I was reborn on the eve of my wedding to Kashton Wallace. In my previous life, I fell for him the moment I saw him and agreed to the family-arranged marriage. Yet, he left me a widow for five years, drunkenly uttering my stepsister's name each night. My stepsister later married into the Quincy family and tragically passed away within a year. On the day of her funeral, his mistress pushed me into oncoming traffic, leading to my demise. His face twisted in grief as he lamented, "If it weren't for you, Priscilla wouldn't have had to marry someone else, wouldn't have died!" He blamed me entirely for their star-crossed love being torn apart. "You wretched woman, it's all your fault!"

This time, I plan to keep my distance from him and allow those star-crossed lovers to be together. I never expected him to lose his grip at my wedding.

In the study, I stared at the array of marriage alliance files, pausing on Eren Cook's. My father stood behind me, his voice tinged with surprise, "Reagan, are you sure you want to choose Eren Cook? Not Kashton Wallace?" I understood my father's confusion. Just last month, I had sacrificed a $30 million project for Kashton's company. Everyone knew I was infatuated with him, even my father had agreed to the engagement.

"I'm serious," I replied, lifting my head, my tone steady. "Marriage is a big deal; I want to choose someone suitable." My father hesitated, wanting to say more. I lowered my head, organizing the documents, masking the bitterness in my eyes. In my previous life, I naively believed that love could wear down even the hardest stone. But I didn't realize that some hearts are unyielding, always holding someone else.

Entering the ballroom, amidst clinking glasses and laughter, I spotted Kashton and a few wealthy acquaintances drinking in a corner. When they saw me, a mischievous glint appeared in their eyes. "Well, came rushing over as soon as you knew Kashton was here? The eldest Cook daughter really is clingy," one of them jeered.

Kashton looked at me with blatant disdain. "Like a barnacle," he sneered, swirling his wine glass. "Reagan Cook, I warn you, if you want to be the Wallace family's daughter-in-law, you'd better not be so disgraceful."

"Even if you want to marry me, you still have to see if I'm willing," he added dismissively.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the sting in my eyes, "I'm just here for a stroll; the event is about to end."

"Ending? So soon?" they paused, surprised. "Have you picked your marriage partner already?"

This event, celebrating my birthday, was actually to choose my marital alliance. As the sole heir to the Cook Group, my marriage was a nerve-wracking affair for many.

"So eager, huh?" Kashton frowned, his voice laced with irritation. "I haven't even shown up and you've picked me?"

The others quickly caught on, raising their glasses to congratulate him. "Kashton, a marriage alliance between two great families, don't forget to give us a leg up in the future!"

Kashton basked in their compliments, his face splitting into a proud grin. Then, turning to me, he frowned again, "Since it's like this, you better behave yourself and stop bragging about it."

At that moment, I caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the opposite end of the ballroom. Priscilla George, my stepsister. Her presence made Kashton's expression change instantly. He hurried towards her, supporting the seemingly frail girl. "Priscilla, you said you weren't feeling well. Why are you here?" His voice full of concern.

Priscilla weakly clutched her chest, her voice barely a whisper, "Even if I'm unwell, how could I not come to my sister's event?"

Upon hearing her words, Kashton whipped around, glaring at me with anger. "You're so overbearing, Priscilla isn't well, yet you forced her to come."

"Looks like I'll need to reconsider our Wallace-Cook alliance," he said with a tone of finality.

Priscilla clutched Kashton's hand, her eyes glistening with tears, "Kashton, are you going to marry my sister?"

He hastily reassured her, "It's just an alliance; you're the one I love."

As he spoke those words, a myriad of expressions appeared on everyone's faces. I stood there, expressionless, feeling their gazes fall upon me. There was pity, ridicule, and most of all, the thrill of those watching a scandal unfold.

When I was ten, my father remarried, wedding the nurse who had been caring for him. Priscilla came to the Cook family with my stepmother. Her status was awkward, never accepted by high society. In my previous life, my father found her a husband, the heir to a small business. Though not from a noble family, he was upright and had a solid background. However, Priscilla was dissatisfied, spending her days in a drunken stupor, eventually succumbing to an overdose. For the sake of both families' reputations, we claimed she died from depression.

I never disclosed this to Kashton, which is why he believed that Priscilla died from heartbreak due to unrequited love.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Kashton Wallace suddenly leaned close to my ear and said with a chilling tone, "I know you're in love with me, but I'm telling you, my heart belongs to Priscilla, now and forever."

"If you behave yourself, maybe I'll let you have a child with me once we're married."

I struggled to contain the anger and disgust rising within me, glaring at him icily. "And what makes you so sure that you're the one I want to marry?"

He smirked arrogantly. "Playing hard to get is so passé. Besides me, who else could you possibly choose? After all, in our last life..."

He abruptly fell silent, but I had already caught on. He had been reincarnated too.

Just as he was about to continue, Priscilla suddenly clutched her forehead and murmured, "It hurts."

Kashton immediately turned around to support her as they left to rest.

Before long, the birthday party was winding down. I was preparing to see the guests off when I heard the sudden explosion of fireworks outside.

Everyone craned their necks to look, and in the night sky, fireworks spelled out "Priscilla's True Love" while Kashton and Priscilla shared a passionate kiss beneath it.

My father, Mordechai Cook, looked furious, his face turning a stormy shade of red. "This is supposed to be the Cook family's event, and they dare to humiliate me like this!"

My friend beside me was equally indignant. "What's Kashton Wallace thinking? Completely disrespecting you!"

I held back my friend, who was itching for a confrontation. "If he wants to ruin himself, let him."

Everyone here was perceptive; who would want to align with someone as reckless as Kashton Wallace? He probably still thought he was the all-powerful chairman of the Wallace Group from a past life.

Around me, I caught the whispers of the guests.

"I heard Reagan Cook just decided to marry Kashton Wallace. Such a shame."

"I always knew Kashton Wallace and Priscilla were involved, but I didn't expect them to be this blatant."

"The Wallace family is really risking offending the Cook family."

I ignored it all, letting the gossip drift past me. After seeing off the last guest, I returned to my room and collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

Scrolling through my phone, I saw Priscilla's latest Instagram post. In the photo, she looked disheveled, a man's large hand covering her chest. The caption read, "He says he can't sleep without me."

In the comments, Kashton's rowdy friends were hyping it up, calling her "sister-in-law."

My thumb slipped, accidentally liking the post. Before I could undo it, Priscilla sent me a private message: "Sis, I've already tested it out for you, and it's amazing."

Staring at her message, I suddenly understood why they were such a pair. One pretended to be noble but was trash, the other pretended to be deeply in love but was truly repulsive.

I replied coolly, "Try eating something decent; feeding on garbage all the time might feel good to you."

My phone rang immediately—Kashton was calling. I hung up straight away. He called again, so I blocked him for good.

Tonight's party was supposed to announce my engagement to Eren Cook, but he had to leave for a last-minute business trip. It wouldn't be right to announce without him here.

Perhaps it's for the best. The Cook families plan to host an engagement celebration to share the good news soon.

Kashton Wallace seemed intent on making my life difficult, constantly making headlines with Priscilla George. One day he's diving for the perfect photo, the next he's at an auction buying diamonds, and soon after, he's parading her around high-society galas. The gossip mill is running overtime, and everyone in our circle can't stop talking about how pitiful I must be, seemingly tolerating this public humiliation without a word. But I couldn't care less about the chatter. My focus is solely on the details of my upcoming engagement with Eren Cook.

Despite being overseas in Europe, Eren never lets me feel alone. We're on video calls every day, discussing every aspect of our wedding plans.

"I'm sorry, I'll make it back before the engagement," he apologizes.

I smile and shake my head, "Your work is important. I'll wait for you."

"It's an honor to be chosen by you," he says tenderly. "I've arranged for a gown for you. I hope you'll like it."

Coincidentally, I was in a boutique trying on dresses when we spoke. As I hung up, I admired the dreamy gown in front of me, brimming with anticipation. Its shimmering fabric, like countless stars embedded within, transitioned from a soft lavender at the hem to the color of the morning sea as it reached the bodice.

I was ready to try it on when an unwelcome voice interrupted.

"This one's gorgeous, Kashton, I want it," Priscilla declared. I hadn't even noticed her enter the store. She shoved me aside, reaching to touch my gown.

Anger surged through me. "This dress is spoken for."

Feigning surprise, she turned to me, "Oh, sister, is that you? Are you here to shop for a dress too?"

With a cold glance, I replied, "I'm not shopping. I'm here to collect. My fiancé had this dress custom-made for me."

Priscilla's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her smug demeanor, "Sister, are you still deluding yourself? Kashton's been with me all this time. Why would he get you a dress?"

It was then that Kashton entered. Upon seeing me, a flicker of complicated emotions crossed his face.

"Reagan, why are you here?"

I looked at them icily. "Your little mistress here is trying to steal my gown."

Priscilla immediately put on a wounded look, pointing at me, "I just thought the dress was pretty and wanted to try it on, but sister..."

"Forget it, the dress was meant for Reagan anyway. I'm not worthy," she finally conceded.

Kashton frowned and turned to me, "Reagan, you're ridiculous. When did I ever say I'd give you a gown?"

Suddenly, something seemed to dawn on him. "Since Priscilla likes it, why don’t you let her have it? I’ll get you another one. Don’t be petty over nothing!"

I sneered, cutting him off, "Kashton Wallace, stop pretending. This dress was specially ordered by my fiancé, and I'm not giving it up."

Kashton's brow furrowed deeply, a flash of irritation in his eyes. "Aren't I your fiancé? I said let her have it, so let it go. Don’t make me angry."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Priscilla eagerly reached for the dress. I moved to stop her but was shoved aside by Kashton. In the scuffle, I knocked over a cup of coffee, and the shattering glass scratched my face.

The store staff rushed over, panicked, to tend to my bleeding.

Kashton instinctively moved towards me, but Priscilla clutched his arm. "Kashton, I can't stand the sight of blood."

Kashton immediately turned away, covering Priscilla's eyes with his hand, speaking to her gently, "Let's go, don’t look at this."

With that, they left with my dress in tow.

I stood there, fuming and exasperated. That gown, especially made for me by Eren, was taken so easily by them. But I was too weary to chase after it. Anything Priscilla touched, I no longer wanted.