Chapter 1

When my girlfriend and I were reborn back to our college graduation day, we both made a silent, mutual choice to part ways.

She chose to chase her dreams in the big city, New York, while I stayed behind to take over my family’s struggling local machine workshop.

Five years later.

She had became the hottest fashion designer in the country, newly engaged to the billionaire heir of the Sterling empire.

Meanwhile, I was still getting my hands greasy, working the assembly line at the workshop.

When we met again.

She sat in the passenger seat of a luxury Maybach, looking down at me with pure mockery.

"Ethan, if you get down on your knees and beg, I might just give you a ride."

Later, when the heiress of the Brooks Group leaned in to kiss me under the starlight.

Chloe’s eyes welled with tears as she grabbed my sleeve:

"Ethan, didn't you say I was the only one you wanted to marry?"

Chloe Thorne actually showed up at our college reunion.

She was now a wildly successful designer, pulling in seven figures a year.

The moment she walked in, the crowd swarmed her, drowning her in compliments.

"Oh my god, Chloe! It is so hard to get a hold of you these days!"

"I heard the new design wing at our alma mater was donated under your name. That’s insane! You really are the ultimate IT-girl."

"Right? And now you’re with Julian Sterling. You two are literally the definition of a power couple."

Chloe smiled proudly, casually flaunting the massive ten-carat diamond ring on her finger.

"Julian and I are officially engaged."

A chorus of gasps and envious sighs erupted. Everyone raised their glasses to toast her success.

But inevitably, someone just had to bring me up.

"So... do you still keep in touch with Ethan Vance?"

Chloe’s smile froze. She let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"Ethan? Please. I dumped him ages ago."

Sensing the sudden drop in temperature, the others quickly changed the subject.

Just then, I pushed the door open. I brushed a few stray raindrops from my hair and walked in.

A sharp-eyed classmate recognized me instantly.

"Ethan! The legend has arrived!"

"Man, I’ve missed you! We live in the same city and you still haven't grabbed a beer with me."

"Whoa, what happened to you? You’re soaking wet."

I offered a polite smile and nodded to a few people.

As I looked up, my eyes briefly met Chloe’s.

She was sitting gracefully at the head of the table, wearing a perfectly tailored haute couture blazer and draped in expensive jewelry.

Beside her sat Julian Sterling, looking sharp in his custom-made suit.

They looked like royalty.

And me?

My jeans were splattered with muddy water. I looked like a total mess.

But I didn't care. I just pulled back my sleeves, gave her a casual nod, and turned to the others.

"The rain caught me off guard. Sorry for looking like a drowned rat, guys."

Actually, I had an umbrella. But earlier, Julian’s car had intentionally sped past me, splashing a wave of muddy water all over my pants. The impact had broken my umbrella, too.

But I wasn't going to whine about it.

Hearing my explanation, the looks in my former classmates' eyes turned cold and distant.

They probably thought I couldn't even afford a decent car.

Well, that’s college reunions for you—everyone kisses up to the rich and steps on the poor. I didn't feel like explaining myself.

Ignoring Chloe’s condescending stare, I started chatting with some of my old friends.

"Hey, did you hear? Olivia Brooks is supposed to show up tonight. She was literally the goddess of our class!"

"No kidding. She was smart, incredibly rich, and drop-dead gorgeous. I heard she took over her family's conglomerate recently! She actually donated the other two buildings on campus."

They got more and more excited. I felt like an outsider standing there.

My damp clothes were sticking to my skin, making me uncomfortable. I excused myself and walked out of the private room.

I spoke with the restaurant manager, borrowed a clean change of clothes, and went into the restroom.

When I came out, Chloe was standing right by the door.

I paused, thinking she was waiting for someone, and tried to walk past her. But she spoke up.

"How has it been five years, and you’re still like this? You don't even have a car."

"Are you still doing cheap manual labor in that pathetic little workshop of yours? You really have no ambition, do you?"

"Do you regret it, Ethan? If you hadn't been so stubborn, the one standing next to me right now would be you."

I stopped, looked at her, and smiled.

"I don't regret a thing, Chloe."

Chloe gritted her teeth.

"You lazy loser. You deserve to rot in that workshop forever."

She spun on her heels, her stilettos clicking sharply against the marble floor.

But as she reached the corner, she stopped and glared back at me.

"You’re just like before. Stubborn and too proud to admit you failed. I can't wait to see the day you can't survive anymore and come begging me on your knees."

"Just so you know, I won't help you."

"Because this is your karma for being lazy and refusing to grow up."