"What do we even do now?"

"She’s been running a fever for two whole days. Why isn’t Vivian getting any better?"

Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster sat by the bedside, worry written all over their faces as they looked at their eldest daughter‑in‑law, Vivian Starr. Beside the bed, a young man and woman sat stiffly in their chairs.

"Did you call Sean yet?"

Mr. Lancaster’s brows were knotted tight. Ever since their eldest son Sean Lancaster married Vivian, the boy had barely set foot home. Each month he just mailed back some money and that was that.

The couple had been married two years already, yet it felt more like two people sharing a roof than husband and wife. They might exchange one or two letters in a whole year, if that.

"I called. The base said Sean is out on a mission."

Mrs. Lancaster let out a long sigh. Their eldest was out there risking his life, and they had no way to reach him. All they could do was hope their daughter‑in‑law would wake up soon.

"Vivian tricked big bro into marrying her in the first place. It’s a miracle he even gives her the time of day."

The young pair by the bed finally spoke up—Howard Lancaster and Melody Lancaster. Every word dripped with displeasure for their sister‑in‑law.

Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster’s expressions stiffened. Mr. Lancaster shot the two a hard look and scolded them.

"Vivian is your sister‑in‑law. Don’t ever say that again."

Howard and Melody shrank back at their father’s tone and shut their mouths, though the impatience in their eyes when they looked at Vivian was impossible to hide.

On the bed, Vivian’s brows tightened, sweat beading constantly on her forehead. Mrs. Lancaster quickly grabbed a towel to wipe her down.

"Melody, go get a basin of water. Your sister‑in‑law needs to be cleaned up a bit."

Melody pressed her lips together and turned her face away stubbornly.

Seeing her youngest throwing a fit at a time like this, Mrs. Lancaster’s voice carried both urgency and helplessness.

"Go on. Look at her—this is no time for you to fuss."

Only then did Melody drag herself up, grudgingly picking up the enamel basin and heading toward the shared washroom.

Charles Lancaster and Howard Lancaster were both men, so it wasn’t convenient for them to stay inside. They stepped out and waited in the hallway.

When Melody Lancaster came back with the hot water, Mrs. Lancaster wiped Vivian Starr down again. Only then did the tight frown on Vivian’s pale face ease a little.

“Charles, Melody and I will stay here with Vivian tonight.”

“You and Howard have to work tomorrow. Go home and get some sleep.”

Charles Lancaster grunted in response. He and Howard both had to be at the factory in the morning.

Taking care of Vivian could only fall to Melody, who still hadn’t found a job, and Mrs. Lancaster, who happened to be on leave.

“Alright. If anything happens, call the factory.”

“Mm.”

Once Charles and Howard left, Mrs. Lancaster looked at the half-conscious Vivian and, together with Melody, wiped her down again.

“Melody, if you’re tired, just put your head down for a bit.”

“Mom, there are nurses here. Why do we have to wait on her like this?”

Melody’s eyes were full of annoyance. To her, this marriage between Vivian and her older brother had only happened because Vivian schemed for it.

Her brother had never really acknowledged Vivian as his wife.

If Vivian hadn’t used tricks to force that marriage certificate back then, her brother wouldn’t have stayed away from home for two whole years.

And now that Vivian was sick, her mom—the mother‑in‑law—still had to wait on her hand and foot.

What kind of daughter‑in‑law made people serve her like this?

“Melody, whatever happened back then, Vivian is part of our family now.”

“Part of our family? Says who?”

“If she hadn’t cornered my brother back then, would he ever have married her?”

“And now because of her, he won’t even come home. She’s nothing but bad luck.”

Melody Lancaster’s words came out sharp, her tone full of blame. If it hadn’t been for Vivian Starr clinging to their brother back then, would he have stayed away from home for two whole years?

For two years straight, her parents had worried themselves sick over Sean Lancaster, talking about him in private whenever they got the chance.

They never complained out loud, but the weight in their hearts never really lifted.

“Just let the past stay where it is,” Mrs. Lancaster said, her voice suddenly firm.

“No matter who was right or wrong, it’s all over.”

Melody clamped her mouth shut when she saw her mom’s expression darken. Even so, she still muttered under her breath, barely audible.

“If it was really over, big brother would’ve come back already…”

Hearing her daughter’s quiet grumbling, Mrs. Lancaster felt a twist in her chest.

She knew too well that her eldest son had never let go of what his wife did back then.

But the girl had already lost her reputation; even if Sean wasn’t willing in his heart, he still had to step up and take responsibility.

Vivian Starr, still half-dazed, listened to the voices around her drifting in and out.

Two completely different sets of memories flickered through her mind like overlapping film reels, making her head throb painfully.

Scenes of herself nearly dying under heavy fire flashed before her eyes, her breath growing tight and uneven.

“Diplomat Starr! Fall back, now!”

“The documents… they have to make it back…”

“Doctor! Doctor!”

“Vivian! Wake up!”

All kinds of voices crashed into her ears, loud and chaotic, like they wanted to drag her whole being into the darkness.

The last image lingering in her mind was of herself collapsing at the national gate, her hand pushing the documents past the border just before she fell.

In the final moment of her life, she had completed her mission.

"Hff… hff…"

Vivian Starr dragged in a shaky breath and snapped her eyes open. The first thing she saw was a doctor and a couple of nurses in white coats hovering over her.

"She's awake, she's finally awake."

The doctor let out a sigh of relief. In all his years, he'd never seen someone run a fever so high their breathing nearly stopped.

"Doctor, how’s my daughter‑in‑law doing?" Mrs. Lancaster asked anxiously.

"She’s fine now, nothing serious anymore."

"That's good, that's good. Thank you, doctor, really."

As soon as the doctor and nurses stepped out, Mrs. Lancaster hurried to the bedside to get a better look at Vivian.

Even though Vivian was technically awake, her head still felt stuffed with cotton, everything spinning slightly.

"Vivian, sweetie, how are you feeling now?"

She looked at the two women by her bed. Thanks to the original memories in her head, she knew these were her mother‑in‑law and her younger sister‑in‑law.

"I… I’m okay, I guess."

Her voice came out scratchy and thin. Hearing that hoarse sound, Mrs. Lancaster quickly propped her up and helped her drink some water.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

Vivian felt like all her strength had leaked out of her bones.

Hearing that she was hungry, Mrs. Lancaster hurriedly dug a ration coupon out of her pocket and handed it to Melody Lancaster.

"Melody, go to the canteen and get some millet porridge for your sister‑in‑law."

"Got it."

Melody took the ration coupon and headed toward the door. Just before stepping out, she shot Vivian a quick sideways glance—sharp, cold, and carrying an unmistakable warning.

"Vivian, just lie down and catch your breath for a bit."

Vivian Starr leaned weakly against the hospital bed, her mind spinning with all the memories that belonged to this body before she came.

The original Vivian was 21. Her father worked at the steel factory in River City, and her mother was a temp at the textile mill. One older brother, one younger brother.

Her brother Ian Allen, 26 this year, taught at the elementary school attached to the steel factory. He married Helen Allen three years ago, and they had a two‑year‑old son, Andy Allen.

Her younger brother Chester Allen was 17, and come September he’d be heading to the countryside.

The original Vivian was the middle child, 21 years old, and had already been married for two years.

Two years ago, her cousin Yale Allen had brought his comrade from the same city, Sean Lancaster, home for a visit. By coincidence, Vivian’s whole family happened to be at Yale Allen’s place that day.