I decided to cut all ties with Julia Summers. She said she was busy with work, so I quietly packed my suitcase in our bedroom.

Then she brought her so-called true love, Henry Stone, home.

Right then and there, I asked for a divorce.

In my past life, I’d poured my heart and soul into this family and nearly drained every last bit of our savings. Even then, on my fortieth birthday, my own children knelt before me, begging me to let Julia’s dying lover be buried in the Summers Estate.

I looked at Julia and said, "You once told me you’d only ever love me. Have you really forgotten?"

Her eyes turned red.

"I’ll stay with you," she said, her voice trembling. "But Henry just wants a name. Why would you hold a grudge against someone who’s dying?"

When I opened my eyes again, I was twenty-five. This time, I’d give them what they wanted and finally give myself what I deserved.

"Mr. Reed, why on earth are you filing for divorce?"

The housekeeper, Dilly Carter's eyes were red and puffy from crying. "You and Ms. Summers have been married for so many years. Your life together has always seemed peaceful and happy. She has always treated you well, and you should think about the children too, shouldn't you?"

Julia Summers, my wife, was the golden girl of Astoria City's elite circle. Her grandfather had been a diplomat, and she was beautiful, young, and had already taken over the family business. Her future was limitless.

Even though my father, Richard Reed, was the richest man in Astoria, I'd still come from humble roots. Marrying her had always felt like reaching above my station.

Since our wedding, Julia would come home right after work. There were never any scandals or gossip about her.

Our children were bright, well-behaved, and never caused trouble. We were the picture-perfect family anyone would envy.

However, after living an entire life once before, I knew the truth: all of it was a lie.

I looked into the mirror at the young, handsome face staring back at me and said firmly, "Yes. I don't want Julia Summers or the kids anymore. I'll tell the family tonight that I'm moving back home tomorrow."

Dilly swallowed her tears and quietly left the room.

Just then, Julia walked in, holding a drink. She was never the type to bring anything home, but lately she'd started coming back late, and always with something in her hands.

I figured she bought it for someone else and just picked up an extra on impulse, hoping that tiny gesture would soothe her guilt.

She set the drink on the table. Seeing that I made no move to take it, a faint crease appeared between her brows.

"Why aren't you drinking it? I brought it especially for you."

"I don't drink anything sweet," I said evenly.

The drinks she brought home were always sugary, so sweet that I practically needed insulin just from the smell. That was exactly what Henry Stone liked.

Julia's bright, beautiful face flickered with embarrassment.

"I thought maybe your taste changed," she said, shifting the cup aside. "I'll check tomorrow if they have anything unsweetened."

When I didn't react, she looked uncomfortable. "Work's been crazy lately. I'll probably have to sleep at the office for a while."

"Mm. Must be tough," I replied coolly.

Julia frowned, sensing something off. "Jake, you know how important this project is. I need you to understand that, okay?"

I just nodded lightly.

"Spring's coming soon," she said after a pause. "I haven't bought any new clothes yet. Will you come shopping with me?"

"I'll pass," I said without hesitation.

In my last life, I used to coax her for hours before she'd let me tag along when she went shopping or ordered new clothes. Now that she was the one asking, I couldn't care less.

Julia clearly hadn't expected such a flat rejection. Her face twisted with disbelief, then frustration. She grabbed her purse, stormed toward the door, and snapped, "Suit yourself!"

The door slammed.

On the outside, I sat perfectly still, calm as ever, but inside, a faint ache spread through my chest.

In my previous life, I refused to let Julia recognize Henry as her "brother". As a result, he swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills and tried to kill himself. Thankfully, one of the maids found him in time and saved his life.

After that, my relationship with everyone in the house only grew worse. They all thought I was petty and jealous that I couldn't even forgive a dying man.

Later, Julia went to develop her business in Ashridge. Without hesitation, she took Henry with her.

When he died, no one cared what I thought. Julia officially called him her brother, and he was buried in the Summers Estate.

My son, Ryan Reed, said, "Dad, Uncle Henry spent his whole life suffering for Mom's sake. Now that he's dying, he just wants a label. What's so wrong with that? If it weren't for you, the two of them would've been a perfect couple long ago!"

My daughter, Ella Reed, said, "Dad, you're just a country bumpkin. Mom comes from a powerful old family. You were never her equal. Why do you insist on clinging to the title of her husband?"

Sometimes, even I started to wonder if I really was the villain they said I was.

When the kids got sick, I was the one who stayed up all night nursing them.

When Julia's mother had a stroke and was bedridden, I was the one who cared for her day and night.

When the Summers family faced financial trouble and ran out of liquidity, I used my own savings to fill the gap, even dipping into my father's fortune to keep them afloat.

Every day I lived in torment, drowning in silence and bitterness.

And my wife? She was out there whispering sweet nothings with her lover.

My children praised their "divine love story".

Why did everyone expect me to endure it all by staying quiet, to keep smiling, to keep forgiving, and play the role of the endlessly patient fool?

I looked into the mirror at my young reflection. Grief and fury surged in my chest as memories of pain flashed before my eyes.

Nonetheless, I laughed. This time, I'd do exactly what they wanted.

For the rest of my life, I'd live only for myself.

That afternoon, I was sitting with my lawyer, David Walsh, calculating every cent I'd spent and how the assets should be divided, when I heard a knock at the door, followed by Henry's gentle voice.

"Jake," he said, stepping in with a bowl of soup. "I've caused you a lot of trouble lately. I made a pot of bouillabaisse myself today. It's really good. Try some."

I noticed my two kids standing behind him in the hallway, but their eyes were fixed on him, not me, as if he were their father.

I waved a hand. "No thanks."

Henry froze for a split second. Then it was as if someone had pushed him. He stumbled backward, and the bowl flew from his hands. Fish soup splattered across the floor and onto his skin, turning it red instantly. He yelped in pain.

Ryan shouted angrily, "Dad! Even if you don't want to drink it, you can't push him!"

Ella added, "Dad, that was too much! You hurt Uncle Henry!"

Clutching his burned hand, Henry said quickly, "It's not Jake's fault. I just didn't hold it right."

Watching him pull the same stunt again, I remembered that in my past life, he'd done the exact same thing. Only then, he'd gone even further by deliberately breaking his own leg to make it look like I'd done it and earning everyone's sympathy.

He hadn't been dying at all. Back then, he'd lived another five happy years with Julia in Ashridge.

I didn't hold back this time. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

Before I could hit him again, someone caught my wrist. It was Julia. Her face was pale with fury, her eyes sharp as ice.

"Jake," she hissed. "I can't believe you'd actually hit someone!"

Henry still looked stunned. He hadn't expected me to fight back.

When he finally came to, he pulled Julia into his arms, the bright red handprint standing out on his cheek.

"Julia, it's all my fault," Henry said softly, his tone gentle and pitiful. "I was worried about causing trouble for you both, so I made the bouillabaisse for Jake today. Who could've guessed he wouldn't drink it, and even pushed and hit me…"

He gave a bitter smile. "It must've been my cooking. I must've made it so bad that it made him angry."

Even as he spoke, there was a faint glint of satisfaction in his eyes, though it was quickly masked by a look of gracious humility. He even tried to calm them down, pretending to be the peacekeeper.

Julia and I locked eyes. I yanked my wrist free from her grip.

"He accused me of pushing him," I said coldly. "All I did was teach him a lesson."

Ryan suddenly spoke up, glaring at me with disgust. "Dad, Ella and I both saw it. You pushed Uncle Henry. Why are you lying?"

My daughter bit her lip and echoed, "I saw it too. It was you, Dad. You pushed him."

Henry's mocking look deepened, though his voice stayed warm. "Don't argue because of me. It's my fault. Jake, please, don't take it out on the kids."

Julia sighed, her voice heavy with disappointment. "Jake, people say jealousy is the devil. Look at you now. You've turned into something hateful. Stay home and reflect on what you've become."

Just like in my last life, a single sentence was all it took for her to condemn me.

I suddenly laughed at myself for still trying to explain and expecting her to listen. However, it didn't matter anymore. There wouldn't be a next time.

They all gathered protectively around the "injured" Henry and left together.

I glanced at the ledger on the table, sorted it as quickly as possible, and finished packing my bags. Then I took out the divorce papers I'd already prepared and set them down in front of Julia.

"Julia, let's get a divorce."

Julia didn't even look at the papers. She picked them up, tossed them straight into the trash, and let out a mocking laugh.

"All this drama because of what happened today? He and I grew up together. He's sick and doesn't have much time left, yet you hit him. What more do you want?" Her eyes turned cold. "And you? A self-made upstart daring to talk divorce with me?"

From the look on her face, I could tell she wasn't taking me seriously at all. To her, I was just throwing a tantrum. After all, I'd loved her so much. How could I possibly walk away?

"Didn't Henry ask you to recognize him as your brother after he died? To put his memorial tablet in the Summers Estate?"

Julia froze.

"Where did you hear that?" she demanded.

"If Henry dies in the Summers household," she said, "he'll automatically deserve a place in the family shrine."

"Then what if I refuse?" I shot back.

She frowned, irritation flashing in her eyes. "What's wrong with you lately? You've been going against me over everything! It's just recognizing him as my brother. It's not like we're having a child together!"

"As long as I'm still your husband," I said coldly, "whether it's calling him your brother or having a child with him, I'll never allow it."

I pulled out another copy of the divorce agreement and slid it toward her. "You might as well just divorce me. Then your childhood sweetheart can finally get what he wants."

Julia's face hardened, her expression cooling instantly as she studied me, searching for any sign I might be bluffing.

"You'd really give up the title of my husband? You'd really walk away from your children?" she asked. "Jake, you promised when we got married that we'd grow old together."

"And you promised me," I said, voice sharp, "that you'd love only me in this lifetime. Yet here you are, planning to make Henry your 'brother'. Brother… What a joke. Everyone knows that in your world, 'brother' just means 'lover'."

My tone turned icy. "So if I stay, I'm only making it harder for you, aren't I? Besides, the kids clearly adore Henry. If divorce makes everyone happy, why shouldn't I go through with it?"