mr. Song was gone, but she had found another financial provider.

The situation could have ended there, but the original owner saw her son as nothing more than a burden. She didn't want anything, including her own child, to interfere with her new life. Coincidentally, one of her college classmates, an expatriate, had struggled with infertility for two years. After extensive testing, it was confirmed that her husband was the cause.

The original owner reached out to her classmate, offering to give her son away under one condition: she was never to seek them out again. Desperate for a child, the classmate readily agreed.

The original owner's parents—Summer's current aunt and uncle—were deeply attached to their grandson. To ease their concerns, the original owner fabricated a story, claiming that Mr. Song had a sister living abroad and that, for the child's future, she had sent him to live with her.

At first, Summer's uncle and aunt believed the lie. But as time passed, doubts crept in. If the child had really gone abroad, wouldn't he have contacted his grandparents or even his mother?

Yet, without evidence, they had no choice but to accept the original owner's word.

To abandon one's own flesh and blood—calling the original owner heartless would be an understatement. Summer found it hard to believe any mother could cross such a moral line.

Summer arrived at a middle-class residential community where the original owner's parents lived. This was the house the original owner had bought for them after her marriage, though it was registered under her name. After parking the car, Summer followed the memories in her mind and was greeted warmly upon entering the house.

It was a hot day. Her aunt was cutting watermelon and juicing fruits, while her uncle bustled in the kitchen, occasionally stepping out to chat with his daughter.

From Summer's perspective, the original owner's parents were genuinely kind people. Not every parent could provide their child with the best possible environment, but they had done everything within their means, ensuring their daughter received an education and a stable upbringing.

Having encountered the supposed "villain," Mason Song, Summer quietly made a decision: even if Mason couldn't escape his tragic fate in this life, now that she had taken over the original owner's life and become a mother, she would raise his son herself.

Mason's son, Caleb, was still not even four years old—the cutest age.

Children naturally crave their mother's affection, and despite the original owner's neglect, Caleb still adored her. Dressed in a tiny vest and shorts, he sat barefoot on a play mat, quietly playing with toys while occasionally stealing glances at Summer.

He was a little chubby, inheriting the best features from both parents. Looking at his round arms and legs, Summer couldn't fathom how the original owner had been willing to abandon such an adorable child.

In fact, Summer had experienced a peculiar dream before waking up in this world. In the dream, the original owner had seemingly become someone else, satisfied with the change and with no intention of returning.

Summer's gaze softened as she met Caleb's shy eyes.

The little boy quickly looked away, pretending to focus on his toys.

Though Summer had once been wary of marriage, she had always liked children—especially chubby ones. Unable to resist, she crouched down and called out, "Caleb, come here!"

Any pretense of principle melted away in front of his mother. Caleb immediately dropped his toy and waddled over like a little penguin.

He crashed into Summer's arms, knocking the wind out of her, and she hugged him tightly, feeling the weight of her new reality.

For a while, mother and son enjoyed an unexpectedly warm and intimate moment.

Watching from the side, Summer's uncle and aunt felt relieved. They had always worried about their daughter's coldness toward her child. Fortunately, children had short memories, and Caleb's natural attachment to his mother hadn't faded. As soon as Summer showered him with affection, he clung to her like glue. Even when she went to the bathroom, he waited anxiously outside the door, occasionally knocking to check if she was still there.

Looking down at the little boy, Summer found it impossible to reconcile this sweet, clingy child with the future villain depicted in the novel.

Clearly, Caleb was just a soft-hearted little glutton.

Despite the original owner's indifference, he hadn't developed any negative traits. This was largely thanks to the love and reassurance provided by his grandparents.

Caleb had started kindergarten the previous year and didn't spend much time with his mother. During holidays, he was usually sent to his grandparents. Like any curious child, he often asked them: Why doesn't Mom come to see me? Does she not like me? Am I not important to her?

To spare him heartbreak, Summer's uncle and aunt always responded gently: Just like how Daddy used to work, Mommy has her own responsibilities. Without work, she wouldn't be able to take care of you.

Children are easily convinced. Caleb believed this explanation without question, comparing it to the way many of his classmates' parents were busy with work every day.

Dad worked hard to provide for me, and now Mom does too.

Summer found her current environment surprisingly comforting. She couldn't understand why the original owner had rejected such a peaceful life.

After all, her previous life had offered nothing this luxurious.

Her uncle, a true family man, kept the house spotless and had impressive culinary skills. He always seemed ready to whip up a delicious meal at a moment's notice. When Summer casually mentioned buying some pastries, he immediately set to work, and before long, the scent of freshly baked cookies and small cakes filled the air.

In this household, Summer didn't have to lift a finger.

As she lounged on the sofa with her aunt, watching TV and holding a chubby Caleb in her lap, a plate of sliced fruit sat within reach, and the occasional whiff of something delicious wafted from the kitchen.

Summer couldn't help but think: I don't want to leave.

"Are you really planning to head to City A tomorrow?" her aunt asked while handing Caleb a piece of fruit.

Summer nodded. Though unsure if she could change the future, she replied, "Mason's been there for half a month already. He called a couple of days ago, saying he missed Caleb. I don't have anything urgent here, so I might as well go."

Her aunt smiled approvingly. "That's a good idea. Caleb is still young. When children grow older, marital conflict affects them the most. Summer, you should try to build a good life with your husband. He may be older, but he doesn't seem like a bad person. He's successful now, and in the long run, you and Caleb will rely on him."

Summer hadn't met Mason Song yet. The original owner's memories were sparse, and the novel itself only mentioned him briefly. For now, she knew little about the man.

There's no point worrying about the future, she thought. *Let's get through the upcoming crisis first.*

Later that afternoon, her uncle and aunt went downstairs to buy watermelon. Summer stayed behind with Caleb, watching TV on the couch.

Halfway through the show, Caleb suddenly tugged at her hand, pulling her toward the kitchen.

"Caleb, are you hungry?" Summer asked, puzzled.

The little boy didn't answer. Determined, he led her to the large rice container in the corner. With some effort, he lifted the lid, revealing a bin full of rice. Looking up with wide, earnest eyes, he declared:

"Mom, you don't need to go to work anymore. Look! There's so much rice! I'll eat less, so it lasts longer!"