Carmela and Elena handed me several dossiers. The profiles showed that they were all talented, handsome, and held official titles, though none were from New Valetta, or were about to leave for their businesses elsewhere.

She truly wanted to find a “good” husband for me because I read her mind and Elena still needed a final favor from me.

"What exactly did you do with him back then?" Elena looked pale, with a faint scent of medicine clinging to her. Yet, the moment Jaxson was mentioned, a light returned to her eyes.

I tried my best to recall the details, "My mother was critically ill, and I was desperate for money.”

She carefully wrote down every word, "Oh, I got it. I'll say the nanny embezzled my allowance and made my life difficult.”

Elena meticulously fabricated the story, inventing plausible reasons for every detail. Even though she pieced up a perfect story, it was full of flaws. I couldn't be bothered to deal with her. In my previous life, Elena had successfully fooled Jaxson with this exact story.

Elena flipped through several photos, looking utterly uninterested, “None of them is even half as good as Jaxson.‌”

She looked up at me, her gaze probing, "Valentina, do you really take this lying down?”‌

My heart remained completely unmoved, “Yes, I do. Jaxson is a lofty godfather. He is not someone I should ever dream of."

Elena smirked and casually pulled out a portrait, stuffing it into my hand, "Go meet him tomorrow. If you like him, I can still see you off before my own wedding."

The man Elena casually picked for me was Adrian Volkov, a businessman who had dealings with Dad. He was planning to immigrate to the United States instead of establishing his own business in New Valetta.

I thought about it and agreed. Soon we met at a teahouse by the lake. Adrian was incredibly handsome. His demeanor was upright and dignified, appearing somewhat cold and unapproachable. A slender, well-defined hand gently pushed a teacup toward me.

"Here is my family rule. The Volkov’s men can only have one wife in the lifetime. Remarriage is forbidden if a spouse passes away. If you marry me, all the properties and shops under my name will be handed over to you. If you like, you can pick up your mother and take care of her."

It hit me instantly that he already knew everything about my situation.

"But, I will be leaving New Valetta soon. The wedding will be rushed, and I might not treat you with the grandeur you deserve."

Adrian was a good man. After thinking it over, I didn’t think nothing unsatisfactory about him. A rushed wedding was exactly what I wanted.

I drank the tea he poured and agreed to his terms one by one. I also told him things my stepmother hadn't mentioned. I was a surgeon, so I wasn't very skilled at household chores...

Adrian looked at me and smiled. We had a delightful conversation. Before we parted, he promised to visit my parents for proposal within three days.

As I was leaving, a commotion broke out downstairs. I bumped right into Jaxson. He was dressed in plain clothes, as if trying to conceal his identity.

Adrian recognized him and greeted, "Jaxson".

I stood behind Adrian, turning sideways to keep my face hidden.

Jaxson held a food box, leaning against the railing with a soft chuckle, "My fiancée loves the pastries from here. I came to buy them myself so I can find an excuse to see her again later."

"And you?" His voice was lazy and teasing. I didn’t expect to see you meeting a lady in private. Is a wedding approaching?"

"Yes," he admitted calmly. "I plan to hold the ceremony in Carmine Port. I'm afraid I won't be able to invite you for my wedding."

"Carmine Port…" Jaxson repeated, "That is a nice place."

Carmine Port was the place where I first met Jaxson. By the riverbank, I dragged him out of water. It was a regret that had haunted me for a lifetime.

His gaze passed through the crowd, landed on me, and then gently looked away, "Which family's daughter did you get engaged to?" he raised his hands and vaguely pointed in my dir, "She looks familiar. I probably know her, but I just can't recall right now."

“If Paul Koval’s daughter gets married, everyone in New Valetta would know about it.” Adrian tried to show off because my background was hardly something that needed to be hidden.

Jaxson was a little confused, “So you…”

Adrian answered casually, “My fiancée is Valentina Koval.”

The moment the words fell, the surroundings seemed to go quiet. Jaxson froze, his mind drifting for a split second.

When I returned to the mansion, the sky was already dim.

Carmela asked me about the date with Adrian. Her gaze fell on my face, a hint of warmth softening her stern expression, "You look so much like my daughter. I don't wish to see you suffer. But, the best marriage must go to her.”

I nodded in silence.

Carmela continued, "Adrian Volkov is a nice choice for you. You should be grateful.

I lowered my head and answered softly, "Mm."

"Adrian is a good man. Thank you."

Carmela felt relaxed, "Just go back and have a rest."

To reach my courtyard, I had to walk through a long corridor and pass the reception hall. I had only taken a few steps when I was abruptly interrupted by Carmela.

"Hold on." She pointed to another path. "Elena is meeting with Jaxson. Take a detour."

To those seeing us for the first time, it was hard to tell the difference between Elena and me. But in reality, we were distinguishable.

Over the past two years, I had lived a life of luxury and gained some weight. Elena, however, due to her illness, remained as frail as a willow in the wind. She looked more like me from two years ago.

I let out a soft breath. Suddenly, I heard voices coming from over the wall. It was Jaxson and Elena, talking a walk the courtyard.

Jaxson brought it up casually, "You never mentioned that you have an elder sister close to your age."

Elena paused, her tone slightly uneasy, "I was recovering from illness in New Valetta and wasn't close to my sister back home."

Jaxson neither confirmed nor denied it. He simply smiled as if teasing, "‌You're so much gentler today than you hauled me out of the water with all that strength.“”

Elena smiled awkwardly, saying nothing.

I didn't want to eavesdrop further. Keeping my head down and watching steps, I quietly slipped away.

At night, the lamps in the mansion were lit. Jaxson had long since left. I served my mother medicine and helped her lie down. Due to the illness, she had been out of touch with worldly affairs for a long time. But, she have had heard about Jaxson’s proposing to Elena.

Her eyes turned red, "‌Vale, did I hold you back? I know you were the one who saved Jaxson. The current was so strong, and only you dared to jump in...”

I tried to reassure her, "You’re not a burden."

I had given up on revealing my identity in my previous life because I was convinced Carmela would never give me a chance. I had saved more people than just Jaxson, and I never thought of relying on a life-saving favor to ask for anything in return. Besides, Jaxson was never a good match to begin with. I didn’t think there was anything to regret.

I continued, "I’m getting engaged to Adrian. His family has an upright reputation and he is a lawyer in Carmine Port. Whether there is love or not, he will never treat me unfairly."

I put away the medicine bowl, looked up, and smiled at my mother, "Soon, we will be leaving New Valetta."

The next day, Adrian came to propose marriage as promised. He took the engagement very seriously, and invited the highly respected aristocrat, ‌Michael Corleone, to accompany him. Both Paul and Carmela were very pleased.

My wedding date was set for the following week. Despite being rushed, all the proper rituals were meticulously followed. After seven days, I would put on my wedding dress and leave New Valetta with him.

In my previous life, I was filled with anxiety before I married to Jaxson. Paul read my mind, “Jaxson is annoyed. You don’t need to deliberately please him anymore. This is not what we want.” Paul even wanted to give up his original scheme.

But, Jaxson insisted on marrying me. Jaxson grabbed my wrist and dragged me behind a rockery, "I agreed to marry you." He glared at me, his tone cold and hard, "Cut your hypocrisy!"

Before the wedding, Adrian also sent me a lot of little trinkets, including medical books and flower seedlings. He clearly remembered my preferences. The medical book he gave me was an out-of-print edition. It must have taken his considerable effort.

When I asked him about it, he didn't elaborate, "We are couple. If these trinkets can make you happy, my effort is entirely worthwhile."

Elena even felt a twinge of envy. As I watered the flower seedlings, she clutched a hand warmer, her tone filled with utter desolation, "Such thoughtfulness...Jaxson has never spared it for me."

In my previous life, I married to Jaxson. However, he sent me desserts every single day, never caring I didn't have a sweet tooth. I dislike the moon-white color, yet he only gave it to me because it was Elena’s favorite color. On the rare occasion I went out with him and picked out jewelry, he would only choose gold hairpins for me. After Elena died, Jaxson fell into a deep depression and wore white mourning clothes for months. He laid her to rest with full honors. Anyway, Jaxson truly treated Elena with favor.

As she spoke, her tone became increasingly emotional. Her eyes reddened, and she lowered her head, coughing for a while. Her words came out in broken fragments, barely forming complete sentences, "You…you only spent three days with Adrian. Can it be unforgettable?"

At that time, I knew saying too much would only lead to trouble.

I remained silent for a moment, and then said, "You admire Jaxson and will marry to him soon. Your wish has come true."

"Yes." she forced a smile and her brows knitted with melancholy, "Even if I have to make up a story for a lifetime, I will be Jaxson’s wife."