I Dumped the Scumbag

I abruptly opened my eyes, the glaring white light instantly leaving me disoriented. Before me was the familiar Cafe "Encounter." On the light brown wooden table lay an untouched latte, the milk foam still holding its delicate latte art. "Phoebe, what are you daydreaming about? Jimmy's already here." Suddenly, Mia Scott's sweet voice whispered into my ear; my entire body stiffened, and my fingertips clenched the tablecloth involuntarily. That voice, that scene — it was exactly the day three years ago when Jimmy Collins and I had our first blind date! Memories from my past life surged into my mind like a broken dam — Jimmy's cold indifference after marriage, Mia's false companionship concealing her betrayal, my mother-in-law's bitter, relentless torment, and my own despair lying on the cold hospital bed, watching them stand hand in hand by my side. No, I cannot repeat the same mistake! This life, I will rewrite my fate with my own hands. The glass door of the Cafe was pushed open, and the wind chimes chimed a clear, crisp note. Jimmy Collins walked in, dressed in a finely tailored dark gray suit, his hair neatly combed, still bearing that same gentle and refined demeanor. He habitually stepped forward with his left foot first—this detail remains etched in my memory. In my past life, I foolishly believed that a man whose very walk was so graceful would surely bring me happiness. "Mr. Collins, I'm sorry, but we're not compatible." I didn't wait for him to reach the table; I spoke firmly, leaving no room for hesitation. Jimmy Collins stopped in his tracks, his smile freezing—clearly not expecting such a reply. Mia Scott, sitting across from me, wore a look of shock as the stirring spoon clattered into her coffee cup. "Phoebe, what's wrong with you? Jimmy has such great qualities—handsome, from a good family, owns his own company. So many women would die to marry him, but you won't..." Mia Scott hurriedly grabbed my arm, her tone filled with bitter disappointment. I forcefully shook off her hand, my gaze sharp as I stared straight into Mia's eyes: "Good conditions? Do you mean he's a good person, or that he has the prestigious backing of the Collins Family?" Mia's face went pale at my question, her eyes flickering nervously as she stammered, "I... I'm just thinking of you. You're almost thirty; if you keep waiting..." "Thinking of me?" I scoffed coldly, my voice low but loud enough for the nearby tables to hear, "Mia, don't forget how, in our past life, you colluded with Jimmy Collins to seize my family's company and drained the inheritance left by my parents!" The moment those words left my lips, the surrounding silence was palpable, and several curious eyes all fixed on us at once. Jimmy Collins's face darkened instantly. He hurried to the table, lowered his voice, and snapped, "Phoebe Lynn, what nonsense are you spouting? How dare you spread such baseless rumors?" "Nonsense?" I took out my phone. Though it was only three years ago and I hadn't yet obtained the evidence from my previous life proving their collusion, my tone alone was enough to throw them off balance. "Should I call your mother right now and tell her about you and Mia Scott secretly meeting over the past six months, even going to browse jewelry stores together?" Jimmy Collins and Mia Scott instinctively exchanged a glance, each seeing panic reflected in the other's eyes. Jimmy's mother prized family honor above all; if she discovered he was involved with another woman, she would never forgive him. "You're simply unreasonable!" Jimmy's temples throbbed as veins bulged in his anger. He abruptly stood, grabbed the suit jacket from the back of his chair, and stormed out of the Cafe. Mia dared not stay either. She shot me a fierce glare, grabbed her bag, and hurriedly followed Jimmy out. Watching their disheveled backs, I let out a long breath, my tense body finally relaxing. The first step was a success. In this life, I have finally avoided falling into the carefully woven traps they set. Next, I will seek out the person I overlooked in my past life — Caleb Green. He was the second blind date introduced to me by the marriage agency back then. In my previous life, I was so fixated on Jimmy Collins that I rejected him without even meeting him. Later, I learned that Caleb was not only upright but had quietly helped my parents when my company went bankrupt—though by then, it was all too late. I picked up the latte on the table and took a sip; the cold liquid slid down my throat, sharpening my senses. In this life, I must not only protect myself and my family but also grasp the happiness that belongs to me.