Chapter 1

Hedy Rhodes, Lance Rhodes’s half-sister, took her own life after his wedding.

From that moment on, he hated his new wife, Anthea Orlando.

It was only then that she realized—the person Lance loved had always been his stepsister.

Their budding romance had been ruthlessly crushed by their parents, who forced Lance to marry Anthea—the girl who had adored him for years—to prevent their "illicit affair."

For ten long years, he hated her, constantly wishing he could escape their marriage.

So when the chandelier came crashing down, Lance didn't hesitate to push her away and took the full impact himself.

Lying in a pool of blood, he uttered his final wish with his last breath.

"Anthea, I'm begging you with my life—if there's a next life, don't fall for me, don't marry me. Just let me go."

Then she spent the rest of her life and billions creating a time-travel device.

When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to their wedding night.

It was supposed to be their wedding night, but Lance was dead drunk. Because his parents had forced into marriage with a woman he didn't love, while the girl he truly desired was on a blind date with someone else.

His face was flushed, his eyes hazy with intoxication as he nuzzled his face against her hand, his voice raspy with drunkenness.

"Hedy, don't go on that date... I can't live without you..."

"If you fall in love with someone else, I swear I’ll lose my mind…"

Every truth that only emerged when he drunk was like a knife, twisting deeper into Anthea’s heart.

Falling for Lance had been all too easy.

She and Lance grew up together as childhood sweethearts.

He would skip class to carry her home when she sprained her ankle. He'd brave snowstorms to buy her sweet cakes when she cried from period cramps. He once broke two ribs fighting an entire gang to protect her.

But later, she realized—none of it was love.

It was simply because their families were close, because he was well-mannered and inherently a good person.

His love was reserved only for Hedy.

They weren’t related by blood. When Lance was seven, Hedy's mother Hosea Delapore married his father Fred Rhodes, forming a blended family of four.

Throughout their childhood, though Lance clearly doted on Hedy, Anthea had always assumed it was normal brotherly affection.

Only later did she discover that Lance would get jealous when Hedy chatted with other boys, that he'd lost sleep over her wearing a short skirt. Also, he would hold her close and kiss her passionately when they were alone.

Sadly, Anthea learned all this too late.

That marriage had killed Hedy, destroyed Lance and led to Anthea's lifetime of suffering.

Before activating the device, researchers had told her to rewrite fate, she must fulfill Lance's three regrets.

Anthea's slender fingers traced Lance's face as she recalled the three regrets written in his diary:

[Regret marrying Anthea. Regret not defying my parents. Regret failing to save Hedy.]

She took a deep breath and whispered, "Lance, this time you'll get your wish."

That night, the printer hummed in the darkness.

Anthea signed the divorce papers and handed them to Lance, mimicking Hedy's voice as she deceived him. "Just sign this, and I won't go on that date."

He practically snatched the pen and signed without hesitation.

Anthea smiled, though her heart ached.

Sure enough, his love for Hedy ran so deep that he'd do anything she asked.

She wiped away her tears and said, "You didn’t even read it before signing… Aren't you afraid I'm tricking you?"

Lance's reactions were sluggish. After a long moment, he finally raised his hand to caress her face, his eyes filled with passion for his beloved.

"As long as you stay by my side, I'll give you everything."

No woman could resist such words—except they weren't meant for Anthea, but for Hedy.

Anthea stared at him for a long time, her eyes reddening as moments passed.

The next morning, she handed the aggrement to her lawyer, her voice steady.

"The divorce papers are signed. Process them."

The lawyer hesitated. "Mrs. Rhodes, divorcing on the first day of your marriage… Maybe you should reconsider?"

"No need." She was firm. "This marriage must end."

Just then, a deep voice came from behind.

"End?"

Chapter 2

Anthea froze, whipping around to found Lance descending the stairs, still groggy from his hangover.

She immediately motioned for the divorce lawyer to leave and only after he was gone did she turn back to lie.

"Nothing important. You misheard. I was just consulting with a lawyer about some property matters."

Despite full of holes in her story, Lance didn't press further—simply because he didn't care about her.

At this point, Hedy hadn't yet committed suicide. So after their wedding, Lance's attitude toward Anthea was merely cold, not hateful.

He gave a slight "Mmm," rubbing his temples tiredly. "Sorry. Last night was… a good night. I drank too much. We’ll, uh… make up for it later.”

A good night?

Anthea's eyes reddened again, against her will.

Lance, are you serious?

For the entire ten years of our marriage in my previous life, you'd get wasted every single day. Every time, you'd hold me while calling out Hedy's name.

You were trapped—your love for her was too overwhelming—that lifelong regret was like a web that trapped you... and trapped me for my entire life.

She was about to speak when the butler approached with a respectful bow.

"Mr.Rhodes, Mrs.Rhodes, the car and gifts are prepared for your Post-Wedding Family Visit.”

Lance responded with a brief "Mmm" before extending his hand to Anthea, his dark eyes emotionless. "Let's go."

Anthea hesitated for a second before placing her hand in his broad palm.

Warmth instantly spread through Anthea's body from where their hands met, but it couldn't thaw her frozen heart.

On the road, they hit numerous red lights, the black Maybach stopping and starting.

Anthea was about to close her eyes and pretend to nap when she heard a notification "ding" from Lance's phone.

She instinctively glanced over, watching his long fingers slide across the illuminated screen.

From the corner of her eye, she observed his expression gradually darkening, eventually settling into a inky gloom.

Suddenly, he flipped his phone ove and turned to her. "Anthea, something urgent came up at the company. I'm afraid I can't go with you today. I’ll apologize to your parents another day.”

Before she could even respond, he was already stepping out of the car.

Anthea lowered her eyes and lit up her own phone.

On the screen was Hedy's Instagram post.

The photos showing her beaming with her blind date at Luna Park in Coney Island. The center photo, where they were holding hands and gazing at each other, was sickeningly sweet.

No man wants to see someone he cares about smiling so sweetly at another man, especially not Lance.

So there was no "company emergency"—this was the real reason he rushed away.

Outside the Orlando residence, Anthea's parents had been waiting for quite some time.

Seeing their daughter step out of the car alone, they were momentarily stunned, then hesitant to speak.

Anthea's mother Stacy peered hopefully into the car behind Anthea and upon seeing it empty. She was about to say something but swallowed her words when she met her daughter's composed gaze.

It wasn't until they were at dinner that Anthea finally spoke up.

"Dad, Mom, I’m divorcing Lance.”

The entire room froze.

Her father Toby frowned. "What's going on? Why the sudden divorce?"

Stacy was even more anxious. "Sweetheart, come on, there's nothing can't work it out? You’ve always liked Lance so much. And... you just got married yesterday—why would you—”

Her words abruptly cut off.

Because Anthea had raised her eyes, revealing tears streaming from her reddened eyes.

"Mom, Dad, I'm not happy with him. I want out—to free him and myself. Please support my decision."

Her voice was soft, but the more she spoke, the more fiercely her tears fell, as if she'd suffered some tremendous injustice.

Toby and Stacy had no idea what had happened, but seeing their precious daughter in so much pain instantly melted their hearts.

They quickly abandoned their utensils and rushed to embrace her, no longer questioning her decision. "Okay, okay, we promise. Whatever you want, sweetie. If you want out, we support you.”

Anthea leaned into her parents' embrace, unable to stop her tears.

Anthea's parents value her very much. In her last life, her parents had spent years worrying about her, turning their hair white in just a few short years.

This time, she wouldn’t let that happen.

“Mom, Dad… after the divorce, let’s move abroad. Let’s go to the UK.” Anthea choked out.

Toby and Stacy exchanged a glance before nodding. "Of course. Wherever you want to go, we’ll go with you.”

Anthea wiped away her tears and finally smiled.

This time, she wouldn't let Hedy commit suicide, wouldn't let Lance lose the love of his life, wouldn't let her parents grieve over her suffering. And she wouldn't condemn herself to a lifetime of suffering.

This time, she would give everyone a happy ending.

Chapter 3

For the next few days, the empty marital home never welcomed back its master.

Yet Anthea could see Lance's presence every day in Hedy's Instagram posts.

At the top of the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island, Lance held Hedy protectively in his arms.

By the window of The Grill, Lance attentively cut the steak for her.

Under the fireworks at the beach, Lance tenderly covered her ears with his hands.

In every photo, the way he looked at Hedy was overwhelming with his love.

The caption read: "Having a brother who spoils you is the BEST THING EVER! ??"

Someone commented below: "Girl… your brother is so hot AND treats you like a princess. How are you even interested in dating other guys??"

Hedy replied with a cheeky: "Ikr? My brother nearly lost his mind when I tried and says he'll take care of me forever. No choice but to say bye-bye to my date! ?‍♀️?‍♀️"

Anthea swallowed her bitterness and quietly turned off her phone.

During these days, while Lance was away, Anthea packed most of her belongings. Meanwhile, she contemplated how to fulfill Lance's second regret.

Getting Lance's parents to accept his relationship with Hedy.

Hosea, being Hedy's biological mother, wouldn't be difficult to convince. But Fred was the real challenge.

As the patriarch of the Rhodes family, he had spent years grooming Lance into the perfect heir. He would not tolerate any missteps.

Though Lance and Hedy weren't blood relatives, they were siblings in official records. That's why in her previous life, when Fred discovered their romantic feelings, he was furious. He forcibly separated them and made Lance marry Anthea instead.

Just as Anthea was considering how to persuade Fred, Lance returned.

He wore an impeccably tailored suit and held out a dress to Anthea. "Family dinner tonight. You're coming with me."

Anthea paused momentarily, then accepted the dress. "Okay."

She lowered her gaze, playing the role of the obedient wife, not asking why he hadn't accompanied her to visit her parent nor been absent for days.

Lance looked at her, then pulled a gift box from his pocket and handed it to her. "Saw this at an auction. Bought it for you."

Anthea opened the box to find a bracelet inside.

Recently, the news that Lance had spent over $14 million on a rare Van Cleef & Arpels necklace spread like wildfire. Everyone assumed it was for his wife.

Yet his wife apparently only deserved the complimentary bracelet that came with the jewelry set.

But she said nothing, simply smiled as she put on the bracelet and softly said, "It's beautiful. Thank you."

Lance watched her, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his eyes before quickly returning to his usual calm.

That evening, they attended the family dinner together.

At the banquet, everyone praised what a handsome couple they made and teased the newlyweds.

“You two look perfect together! I always knew this would happen!”

“I bet it won’t be long before we’re celebrating a baby, huh?”

"Their kids are gonna be gorgeous!”

Lance clearly didn't want to deal with this situation and found an excuse to leave. "Need to make a phone call."

Anthea was left alone to handle everyone's teasing remarks.

Finally free from the crowd, Anthea breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to leave, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Sister-in-law, long time no see."

Anthea turned around to see Hedy standing behind her in an elegant white dress, her figure slender and graceful.

And around her neck was that very same $14 million necklace!

Anthea's face froze for a few seconds, but she quickly composed herself and curved her lips upward. “Hedy, long time no see. Your necklace is beautiful."

Hedy stroked the necklace around her neck with a smug smile, her voice dripping with self-satisfaction.

"Isn't it? My brother bought it for me. It was soooo expensive! I told him he should give it to you instead, but he said…" she let out a soft laugh, “only I was worthy of wearing it.”

As she spoke, she kept glancing at Anthea’s expression, clearly hoping to spot a flicker of jealousy or disappointment.

But Anthea remained perfectly calm, even smiling as she complimented her. "It really does suit you perfectly."

Hedy was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to continue her provocation.

She had expected Anthea to get angry, show jealousy, maybe even argue with her. But Anthea's calm reaction threw her off completely.

Just as Anthea was about to leave, Hedy suddenly grabbed her hand with fake remorse in her voice. "Sister-in-law, I was at that blind date on your wedding day and never got to give you a gift. Let me make it up to you today."

Anthea was about to say it wasn't necessary, but Hedy suddenly cried out dramatically, “Oh no! Anthea, don’t push me!”

Then she deliberately threw herself into the swimming pool.

Before Anthea could even process what was happening, Lance came running.

The moment he saw Hedy thrashing in the water, his face drained of color. “Hedy!” he shouted, panicked, before diving straight in.

In his rush, he shoved Anthea aside—hard.

She lost her balance and stumbled, her forehead smashing hard against the stone edge of the pool. Blood immediately started flowing down her face.

Moments later, Hedy was pulled out of the water.

Completely soaked, she gazed pitifully at Lance, her voice quivering with feigned hurt. "Brother, I don’t know why she was so mad at me. She knows I can’t swim… and she still pushed me.”

Anthea pressed her bleeding forehead, utterly dumbfounded.

"I didn't—"

But Lance shot her a single, icy glare that sent chills through her entire body.

He didn't believe her!

Just as she was about to speak again, Hedy's panicked voice rang out, "Brother, the necklace you gave me is gone! It must have fallen into the pool. I have to find it!"

Lance grabbed her arm quickly. “Forget it. I’ll buy you another one. Let’s get you to the hospital first.”

“No!” Hedy’s tears were already falling. "That was a gift from you. I absolutely have to find it."

As she spoke, she made a move to jump back in.

Lance looked at the dripping-wet Hedy, then glanced at Anthea standing in the distance. His anger instantly boiled over.

He said coldly. "Whoever lost it should be the one to retrieve it."

Then he shot a look at his bodyguard.

The bodyguard immediately understood and grabbed Anthea's arm and threw her into the pool.