Chapter 1

When I opened my eyes after my rebirth, I found myself nestled in a warm embrace with someone feeding me a spoonful of chicken soup.

I turned my head abruptly and met Randy Wilson's bloodshot eyes.

This was the day after I'd stood in the pouring rain all night, trying to force him to marry me.

Randy clearly hadn't slept at all—stubble had already begun to shadow his jaw.

"Drink it yourself." He pushed me away.

"Randy..."

"What?"

"Hold me again..."

He stood up to leave.

But the next second, I hugged him from behind. I could feel his muscles tense beneath my palms.

"Sarah..."

He gripped my hands tightly.

"You can't force someone to love you."

"I know."

I pressed against his back, savoring his warmth one last time.

"I understand now."

"You understand?"

His scoff was heavy with exhaustion.

"You say that every time."

He pried my hands away forcefully and walked out without looking back.

I looked down at my palms which still held his warmth.

He didn't know. This time, I truly understood.

I was his childhood friend, his late benefactor's daughter, the annoying girl next door...

But never meant to be his wife...

I understood now.

I would let him go.

My phone vibrated—my assistant calling:

"Miss Adams, we've surveyed Miami. You always want to hold your wedding there. Should we change the venue?"

"Go and ask Beth Harris' thought. She loves the ocean too. If she's willing, make the change."

"Miss Adams?" My assistant thought they'd misheard.

"But you're the bride."

"Not anymore, starting today."

Chapter 2

"Are you sure? You really choosing to join my project abroad instead of your wedding?" my advisor, Professor Richard Miller, asked repeatedly.

I nodded firmly. "One hundred percent sure. No takebacks."

Professor Miller exhaled with relief and quickly signed the documents, as if I might bolt at any second.

"Look, even though you're about to graduate, the Paris team really wants you. I'm so glad you’ve come around—no one else can take your place."

"Marriage can wait until you get back in three years. What's the rush, right?"

I felt a pang of guilt.

The Paris project had requested me by name from the beginning.

But I'd been so obsessed with Randy Wilson that kept turning down every opportunity.

Professor Miller had scrambled to find replacements.

But no qualified candidates emerged, and the entire project fell behind schedule.

I finished processing the final paperwork and was heading out when I heard familiar sobbing from the hallway:

"I tried so hard, but now Sarah suddenly takes the spot, and a whole month of my effort is wasted..."

Beth Harris—

Randy's true love.

The woman who had kept us at each other's throats for thirty years in my previous life.

I opened the door.

Randy towered over me, his face hard with coldness I'd never seen before:

"Sarah, give the position back."

I shook my head:

"That's impossible."

"Sarah..."

Randy's face contorted with disbelief:

"I've already agreed to marry you. I know you've booked the venue in Miami! You're not really going abroad. "

"You just want to make things hard for Beth!"

Beth stepped forward with reddened eyes:

"Sarah, I've been killing myself for this opportunity. Once I'm gone, I swear I'll stay out of your way. You'll never have to worry about me again..."

"We both know whether you actually put in the work or not. You won't get this project."

Beth flinched, fresh tears welling up.

She had originally planned to drag Randy abroad with her, keeping him away from me.

But after I hurt myself several times, Randy remembering my parents' kindness to his family, reluctantly agreed to marry me.

In a fit of anger, Beth decided to go alone.

But these past months had been more about throwing a tantrum than actual preparation—she hadn't done the necessary work.

In my previous life, she'd failed too.

Randy's eyes narrowed:

"How the hell would you know she can't get it when you've sabotaged her every chance?"

I waved the signed documents:

"Because Professor Miller has already signed and sealed my application."

"Sarah..."

Randy's fists clenched, his eyes filled with disappointment:

"I thought you were just spoiled, but I never imagined you could be so mean.

"You don't even need this opportunity! Beth has worked her ass off while you've been planning wedding flowers!

"I can't believe you'd take up the spot just to spite her!"

His breathing grew ragged as he glared at me:

"Listen. You may have manipulated me into this engagement by playing the 'your family owes my family' card, but I will never see you as my wife."

"I know."

I'd lived through that reality for thirty years in my previous life.

Randy put his arm around Beth's shoulders and speaking softly:

"Don't worry. I'll help you find something even better."

That tenderness in his voice—I'd dreamed of hearing it directed at me for decades.

But it's something I could never have in two lifetimes.

It's time for me to let go, Randy.

Chapter 3

I thought Randy don't want to see me again before the wedding.

But when I opened the door to our planned marital home, there he was.

Before I could get a word out, he brushed past me and left.

On the dining table sat a bowl of chicken soup, still at perfect temperature. He knew I was still weak from being sick.

My emotions were all over the place.

In my past life, Randy was always the same—acting like he hated me while still taking care of me.

Only because my parents had asked him to look after me before they died.

So when we were at each other's throats, he'd donate 600cc blood without hesitation for me.

Even if we'd just sworn never to speak again, the moment a car was about to hit me, he'd instinctively step in front of me.

He was just paying a debt with his life, while I kept demanding his heart.

Sipping what was probably the last chicken soup he'd ever make me, something suddenly clicked.

I checked the date and my heart dropped. I slammed down the bowl, shoving my feet into shoes while dialing my assistant:

"Get to 13th Street, Alley six! Now!"

Following my memory, I sprinted to the alley where Beth had been raped in my previous life.

Sure enough, a gang of thugs had Beth cornered:

"Your parents' death doesn't mean the belt is off, sweetie. I've been nice enough to give you till today. No cash? Then we'll take payment another way!"

"Back off!"

I smashed a beer bottle against the leader's head, grabbed Beth's hand and ran.

"Ah!"

The rain-slicked pavement sent Beth crashing down hard.

I tried desperately to pull her up, but the men were closing in fast.

With no options left, I positioned myself in front of her:

"Run! I'll hold them off!"

"I... I can't..."

Beth seemed frozen with terror, shaking uncontrollably.

"Just go, dammit!"

"I can't keep this up! Go find help!"

"I'm... I'm too scared... I can't move..."

Gritting my teeth, I kicked one guy away to buy some time, then turned to pull her up. Suddenly, she screamed and shoved me hard.

A knife blade sank into my body.

"Shit! She's bleeding!"

The leader looked shocked—murder clearly wasn't on his agenda.

I stared at Beth in disbelief.

She huddled with her arms over her head: "I'm... I'm sorry... I just panicked..."

The men scattered immediately—nobody wanted a murder charge.

I staggered, barely staying upright.

I reached out blindly for support, but someone violently shoved me against the wall.

Randy cradled the trembling Beth in his arms, his face twisted with rage:

"I already agreed to marry you! Why do you have to destroy her life?!"

The wound tore with searing pain. I clutched my chest, swallowing blood:

"Randy, listen—"

"Shut up! I'll never believe another word out of your mouth."

"Randy... I... I..."

Beth trembled against his chest. Randy immediately softened, his eyes full of concern:

"It's okay. You're safe now. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Randy..."

I tried to speak but collapsed onto the wet pavement.

Blood pooled around me. Through my fading vision, I only saw Randy's back as he walked away.

Before losing consciousness, I glimpsed my assistant's car and flashing police lights in the distance.