Chapter 3

Aurora was overseas, but I wasn't idle.

Back in college, my friend and I started a fashion studio that was finally taking off.

I grabbed my design sketches from home and Ubered to the office.

"Well, well, look who it is—Caleb!"

"Told you I had an eye for talent back then!"

Maya, the studio owner, was an upperclassman I met in college who discovered me at a design competition.

She said I was born for this and took me under her wing.

We became friends over time and started this fashion design studio together.

"Maya, cut it out!"

"If you hadn't pulled me out of that slump back then, I'd still be stuck going nowhere!"

It wasn't that the Calebs couldn't support me—they just didn't want to.

Like Brandon said, nobody in the Caleb family gave a damn about me.

Luckily, I had a passion for design and some talent—more than enough to make it on my own.

Last life, Maya and I ran this same studio.

But Brianna and her dad thought I was slumming it, acting like marrying her meant I should wait on them hand and foot.

Not "waste" family money on some tiny studio.

To put me in my place, the Brianses shut our studio down.

We ran out of funding and collapsed completely, leaving Maya drowning in debt.

Thankfully, Grandma Evelyn never had those hang-ups.

Aurora's parents were always overseas, and even Grandma Evelyn hadn't seen much of them lately—except at the wedding.

When I visited the old estate, I brought a suit I'd designed and tailored myself. Grandma Evelyn loved it, gushing about my good taste.

When she found out I'd made it by hand, she loved it even more.

"Caleb, marrying our Aurora must feel like a sacrifice for you."

Grandma Evelyn patted my hand, sighing softly.

"What are you talking about, Grandma? I'm the lucky one here."

Grandma Evelyn frowned, tapping my hand lightly.

"Nonsense! I'm thrilled to have you as my grandson-in-law!"

"Handsome and kind-hearted. Aurora's the one always running around—she doesn't pay you enough attention."

She was busy, sure, but she didn't neglect me.

Every day, she texted me—simple hellos and meal reminders.

For work, I was doing market research at a designer clothing store.

Running into Brandon was the last thing I expected.

"Caleb, doesn't Aurora find this embarrassing?"

I stared, confused, still holding the suit I'd designed.

"Instead of being a proper son-in-law, you're slumming it as a sales clerk!"

At home, Brandon always had custom clothes made for every season.

Seeing him shopping for clothes was a shock.

He must've mistaken me for staff—my studio uniform looked a lot like the store's.

I swapped my surprised look for a polite smile.

"Does spending Daddy's money make you feel like a big man?"

"Why do you always stick your nose where it doesn't belong?"

I wasn't his mom, and I sure as hell wasn't gonna coddle him.

"Caleb! Who the hell do you think you're talking to?!"

Brandon glared at me like he wanted to tear me apart.

Then his expression shifted, and a smug grin spread across his face.

"Caleb, don't get too comfortable. Soon you'll be a pathetic loser with a comatose wife!"

I wasn't scared. I just hauled off and slapped him.

"Who the hell do you think you are, wishing that on Aurora?"

The noise drew everyone in the store, and they all turned to stare.

The people who shopped here were rich and well-connected. Brandon didn't dare make a scene, so he scurried off like a whipped dog.

Playing these games—did he really think I was some kind of saint?

"Caleb, Brianna's not just hot—she's got abs! You regret it now, don't you?"

A Snapchat notification popped up from Brandon.

I'll admit it—Brianna was good-looking, and her body was definitely something.

But some people are all flash and no substance.

Her basic morals...

I wasn't about to warn him about Brianna's future mess. I was betting he'd crash and burn all on his own.

He couldn't blame me—he chose this, didn't he?

I locked my phone without replying.