"So this is your 'important' business?"
Sandra crossed her arms, glaring at Kayla who was already waiting for Lukas in the office while holding a lunch box. Sandra clapped sarcastically as she approached Kayla, then threw the food to the ground and stepped on it.
Her sharp, intimidating gaze made the woman—who used to bully the original Sandra—completely frozen. She clearly underestimated what it meant to mess with a woman as crazy as her.
"Sandra, that's too much!" Lukas snapped.
"Oh? Now that's too much? Didn't you do the same thing to me back then?"
"But—"
"You really are a jerk!" Sandra slapped him hard and stormed out of the room. Her eyes were red, though she refused to admit how hurt she was from seeing Kayla's presence.
"What was I thinking? Believing his sweet words like a fool? Ugh! He's just like any other man—sweet only when it benefits them," she muttered to herself.
Inside the room, Kayla gently wiped Lukas' reddened cheek. She was no longer surprised by Sandra's drastic change. Turns out, someone else was living in that body.
As for Lukas, he stood still, staring at the office door with discomfort. This was the first time he actually felt guilty toward Sandra—especially after everything he had said and done to her the night before.
"So, why did you ask me to meet?" Lukas changed the topic. He'd apologize to Sandra later. For now, he wanted to settle things with Kayla first. "What important thing did you want to talk about?"
"Lukas, why are you being so cold? Do you care about her? Are you treating me like I'm the third wheel now?"
"It's not like that..."
"You even spent the night with her? You two went on a trip? Was that your plan?" Kayla played her sad card. "You're cruel, Lukas!"
"Kayla, there was no choice last night. It was storming, heavy wind, I didn't have other options!"
Without saying another word, Kayla pulled out a stack of photos from her bag—photos of Sandra and Thomas looking close and comfortable, taken during various outings. She had unintentionally gotten them while investigating Alana's identity—the soul inside Sandra's body. Kayla hadn't expected them to be this close.
"They seem to go out often. Maybe they've been secretly seeing each other behind your back?" she said with a wicked grin. "Use these to divorce her, Lukas! It's your proof that she's cheating!"
"You think my parents will believe this right away?" Lukas clenched his fists. "I need stronger evidence, and I'll find it myself," he said through gritted teeth.
He was genuinely shocked seeing those photos. So they were that close all this time? Behind his back? But why did they act distant now? Lukas would uncover the truth himself. If it turned out they were in a relationship, there would be consequences.
Kayla smiled as she saw the clear rage building on her lover's face. If this worked, she wouldn't have to bother with that ridiculous soul-switching theory. But if this failed too, then she'd have no choice but to dig up the grave of that mysterious woman named Alana.
She would do anything to remove Sandra and make Lukas hers. She couldn't wait to take his wealth—and avenge her parents.
*****
Sandra wandered around the park near Lukas' office, now filled with visitors and street vendors.
As she walked farther, she noticed a little boy sitting on the grass, playing with bubble wands. Sandra walked over and sat nearby, watching the small show with a smile.
The boy excitedly blew bubbles, creating beautiful floating orbs that drifted in the air before popping. Each time they burst, the boy laughed joyfully. Sandra found herself smiling too, transported back to her own childhood.
Back when her parents were still alive, everything was beautiful—especially when her grandfather was still around. But ever since she lost them in high school, Sandra lost her direction, and any sense of warmth. And now, instead of finding happiness, she was trapped in someone else's body—one with just as bitter a life.
But... being stuck in this body might have been a blessing. If not, she probably would've been evicted by now, unable to pay rent. The small inheritance left by her parents was long gone—used for school and living expenses. Her fate had truly been miserable.
"Why do I really want to eat that?" Sandra snapped out of her thoughts when she saw a stall selling pickled mangoes—fresh, tangy, and drawing quite a crowd. She walked over and ordered a portion. For some reason, it looked unbelievably delicious to her.
"Oh my God! This is amazing!" she exclaimed, devouring her order, then immediately asking for another even though the first one wasn't finished yet.
"Mister, I'll take all of it!" she said impulsively, wanting to eat more at home while binge-watching her favorite series.
"All of it?" the seller asked, surprised.
"Yes, all of it!" Sandra replied with a mouth full of mango.
"Are you pregnant, miss?" the man asked kindly, smiling. "How many months along?"
Sandra froze mid-bite. Pregnant? Craving? Was he actually talking about her being pregnant? But that's impossible—wasn't it too soon? And she didn't even remember the details of that night last month...
If it really happened, she'd never forgive Lukas. That bastard!
"Sandra! What are you doing here?" Thalia's voice made her freeze again. The woman stepped out of a car and ran toward her. Lukas' mother had been planning to visit him—but seeing Sandra first changed her plans.
"You bought this much pickled mango?" Thalia looked shocked by the large bundle of orders.
"Is she pregnant, ma'am?" the vendor asked again cheerfully.
"Ahhh, is that it?! Are you having cravings?" Thalia's eyes widened. "Pack everything, sir! Don't leave a single slice behind! That's my daughter-in-law's craving!"
"M-Ma..."
"What else do you want?"
"Ma, I'm not pregnant!" Sandra tried to stop her enthusiasm.
"Let's see a doctor!" Thalia immediately asked her assistant to handle the mangoes while she pulled Sandra toward the car, where Maria had stayed seated.
"Ma, Sandra is pregnant!"
"Is that true?" Maria's wrinkled face lit up with joy. She looked absolutely thrilled at the news.
"To the doctor, now!"
"Ma, Grandma, I just wanted some mango. That's all!"
"And you bought the whole cart?"
Sandra fell silent. True, why did she buy all of it? Why did she feel such a strong urge to eat them?
"Where's Lukas? He's so careless—leaving his wife wandering around alone!" Thalia picked up her phone.
Suddenly, Sandra had a brilliant idea. Let the doctor prove whether or not she was pregnant. But more importantly, Lukas needed to learn a lesson. If she was the only one upset, he wouldn't take her seriously.
But if his whole family got angry, he'd be finished. Serves him right for flirting with his ex after being so sweet the night before!
"Mama, don't call him," Sandra said sadly.
"You two fought? Why the sudden tears, sweetheart?"
"Lukas is with Kayla at his office..." she whispered hoarsely, letting fake tears fall to sell the act.
Not that she had to fake all of it—Sandra was genuinely hurt by Lukas' behavior today.
"That boy! Already about to become a father and still fooling around? He needs a lesson!" Maria growled. "Call Emilio—freeze all his credit and debit cards."
"You're right, Mama. He should be punished. If he wants pocket money, he should get Sandra's permission! Naughty boy!" Thalia quickly called her husband.
Sandra hugged Maria, forcing more fake sobs. Soon, Lukas would have no power left. She'd win this round again! Lukas would kneel before her.
"Grandma, my heart hurts so much! If I am really pregnant, my baby must feel it too!" she said, trying not to laugh.
"Lukas is so cruel to me!"
"Don't cry, dear. Grandma will scold him for you later!" Maria comforted her.
"And Mama will too! He needs a hard lesson so he won't mistreat you again!"