After Rebirth, My Wife and I Parted Ways

My wife, Stella Reed, and I resented each other for half our lives.

She hated me for tying her down with marriage and kids, making her lose her chance to make it big in New York.

I hated her for constantly partying, dumping her ailing parents and our two kids on me.

When we both reincarnated, we locked eyes in the crowd, then turned and walked away from each other without a second thought.

Hopefully, this time, neither of us will have any regrets.

The day I finally confirmed my university application, my dad walked into my study, glanced at me, and nodded in approval.

"Alright, son, with those SAT scores, you should go to a good university! Don't spend all your time chasing after that Reed girl, what's so great about her anyway?"

My mom heard him from the kitchen, rushed in, pulled my dad away, and shot him a glare.

"Keep it down. He knows what he's doing."

I smiled, watching my parents leave, and suddenly felt a lump in my throat.

In my previous life, I'd snuck out of the house late at night to go to the train station to find Stella.

My parents, worried sick, went looking for me and were hit by a drunk truck driver. I never even got to see them one last time.

I swallowed back my tears, moved my mouse, and clicked the final confirmation button on my university application without hesitation.

In my last life, Stella, who Id grown up with, suddenly declared she wanted to be a singer and move to New York to pursue her dream.

But before that, she'd always said her dream was to be with me, and for us to go to the same university.

For her, I didn't hesitate to waste my incredibly high SAT scores, applying to the same average university she did.

But two days before the acceptance letters arrived, she suddenly announced her plan to chase her dream in New York.

Stellas sick parents came knocking on our door, begging me to help them find their daughter.

I went in my previous life. My parents, worried about me, chased after me and ended up in that car accident.

When I finally brought Stella back, she heard her parents' tearful accusationsthat she was responsible for my parents' deathsand that she *had* to make it up to me.

So they forced Stella and me to get engaged, planning for us to marry right after graduation.

But then she got pregnant when I was just a sophomore, forcing her to take an early leave from school and rush our marriage.

Pregnancy, childbirth, childcaretwo years flew by. I was thrilled to return to campus, but then Stella's parents fell seriously ill and came to live with us for treatment.

Stella told me to be sensible. She said her parents had already worked so hard for her education, and now they were sick and needed care.

As for her, she would, of course, go to work to earn money and support the family.

Back then, for Stella's sake, I didn't mention that her meager monthly salary wasn't even enough for the kids' formula or our basic household expenses.

Eventually, I had to sell our old house to cover her parents' medical bills and raise our two children.

But while I sacrificed my education and struggled to keep our large family afloat, she used her small salary to hang out with dubious friends.

What little money she had, she spent on music, claiming it was to fulfill her dream.

The pressure of the family choked me. After several failed attempts at communication, we started having massive arguments.

She'd call me old-fashioned and useless, narrow-minded, claiming that if I hadn't dragged her back, she'd be a big singer in New York by now.

She even accused me of using my parents' deaths to guilt-trip her into marrying me.

I didn't hold back either, calling her delusional! With that raspy voice, thinking she could be a singer was pure fantasy!

When she brought up my parents' deaths, I snapped. I lunged at her, wanting to shut her up, but she shoved me away hard.

After that, Stella started deliberately staying out, and her parents, who rarely saw their daughter, blamed everything on me. They complained that I was insensitive and inconsiderate, always upsetting their daughter.

They completely forgot how they'd begged me to find her in the first place.

In that miserable life, I gritted my teeth, pinched pennies, and took on odd jobs to earn money to support the family.

But the children I worked so hard to raise were never close to me. They were always much closer to Stella, who never did anything.

I thought they'd understand when they grew up. I waited over two decades, until they were married with their own families.

But they all vied to have Stella live with them, while they were cold and distant towards me.

"Dad, you controlled us too much when we were young. We don't want to hear lectures anymore."

"Mom's dreams were crushed by you when she was young. Now that she's older, we're taking her to New York to chase them again."

"Grandma and Grandpa Reed were right, you just want everyone to live the life you plan. You're selfish!"

I never imagined my own children would say such things. I went home heartbroken, only to see Stella triumphantly packing her bags, bragging about how she was finally leaving me to live the good life.

I'd slaved away for this family for over two decades, only to be branded selfish and controlling.

Why did Stella get to be so carefree? She ignored her family and responsibilities, yet ended up being the open-minded mother in our children's eyes?

I lunged forward and pushed Stella down. She was stunned for a moment, then grabbed a vase and smashed it at me.

"You dare lay a hand on me? I'll kill you"

So our deaths were, in fact, the just deserts of our mutual fight.

The moment we both fell to the ground, I prayed in my heart that if there was a next life, I'd never, ever meet Stella Reed again.

The day I reincarnated was the same day I finally confirmed my university application.

Looking at my parents, who were still by my side, I vowed never to get involved with Stella again.

After the SATs, parties were popping up left and right. My friends and I had just finished one when I spotted Stella not far away, laughing and chatting with her own group of friends.

She wore a dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes crinkling when she smiled, making her stand out in the crowd.

"I heard Stella Reed isn't going to college; she's off to New York to be a singer!"

"Wow, is that what they call 'chasing your dream' these days? If she becomes a big star, shouldn't we get a few signed photos now, for future value?"

"Alex, aren't you and Stella childhood friends? You must know about her going to New York, right?"

My friend nudged me, and my gaze happened to cross the crowd, meeting Stella's as she casually turned her head.

Her eyes landed on me, freezing for a moment, a complex, unreadable light flashing within them.

Just that one look, and I knew: Stella had also reincarnated.

"I don't know. I have something to do; I'm heading back."

I turned away without a trace of lingering emotion. If she wanted to go to New York, let her. What did her life have to do with me?

As the day of Stella's departure approached, I playfully told my parents I missed Grandma and wanted them to come visit her with me.

My parents, who always doted on me, packed our bags without a second thought and took me out the door.

Just then, Monica Reed, Stella's mom, opened her door and looked surprised to see us leaving.

"Going somewhere?"

My dad chuckled, "Alex misses his grandma. We're staying a few days."

Monica smiled and nodded, watching us leave.

I pretended to be nonchalant, but inside, I clenched my fists tight, not letting my emotions show.

It was laughable that in my previous life, I believed Monica truly cared about me. Only later did I realize her motives were never pure from the start.

She'd had her eyes on our house for a long time, which was why she worked so hard to push Stella and me together after my parents died.

Back then, without my parents, I cried constantly. Gentle, good-tempered Monica took care of me daily, making me drop all my guard.

Plus, I liked Stella, so I naturally agreed.

Who would have thought they had been prepared from the very beginning?

I took a deep breath, hiding the slight tremor caused by my anger, and cheerfully talked to my parents about Grandma's new pony, though from the corner of my eye, I saw Stella's hurried footsteps.

Stella must have realized I'd also reincarnated, so her plan to leave home and chase her dream had to be moved up.

My parents and I had just arrived at Grandma's house and were enjoying dinner when Mom received a call from Monica Reed.

"Stella is insisting on going to New York to be a singer, she won't go to college, shes literally threatening to die if we don't let her go to New York. Her dad and I can't persuade her Can Alex come back and talk to her? After all, the kids are close, and Stella listens to Alex!"

The lines were almost identical to my previous life. Mom looked at me, a little conflicted.

After all, at this hour, in the countryside, it wasn't easy to get back.

I calmly put down my forks and took the phone from Mom.

"Aunt Monica, this is Stella's own decision. I can't interfere. Even if I did, she'd resent me. I think you should just respect her wishes!"

I hung up decisively, and didn't forget to block Monica's number. My swift actions even left my parents speechless for a moment.

It was Grandma who spoke first, telling them to eat. She mumbled that other people's affairs were their own karma, and we shouldn't interfere. I thought Grandma was absolutely right!

After dinner, I squatted in the yard, stroking the soft head of a puppy, when my parents came over.

"Alex, what's been up with you lately" Mom hesitated, "I just feel like you're different."

Dad didn't speak but looked at me worriedly too.

Their gaze made my nose sting, and I wiped my eyesthere really were tears.

"Mom, Dad, I had a dream."

I lied about having a dream, recounting all the events of my previous life. When they heard how I'd been manipulated by the Reed family after their deaths, Dad's face turned as dark as thunder.

They always believed me, especially since I started the story from Stella wanting to go to New York and Monica asking me to find her.

They understood why I suddenly wanted to come to Grandma's house and why I stubbornly refused to go look for Stella.

"My poor boy, my suffering son."

Mom was always easily moved to tears. Even though she knew it was just a dream, she immediately pulled me into a hug, her tears falling onto my shoulder, her heart aching.

Dad lit a cigarette nearby and made a decision.

"Alex having this dream probably means their family and ours are just bad for each other. I've decided, we're moving when we get back! Get away from them."

I hadn't expected my parents to support me to this extent. My nose stung again, and I nodded, tearfully.

At the same time, I hugged Mom tighter, feeling her warmth.

We stayed in the countryside for half a month. I visibly got tanner and my body became more solid.

When we went back, Grandma even packed a car full of food for us.

We still had to live in the old house for a while before moving. The three of us had just reached our front door when Monica Reed from next door quickly opened hers, her eyes red from crying, with undisguised resentment flickering in them.

"Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Monica's face was almost twisted with accusation.

"Why didn't you come back to help me find Stella?"

Monica suddenly yelled, startling my parents. They clearly hadn't expected her to be so emotional.

I, however, watched her coldly. After being her son-in-law for over two decades, I knew better than anyone her talent for theatrics and twisting facts.

My mom couldn't stand it and was about to speak up, but I tugged her arm.

"Let's go inside. It's not worth it."

Mom hugged me, shot Monica a fierce glare, but couldn't resist throwing out one last line: "You can't manage your own daughter and expect Alex to do it for you? What relationship does Alex have with you to do such a thing? You've got the wrong person, I'm telling you!"

Once inside, my dad immediately started contacting friends to arrange house viewings for the afternoon. If things went smoothly, we might even move tomorrow.

Mom and I sat on the couch, Mom patting my back distractedly. "It's okay, it's okay. We'll be far away from them, very soon."

I leaned against Mom, humming in agreement.

The speed of finding and moving houses was faster than I expected. Even faster was the university acceptance letter that had already arrived.

This time, there was no Stella, no car accident. I happily went to school to collect my acceptance letter.

When I got home, my parents were still discussing how much allowance to give me. We laughed together, so incredibly happy.

Only occasionally would I still dream of my previous life, how I struggled to support a family on meager savings, enduring the complaints of Stellas parents, the misunderstandings of my children, and the constant bickering with Stella, just to survive those years.

Thankfully, I was starting over.

Soon, the school year began. Standing on campus, my parents were also happy with my decision to choose this university.

In my previous life, at this time, I had just finished my parents' funeral, distraught, heading to that ordinary university with Stella. Whenever people asked about our relationship, Stella would instinctively keep her distance from me, then force an unnatural smile.

She'd say I was her classmate, even though we were already engaged then.

I shook my head, clearing away the extra thoughts, and went to the registration office with my parents.

New school, new beginning. After my parents reluctantly left, I quickly adapted to the new environment, cherishing everything around me.

The education I couldn't continue in my last life because of childcare and family responsibilities now finally had a chance to resume. I studied harder than anyone.

When I went home for winter break, I brought back scholarship money and what I earned from coding freelance gigs. I bought gifts for both my parents. Their eyes crinkled into slits as they smiled, praising me as their most successful son.

That night, my parents teamed up to make a huge dinner. At the dinner table, we chatted about recent events, until Mom casually mentioned she'd seen Monica Reed a couple of days ago.

"She and her husband were selling vegetables at the market. They were only barely getting by on their relief funds after being laid off"

My mom sighed wistfully. "I heard Stella signed with some company in New York. The monthly training fees alone are thousands, not including food and lodging. If she really succeeds, fine, but if not"

I lowered my head, picking at my food, but laughed mockingly inside.

Stella wouldn't succeed; I was absolutely sure of that.

Stella was someone who couldn't resist showing off. As soon as she signed with some obscure company, she posted it on her social media.

But she was so caught up in the fact that a company signed her that she didn't pay any attention to the company's name.