The gym trainer, drenched in sweat and visibly shaken, stood there looking helpless. I recalled that he had arrived in workout pants, but now he was down to a pair of tight shorts.
Without wasting a moment, I scrambled to get Juniper to the hospital, my mind racing. I considered calling my mother and Randal to bring them over.
However, Juniper grabbed my phone and said, “Daph, please, don’t tell my husband or mother-in-law. They didn’t want me to go to the gym and if they find out I lost this baby because of this, I’m finished!”
I looked conflicted. “But with something this big, how are we even make up an excuse?”
Juniper’s eyes darted around. “We’ll just say we were walking and had a little falling accident.”
Since Juniper married into my family, she had endured a relentless stream of bullying from my mother.
Yet, everything changed once Juniper became pregnant. Suddenly, my mother started treating her with newfound respect, transforming her into the cherished darling and little princess of the family.
As a fellow woman, I understood Juniper’s struggles and agreed to help her keep the truth hidden.
Yet... in previous life, Juniper was hospitalized soon after the bleeding incident at the gym. At that time, she asked me to go to her parents’ house to grab some clothes for her.
I had just gathered the clothes and was about to leave when her parents suddenly restrained me, forcing me to drink a cup of poisoned milk tea.
My limbs convulsed, foam gushing from my mouth, but they still wouldn't let me go.
Juniper's mother spat at me viciously. "You wretch! How dare you bully my daughter! You deserve to die!"
I didn't even have a chance to explain before I was pushed out the window. I plummeted to my death, the sickening sound of bones breaking echoing in my ears.
Later, as my soul drifted from my broken body, I saw my mother and Randal. They didn't shed a single tear. Instead, they stood beside Juniper, hurling curses at me.
"Daphne got what she deserved!"
"She probably killed herself out of guilt for causing my precious grandchild's death!"
***
In that instant, the agonizing memories of my previous life came rushing back.
The truth hit me like a bolt of lightning.
Juniper's miscarriage hadn't been caused by overexertion at the gym. It was due to some shameful secret.
I had exhausted myself covering for Juniper, only to become the scapegoat who paid with my life.
I clenched my fists!