Chapter 1

My Life, My Rules: No Second Chances for Toxic Exes

Seven years after my supposed death, my ex-boyfriend showed up to pay his respects at my grave.

He stared at the overgrown plot, his voice thick with a sniffle.

"Aria, you're really holding a grudge, aren't you?"

"It's been so long since you died, and you still won't visit me in my dreams."

"I was wrong about what happened back then, Aria. I truly apologize."

"For the sake of everything we once shared... please, just this once, forgive me."

Hidden in the dense bushes behind the grave, I rolled my eyes.

Of course, I wouldn't visit him in his dreams.

Because I was never dead to begin with.

That accident all those years ago had left me with a limp, but it also led me to the life I truly wanted.

Now, I have a wonderful marriage and a happy family.

Naturally, I wanted nothing to do with him ever again.

The cemetery was desolate, choked with weeds.

One look and you knew it hadn't been cared for in years.

Liam, however, seemed oblivious, utterly lost in his own manufactured grief.

He placed a spread of offerings before the headstone – a pile of food I never even liked.

He murmured, his voice cracking,

"Aria, I really didn't mean for things to turn out that way."

"Dad still feels awful about that slap he gave you."

"And I regret forcing you to donate blood for Chloe."

"You must have hated us so much all these years, that you never even came back to see me once."

He stroked the headstone, tears streaming down his face.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes again, my mind drifting back to the past.

There wasn't really a huge misunderstanding between Liam and me.

Just a very clichéd story.

The Petersons' nanny lost their biological daughter, and in a desperate attempt to cover it up, she swapped me in.

When their real daughter, Chloe, was finally found, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of guilt towards her, showering her with every luxury imaginable.

I knew my position was awkward, so I never argued with her about anything.

Chloe wanted my room; I gave it to her.

Chloe wanted my shares; I gave them up.

When Chloe set her sights on my husband, I gave him up too.

But my endless compromises didn't lead to a happy ending; they only emboldened her.

Then she started wanting my organs. My life.

Terrified, I fled in my car, only to suffer a terrible accident, plunging off a cliff.

My adoptive family searched for me for a long time, eventually concluding I was gone.

They say when a person dies, all grudges and past grievances fade away.

Everyone suddenly started reminiscing about how good I was, constantly recalling memories of me.

I'd often stumbled upon countless online tributes and obituaries dedicated to me.

Every word, every line, poured out their deep remorse and aching longing for me.

Those words were so touching, they actually made me a little curious.

Curious if my biased family truly regretted their actions after my death.

Curious if they actually held any genuine affection for me.

So, I took advantage of Julian's business trip to the city and secretly followed him.

I never expected to run into Liam on my very first day here.

Looking at how abandoned the grave plot was, I understood.

Liam hadn't really cared about me all these years either.

He and Chloe quickly tied the knot.

He'd occasionally remember me, shed a few tears, and parade his "deep affection."

I couldn't help but curse under my breath, "Hypocrites."

As I turned to leave, I accidentally stepped on a dry twig.

The sharp *snap* echoed clearly in the silent woods.

I prayed Liam hadn't heard.

But as I turned my head, my eyes met his, trembling and wide with shock.