Chapter 1

Everyone assumed I jumped from the eighteenth floor of the Hayes family penthouse because of postpartum depression.

Only I knew the true breaking point. It was what I overheard my husband, Julian, telling the love of his life:

"She's nothing more than a glorified housekeeper looking after my estate. Once she delivers the baby, whenever you want to come back, I'll kick her to the curb."

That night, the shock sent me into premature labor. While I fought for my life in the delivery room, Julian was off celebrating her birthday.

After my baby was born, my heart had turned to ash. I walked out onto the balcony and threw myself into the void.

As the paramedics fought to revive me on the pavement, I vaguely heard a nurse sigh:

"Julian Hayes just announced their divorce on social media. He claimed he's finally got his freedom back."

In that final instant, only one thought consumed me: "If I ever get a second chance, I will never choose him again."

When I opened my eyes, a breathtaking sea of crimson roses filled my vision.

Julian was down on one knee before me, holding an open velvet box with a sparkling diamond ring. "Chloe, will you marry me?"

Staring down at his hypocritical face, I took an immediate step back.

"No."

Julian froze.

He looked up at me, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Chloe, what kind of joke is this?"

He chuckled awkwardly, rising to his feet and reaching for my hand.

I took another step back, avoiding his touch.

"I'm not joking."

A breeze swept through the valley, rustling the thousands of rose petals scattered across the ground.

"I'm not marrying you."

The sound of the wind rushing past my ears as I fell from that eighteenth-floor balcony in my past life was still terrifyingly vivid.

I remembered the sickening crunch of my bones shattering against the concrete.

I remembered my very last thought before slipping into darkness: "I should never have chosen him."

Now that fate had handed me a clean slate, why would I ever walk down that same doomed path again?

The cheering and clapping from the surrounding crowd died instantly.

The friends, colleagues, and even the media reporters Julian had invited to witness his grand proposal exchanged bewildered glances.

The smile on Julian's face finally cracked.

He squeezed the ring box in his fist until his knuckles turned white.

"Did I do something wrong?"

He took a step toward me, lowering his voice with an edge of desperation.

"Is the setup not right? Do you dislike red roses? Tell me, and I'll have them redo everything."

I looked at him without saying a word.

"Chloe, speak to me."

He used my full name, his brows furrowing into a tight knot.

"Tell me what I did wrong. I'll fix it."

He reached out to grab my hand again, but I sidestepped him once more.

"What is wrong with you? Everything was fine when we left the house this morning."

I parted my lips, but before I could say a word, a soft, familiar voice drifted from behind the crowd.

"Chloe, isn't this a bit much?"

Natalie Cross clicked her stilettos through the crowd, making her way directly to Julian's side.

She wore a delicate, baby-blue dress, her soft curls cascading over her shoulders, looking as fragile as a porcelain doll.

She looped her arm naturally through Julian's, looking up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

"Is this because of me?"

"Julian and I are just close friends. Are you jealous?"

The looks people threw at me shifted instantly.

Everyone in our circle knew Natalie was Julian's childhood sweetheart.

His forever untouchable white moonlight.

Their inseparable bond was something everyone took for granted.

With just a few words, Natalie had successfully painted me as an unreasonable, paranoid shrew.

Staring at her delicate face, memories from my past life hit me like a tidal wave.

This was the very face that had nestled against Julian's chest, laughing triumphantly.

This was the woman who moved into Julian's mansion the moment my body went cold.

The corners of my mouth curled into a mocking smile.

"Because of you?"

"You're not that important."

Natalie's face drained of color, and her eyes welled up with tears in an instant.

Biting her lower lip, she turned toward Julian, playing the wounded victim to absolute perfection.

"Julian... maybe I shouldn't have come."

Her voice trembled as if she were about to burst into tears.

Julian's expression darkened immediately.

He gently pulled away from Natalie's grip, turned to me, and snapped with undisguised irritation:

"Chloe, can't you be a little more mature?"

"If you have an issue, we can discuss it in private! Did you really have to humiliate her in front of all these people?"

Watching him leap to Natalie's defense, I suddenly found it hilarious.

It was just like my past life.

Every single time.

As long as Natalie shed a single tear, I was automatically the villain.

I took a deep, steady breath, shoving down the bitter grief inside my chest.

"There's no need."