I brought my three-month-old son and husband home for Christmas.

But my ten-year-old niece, Claudia, and her friend threw my son from an upstairs window.

I frantically scooped him up, my mind screaming for the hospital, but it was too late. He died right there.

Because Claudia was so young, she faced no punishment.

The judge ordered Claudias family to pay eight hundred thousand, but Claudia twisted it, claiming I was trying to ruin their lives.

I didn't want compensation; I just wanted my baby back!

I sobbed until my chest felt ripped open, demanding justice. My husband, Owen, and his mother, Mrs. Miller, just lashed out at me:

Claudia is just a child! Are you really going to destroy her life just because *your* son is gone?

My quest for revenge was futile, and eventually, a heart attack claimed me that winter.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on Christmas Day. I immediately called my parents and had them take Kalan away.

But this time, Claudia still killed a baby!

Whose baby was it?




The moment Id sent Kalan off with my parents and stepped into Mrs. Miller's yard, a deafening crash echoed in my ears.

BANG!

A tightly swaddled baby hit the tiled floor. Blood slowly stained the blanket red.

I stared, frozen, then lifted my gaze. Upstairs, Claudia gave me a defiant look before she vanished.

Owen and Mrs. Miller rushed out at the sound. Mrs. Miller screamed, her legs buckling beneath her.

Owen staggered over, trembling, and glanced at the infant.

Cassie, the baby the baby isnt breathing.

I couldnt even bring myself to look. I sprinted upstairs. Claudia had locked herself in a room.

I kicked the door hard.

Claudia! Open this door! Who did you throw down?!

There was no answer from inside, but I could hear her and her friend giggling.

Claudia, what if they call the cops? My mom wont hit me, will she?

Nah, we didnt mean to, right? Besides, the police dont arrest minors.

Those fearless words pierced my ears like thorns. I couldnt stop trembling.

I slammed my entire weight against the wooden door.

Get out here! Do you have any idea what youve done?! This is murder!

Owen, who had just arrived, quickly grabbed me. His eyes were bloodshot.

Cassie, calm down. Dont scare them.

My eyes, filled with pure hatred, locked onto him. It was just like the last life.

Our son was dead, and he was still worried about scaring Claudia.

Mrs. Miller wiped away tears. Claudia went too far this time, but you dont have to be so unforgiving.

The baby was only three months old. Hes gone, so hes gone. You two can just try for another.

I froze, utterly stunned. It took a moment for their words to register. They thought it was my son who had died.

But I had just given my son to my parents.

Whose tiny body was lying downstairs?




Owen came up and hugged me, swearing:

Cassie, I promise Ill get justice for our son, but Claudia is still young and doesnt understand

Before he could finish, I shoved him away.

What do you mean? If shes so clueless, why doesnt she jump herself?

With that, I grabbed a chair and slammed it violently against the door.

The wooden door rattled and groaned, shaking the entire house.

Claudia, get out here, or Ill smash this door down!

How dare she kill someone and get away with it?

Even if it wasn't my child who died today, I would still fight for justice for him!

Seeing how hard I was hitting it, Claudia yelled from inside:

Stop smashing! If you keep going, Ill jump!

I was panting from the effort. I turned, rushed to the kitchen, and grabbed a knife, hacking it into the door.

The blade bit deep into the wood, stuck fast.

Jump then! If you dont, Im coming in there and Ill kill you myself!

Claudia couldnt stand the pressure. She opened the door, a look of impatience on her face.

Who did you throw down?

She tilted her head, swaying casually.

Your son, who else?

I slapped her across the face.

*Smack!* Her head snapped to the side.

Claudias eyes immediately filled with tears. She clutched her cheek, disbelief warring on her face.

How dare you hit me? My own mom doesnt even hit me, you bitch

I slapped her again.

Its because your mom *doesnt* hit you that you turned into an animal!

Then, I grabbed her collar, snarling through gritted teeth.

Im asking you one more time. Who did you throw down?

Claudia quieted down, still clutching her face.

It was your son, but I didnt mean to. I just wanted to see what would happen if he fell.

I didnt think hed actually die.

---




I peered into the room. The window was open, letting in a chilling blast of cold air.

Claudias friend was cowering by the bed, too scared to say a word.

They were old enough for elementary school. How could they not know the danger?

Owen tried to reason with me.

Claudia has already apologized, Cassie. Youve let out your anger. Lets just bury the baby.

The absurdity of it all struck me. A human life was gone, and an apology was all it took?

Mrs. Miller rushed over and tightly hugged Claudia, tenderly stroking her face, murmuring:

You hit her so hard, her face is all red.

Her face was only red from my slap, but that baby had lost his entire life!

I roughly pushed Mrs. Miller away, then grabbed Claudias hair and dragged her toward the window.

You didnt know what would happen if he fell, right? Why dont you try it yourself?

Claudia screamed, terrified, struggling against me.

No! I dont want to! Ill die if I fall! Youll go to jail if I die! To jail!

So she knew about jail, yet she still did it.

For two lifetimes, I couldnt comprehend how a childs mind could be so wicked!

A sharp pain shot up my arm as Owen forcefully pulled me away. The momentum sent me crashing headfirst into the wall.

A streak of crimson liquid ran down the plaster.

Owen shielded Claudia, his face etched with disgust.

Are you ever going to stop? Our son is dead. Why are you picking a fight with a child? Why didnt you watch him better?

Both Owen and Mrs. Miller stood in front of Claudia, watching me defensively.

In my last life, I finally understood. They were the true family, bound by blood.