Chapter 3

Lily rolled her eyes at me. "Cut the passive-aggressive act. So what if you're good at studying and got into a good university? After graduation, you'll probably make three thousand a month, while I'll be married to the boss with more money than I can spend. It's normal for you to be jealous."

Me, jealous?

Oh, I was so jealous.

I hoped she could still smile after she learned about Lucian's obsessions.

Mom and Dad were bewildered by her sudden change in attitude. "Sweetheart, didn't you say you didn't want to marry him? You cried for days, your eyes were swollen. Why the sudden change of heart?"

Lily quickly put on a show of being understanding.

"Mom, Dad, I'm not like Rose, who's so good at her studies. If I really let her go in my place, her whole life would be ruined. I can't be that selfish. Even if... even if my life is over, at least Rose can take care of you in your old age."

Mom and Dad were completely swept away by her 'sacrifice', the three of them hugging and crying endlessly, making isolated me feel like an outsider.

Though I was used to it, this scene still stung my heart.

Even if Lily herself was willing to marry him this time, Mom and Dad still couldn't help but feel resentment towards me.

Even though I hadn't said a word this lifetime, they still blamed me for not actively shielding Lily from this fate.

Instead, Lily's 'sacrifice' for the 'greater good' filled them with guilt.

In my past life, on the day the boss came to pick up his bride, Lily, terrified of being recognized, hid in her room and didn't show her face.

Mom and Dad also lied, claiming they only had one daughter.

This time, Lily began to groom herself before dawn, eagerly anticipating a life where the mob boss would cherish her above all else.

Unaware of her true feelings, Mom and Dad hadn't slept a wink, worried about her leaving.

In the morning, Lily came to my room and warned me fiercely, "I've already told Mom and Dad to keep quiet, saying we only have one daughter. Don't get any stupid ideas. Don't you dare come downstairs and be an eyesore later!"

I was more than happy to comply. After everything in my past life, I never wanted to see that man again.

"I know. I won't go out."

But Lily still wasn't reassured. She stubbornly tied me to a chair.

Soon, there was a stir downstairs.

He had arrived.

My dad ran a small business, and while we weren't poor, we certainly weren't wealthy. This townhouse was his big splurge, and to save money on renovations, the soundproofing was... well, let's just say 'barely there'.

I could hear the conversation downstairs clearly.

I thought that after being reborn, I wouldn't tremble at the sound of his voice again, but when he spoke, I still held my breath.

"Miss Henderson, it seems you're ready."

His voice was deep, laced with an authority that sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't directed at me, but at Lily, yet it echoed the nightmares of my past life, and I couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Yes, let's go!"

Lily's voice was jubilant, probably captivated by his appearance.

In my past life, it was after she saw Lucian that her hatred and jealousy towards me reached its peak, making her determined to kill me.

Lucian, though born and raised abroad, with mixed heritage, was a perfect blend of Eastern and Western features. He was tall and lean, with fair skin and sharp, deep-set features-the dream of countless young women.

Just like in my past life, Lucian left Mom and Dad a hefty sum of money for their retirement, enough to astound my small-town dad, who was easily impressed.

I prayed for them to leave quickly, to banish the nightmare of my past life far away from me.

Suddenly, Lucian asked, "Is she your only daughter?"

I froze. Had he asked that question in my past life?