Arda Johnson opened her eyes and saw that man fumbling with her buttons, his face full of disdain. Without thinking, she slapped him across the face. Twice.
She didn’t even glance at his stunned expression. A quick scan of the room told her all she needed to know. Then she bolted out the door barefoot—and found herself right back in that familiar military compound, the one from her hazy memories.
So it was real. She had come back. Back to January 5th, 1981—the third year of her marriage to Jonathan Miller.
Clutching her chest, she felt like something was squeezing her heart so tight she could barely breathe.
Flashes of her final moments hit her: Jonathan standing by Alvina Taylor’s side, celebrating her birthday while their twin boys—yes, the children she'd struggled to bring into the world—sang her a song.
She didn’t even get to see her sons before she died.
More than twenty years. For over two decades, she tried everything to melt that cold, stone heart of his. But nothing ever worked.
If he never cared about her, why marry her in the first place?
She still remembered their wedding day—he showed up on a bike, picked her up, then went straight back to his unit.
And now, after three long years, he finally asked her to visit the base... just so they could consummate the marriage?
Fine. It's not too late now. Everything could still be changed.Even if it costs her everything this time around, she’s not having a kid with that man again. Divorce is a must.
Truth is, she had already shown up that afternoon.
She’d walked in, drenched in sweat, only to catch Alvina Taylor snuggled up against Jonathan Miller, flipping through a picture book.
He looked like he couldn’t be more doting, and Alvina’s cheeks were glowing red.
Back then, she was still young and hot-blooded. Didn’t even think twice—stormed right up and started swinging at Alvina. Jonathan shoved her hard, and she knocked her head on the corner of the table, blacking out on the spot.
When she came to, that bastard was about to force himself on her.
Last time around, she got cheated on without even realizing.
This time? Forget men, forget having kids—she wanted none of it.
Same day in her past life, she’d bent over backward to win Jonathan back. Apologized to Alvina, did her laundry, cooked her meals, tried everything to please them. Even gave away a pearl necklace a young calf had gifted her—gave it to Alvina without blinking.
Didn’t matter how much she humbled herself; Jonathan never gave her an ounce of real affection.
Before she died, her heart was nothing but wounds.
Even in death, she couldn’t let go of the injustice.
Now that she’s back, she’s done bowing to anyone.
Jonathan rushed out pulling his shirt on in a hurry and spotted Arda Johnson standing like a statue in the middle of the yard, totally zoned out, lost in her thoughts."Are you done making a scene? You're awake now, so go apologize to Alvina."
Right then, someone knocked on the door.
Jonathan Miller went to open it, and Alvina Taylor immediately leaned weakly against him.
"Jonathan, it’s fine, really. Don’t give your wife a hard time. I’m okay, no need to be upset."
As she spoke, she subtly pulled her right hand behind her back.
There was a red mark on it—clearly from where Arda Johnson had scratched her.
Jonathan caught the move and glanced down. The sharp look in his eyes turned straight to Arda, like it could cut glass.
"Did you hear that? Apologize to her—now!"
In her past life, that look alone would’ve scared Arda speechless.
But now? She'd seen through all of it. There was no way she'd bend over backwards for these two anymore.
She brushed a strand of wind-blown hair behind her ear and stared back at him, coldly.
"What exactly did I do wrong? Why should I say sorry?"
"You attacked Comrade Taylor for no reason. That’s why!" Jonathan’s face was tight with anger.
"Oh, come on. You know why I touched her. Don’t act like you don’t."
"And what would I know? All I see is you acting like a shrew, leaving scratches on her hand."
"Fine then. I’ll apologize."Arda Johnson didn’t hesitate—she bent slightly, then suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Alvina Taylor’s hair and slamming her head against the courtyard wall. Before anyone could react, she landed two loud slaps right across Alvina’s face.
Even Jonathan Miller, who's usually quick to act, was caught off guard by Arda’s sudden outburst and failed to stop her in time.
By the time she shoved the wailing Alvina back into Jonathan’s arms, he snapped back to reality and instinctively pulled Alvina behind him to shield her.
"Arda Johnson, are you out of your mind?!"
Jonathan gritted his teeth. His face had turned stormy, and his eyes looked like they could cut through steel.
"It hurts like hell!" Alvina cried, clutching her head, her face pale and tears streaming down.
Arda stood tall, her eyes calm and steady as they locked onto Jonathan’s.
"If you’re so eager to protect your little darling, how about we just get a divorce? You go on and live happily ever after with her."
"Watch your mouth, Arda! Nothing happened between me and Alvina. Quit spreading filth that'll ruin her name. When I get her to the hospital and come back, we’re going to deal with this properly!"
"No need to wait. Let’s get it over with now."
Arda’s voice didn’t waver.
Back in her past life, why had she been such a doormat?
Standing there while they played lovey-dovey under her nose, and she hadn’t even dared to protest.
Even her child had ended up calling that woman "Mom" behind her back.Just as Jonathan Miller was about to lose his temper, Alvina Taylor leaned weakly against him, her voice soft and delicate.
"Johnny... my head really hurts..."
That crazy woman had bashed her own head against the wall more than once—there was probably a nasty bump by now.
Jonathan shot Arda Johnson a sharp glare, then scooped Alvina up and walked off in big strides.
Arda stared after his tall figure as it got further and further away, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
She and Jonathan had grown up together, neighbors since they were kids.
He'd always been the smart one, his praise certificates covering an entire wall at the Miller house—kids from nearby villages were all told to be like him.
He went to school in the city for junior high and high school.
Back then, the family could barely make ends meet. To lighten their load, he joined the army right after high school.
Thanks to his steady nature and quick thinking, he’d worked his way up to become a company commander.
At that level, he was allowed to have family live with him on base.
But in her last life, she hadn’t even stayed in the compound a full month.
After going back to the village, she never returned. Jonathan had said the family couldn’t do without her.
It was only later she found out—he’d met his old school crush here.Alvina Taylor’s dad was in the military too. Back when Jonathan Miller was still in school, Alvina had just transferred. She stood out right away—pretty, bright, always dressed nicely. Made all the other kids feel like they were wearing potato sacks.
Even though they were only classmates for a year, the way she looked and carried herself left a deep impression on Jonathan.
Later on, when he got stationed up north, they ran into each other again—Alvina was performing with a military arts troupe, already kind of a celebrity.
Trouble was, Jonathan was married by then. And Alvina’s husband had just died on duty.
She was pregnant at the time, but the shock and grief led to a miscarriage. That tragedy also meant she could never have children again.
So Arda Johnson ended up being the one Jonathan married to carry on the family line. She became the stand-in daughter-in-law and caregiver for his aging parents, all rolled into one.
Back when she was alive, Jonathan split his paycheck every month—half to Alvina, a fifth for himself, a third to his parents, and whatever scraps were left, they went to Arda.
All under the guise of “taking care of a martyr’s family.”
And that “care” just went on... for a lifetime.