I had been married for seven years when I invited my widowed stepsister, Mable Stark, to stay with us for a while.

I never imagined I'd catch her flirting with my husband, Lester Kaine, on our balcony.

Blinded by rage, I chose to end it all for the three of us. But when I open my eyes again, I'm back on Valentine's Day—the day she and I both fall into the water.

This time, Lester doesn't hesitate to save Mable. Then, he hires paparazzi to take photos of me in explicit angles just to ruin my reputation.

With my name dragged through the mud, my dad cuts all ties with me.

Four years later, Lester returns as a world-renowned lawyer with the pregnant Mable. They cling to each other like an enviable, loving couple.

When Lester spots me singing in a private lounge, he starts mocking me. "Erica, four years have gone by, and you've ended up singing in bars.

"If you'd just admit you were wrong, I might consider helping you find a better job. You shouldn't have to waste away in a place like this."

I lowered my head and took a calm sip of tea, completely ignoring Lester Kaine.

Everyone had heard the stories of how, over the years, he had become the star lawyer every major firm in Novindale fought to recruit.

Lester was about to speak again when a crowd swarmed around him.

"You really are going places, Mr. Kaine! It's impressive that you're so young, yet you're already such a renowned lawyer abroad!"

"That's right, Lester. Don't forget about us now that you're doing so well. We used to be so close back in school."

"I heard he's not just brilliant but devoted. He and Mrs. Kaine were campus sweethearts who became husband and wife. They're such a perfect couple, it makes the rest of us jealous."

Mable Stark blushed and stole a shy glance at Lester before nestling into his arms. Their show of affection drew a chorus of teasing laughter from the crowd.

"I heard that Mrs. Kaine's sister has been seen around that rich neighborhood, The Bayview Estates. Maybe she's some rich man's mistress…"

A flicker of disgust crossed Lester's eyes at the remark, while Mable subtly straightened and sighed in fake pity. "It's such a shame. Our family has always been respectable, yet she turned out to be so shameless."

She dabbed at the corner of her eyes, then feigned a dramatic gasp when her gaze slid past me. "Erica Zinger… did you hear all that?"

All eyes turned sharply toward me at once.

One of Lester's lackeys gave me a once-over and said, "I heard the club owner hired some pretty girls to sing here. Maybe she's one of them."

The others laughed and piled on.

"This place isn't just a music lounge. They offer full-service entertainment too."

"Even if Ms. Zinger has cut ties with Mr. Zinger, she was raised in a family of scholars. How could she have fallen this low? One of you single guys should just take her home."

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and paid them no mind.

Sneering, Lester walked up to me and grabbed my chin. As he fixed me with a cold stare, he hissed, "It's only been a few years, Erica. What happened to you? I went from being a spoiled heir to a respected lawyer, while you've sunk to singing in bars."

Inside, I rolled my eyes. He was just a lawyer. What was there to brag about?

If I remembered correctly, there were countless lawyers of his caliber here in Novindale. He couldn't even hold a candle to Caspian Kaine in talent or character.

As Lester studied my face, a flicker of astonishment and surprise flashed in his eyes.

Caspian adored me and spoiled me in every possible way after our marriage. Luxury and ease had completely reshaped me, and the elegance that came with it far outshone the version of myself that once was in the Zinger family.

A mocking smile tugged at Lester's lips. "Is this how you do it now? Flashing that fake innocence to reel men in?"

Mable shot me a furious look and softly said, "Even if my dad cut her off, she's still my sister, babe. Let's spare her a little dignity for old times' sake."

Mable glared at me, jealousy flashing in her eyes.

"Erica," she said, "I know you're upset about how things turned out. But no matter how hard life's been, you shouldn't sell yourself like this. Dad would be heartbroken if he knew, and you're putting me and Lester in such an awkward position.

"Why don't we have Lester tell your boss to let you quit? We can find you a proper match. Mr. Lance seems nice. Though he's older, he certainly won't mind that you're past your prime."

The room erupted in praise for her. Everyone called her gracious, kind, and too forgiving, while painting me as useless and shameful.

After all, Mable and I were both raised under the same Zinger family roof. The only difference was that she'd taken her mother's last name.

Over the years, Lester had thoroughly spoiled her. Her makeup was immaculate, her clothes were all designer, and now that she was pregnant, she carried an especially mature and graceful air.

Though I was better-looking than her, I wasn't wearing any jewelry and did seem somewhat lacking compared to Mable's polished appearance.

"No thanks," I replied, trying to be polite.

I just wanted to get away from all the drama and was about to leave when Lester stopped me, his voice sharp and low.

"Erica, did I say you could go? My wife was kindly trying to help you because she noticed you're struggling, but what's with your attitude? Are you playing hard to get again, hoping to catch my eye?

"Let me warn you—don't delude yourself into thinking you can get what isn't yours. My heart belongs only to Mable, so stop wasting your time. For old times' sake, I might consider getting you another job if you apologize to her."

He looked at me with such arrogant condescension as though he'd just performed some grand, noble deed. It felt like he expected me to fall over myself with gratitude, or I'd be the one who didn't know what was good for me.

I laughed in frustration.

In my previous life, Lester had always been cold and distant after we married. I'd believed that was simply who he was and that he wasn't the romantic type. So, I'd given him nearly my everything and loved him with my whole heart.

He liked cars, so I emptied my savings to buy him an SUV. When he was sidelined at work, I begged my friends to find him a stable job.

He said he was young, wasn't ready for kids, and refused to share a bed. So, I focused on our careers instead.

I thought if we succeeded early, we could finally focus on building our family.

But Lester was like a stone, emotionless and detached. No matter what I did, I could never reach his heart.

I never understood why he'd saved me from drowning back then if he didn't like me. After we had been reborn, we owed each other nothing. So why was he so intent on humiliating me in public again?

I brushed his hand off and straightened my sleeve before looking up at him. "We've barely met a few times, so there's no old times' sake to speak of, Mr. Kaine. I can't afford your kind favor."

Lester's expression darkened. He clearly didn't expect my rejection. He leaned close, and his voice dropped to a harsh whisper.

"I've shown you enough courtesy, Erica. What is that act for? Finding you a job is just an excuse. If you apologize, I'll keep you by my side and make sure you never have to leave me again once you give me a child."

I stared at him in disbelief. In my previous life, he'd never once shown me gentleness after we married. Now that we'd parted ways, why was he bothering me again? What was wrong with him?

Was he trying to flaunt his success in my face? Or did he want to keep me on the side as a mistress, hidden away with no place in his life?

I chuckled coldly and shoved him away.

"Mrs. Kaine, your husband just told me that he wants to keep me by his side, and if I give him a child, he'll make sure I never leave. Did you know about that?"

"I was genuinely trying to help you, Erica. But you're trying to repay my kindness by seducing my husband. You really have no shame!" Mable retorted stubbornly.

She stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face.

A metallic taste flooded my mouth as fury erupted from the depths of my chest.

"This isn't your home, Mable. You can't just slap anyone you like in public. Are you out of your mind?" I snapped.

Mable pulled her hand back, then lifted her chin. "You're just a singer at a bar," she said, completely unbothered. "What does it matter if I slap a bar girl who's upsetting the guests? Today, I'm teaching you a lesson on Dad's behalf."

Lester slid his arm around her waist, showing clear support for her.

The people who'd been fawning over him earlier saw this as a perfect opportunity to curry favor.

"We can all testify that you insulted Mrs. Kaine first before she said anything. Even if the police arrive, nothing can change that."

"Exactly. How dare a mere bar girl cause such a scene! She's downright malicious for slandering Mr. Kaine and trying to drive a wedge between the husband and wife. She deserves a slap. That'll teach her a lesson."

With everyone taking her side, Mable grew bold. She raised her other hand to slap my other cheek, but I swiftly turned and avoided it.

She hadn't expected me to move. Losing her balance, her body pitched forward, but Lester caught her in time.

Badly shaken, she collapsed into his arms and panted dramatically.

"Enough, Erica! Mable's pregnant, so how could you try to hurt her?" Lester barked.

I shot him a mocking look. "Are you blind? She tried to slap me, so I stepped out of the way. She brought this on herself."

Mable clung to his arm as tears brimmed in her eyes. "Babe, she must be jealous that I'm carrying your child. That's why she's picking on me… You have to stand up for the baby!"

Watching her play victim made my blood boil.

In my previous life, her husband died in an accident, and I took her in out of pity. But she exchanged flirtatious glances with Lester right under my nose and ended up sneaking around together on our balcony.

I clenched my fists tightly. I hadn't even confronted her in this present life, yet she'd come straight at me.

Just then, a sudden scream cut through the room. A woman pointed at the floor by Mable's feet and shrieked, "Look, Mrs. Kaine! Did Erica step on and break something of yours?"

When Mable looked down, she gasped in shock at the sight of the shattered green shards lying on the floor.

"That was a gift Mr. Caspian gave Lester a few days back—an emerald bracelet made of rare, trapiche emerald. It has mind-calming properties, yet you broke it!"

Gasps rippled through the room.

"She's done for. Mr. Kaine is Mr. Caspian's nephew, and Mrs. Kaine is carrying a Kaine baby. That was probably a gift from Mr. Caspian to the baby."

Two months ago, Caspian had given me a box of emerald jewelry too. I wasn't very interested in emerald pieces and ended up randomly choosing a diamond signet ring. He likely gave the remaining pieces away as gifts.

Though none of them were as valuable as the signet ring, they were still pieces made of exceptionally fine emerald.

Mable's eyes flashed with a vicious glint. "Get the manager here. Erica broke my bracelet, either she gets fired and pays for it, or I’m calling the police."

I let out a cold, disbelieving laugh. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Mable. I'm not someone you can pick on."

She scoffed, unfazed, while the room erupted in mocking laughter.

Lester's expression turned icy. He stepped forward and said, "You broke a piece of jewelry worth millions of dollars, yet show no remorse. You really don't know your place, Erica."