My wife cheated on me—with my cousin.

The three of us were headed to sign divorce papers when bam—car crash.

Next thing I knew, I was back on the day we got our marriage license.

This time, no fights, no drama. We both knew it was over.

She ditched me for Jason fast and skipped the country with him.

I stayed behind, buried in law books and case files.

Five years later, she was famous—thanks to Jason pulling strings. Concerts, cash, fans screaming her name.

Me? Still grinding at a law firm, backing folks who needed real legal help.

Then came the family reunion.

She showed up on Jason's arm, smug and shining, throwing shade like it was sport.

But when I mentioned I was settling down with someone else?

Her face snapped.

"I made one dumb mistake! How DARE you move on?!"

Seaport City, Carmoria

When I hit the hotel lobby, barely anyone had shown up yet.

I grabbed a quiet seat, flipped open my laptop, and dove into a tough case.

Then the doors swung open—Summer Tucker and Jason Perry strolled through the doors.

All eyes on them.

Relatives swarmed instantly, laying it on thick.

"Summer's killing it—big name overseas, and married to a total success story!"

"Heard the Carmoria Music Association begged her to come back and perform. She's making the whole family proud!"

"Summer, my kid's obsessed with the violin. He won't shut up about you. Mind giving him a lesson or two?"

Summer flashed that polished smile, curling into Jason's side. "Please. We're family. Just hit me up if he needs help."

That opened the floodgates. Compliments flew like confetti. Suddenly, everyone remembered they were related, trying to score points.

Summer tilted her chin up, soaking it all in like she was headlining a show.

I wrapped up my work, popped off my headphones, and let out a big stretch with a yawn.

Heads turned.

"Wait, Ethan's here? Thought he bailed on these things."

Someone said it just loud enough to stir the pot.

Summer's eyes flicked toward the voice, then scanned the room until they landed on the guy. "He hasn't shown up to any family stuff lately?"

He nodded fast, like he was spilling juicy gossip.

A smug little smirk slid across her face.

Five years ago, the day we woke up back in time, Summer and I had just gotten our marriage license. We were on our way to see our parents.

Out of nowhere, she ditched me in front of everyone, ran straight into Jason's arms, and told him she loved him.

Then she looked me dead in the eye and asked for a divorce. Said Jason was the one she really wanted.

The whole family saw it go down. Most of them were here again today.

"Ethan's at Borevia Law, right? Dude's always buried in work. Never shows up to these things."

"Bet he's here for Summer. Maybe he still wants her back. That mess back then? Total humiliation."

"Summer's a star now, and Jason's her agent? Total power couple. Ethan trying to crawl back? Pathetic..."

The whispers kept going. Summer leaned into Jason, all smug.

"That's ancient history," she said, voice sweet. "Jason's the one I really love."

Silence.

They looked so picture-perfect, no one wanted to dig up the past.

I barely glanced their way before flagging down a waiter.

One coffee. No drama.

I just wanted my parents to show up, say whatever they had to, and let me bounce.

Jason didn't love that I was chilling.

He strolled over, fake grin locked in place, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Ethan, wow, didn't recognize you. You look beat. That job of yours eating you alive?"

Heads turned. Cue the peanut gallery. They jumped in like I was still twelve.

"Ethan, you really should've picked a better job. Lawyers work nonstop and don't even make that much. Pushing thirty and still single? Embarrassing."

"No wonder you skip these get-togethers. Total disappointment."

I locked eyes with Jason, then finally took a real look at him and Summer.

Her hair was styled to perfection, wrapped in a plush cashmere coat, decked out in designer everything. She was practically sparkling with money.

Jason had on a tailored suit, wedding ring shining. The way he carried himself, he looked like he stepped off the cover of a billionaire romance.

No surprise people thought they were perfect. They nailed the look.

I rubbed my temples and took a step back.

"Jason, you done? If so, back off. Your cheap cologne's killing my head."

Jason's smile cracked, but before he could snap back, Summer cut in.

"Ethan Exeter, seriously? Jason's just being polite. Why the attitude?"

I clenched my jaw. Annoyance rising fast, but I kept it cool—for now.

"No attitude. I've been grinding all day, I'm exhausted, and I'm not here to stroll down memory lane. Just need a little space, alright?"

Her expression twisted. Summer wasn't used to being brushed off. She thought her life was some dream I should be jealous of.

To her, I was supposed to be bitter and longing—not standing here like I couldn't care less.

Jason picked up on her mood fast and slid right in.

"Babe, it's just a family thing. Don't let Ethan bother you. After what went down back then, it makes sense he's still salty. We'll be the mature ones."

That did the trick. She latched onto his arm and gave him a look. "You're right. You always know how to deal with people."

Then she turned to me, pure disgust on her face.

"Ethan, it's been years and you're still the same stubborn mess. Honestly? Pathetic."

"If you hadn't been so harsh back then, maybe it wouldn't have blown up like that," she snapped.

***

Her words dragged me back.

In our last life, we met at some art show. Clicked fast, started dating, then tied the knot like it was meant to be.

We threw a big party—friends, family, the works.

That was when Jason crashed it.

Slick suit, smug face, playing Mr. Perfect.

The second Summer saw him, she froze.

Didn't think much of it at first. But after that? She started drifting. Pulled away.

Stopped sleeping in the same room.

Something felt off. I just didn't wanna admit it.

We liked the same stuff. Wanted the same things. I loved her. No way she'd cheat, right?

But then she started staying out late. Always on her phone.

One night after work, I saw her outside—wrapped up in Jason's arms.

That broke me.

I snapped. Demanded answers.

She shot back, "Ethan, look at you! You're always exhausted, sloppy, like some washed-up old man. Jason's everything you're not—charming, clean, in control. He's who I want."

Those words wrecked me.

Then she said it—

"This marriage was a mistake."

The one person I trusted ditched me for my own cousin.

Once it was out, she didn't flinch—just asked for a divorce.

I lost everything. Eventually, I gave up.

On the way to sign the papers, Jason kept running his mouth.

I was too mad to notice the truck turning the corner.

One loud crash—then black.

When I came to, it was our wedding day again. Right after we got the license.

I wasn't doing that mess twice. So I let them go.

They got together, moved overseas. I went back to the law firm.

This time, I had the upper hand—knew how it all played out.

Climbed fast, became lead attorney. Met someone real.

No more heartbreak. No more do-overs.

***

The whole clan had shown up. My parents strolled over, arm in arm, grinning.

"Ethan, did you say hi to everyone yet?"

I jerked my chin at the crowd. "They're all over Jason and Summer. Doubt they even noticed me."

Their smiles faded, but they stayed quiet.

I got it—those two had gone big overseas. Of course people wanted a piece of that spotlight.

That's just how people are—suck up to the flashy, stomp on the quiet.

But as we moved in, I kept hearing the same crap on repeat.

"Sure, Summer picked the wrong guy at first, but that mistake led her to Jason—totally fate!"