After hanging up, Lillian limped back to the party.

From a distance, she heard a shout. "Lillian, you're hurt?"

Elton's parents rushed toward her, worry etched on their faces. The commotion caught Elton's attention as he led Jill to entertain the guests.

Lillian glanced down and saw that her leg, grazed in the accident, was bleeding. Her white dress was stained.

Alice Ruiz called for someone to bandage her up, then scolded Elton. "Lillian is badly hurt, and you ignore her to fawn over some nobody? Have you forgotten who your fiancée is? This is ridiculous!"

"Enough, Mom!" Elton snapped, shielding Jill. "I never accepted the arrangement. That's all your wishful thinking."

Though Lillian had heard these words countless times in her past life, they still stung.

The Ruiz and Hogan families were old friends. Elton and Lillian had grown up together.

When she was eight, a camping trip turned tragic when a landslide hit.

Her parents protected the young Elton at the critical moments but died in the process. Their bodies were found by the rescue team.

Elton knelt, vowing to protect Lillian forever.

His family adopted her, and he doted on her like a princess. He'd throw lavish birthday parties for her and spend millions at auctions on jewelry she admired.

His tenderness touched her, and she saw him as her future husband until he saved Jill.

Everything changed after that.

Jill found various ways to stay close to him. Their bond grew from pity to desire.

Elton brought her home, telling his parents that Jill was his true love.

Lillian watched as his affection for her turned to resentment.

Alice and Bruce Ruiz had raised her as their future daughter-in-law, announcing her engagement to Elton on her 18th birthday.

But to Elton, that promise became a chain. He accused her of using her parents' sacrifice to trap him.

Lillian pressed Alice's arm, looking at Elton calmly. "You're right, Elton. I've been the one holding on. I shouldn't force you. Let's call off the engagement and go back to being siblings."

Everyone froze, stunned.

Elton clenched his fists, his brows furrowing. "Is this some kind of game? You think playing hard-to-get will make me ditch Jill for you? You'd better mean what you say."

Alice touched Lillian's forehead, worried. "No fever, so why are you talking nonsense? Don't worry. We will make sure Elton keeps his promise to marry you."

Lillian gave a bitter smile.

They all thought she was joking, but living a second life, she refused to repeat that fate.

"Don't worry about me. I'll talk it out with Elton," she said.

"Alright, you two sort it out. Clear up any misunderstandings," the old couple said, shooting Elton a warning look before leaving.

Elton ignored Lillian, pulling Jill to cut the cake.

Watching them share that tender moment, Lillian took a deep breath and whispered to a waiter. Then she stepped into the control booth.

The room suddenly went dark. Then a giant screen lit up, showing photos of Elton and Jill, along with a love letter Elton hadn't sent.

The crowd was moved by the heartfelt words, and Jill teared up.

Elton had spent a month planning this party, inviting the city's elite.

In his past life, the accident had derailed his plan to confess to Jill. In this one, Lillian made it happen for him.

Elton was stunned until a waiter brought a bouquet of roses. He took it and knelt before Jill.

She covered her mouth. "Gosh! Is this the surprise you planned? You did all this for me?"

He smiled softly, his hand trembling as he wiped her tears. He raised the roses and declared, "Jill, I love you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Jill nodded excitedly, taking the bouquet. "Yes!"

They embraced and kissed, and the room erupted in applause.

At the control booth, Lillian set down the mouse, watching with a smile that turned to tears.

Lillian didn't notice Elton glancing her way.

She slipped to a corner, sipping champagne. After a few glasses, someone snatched her drink.

She looked up to see Elton, his lips red, with a faint trace of Jill's lipstick on his cheek.

Lillian's heart twinged, and she looked away.

Elton's voice was cold. "You set that up? I'm with Jill now. Whatever stunts you pulled to chase me before, I don't want to see them again."

Lillian bit her lip and nodded. "Got it. From now on, I will only see you as my brother."

Her tone felt distant. She hadn't called him that in years.

Hearing it today sparked an odd irritation in him. "You'd better mean it, or I'll think you're scheming again since you couldn't marry me by breaking your legs."

His words hit like a sledgehammer. Lillian froze.

Breaking her legs was from her past life, and he knew.

Apparently, he had been reborn, too.

That was why he could pull her out of harm's way just in time when the truck came, changing the outcome of her past life.

"So, you're reborn, too?" she asked.

He sighed, but his expression didn't soften. "This time, let's both move on."

He turned to leave without another word.

That night, Lillian walked home alone. When she tried her fingerprint to unlock the door, it failed.

She'd lived with Elton since he moved out at 18, and this had never happened before.

As she puzzled over it, the door clicked open.

Jill stood there, wrapped in a bath towel, staring at Lillian before smacking her forehead in mocking regret. "Oh, shoot. Elton must've deleted your fingerprint when he added mine during the day. Come on in."

She ushered Lillian inside like she owned the place.

Lillian noticed several boxes in the living room. At a closer look, she realized those were her belongings.

Elton stepped out of the kitchen and spoke flatly. "Jill and I are engaged. She's moving in."

Lillian understood instantly. She nodded calmly. "Alright, I'll move out."

She grabbed her bags, but Elton snatched them away. "I didn't ask you to leave. My parents already have issues with Jill. You running off will just make things harder for her."

Jill chimed in, "Yeah, you've got it wrong. Elton said your room has better lighting, so I'm taking it. I didn't know where to put your stuff, so it's in the living room."

Elton tossed the bags into a guest room. "You said you wanted to be siblings, right? Then act like it and stay put. Don't cause me any more trouble."

Lillian lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "Got it."

She'd be gone soon anyway. Where to stay made no difference.

Over the next few days, Elton openly fawned over Jill in front of Lillian, but she stayed calm.

She just quietly packed her things and handled her visa paperwork.

When Lillian got her visa, it was the day of the Ruiz Group's annual gala.

As part of the Ruiz family, she had to attend it.

After slipping into the evening gown, she stared at the elegant figure in the mirror. For a moment, it felt like she had stepped into another world.

In her past life, after she lost her legs, Elton kept her hidden away.

Since then, she hadn't worn a dress this beautiful or attended such grand events. Chasing Elton had cost her so much.

As she stepped out, Elton's gaze lingered on her until Jill tugged his arm.

He looked away, and the three rode to the gala together, drawing every eye as they arrived.

Whispers followed.

"Did you hear about Elton's big confession at Jill's birthday bash? They say it was super romantic, but it was for Jill, not Lillian. How did she handle that?"

"No way. Everyone knows Lillian and Elton have been promised to each other since they were kids. The Ruizs raised her like their own. How could he switch to someone else?"

"Something's off with Lillian, too. She's usually glued to Elton, but today she's acting all chill. Is she giving up?"

"Maybe Jill swooped in and stole him. Look at her. She's got game, pushing his childhood sweetheart out of the picture."

A sharp crack cut through the chatter. Everyone froze, turning to see Elton's glare, and lowered their heads.

The man had crushed a wine glass in his hand after hearing someone call Jill the third wheel.

"Elton, your hand!" Jill yelped, prying open his bloodied palm, and saw glass shards embedded in it.

Unperturbed, Elton took her hand with his uninjured one and strode to the center of the room.

"Let me make this clear one last time," he declared. "I never agreed to Lillian being my fiancée. That engagement was never my choice. Jill is the love of my life and the only future Mrs. Ruiz."

He glared at the gossipers, his voice icy. "If I hear anyone badmouth her again, they're out of the Ruiz Group. Understood?"

The crowd nodded nervously. "Yes, sir. It won't happen again."

Elton nodded, comforting Jill before tending to his injured hand.

Lillian watched from the sidelines, a pang of bitterness hitting her as she heard his fierce defense of Jill. She slipped out of the gala and walked home alone.

Back at the house, she packed away every trace of Elton—photos, mementos, and gifts she'd once cherished. She stuffed them into boxes for the trash truck.

Then she began packing her personal belongings into a suitcase.

The next day, Elton noticed. "What are you doing? I told you, you don't have to leave."

He stood in the doorway, staring at her coldly and waiting for an answer.

Lillian didn't hold back anymore.