Chapter 1

The night my in-laws were kidnapped, my husband went camping with his first love.

I didn't try to stop him. I just called the police immediately.

In my last life, I had stopped him. He went to save his parents, but he never went to be with his first love.

Later, his first love was mauled to death by wolves in the mountains, her body mutilated beyond recognition.

Afterward, Julian became a silent shell, until I was pregnant and about to give birth. He threw me into those same deep mountains.

“Anya Smith, if it weren’t for you, Serena wouldn’t have died!”

“How can you live so peacefully? I want to watch you suffer every single pain she endured!”

Torn apart by wild beasts, I died, taking my unborn child with me.

When I woke up again, I was back on the day my in-laws were kidnapped.

This time, he didn't join the rescue.

He got his wish and saved his first love, but his hair turned completely white overnight.

I screamed in terror, my eyes snapping open.

Drenched in cold sweat, my clothes clung to me.

The phantom pain of flesh being torn still lingered. I instinctively reached down, touching my flat stomach.

Listening to the frantic beat of my heart, tears streamed down my face like broken pearls.

I fumbled for my phone and checked the time.

I had been reborn.

Back to the day my in-laws were kidnapped.

Soon, the kidnappers would call, demanding a thirty-million-dollar ransom to be delivered within thirty minutes, or they’d kill them.

Julian and I grew up together. Our parents had always planned for us to marry.

Whether it was a family alliance or my own feelings, I was destined to be his wife.

I knew he had an ex, but his family didn't approve of her.

Before we married, I’d asked him if he was marrying me willingly.

If he was marrying me because he loved me?

He’d said yes to everything.

I stepped into our marriage with a hopeful heart.

But after the wedding, he grew distant and cold. He was still in contact with his ex.

I pretended not to see, not to hear, staying silent.

I loved him. I didn't want to lose him, and I didn't want to lose our marriage.

For that, I paid with my life, and I also caused the death of the child I’d carried for ten months.

Given a second chance, I wouldn't make the same mistakes.

I watched Julian Hayes run down the stairs, and slowly rose from the sofa.

When our eyes met, he looked at me and said in a low voice:

“I won’t be home tonight.”

I didn't say anything, turning my head to look at the phone next to the sofa. It was ringing – the kidnappers.

I quickly picked up and put it on speaker.

“Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are with us. Thirty million dollars ransom, deliver it to Liberty Square in thirty minutes. If you dare call the police, I’ll kill them immediately!”

The kidnapper’s voice boomed into Julian’s ears.

He merely frowned slightly, then let out a scoffing laugh.

“Anya Smith, is this supposed to be funny?”

“Is it fun having them both play along with your little act?”

I stared at his face, remembering him watching me descend into hell.

Ten years of love had already vanished into thin air.

“Julian Hayes, you heard the call. What you do is your business, I’m not getting involved.”

“If you want to believe it’s an act, fine. Whatever.”

“But let me emphasize this one more time: I am not playing games with them.”

Perhaps my tone was too calm, because Julian hesitated for a moment.

But in the end, he turned and strode out the door.

Last life, when the call came, Julian believed the same thing.

But I knew I wasn't playing an act with his parents, so I did everything I could to stop him from leaving.

After a night of searching, his parents were rescued. But as soon as they were safe, he left.

When he returned, he brought back news of Serena Cross’s death.