"Not marrying Brett?" Gretchen exclaimed, clearly stunned, before letting out a heavy sigh. "The wedding date is set, and the invitations are already out. How can you suddenly decide this?"

Seeking comfort like a hurt child, Chelsey pressed her face into Gretchen's embrace. "I just don't want to be separated from you," she muttered.

With slow, comforting strokes, Gretchen ran her hand through Chelsey's hair, and her voice softened. "My precious girl, you have loved Brett since you were young. Wasn't it always your wish to marry him and build a family together? Why has everything changed so suddenly?"

Those words sent a sharp ache through Chelsey's chest.

Reality resurfaced the moment Gretchen spoke.

Her parents had watched Brett grow up, and he won their trust and affection through his outstanding abilities.

After she and Brett got engaged six months ago, her father, Jorge Holden, had even handed company projects to Brett without a second thought.

Chelsey could not bring herself to tell Gretchen that Brett's heart had never held a place for her.

In her previous life, their marriage had been nothing more than a carefully maintained illusion of love and harmony.

She had not even been allowed the joy of becoming a mother. Despite sacrificing her health again and again, she never managed to gain even the smallest trace of his genuine affection.

Over time, even the Holden family's company had been quietly taken over by him, eventually turning into the foundation that supported his rise and the creation of his own business empire.

As those memories surfaced, a sharp ache pierced Chelsey's heart.

"Mrs. Holden, Miss Morley has returned, and Mr. Haynes is with her," a servant called out from outside the room.

Assuming Brett had come to talk about the wedding or to check on Chelsey after the incident, Gretchen gently patted her hand. "Don't let your thoughts spiral. Go wash your face and change into something presentable. You shouldn't keep them waiting."

A deep frown formed on Chelsey's face. So Lydia had only just returned. That made sense. After all, Brett's first love, the woman he had longed for over seven years, was finally back in his life. Of course, he would not send her away so quickly.

Lydia happened to be the daughter of Justine Morley, Gretchen's closest friend.

Half a year earlier, Lydia had returned from overseas to attend Chelsey and Brett's engagement celebration and had lived with the Holden family ever since, claiming she wanted to pursue her career locally.

Out of respect for her long-standing friendship with Justine, Gretchen had treated Lydia with exceptional warmth and care.

During those six months, Gretchen made sure that whatever Chelsey possessed, Lydia received the same treatment, never allowing any hint of neglect.

In the life before this one, Lydia's death in the fire had devastated Gretchen. She collapsed from grief and endlessly blamed herself for failing to take proper care of her best friend's daughter. Guilt swallowed her whole, leaving her world in ruins.

Later on, after her parents had passed away, Chelsey uncovered a hidden truth while organizing their remaining assets—over the years, Jorge had quietly moved large sums of money overseas.

The figures were astonishing. Every transfer led to a single account held in Justine's name.

Tragically, by the time Chelsey discovered this, both Lydia and Jorge were already gone. Because of that, she never had the chance to learn the full truth before her own life came to an end.

With this second chance at life, Chelsey resolved to find the right moment to warn Gretchen that Jorge might have been involved with another woman for years.

Instead of heading downstairs right away, Chelsey stayed where she was.

Because her ankle still throbbed faintly, she asked a servant to wheel her to the railing along the second-floor corridor so she could look down from above.

Standing at the center of the living room was Brett, his tailored suit making him appear imposing and distant.

In a low, controlled voice, he spoke plainly. "Mr. Holden, Mrs. Holden, I brought Lydia back today, but that is not the only reason I am here. I need to make something clear. The wedding between Chelsey and me must be called off. Over the years, I have only regarded Chelsey as a friend, not someone I love romantically. The person I truly love is Lydia. I sincerely hope you will accept our relationship."

From her position on the second floor, Chelsey listened in silence while a bitter smile tugged at her lips. A friend? After seven years of marriage and countless shared nights, that was all she amounted to in Brett's words.

Although she had already decided to walk away, a sharp ache still settled deep in her chest.

Below, an oppressive stillness filled the living room.

Disbelief flashed across Gretchen's face as she stared at Brett, before her eyes shifted to Lydia standing beside him.

Standing there, Lydia lightly pressed her teeth against her lower lip, looking conflicted and embarrassed.

With her emotions surging, Gretchen raised a trembling hand and pointed at Brett. "When did the two of you start this? What do you think my daughter is to you? Do you believe you can announce a wedding whenever you please and cancel it just as easily? And now you expect us to accept you being with her?"

Her finger swung toward Lydia, shaking with fury. "Lydia, since you came back from overseas six months ago, has the Holden family ever wronged you? Is this how you repay our kindness? Have you given even a single thought to Chelsey? She treated you like a sister, shared her connections and resources with you, and this is what you give her in return? Where is your conscience? After all the education you received, do you truly not understand the most basic principles of being human? Tell me!"

Watching from above, Chelsey's brows knit together tightly. Never before had she seen her mother so enraged or so completely unrestrained by her emotions.

To her, Gretchen had always been the picture of elegance and restraint, a woman who spoke gently and never raised her voice, much less hurled such sharp words.

What unfolded now made it obvious that Gretchen was genuinely wounded and furious.

With a steady breath, Chelsey turned to the servant behind her and said, "Take me downstairs."

Down in the living room, tears welled in Lydia's eyes. She looked toward Gretchen. "Mrs. Holden, I'm sorry. I never meant to destroy Chelsey's relationship. But when it comes to matters of the heart, I truly couldn't stop myself."

Brett moved to shield Lydia, placing himself in front of her. "Mrs. Holden, none of this is Lydia's fault. I was the one who fell for her and pursued her."

A cold snort escaped Gretchen as she turned toward her husband, who had remained silent until now. "Jorge, you're the head of this family. What do you intend to do about this?"

An awkward yet polished smile appeared on Jorge's face, notably absent of any anger.

After clearing his throat, he attempted to smooth things over. "Gretchen, try not to lose your temper. Let's discuss this calmly."

He turned his attention to Brett, his eyes full of unmistakable approval. "Brett, this has come as a surprise. But the emotions of young people are never predictable. Love cannot be forced, and it is better to let things unfold naturally. If you and Chelsey were not meant to be, and you now share feelings with Lydia, perhaps this is simply another form of destiny."

Shock flashed across Gretchen's face as she struggled to process what she had just heard.

Disappointment and anger burned in her eyes while she stared hard at Jorge. "Jorge, how can you possibly say something like that? Our daughter was humiliated, and her fiance was taken right from her. As her father, you should be standing up for her. Instead, you talk about some lame destiny. Do you even have a conscience?"

Stung by the public criticism, Jorge faltered and fought to keep his expression composed.

Raising his voice, he said, "Gretchen, mind how you speak. What kind of behavior is this?"

Taking on the air of someone thinking broadly, he continued, "The younger generation should resolve their own problems. We should not interfere too much. Are you really willing to tear apart a couple who care for each other and embarrass everyone just to satisfy your own sense of fairness?"

He then turned to Brett and Lydia, his tone softening considerably. "Brett, Lydia, don't feel burdened. When it comes to love, mutual feelings are what matter most. I get it."

So furious that words failed her, Gretchen pointed at Jorge, her hand trembling.

At that moment, the elevator doors slid open, and Chelsey appeared in a wheelchair, guided forward by a servant.

"Mom," Chelsey said gently.

Gretchen turned toward Chelsey, her eyes reddening almost instantly.

With a calm smile meant to soothe, Chelsey spoke again. "Mom, please don't let this get to you. Someone like Brett isn't worth your anger. You'll only end up hurting yourself."

Noticing the wheelchair beneath her, Brett seemed to recall something and asked with visible unease, "Are you alright, Chelsey?"

Fixing her eyes on him, Chelsey replied with open sarcasm, "Why would that matter to you at all?"

A spark of sarcasm flickered inside her. Brett's attention was entirely on Lydia, to the point that he had forgotten how her injury even happened.

With his brows drawn together, Brett said, "I'm sorry. I know this hurts you. But my feelings for Lydia are real, and I hope you can understand my decision."

Did he mean the decision he made during the fire last night, or the one he was making now?

As that thought surfaced, pain gripped Chelsey's chest once more.

Soon enough, the ache grew so overwhelming that it dulled into emptiness.

Letting out a cold scoff, she said, "A man who can cancel a wedding at the very last moment has no right to call himself decent. Brett, listen carefully. Even if you got down on your knees and asked me to marry you now, I would still say no."

A faint crease formed between Brett's brows as he focused on Chelsey.

What he saw from her completely missed his expectations.

He thought she would cry, cause a scene, or angrily demand answers. He even braced himself for the possibility that she might lash out at him.

That was how Chelsey had been at twenty. She was proud, direct, and quick to react.

He had even prepared himself for every possible outcome. But none of those reactions came.

Instead, she looked more like an onlooker, and her composure left him deeply uncomfortable.

Could it be that she had also been reborn?

As that idea took hold, Brett's expression stiffened, and the look he gave Chelsey grew increasingly conflicted.

Sensing the strange tension between them, Lydia stepped forward and blocked Brett's line of sight.

With guilt written plainly across her face, she spoke. "Chelsey, I'm sorry. I never planned for this to happen. Hurting you was never my intention. Last night, Brett stayed beside me the entire time. Even in his sleep, he kept calling my name, and I couldn't bring myself to reject him. You'll forgive me, won't you? Can we go back to how things were and still be best friends?"

Chelsey rolled her eyes and refused to acknowledge Lydia at all.

The reaction left Lydia stiff, and the awkwardness showed clearly on her face.

Trying to recover, she pressed her lower lip and put on a look that seemed wronged.

Watching Chelsey ignore Lydia entirely, Jorge spoke with sharp displeasure. "Chelsey. The guests have been waiting downstairs for quite some time, and you are only showing up now. Have you forgotten basic courtesy?"

Already holding back her fury, Gretchen finally snapped again. "Chelsey breathed in a large amount of smoke, and her ankle is injured. As her father, have you shown her even a shred of concern since she came home? If you refuse to care about her, that is your choice, but you have no right to lecture her about manners."

After finishing her words, she turned away and raised her voice. "Phyllis!"

At once, the housekeeper hurried over. "Yes, Mrs. Holden."

Fixing Lydia with a cold stare, Gretchen spoke without restraint. "Since Lydia never planned to stay long and has already secured herself another place to live, she should leave now. Our home is far too small to accommodate such a distinguished guest. Throw all her things out. Not a single belonging is to remain."

Throughout the last six months, Gretchen had shown Lydia nothing but careful attention.

From tailored suits to branded handbags, from rare perfumes to newly released jewelry, anything she believed suited Lydia had been given without a second thought.

She had even planned to introduce Lydia to a suitable partner after Chelsey and Brett were married.

Looking back on it now, the whole situation felt bitterly ironic to Gretchen.

Following the order, Phyllis Fuller acknowledged it and moved toward the stairs leading to Lydia's room.

Rushing forward, Jorge tried to block her path before turning on Gretchen. "Gretchen, haven't you made enough trouble already? Those things were gifts you gave Lydia. How can you just throw them out?"

Not bothering to look at him, Gretchen kept her gaze fixed on Phyllis and spoke with firm authority. "Phyllis, take several servants with you and carry out my instructions. Anyone who dares interfere today can try."