The Cheater Pays

As the icy river water filled my nostrils, I could still hear Yale Gabriel's cold laugh. He stepped on the stones by the riverbank, his voice as chilling as ice: "Shirley Scott, if you dare harm Viola, sinking into the river is mercy for you." Viola Lincoln clung to his arm, an unashamed look of triumph on her face. She whispered softly, "Husband, don't dirty your hands. Let her sink on her own." The searing pain of my broken limbs still spread through me. I summoned my last strength to glare at them, but I could only watch helplessly as the river water rose above my head. In the final second before losing consciousness, I was still thinking—If there is a next life, I will make that treacherous couple, and Eric Shawn who betrayed me, pay with their blood. I suddenly opened my eyes; the crystal chandelier in the living room made them ache. On the coffee table lay the half-finished cup of coffee I hadn't finished yesterday, now stone cold. My body wasn't soaked in the icy river water, nor did I feel the agonizing pain of broken limbs—I had returned. The calendar on the wall displayed the date: the very day Viola Lincoln's affair was uncovered by Yale Gabriel. On this very day in my past life, she called me in tears, begging me to help deceive Yale Gabriel. Foolishly, I agreed, only to become her scapegoat—slandered, beaten, and ultimately dying tragically in the river. Suddenly, the phone rang, and the screen flashed the name "Viola." I took a deep breath and pressed the answer button, my fingers quietly sliding to the record key. "Shirley, I won't be going to Yale's tonight."Viola Lincoln's voice carried a hint of joy, completely free of the panic she had in her past life. "If he asks, just say I was shopping with you and will stay at your place later, got it?" I leaned back on the sofa, my tone calm: "Going on another date with your little lover? Viola Lincoln, aren't you afraid Yale Gabriel will find out?" She scoffed disdainfully, utterly unconcerned: "Afraid of what? He flirts with that female secretary every day, why should I be the one to stay loyal to him?" "I will not only go on a date with Andy, but also bear his children." "When Yale Gabriel grows old, I'll tell him the child isn't his. Do you think he'll be so furious he'll cough up blood?" Those words stabbed into my ears like needles. In my past life, it was precisely because I never heard these words that I always considered her a good friend and defended her at every turn. So, from the very start, she was this poisonous. "Don't forget, Yale Gabriel once suspended your secondary card."I deliberately reminded her, hoping she'd say more. Viola Lincoln's tone instantly grew resentful and venomous: "Isn't it because last time I caused a scene at the company, he felt humiliated!" "If I hadn't knelt all night, claiming it was you who egged me on, would he have forgiven me?" "And then there's Eric Shawn. If he hadn't pleaded for me, Yale Gabriel would have divorced me long ago—but it doesn't matter. Once I get the Gabriel family fortune, who will care about them?" I tightened my grip on the phone; the recording was still going. "Enough, stop babbling. Remember to cover for me."After saying that, Viola Lincoln hung up immediately. The phone screen went dark. I stared at the recording file, a cold smile curling at the corners of my lips. Viola Lincoln, this time, your good days are over. A few minutes later, the phone rang again. This time, it was Yale. I stared at the name 'Mr. Gabriel' on the screen, recalling how he had beaten and scolded me in my past life. All that remained in my heart was loathing. I pressed the answer button, and his furious roar blared through: "Shirley! Where are you hiding Viola Lincoln?" "I warn you, stop messing around with her. If you try to drive a wedge between us, I won't spare you!" In my past life, hearing this would only make me flustered, stumbling over my words out of fear of offending him. But now, I can only laugh at it.