Chapter 2

Karma?

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

In our past life, Chloe and I actually got married after graduation. Our relationship was great at first.

We had a cozy home and a quiet life.

But at a college reunion, she found out that a classmate she used to look down on had made it big in the design industry, earning millions.

That ruined her peace.

She told me she was too talented to waste away in a small town. She wanted to move to the big city.

She said she couldn't stand the boring, domestic life of chores and groceries.

She believed only the big city could give her the stage she deserved.

I tried to reason with her.

"Your classmate isn't even as talented as you, and she made millions. If I go into design, I’ll do way better," she had argued.

"If that’s what you want, I can pay for advanced design courses. You don't have to leave everything behind to move to New York, right?"

I didn't want to let her go. Our life was actually pretty good.

We had a house and a car. Sure, we weren't super-rich, but we were comfortable.

I was interning at my family's workshop back then, getting ready to take it over from my parents.

Even though it was hard work, I was happy. I wanted to build a better future for her.

After all, we were married.

But she just glared at me with red eyes.

"You're just a loser who doesn't want me to succeed!"

"What about our parents? They aren't in good health. Are we supposed to drag them to New York too?"

She shrugged coldly.

"They have their pension. If worst comes to worst, just put them in a nursing home."

A nursing home?!

She said it so casually.

My parents had treated her like their own daughter.

How could she say something so heartless?

I tried to keep my temper, but she cut me off impatiently.

"Ethan, if you won't come with me, let's get a divorce."

I was stunned.

She wanted to divorce me just to chase some big-city dream?

"Chloe, is the big city really that important to you? More important than us?"

She sneered.

"You're pathetic. No wonder Julian Sterling always stepped on you in college."

"I must have been blind to marry you instead of him."

I laughed out of sheer anger.

She didn't care about "career growth." This was what she truly felt deep down.

"So you regret it? You regret choosing me over him because you think you missed out on a luxury lifestyle?"

"Yes! I regret it! If I had chosen him, I’d be the one making millions right now!"

"Instead, I'm stuck with you, watching you get your hands dirty in that stupid workshop!"

She threw me one last look of disgust, grabbed her suitcase, and stormed out.

I was worried, so I ran after her. But as we crossed the street, a speeding truck came hurtling toward her. My instinct took over, and I lunged to push her out of the way.

But the truck was going too fast.

We were both hit.

When I woke up in the hospital, we had both been reborn.

We didn't say a word about it. We both acted like the past life never happened.

She immediately accepted Julian’s confession and moved to New York with him.

And I stayed behind to take over my parents' workshop.

Even though my reasons for staying had changed, my mindset hadn't.

Since I made this choice, I wouldn't regret it.

I believed that as long as I worked hard, I could build my own empire.

On my way back to the private dining room, my phone buzzed. It was a FaceTime call from my wife.

"Why didn't you let the driver drop you off? It’s pouring outside. You must be soaked. Go to the office and change your clothes. I’m almost there."