Chapter 2

"Chloe? Chloe!"

A voice yanked me back to reality.

I jolted my eyes open.

Before me was my father's study. Five photos were still spread across the rich mahogany desk.

I froze for two seconds, then looked down at my hands.

All ten fingers were intact, no blood, no wounds.

I... I’d been reborn?

"What are you zoning out for?"

My father, Arthur Sterling, frowned, tapping the table. "Pick one. Let him inherit the family business and keep you safe."

I looked up, my gaze falling on the photos.

Five photos, five promising young men, all carefully selected by my father as potential fiancés.

The one in the very middle was Julian Hayes.

He wore a custom-tailored Armani suit, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, smiling with that refined charm – truly a wolf in sheep's clothing.

In my previous life, I was fooled by that facade. I chose him, only to die on our wedding night.

This time, I skipped past him, pointing without hesitation to the photo in the furthest corner.

The man in the picture had tanned skin, sharp eyes, and a rebellious smirk. He exuded an untamed aura.

Jaxson Thorne.

My father paused. "Chloe? Haven't you always liked Julian? Why Jaxson now?"

"Dad, I choose him."

I clenched my fists, my nails almost digging into my palms.

The memories of Julian's betrayal in my past life and the searing anguish in Jaxson's final glance churned in my heart.

My father looked serious. "Jaxson's too wild. He's always hanging out in clubs and climbing gyms, and he runs a tattoo studio—hardly a serious career. How could he ever be suitable for you?"

"I only want him."

My father sighed, picking up his phone and dialing.

"Check Jaxson Thorne's current status."

On the other end, Ms. Davies stammered, "Mr. Sterling, Mr. Thorne... he fell to his death during a rock-climbing competition on Eagle Peak last week."

My father put down the phone, sighing heavily. "Chloe, pick someone else. Jaxson Thorne... he's gone."