Kieran was eventually disciplined by the university for plagiarism. I never found out what he told Raina, but she decided I'd framed him.

In my previous life, nothing I said could change her mind. This time, I didn't bother playing nice.

"Oh, come off it! That study-abroad spot was mine. With his grades, he wouldn't qualify even if you curved the whole class for him."

Raina snapped, screaming at me in fury, "Rowan, how dare you insult Kieran? He may not have money, but at least he's not a fake like you! If you speak about him like that again, I don't care what our parents arranged, I won't marry you!"

With that, she grabbed Kieran's hand and stormed off.

I laughed under my breath.

Raina, I never planned to marry you this time.

...

The next day was my birthday, and my parents threw a large party.

Wilson Whitmore arrived with his daughters and his sister, Elara Whitmore. Raina, however, never showed.

Only when the party was winding down and guests were preparing to leave did Raina appear unhurriedly with Kieran at her side.

Raina wore a high-neck gown, and Kieran had a few fresh scratches across his neck.

The way they stood together was far too close for comfort.

I felt nothing. I lifted my glass and drank as if none of it concerned me.

Seeing my indifference, Raina frowned. "Rowan, what's with the attitude? I'm your fiancee, and Kieran's your friend. Why didn't you come say hello? Apologize to both of us, or you can forget your birthday present!"

Raina held a gift box in her hands. Kieran took it from her and gave it a smug little shake. "Rowan, Raina had this custom-made for you! She put a lot of thought into it!"

My eyes followed the box and landed on the custom watch on his wrist—the same brand as the box.

I scoffed. "The thought went into the watch you're wearing, right?"

He stifled a grin and feigned innocence. "No way. This was just a freebie that came with your gift."

He flipped open the box and tossed it to me, but I didn't catch it. The box hit the floor, and a pair of cuff links skittered out with a clink.

Raina frowned, her voice sharp. "Rowan, why are you just standing there? Didn't you see my gift fall? Pick it up!"

I snorted. "You call cuff links that came free with a watch a gift?"

I set my glass down and stepped over the cufflinks lying on the floor as I walked out.

Raina spread her arms, blocking me, fury blazing in her eyes. "How dare you step on my gift! Pick it up and clean it right now, or our engagement is off!"

I met her gaze, a cold smirk tugging at my lips. "Raina, I never planned to marry you."

The room fell silent, every gaze shifting between us.

Raina froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Come on! You've been chasing after me for ten years. Who else would you even marry? My sisters have watched you grovel at my feet all this time. None of them wants to marry you.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot about my sickly aunt. But she's not going to live long. Do you think the Harts would ever let you marry her?"

I almost told her that Elara was exactly who I intended to marry, but Wilson's warning echoed in my mind.

"I don't know what made you change your mind and choose Elara, but she's scheduled for surgery soon. Keep it quiet and let her recover in peace."

Instinctively, I glanced toward Elara, who sat silently in her wheelchair.

Elara was four years older than Raina. She'd been frail since childhood—so thin that even a stiff breeze seemed like it could knock her over.

She and I hadn't crossed paths much. But I remembered how her life had ended in my previous life. Not long after I married Raina, Elara died alone in a convalescent home.

This time, since I'd decided to marry her, I intended to keep her alive and well.

Elara glanced at me, disappointment flickering in her eyes.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll know when the time comes," I said, then turned and left.

Having already decided to marry Elara, I needed to prepare a proper gift before the engagement. I spent the next three days focused entirely on it.

Meanwhile, Raina didn't show up once in those three days.

Kieran, on the other hand, updated his social feed every couple of hours. His latest post showed Raina in an apron, cooking steaks in the kitchen.

I was just about to put my phone away when Kieran's message popped up.

"Rowan, you haven't even tried Raina's cooking yet, have you? She's been feeding me nonstop these last three days, and taking care of a lot more than just my appetite."

His words made my stomach turn. I swallowed my disgust and typed, "Beat it!"

Then, I hit send and blocked him.

Raina called immediately. "Rowan, what's wrong with you? Kieran just said something inappropriate. Why'd you block him? Do you know how hurt he is right now? Get over to the Whitmore residence and apologize now!"

Her fury crackled in my ear.

I laughed and said, "Sure. I'll be right there."

It was time to announce my engagement to Elara anyway. My parents had already gone to the Whitmore residence. Once I finished preparing Elara's gift, I headed there as well.

Raina and Kieran were standing shoulder to shoulder at the front door.

The moment Raina saw me, her lips curled in disdain.

"Rowan, I thought you were more level-headed than this. Kieran just sent a single message, and instead of ignoring it, you blocked him! Now, you've even teamed up with your parents to force me into an engagement!"

Before I could respond, she kicked me square in the knee. Caught off guard, my legs gave out, and I crashed to the floor.

"Apologize to Kieran," she said coldly. "If you don't, I'm not getting engaged to you today!"

My eyes burned with rage. I pushed myself to my feet and roared, "Raina, are you out of your mind? I told you—I'm not marrying you!"

She shot me a look of contempt. "Please! Who are you trying to fool?"

Anger churned in my chest.

Just then, our parents appeared around the corner.

Wilson took in the scene and scowled. "Raina, what's all this commotion?"

Elara was behind them. She stood without her wheelchair, a faint flush warming her cheeks.

When she saw me disheveled, she rushed over and helped me up, worry flashing in her eyes. "What happened?"

Her concern warmed me. "I'm fine."

Raina snorted. "Elara, why are you fussing over my fiance?"

Everyone was taken aback by her words.

Raina didn't pay them any mind. She shoved herself between us and leaned in to hiss, "I'll let it go today. But if I find out you're bullying Kieran after the engagement, you'll regret it!"

Raina could really swallow her pride for the 75 percent shares of the Whitmore Group.

Wilson sighed and announced, "Whoever gets engaged to Rowan will inherit 75 percent of the company's shares and become the heiress to the Whitmore family. Today's the day we make the engagement official."

Raina lowered her head, smoothed her dress, and lifted her chin as she reached to hook her arm through mine. But the confidence on her face froze a heartbeat later.

Wilson took my hand and Elara's, placing them together. "Rowan, I'm leaving my sister in your care. Take good care of her."