I was attacked at the same time as my childhood friend, and when we finally woke up, he had lost his memory.

I didn't have a single scratch, but my long-gone grandmother's spirit somehow ended up inside my body.

"This wimp is still pretending he lost his memory just to trick my sweetheart. If I were still alive, I'd beat him so bad he wouldn't know which way was up!"

I stared in shock, my mouth wide open.

My grandmother's angry voice kept ringing in my head.

"In Sonia's last life, she got killed because of that useless Fabian. She lived such an unhappy life because of him!

"When her grandpa asks who she wants to marry this time, I hope she won't choose Fabian. She should pick Chandler instead. That boy is quite responsible!"

A moment later, my grandfather and a few elders really did walk into my room.

They laid out portraits of the four princes in front of me and told me to choose one as my future husband.

I didn't hesitate at all. I picked my long-time rival, Chandler Clarke.

If my grandmother said Fabian Clarke never loved me, then I didn't want him anymore.

My grandfather looked a little unsure.

"Sonia, didn't you say Prince Chandler always picked on you, and that you hated him? Once the engagement is set, you can't change it, so think carefully."

My grandfather had served two kings as the royal advisor, and the current king trusted him a lot. The king had even said that whichever prince of suitable age married me would become the crown prince.

Fabian Clarke's maternal grandfather was also stunned.

"Sonia, I thought you loved Fabian so much that you swore you'd only marry him! Fabian just lost his memory. If you two marry first, he might remember everything in a few days."

I heard my grandmother give a cold snort in my head.

"Oh, please. In Sonia's last life, Viola stole her jewelry and then blamed Sonia for bullying her and taking her things.

"My poor baby didn't say a word. Fabian threw her out of his house, and she stood out in the snow wearing nothing but a thin robe. She almost froze half to death.

"Luckily, Chandler found a doctor for her and even gave Fabian a beating for her sake. That boy's mouth is awful, but he's a good person."

My grandmother's words made a bitter ache rise in my chest.

I didn't know why she kept mentioning some past life, but everything she described felt like it had happened to me. It pressed down on my heart like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.

I knew Fabian had feelings for Viola Parham. I was the one who kept clinging to him, and he only got together with me because I wore him down.

"Grandpa, I've made up my mind. I choose Prince Chandler."

He rolled up the portraits and nodded.

"Alright. No matter who you pick, I'll support you. I'll inform the king. In two days, he'll issue the official engagement."

My grandmother finally relaxed. "Good! This time, Sonia will finally have a good life."

I lowered my gaze, tidied myself up, and left the manor to clear my head.

But unexpectedly, I ran right into the three princes who were my potential husband choices.

Except for Chandler, all of them were there. Drake Clarke, the second prince, tapped his closed fan against his hand and asked me curiously, "When Mr. Bowen asked who you wanted to marry today, what did you tell him?"

Kemp Clarke, the fifth prince, patted Drake's shoulder and sighed.

"Of course, she picked Fabian. Everyone in Riverbend City knows she's crazy about him."

At that, Fabian finally glanced in my direction.

"I lost my memory and forgot the last three years, but I do know the woman I love is Viola.

"But I've heard a lot of rumors these past few days and learned that we were dating. And since the engagement is set and I can't go against my father's orders, I'll still marry you even though I don't love you now."

My grandmother's voice shook with anger.

"That little mutt. In Sonia's last life, he pretended to lose his memory just to fool her. After marrying her, he still messed around with that sneaky Viola!

"He made poor Sonia so upset that she fell sick, then he had the nerve to use the Bowens' influence to climb his way into the crown prince's seat. That brat just wants everything for himself!"

Hearing that, I looked at Fabian.

His expression was calm, and the lie came out of his mouth so smoothly that I might've believed him again if my grandmother weren't here.

I had once loved Fabian deeply and truly believed we cared for each other.

Just like three years ago on my birthday, when he took my hand and led me up the stargazing tower he had built just for me.

He had looked at me with such gentle eyes, almost nervous.

"Sonia, I like you. I want to marry you and take good care of you."

My heart wavered, and we shared our feelings with each other under the starry sky.

Even though we never officially got engaged, I treated him as my future husband for the past three years.

I never imagined he had never let go of Viola at all.

That tender affection he showed me had only been an act, all because he wanted the Bowens' backing.

Now that he couldn't stand pretending any longer, he used the assassination attempt to fake memory loss. That way, he could openly pursue Viola while still marrying me to keep my family's support.

People always say that you can't have your cake and eat it too. But he sure didn't understand this principle.

I pressed my lips together, swallowing the bitter laugh rising in my throat, and said nothing.

Since he wanted to play this way, I wouldn't expose him. I wanted to see what expression he would make the day after tomorrow when he learned I didn't choose him.

When I stayed silent, Kemp leaned in and whispered, "Did you really choose Fabian?"

I curled my lips slightly. "The royal edict will arrive in two days. You'll find out then."

I stepped past them and headed toward the gate.

Behind me, I heard Kemp's envious voice.

"Fabian, I'm sure Sonia chose you. Back when you caught that plague on your disaster relief trip, she went straight to your place and took care of you herself for three days without sleeping. It's obvious she's into you."

"Is that so?" Fabian smiled faintly, his tone drifting. "I'm honored to be favored by Ms. Bowen."

A dull ache spread through my chest, and my eyes stung. I bit down hard and refused to cry.

I loved Fabian.

People whispered behind my back that I had no shame, but I never cared.

My parents died early, and my grandparents were always too busy running the academy to be around. I was slow and awkward, and none of the other children wanted to play with me.

Only Fabian would hang out with me.

I had been in love with him since I was little, so when he told me he had feelings for me, I was thrilled beyond words and secretly swore I would treat him well all my life.

But all this time, he'd had hidden intentions and not one ounce of true sincerity toward me.

"Sonia, wait."

Fabian's voice came from behind me. He strolled up, casual as ever.

"Since you chose me as your husband, I'll keep my word and marry you, making you royalty. But you need to understand something: The one I truly love is Viola. I hope you won't get too jealous and don't interfere with us."

I met his eyes steadily. "Didn't you forget about me? How can you be so sure I'd pick you?"

Fabian raised a brow. "They told me everything. You're very in love with me. Who else would you choose if not me?"

I let out a bitter laugh.

Fabian even knew how much I loved him.

So did he really have to crush my feelings like this?

"Don't worry. I won't cling to you anymore, and I won't bother you. You can do whatever you want."

Fabian seemed a little stunned that I agreed so quickly.

I turned away and kept walking toward the gates. He reached out instinctively, but before he could say anything, a girl came flying at me like a firecracker.

The impact knocked me straight to the ground. My knee smashed against the doorway, and a sharp wave of pain shot through me.

Viola's expression shifted, and she quickly bent down, acting pitiful as she tried to help me up.

"I'm so sorry, Sonia. Please don't be mad. I didn't mean to bump into you."

Before I could speak, my grandmother's furious voice filled my mind.

"In every life, that girl either frames Sonia or pretends to cry and blames her. These dirty little tricks are all she's got. Only that idiot, Fabian, would believe her and even scold Sonia. She makes me so mad!"

As expected, the moment Fabian saw Viola's tears, he felt bad for her.

"Viola, it's alright, it was just a little accident. With me here, no one's going to blame you."

He gently helped Viola up, then turned to me with a hint of warning in his voice. "It was just a bump. You're not going to blame her, right?"

Blood trickled down my leg from the cut on my knee. I pushed through the pain and stood up.

Viola's eyes were filled with tears, her voice shaking. "Sonia, I'm really sorry. It was all my fault. I'll slap myself if that makes you feel better."

She actually raised her hand and swung hard toward her own face.

Fabian quickly grabbed her wrist and shot me a furious glare.

"Sonia, what the hell is wrong with you? Viola said she didn't do it on purpose. Why are you bullying her?"

My grandmother grew even angrier.

"What's wrong with him? Is he deaf or just plain stupid? Sonia didn't say a word. How is she bullying anyone?

"Gosh, I would've gotten a heart attack if I weren't dead already. I hope Sonia will show them what bullying really looks like and give the both of them two hard slaps!"

The moment she finished speaking, I raised my hand and delivered two loud, sharp slaps across Viola's face.

Then I looked straight at Fabian.

"See that? That's what bullying actually looks like."

Viola stood there, stunned and silent.

Fabian was just as shocked. "Sonia, you're going too far—"

I lifted my hand again and slapped him hard.

Then, remembering my grandmother's words, I followed immediately with another slap before he even recovered.

"That's what too far looks like."

Fabian stared at me, completely dumbfounded.

I had followed him around since childhood, always agreeing with everything he said. I had never even talked back to him, let alone hit him.

It took him a long moment to react. Then he glared at me, furious.

"Wow. You actually hit me! You'll regret this later. Viola, let's go to the clinic."

My grandmother snorted.

"Is he really trying to scare Sonia with that lame threat? What a joke. Oh, my poor baby. That fall must've hurt like hell!"

I lowered my eyes, looking at the blood seeping from my knee.

All the pain and all the buried frustration finally surged to the surface.

When we were little, if Fabian saw me hurt, he would cry from how much it broke his heart and take great care of me.