My Protector: The Billionaire's Hidden Devotion

In my last life, I was played for a fool by my charming fiancé, Curtis, and my jealous cousin, Chloe. He promised me the world, but it was all a beautiful illusion built on lies.

He stole my ideas, shattered my reputation, and left me broken and alone.

My death was ruled an "accident," but I knew the truth. They had orchestrated it all.

Chloe, my own cousin, stood by his side, watching with twisted satisfaction as my world burned. They took everything from me-my career, my dignity, and finally, my life.

The betrayal was a cold rage that settled deep in my bones. I couldn't understand how I had been so blind to the monster hiding behind his perfect smile.

Now, I've opened my eyes to a second chance. I'm back at the beginning, forced to choose a husband to save my family's failing company. On one side is Curtis, the charming serpent who destroyed me. On the other is the cold, ruthless Arjun Becker, a man who promises security, but at what cost?

This time, I won't be a fool. I know exactly who to choose.

Chapter 1

The heavy scent of gardenias, usually a symbol of new beginnings, felt like a shroud. It clung to me, mixing with the sharp tang of disappointment. I watched the two men across the table, their smiles as different as night and day. This was my choice, laid out like a feast before me, but all I tasted was ash.

They sat at opposite ends, framing my family's desperate hope, my father's tired eyes begging me to pick the right one. I knew these men. Not just from this life, but from a past that still haunted my quiet moments, a past I was determined to dismantle brick by painful brick.

Arjun Becker, the heir to the Becker conglomerate, sat rigid, his dark suit impeccable, his gaze direct and unyielding. He was a fortress, built of steel and silence. Rumors painted him as cold, ruthless, a man who measured success in stark numbers and nothing more. His presence was a heavy weight, an undeniable power that promised security, but at what cost?

Then there was Curtis Small. His charm was a weapon, glinting behind eyes that sparkled with practiced warmth. He leaned forward slightly, an open book, a confident smile always ready. He was the rising star, the man everyone loved. He spoke of partnership, of shared dreams, of a future bathed in sunlight. He spoke exactly like he used to, in another time, another place. A sickening familiarity churned in my stomach.

This time, Ellie, you won't ruin everything for me.

The thought sliced through the polite hum of conversation, sharp and unexpected. I flinched, my teacup rattling against the saucer. It wasn't a voice I heard, but an impression, a sudden, intrusive clarity that pierced the din. I knew that voice. More terrifying, I knew whose voice it was.

My cousin, Chloe Klein, sat beside Curtis, her hand resting lightly on his arm, a picture of supportive affection. Her eyes, usually so quick to criticize, were fixed on him with an almost desperate adoration. Chloe. My mind reeled. Was it possible?

I glanced at her, trying to decipher the subtle shifts in her expression, the way her lips curved. She was laughing at something Curtis said, a light, tinkling sound. Nothing seemed amiss, no outward sign of the venomous thought that had just invaded my mind. Yet, the conviction remained.

Ellie, you think you're so smart. But you're just a pawn. This time, I' ll win it all.

The thought was clearer now, almost a whisper in my head. Chloe. The certainty hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. It wasn't just a fleeting impression; it was a connection, a shared history bleeding into the present. She was back. And she remembered. Just like me.

A shiver traced its way down my spine. This wasn't just a simple merger negotiation anymore. This was a second chance, for both of us, and the stakes were higher than I could have ever imagined. My ability, a strange gift I'd only just begun to understand, confirmed it. I could hear thoughts. And right now, I was hearing hers.

Chloe, blinded by ambition, was already pushing hard for the deal with Curtis, painting him as the only path forward for Wolf Industries. She saw herself as his indispensable partner, a queen in the making. She saw me as an obstacle to be removed, a shadow to be outshone.

My father, oblivious to the undercurrents, leaned towards me. His voice was tired, etched with the weight of our family' s struggling tech firm. "Ellie, you have to decide. The Beckers offer stability. Mr. Small, he offers growth." He looked from Arjun's stoic face to Curtis's eager one. "It's your future, honey. And the company's."

Chloe, sensing an opening, chimed in, "Of course, Uncle. Ellie's always been so good with numbers. She knows what's best." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. She always thinks she's better. But I have Curtis now. He' ll make sure she' s out of the picture for good.

The rage, cold and sharp, ignited in my gut. I remembered the last time, the bitter taste of betrayal, the slow, agonizing crumble of everything I thought I knew. Curtis, with his charming lies. Chloe, with her insidious jealousy. They had played me for a fool. But not again.

I thought of her last life, married to Arjun Becker. A life of opulent misery, where she was trapped in a gilded cage. He had been a whirlwind of ambition and cold precision, demanding perfection, offering little warmth. She had yearned for his affection, for a shred of recognition, but found only his impenetrable facade. She' d tried everything, from grand gestures to petty manipulations, but his heart remained locked away. He' d seen through her, even then, and treated her with polite indifference, a functional ornament. She blamed me for her unhappiness, for his coldness, convinced that if I hadn't existed, he would have loved her.

Then there was my turn, my foolish, naive heart given to Curtis. He had been my sun, my moon, my entire world. He promised me everything, whispered sweet nothings that felt like truth. We built a life, a beautiful illusion, until the cracks appeared. The stolen ideas, the shattered reputation, the public humiliation. He had used me, discarded me, leaving me broken and alone. And Chloe, my jealous cousin, had stood by, watching with a twisted satisfaction as my world burned. Her envy had been a slow poison, corrupting everything around us, culminating in the ultimate act of malice. My death. An "accident," they called it. But I knew the truth.

This time, I was ready.

"Arjun Becker," I said, my voice clear and steady, cutting through the tense silence. My father blinked, surprised. Chloe's smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of disbelief. Curtis's practiced charm slipped, a brief flash of something dark crossing his face.

Arjun, for his part, remained impassive. He merely inclined his head, a subtle acknowledgement. He was a force of nature, an intimidating presence that promised no easy path. But after what I'd just heard, after what I remembered, he was the safer bet. The devil I knew, or rather, the one whose inner demons were at least predictable.

As I made my way to Arjun's side, a strange sensation prickled my skin. He was taller than I remembered, his frame broader, radiating an almost palpable intensity. His eyes, dark as obsidian, met mine. They held no warmth, no welcome, just a piercing scrutiny. I felt a tremor of apprehension. This man was dangerous, not in the charming, manipulative way of Curtis, but in an elemental, unyielding way. A predator, perhaps, but one that hunted in the open.

I tried to reach into his mind, to find some flicker of thought, some hint of the man beneath the impenetrable exterior. But it was a wall, thick and unyielding. Nothing. Just a vast, echoing silence. He was a void, a blank slate that refused to yield its secrets. It was unsettling, but also, in a strange way, reassuring. At least he wasn't actively plotting my downfall, or so I hoped.

Then, accidentally, my mind brushed against another. Not Arjun, but Curtis, who was now laughing too loudly at some joke Chloe had just made.

Fool. She actually chose him. Good. That makes it easier.

My breath hitched. My heart hammered against my ribs, a trapped bird. Curtis's smile, so bright and open, was a mask for a chilling calculation. The thought was brief, but potent, a snapshot of pure, unadulterated malice. He hadn't just betrayed me in the past; he was actively planning something far more sinister this time.

I dropped my gaze, feigning shyness, my hand trembling slightly as I reached for Arjun's arm. My fingers brushed against the cool, expensive fabric of his suit jacket. His muscles tensed beneath my touch. He looked down at my hand, then at my face, a flicker of something unreadable in his dark eyes.

He didn't pull away. He simply stood there, a silent, formidable presence. I released his arm, and he remained still, his expression unreadable. I knew, then, the choice I had made. Between the charming serpent and the silent beast, I had chosen the one whose motives, though perhaps ruthless, were at least transparent in their ambition.

I would navigate this new beginning with my eyes wide open, my forensic accountant's mind dissecting every word, every gesture. My heart, once so easily swayed, was now a sealed vault. I would build my own empire, on my own terms. Not for love, not for redemption, but for survival. I would earn my independence, brick by meticulous brick, until no one, especially not a man, could ever control my destiny again. I would be my own master.

The dual wedding celebration was orchestrated by our families, a grand public display of unity. Mine with Arjun, a merger of power and prestige. Chloe's with Curtis, a celebration of what she believed was her triumph. In my previous life, Arjun hadn't even shown up to our wedding. He' d been too busy brokering a last-minute deal, leaving me alone at the altar to face the whispers and the pity. The memory still stung, a phantom ache.

This time, things were different.

Chloe, dazzling in her white gown, stood beside Curtis, beaming. He kissed her openly, a possessive gesture. Their happiness, however ostentatious, felt paper-thin. She caught my eye across the opulent ballroom, a glint of triumph in her gaze. She knew what I remembered. And she thought she had won.

She glided over, Curtis trailing behind her, his hand never leaving her waist. "Ellie, darling! You look... well, you look exactly the same." Her voice was honeyed, but her eyes were sharp. "Are you excited to finally be Mrs. Becker? Such a powerful name, isn't it? Though I hear Arjun is quite the workaholic. Hope you don't mind lonely nights."

I met her gaze, a small, knowing smile playing on my lips. "Chloe, it's wonderful to see you so happy. And yes, I'm thrilled. After all, a secure future is far more appealing than a precarious one, wouldn't you agree?" My words were gentle, but the underlying meaning was clear.

She regrets it already. She' s just putting on a show. Chloe's thought echoed in my mind, laced with a smug satisfaction. She was convinced I was merely pretending, that I secretly envied her dazzling, charismatic husband.

"Oh, I agree wholeheartedly," she purred, tightening her grip on Curtis. "Curtis is so attentive, so charming. He' s already making big plans for us, for our future. He says he'll conquer the world for me." She paused, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "It must be difficult, marrying a man who only cares about business. But I suppose someone has to keep the Becker name afloat."

My smile didn't waver. "And someone has to keep Wolf Industries afloat, too. It seems we both have our burdens, don't we?" My gaze flickered to Curtis, who offered me a polite, almost pitying smile. She still doesn't get it. She's so blind. The thought from Curtis was cold, devoid of any genuine emotion, confirming my earlier chilling revelation. He played his part perfectly.

Chloe' s expression hardened, a flash of annoyance replacing her saccharine sweetness. She had expected me to crumble, to show some sign of weakness. My composure clearly irked her. Just wait, Ellie. Your turn will come. And it will be so much worse than mine.

I simply raised my champagne glass, a silent toast to her veiled threat. No, Chloe. Not this time. My turn is just beginning. And it won't be anything you expect.

Suddenly, a ripple went through the crowd. An announcement. "We regret to inform you that Mr. Arjun Becker has been called away on urgent business. He sends his deepest apologies and wishes his beautiful bride, Ellie, all the happiness in the world."

The whispers began immediately, a low, buzzing current of pity and speculation. My hand instinctively tightened around my glass. This was exactly what had happened before. The shame, the public humiliation.

"Oh, Ellie," Chloe said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Poor you. Left at your own wedding. Again." She turned to Curtis, a triumphant smirk on her face. "See, darling? Some men just aren't cut out for romance." Then, she pulled Curtis close, kissing him deeply, passionately, for all the world to see, as if to highlight my solitude. The flashbulbs popped, capturing their "perfect" moment, a stark contrast to my abandoned state.

My face burned, but I held my head high. This wasn't the past. And I wasn't the same Ellie.

Let them talk. Let them pity. This is just the beginning.