Chapter 2: Second Chances and Sharper Edges

"Now all his savings are ours. Guess my gambling debts are finally paid off!"

My sister-in-law pinched him, her voice playful: "If you gamble again, I’ll divorce you!"

My brother quickly lowered his head. "Okay, okay. Once the debts are paid, I won’t gamble anymore."

The two of them flirted right there, at the spot where I’d died. Plotting to take my money.

Hearing their conversation, my heart broke all over again!

I’d risked my life to save Tyler, nearly dying in the fire.

I never imagined that after escaping the flames at the construction site, I couldn’t escape their scheme!

In endless darkness, I cried out in grief.

If I could do it all over again... I’d make them pay.

Maybe heaven heard my prayer, because when I opened my eyes, I was really back on the day of the accident.

When the shout, "Somebody help! A kid’s arm is stuck in the machine!" rang out again,

my heart clenched, like something had its fist around it.

The pain was still unbearable, and all I could think about was being beaten and insulted by my brother and sister-in-law in my previous life.

But what haunted me most was the moment I was burned to death, the disgusting, chilling smiles on their faces.

I took a deep breath. This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake.

But I still decided to follow the workers to the scene.

When I saw Tyler trapped in the machine, I didn’t panic or rush like last time.

But the pity in my heart still made it hard to breathe.

Tyler was innocent. It was bad enough for Tyler to get hurt, but my brother and sister-in-law would use it as an excuse to squeeze me for everything I had.

They always acted like they were being reasonable, squeezing me for money without a second thought.

When they couldn’t get what they wanted, they used it as an excuse for arson and murder.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, the pain making me even more clear-headed.

This time, I had to break the cycle.

I immediately dialed 911 for help, and they said they’d arrive in five minutes.

Five minutes wasn’t enough. I knew the equipment would short out and catch fire any minute now.

Gritting my teeth, I turned and ran to the power distribution room.

What I did last time was too risky. Too much luck, not enough sense. One wrong move, and we both could’ve died.

Tyler, hang in there. Uncle’s going to save you differently this time.

Outside the power room, several people were arguing about what to do.

Some insisted on cutting the power: "If we don’t, that kid is dead for sure. Get out of my way!"

Others argued:

"Cutting the power will shut down all the equipment, and it’ll be a nightmare to get everything running again!"

"A kid’s life is worth tens of thousands, but cutting the power? That’s millions in losses! I gotta ask the boss."

Hearing this, I was furious.

It was just like last time.

At the critical moment, they refused to cut the power.

Tyler and I barely escaped death, almost swallowed by fire!

It’s true—in today’s world, even a human life has a price tag!

I knew how serious the consequences of any more delay would be, but only a helpless child would have to pay that price.

So while they argued, I slipped through a gap and into the power room.

The man against cutting the power was startled and chased after me.

I couldn’t find the right switch, so when he rushed in, I just yanked the main switch.

With a loud snap, everything went dark. All the equipment powered down.

The man stared at me, pointing at my hand and shaking:

"You… you’ve caused a huge disaster!"

Of course I knew the consequences, but I had no regrets!

If I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same damn thing.

I ran back to the scene, and the rescue team had already arrived.

They pushed everyone back and got to work.

With professional help and equipment, the machine was easily dismantled, and Tyler was rescued.

I let out a long sigh of relief, finally able to relax. My legs nearly gave out beneath me as the adrenaline faded.

Tyler was taken to the ambulance.

This time, I didn’t plan to follow him to the hospital. I didn’t want to see those two monsters again.

I also didn’t want them to know I’d been at the scene, to avoid more trouble.

The child was innocent, but that didn’t mean I had to let those two monsters hurt me again.

But just as I was about to leave, the guy from the power room ran up to me. Figures.

"Don’t go, you can’t leave! You have to help me explain this to the boss!"

He was so anxious his eyes were red, almost crying.

He kept saying he was just a small site supervisor and couldn’t take the blame for this.

He begged me to stay and explain what happened.

A child’s life was at stake—you do what you have to do.

His words were a bit much, but I didn’t want to make things harder for him.

Everyone has their own job to do.

Since there was nothing else to do, I stayed to wait for his boss.

Just then, my brother called, sounding frantic.

I took a deep breath, already knowing what he’d say.

As soon as I answered, my brother shouted anxiously:

"Where are you? Tyler’s in trouble! Get to the hospital and bring money!"

His tone was urgent but bossy.

He was always like this, always ordering me around, never discussing anything.

I used to think it was just brotherly love, that he didn’t see me as an outsider. So I never minded.

But after Tyler’s accident in my last life, when I was ordered to bring money and support Tyler for life, and when I refused, he beat me—then I realized he thought I owed him.

Because I was always the easygoing one, always cleaning up his messes, he figured he could boss me around.

Well, I don’t owe him anything.

So I calmly replied, "What happened?"

"Tyler’s arm was crushed by a machine, stop asking questions, just get over here!"

"I’m busy right now. I’ll come when I’m done."

Just that simple sentence instantly made my brother furious.

"What could be more important than Tyler!"

"Hurry up and bring me the money, now!"

Tyler’s arm was already mangled. He’d need an amputation. It wouldn’t cost as much as my brother thought.

I hinted at this.

Unexpectedly, my brother exploded: "What did you say? You bastard, do you even know what you’re talking about?"

Of course I knew what I meant.

But why did he think he was entitled to my money?

Am I his ATM?

I said nothing more and hung up.

Immediately, my brother, feeling his authority challenged, called me over and over.

I ignored every call. Not this time.

After a while, the site manager arrived.

The foreman hurried over, nervously explaining the situation and pointing at me.

The manager frowned and walked over.

"Sir, how’s the kid?"

I said the arm probably couldn’t be saved.

"Ah, what a tragedy! By the way, are you the kid’s…?"

"Just a bystander. Saw it was urgent, so I hit the switch."

"You did the right thing. If you hadn’t, the kid wouldn’t have survived—those machines are dangerous!"

Just for that, I instantly liked this manager.

He told the foreman to get the car—said he was going to check on Tyler. I liked this guy.

At that moment, I got a text from my brother:

"Tyler’s losing a lot of blood. I don’t have enough. Get to the hospital and donate!"

I suddenly remembered—the blood bank was out of type B. Just like last time.

In my previous life, Tyler needed blood, and only with donations from my brother and me was there enough.

Even though I wanted to stay away from those two, the child’s life was still a life—I couldn’t just watch Tyler be in danger.

So I volunteered to go to the hospital with the manager.

At the hospital, I rushed in to donate blood.

Afterward, I turned. My brother was standing right there.

"Did you bring the money? Give it to me!"

I felt instant disgust. "You came to save your son and didn’t bring money?"

My brother frowned, his voice rising sharply.

"If I had money, would I ask you?"

Ever since he got married, he was always broke.

At first, I gave him money willingly. Then it became expected—whenever they were broke, they’d come to me.

Like vampires.

"I didn’t bring any either," I said coldly, expressionless.

My brother’s frown deepened, and he shouted:

"What’s going on today!"

"Usually when I ask for money, you never hesitate. Why are you so stingy today?"

How could he say that? The nerve.

I muttered to myself, ignored him, and got ready to leave after donating blood.

Just then, the site manager arrived and asked my brother about the child’s condition.

My brother glanced at him, saw he looked important, and quietly asked who he was.

The manager introduced himself.

As soon as my brother heard, his eyes lit up with greed. He rushed over, grabbed the manager’s collar, and started yelling:

"You jerk! How do you run your site, making my son a cripple!"

"You have to pay all the medical bills and give us two million in compensation!"

The manager came in good faith, but my brother’s attitude made him furious.

He broke free and said to my brother:

"Sir, as the guardian, your negligence let the child onto the site and caused over three million in damages."

"We haven’t even held you responsible yet, and now you’re blaming us?"

"There are real cases like this. According to the law, you should be compensating us."

My brother was stunned.

The manager wasn’t exaggerating—this was the truth.

"You should thank this man. If he hadn’t cut the power, your son wouldn’t have survived!"

The manager pointed at me. My brother just stared.

Then, suddenly, he grabbed me by the neck: "You were there? Did you push Tyler in on purpose? Tell me! Explain!"

I was caught off guard. Didn’t see it coming.

Honestly, on my way here, I’d thought it would be hard to hide that I’d been at the scene.

But I never expected that, even if I hadn’t done anything wrong—even if I’d saved the child in time—they could still find a way to blame me!

In an instant, it all started over again.

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