Rachel froze.

Ethan's expression darkened instantly. "Stella, what the hell are you saying? I'm her uncle!"

Stella smirked.

There it was. Only the guilty react this fast.

"Or someone else will do," she said lightly. "I'm not wearing it anyway."

Ethan frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I've been very clear." Stella looked up, her voice steady and cold. "I'm not marrying you; I won't be showing up to the wedding tomorrow."

"You're just playing hard to get—"

He started to snap back, but when he met her frosty stare, his words caught in his throat.

His eyes dropped to her thigh, bandaged tight from last night's self-inflicted wounds. The memory rushed back, of how she had stabbed herself just to avoid physical contact.

Irritation crept inside Ethan's chest.

"The wedding is tomorrow. Stop acting out over a little jealousy."

Ethan had thought Stella was just sulking because he had been distant lately.

Once the tantrum passed, she would be thrilled to marry him again.

"As for the dress—" Ethan's eyes drifted toward the gown.

Stella braced herself, expecting him to force her—like last time—to squeeze into Rachel's dress no matter what.

"Wear the one you originally picked, if you like it," said Ethan.

Rachel's head snapped up as she said, "Uncle—"

Ethan patted her gently on the head and tried to comfort her, "It's okay. You can design something else next time."

Rachel's face went pale, but she nodded obediently.

Ethan led her out.

Not long after, Rachel came back.

She stood before Stella. Gone was her 'sweet' side, her voice sharp and cold.

"You saw us in the car, didn't you?"

Gone was the timid girl, her expression hardening with hostility.

Stella did not answer. She asked instead, "Did you drug yourself?"

Rachel did not deny it.

"Of course. Uncle Ethan has always loved me. I just gave him the push he needed."

In her previous life, she had never known whether Ethan's love for Rachel was one-sided or mutual.

At last, Stella finally knew.

She smiled faintly and responded, "I wish you two all the best."

She meant it, but Rachel instantly exploded.

"Cut the fake blessings, Stella! You've indeed improved. You used to be nothing but a desperate little lapdog. Now you're good at pretending to be dignified.

"You really think stabbing yourself changed anything? That Uncle Ethan will suddenly see you in a different light?

"Keep dreaming. Let me show you just who he really cares."

Before Stella could react, Rachel lunged forward, covered with a cloth soaked in something acrid over her mouth and nose.

The stench hit her like a wall.

Stella tried to fight back, but her leg was injured. She had no strength.

The maids had all left, thinking the two were having a private talk.

Stella lost consciousness.

…

She woke up to unbearable heat.

She opened her eyes and saw flames everywhere.

Rachel lay beside her.

"You set my house on fire?! Are you out of your mind?!" Stella gasped.

Rachel let out a cold laugh. "Do you think Uncle Ethan cares about you? Let me show you exactly how much he loves me."

Immediately, Ethan's frantic voice echoed from outside the room. "Rachel! Rachel, where are you?!"

Rachel's expression changed immediately; the venom in her vanished. She blinked, tears welling up as she cried out pitifully, "I'm here! Help me!"

Ethan burst into the room. He stopped when he saw Stella on the floor—but Rachel let out a scream as a piece of burning wood fell nearby, pulling his focus instantly.

"Rachel!"

He rushed to her and scooped her into his arms.

As he passed Stella, he paused for a second.

"I'll be back to get you after I take Rachel out."

Just like that, he left.

Stella sneered and forced herself to move, crawling despite her injured leg, with everything she had.

She no longer trusted a word Ethan said; she had to save herself.

When she finally made it downstairs, the flames had devoured most of the first floor.

Ethan was clearing a path to the exit. When he saw Stella, his expression changed.

"I told you to wait for me!"

Of course, this was not the time to argue. He turned to help Rachel out when she suddenly screamed.

"Watch out!"

A burning beam snapped and came crashing down.

The first one fell straight toward Stella.

"Stella!" Ethan's expression twisted, and he rushed toward her.

However, in the next second—

Crack!

Another beam dropped right above Rachel.

At the very last moment, Ethan shielded Rachel with his body.

The flaming wood slammed into his back. He let out a muffled grunt.

At the same time, the other beam struck Stella across her shoulder and back.

Blinding pain exploded through her. As her vision blurred, she saw firefighters finally breaking through the flames.

Ethan was still holding Rachel tightly, his whole body bent to protect her.

Stella laughed, even as the pain threatened to swallow her.

Ethan made the same choice in this life.

…

Stella woke up in a hospital bed.

Ethan sat nearby, his wounds already bandaged.

He stiffened when he saw her eyes open.

"I spoke to the doctor. Our injuries aren't serious. The wounds are treated. It won't affect the wedding today."

Stella could hardly believe that Ethan still thought she wanted to marry him.

She silently got up and out of bed. "I'm getting out of here."

This day was the launch of the Artemis Project. She could not miss it.

Ethan, on the other hand, misunderstood. He thought she was in a hurry to get to the wedding.

Relieved, he quietly exhaled. He quickly buried the feeling and masked it behind a stoic expression.

"I'll head to the venue first. Come once you're ready."

As soon as Ethan left, Stella called for her driver.

"To the wedding venue, Ms. Walker?"

Stella answered without hesitation, "No. Take me to the airport."

She grabbed her luggage and headed to meet the professor.

While she was waiting at the airport, her phone exploded with messages from Ethan.

[Where are you? Why aren't you at the wedding venue?]

[Start your makeup or it'll be too late! Do you still want to get married or not?!]

[This is your last warning. Show up in ten minutes!]

Ethan called… but Stella did not even look at the phone.

She turned off her phone, pulled out the SIM card, and tossed it into the trash.

Then, she boarded the plane.

'Goodbye, Ethan. From now on, I will live only for myself,' she thought to herself.