My father bought twin brothers from the black market to serve as bodyguards for me and my sister.

My sister chose the tall, strong older brother, leaving me with the frail, mute younger one.

Feeling sorry for him, I kept him close, seeking doctors for his silence and maintaining distance to respect his apparent OCD.

I thought trauma had shaped him that way. But when our father's enemies kidnapped us, he abandoned me without hesitation, choosing to die shielding my sister.

In his final moments, he spoke for the first time. "You finally see me."

To me, he said, "In the next life, please don't choose me."

I realized then that he was neither mute nor afflicted with OCD. His silence and aversion were directed solely at me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we chose the bodyguards.

This time, I'd grant his wish.

Olive Winters’ voice lingered in my ears like a haunting refrain. “Maybe I should take Neal instead. Eira’s so delicate, and Liam’s strength would better protect her.”

I jolted awake, memories of my past life crashing over me like a relentless wave.

Before I could speak, she turned to the elder of the twin bodyguards, Liam Ramos, with practiced gracious poise. “Liam, I entrust my sister to you. Protect her well.”

I stared at her, my heart gone cold.

In my previous life, her feigned kindness ensnared me completely. After she chose Liam, I hesitated—and she offered to swap bodyguards.

I naively believed she cared about me.

In truth, she’d already counted on my soft heart, certain I would never accept anyone’s “sacrifice.”

That way, she could keep the bodyguard she wanted and burnish her reputation for kindness.

I didn’t see her true face until our father’s enemies kidnapped us.

This time, I cut her performance short. “Alright.”

Olive froze, her face a mask of shock. She hadn't expected me to agree so readily. I met her eyes with an icy smile.

Once, my weakness allowed her to manipulate me. Not anymore.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Neal Ramos' bewildered expression.

Our father, Richard Winters, spoke up. "No, that won't do. You're my eldest daughter, Olive. Your safety is paramount. This younger one looks too weak and is mute. How can he protect you?"

I turned to him, absorbing the bitter truth. In his mind, I couldn't compare to his illegitimate daughter.

He'd married my mother to save his failing company, only for her to discover he already had a child with another woman. She withered away in sorrow soon after.

Barely had she passed when he brought Olive and her mother into our home, demanding I call her sister.

As his biological daughter, I thought he harbored some affection for me. But knowing Neal was mute, he still brought him back, making this choice a mere charade. He had always intended for Liam to serve Olive.

Olive sighed in relief, clutching his arm with feigned concern. "But what about Eira?"

"I'm not mute!" Neal interjected, launching into a series of sharp, powerful punches, each move precise and forceful. "I may look weak, but my skills are unmatched. I'll protect Miss Olive Winters with my life."

Neal's fervent display brought a bitter smile to my lips.

In my past life, he never uttered a word to me for five years. Yet now, to remain by Olive's side, he broke his silence so swiftly.

Liam finally broke his silence. "My skills aren't bad either. Let me protect Miss Olive Winters."

Richard thought for a moment, then proposed, "Let's settle this with a duel. The victor will stay with Olive."

The twins clashed instantly.

Neal fought with ruthless precision, striking at Liam's vulnerabilities as if he were a mortal enemy, not a brother. Liam held back initially, but as Neal's ferocity intensified, he retaliated with equal force.

In the end, Neal edged out a narrow victory.

Richard proclaimed Neal as Olive's bodyguard, then turned to me almost as an afterthought. "Liam, you'll protect Eira."

Olive's feigned distress melted away. Neal, after all, was the more striking of the two.

"Please, sir, send me back to the black market," Liam pleaded.

...

Richard's face darkened, his cane slamming the floor. "Are you defying my orders?"

Liam glanced at me, his disgust unconcealed. "I mean no defiance, sir. My rough nature is unfit to serve Miss Eira Winters."

I took a deep breath, aware that I wasn't as striking as Olive. My limp was from a childhood accident when I fell off a horse while saving her.

Quiet and reserved, I couldn't match her charm either. That was likely why Neal had rejected me in my past life.

Olive chimed in, sounding concerned. "You can't abandon my sister, Liam. The black market isn't the place for you."

I watched her performance with cold detachment. It had been so convincing in my past life, but now it only made my stomach churn.

"It's fine," I said firmly. "Forcing him will yield no loyalty. Let him go."

Richard froze, caught off guard by my decision. He'd intended to scold Liam to assert his authority and make me feel indebted.

Olive stiffened, too. Her performance was meant to burnish her image while highlighting my undesirability. She hadn't expected me to dismantle her charade.

She tried, "Liam is just upset. You can't just send him back. He'll suffer terribly there."

I wasn't impressed. "If you're so concerned, why not take them both under your wing?"

She blushed. "What are you talking about?"

I smirked, knowing that her heart leaped at the idea. After all, the Ramos brothers were both handsome, and she thrived on the envy of others.

Having both would make her the center of admiration wherever she went.

Richard stepped in, frowning. "Eira, is this truly your wish?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "I want neither of them."

The two men's faces tightened. Neal glared, as if questioning my audacity. It stirred a familiar pang and ignited my suspicion.

"And your safety?" Richard asked, his concern a hollow pretense.

"I wish to join the company," I replied. "The professional security team there will ensure my protection."

...

Richard hesitated, then agreed.

In my past life, I poured my heart into Neal, blind to the workings of our family's enterprise, which left me isolated and vulnerable. This time, I would seize control of my destiny, starting with mastering the company's operations.

Richard placed me in the marketing department, starting at the lowest rung.

He likely assumed I'd falter quickly, but I immersed myself in the work. During the day, I learned from seasoned colleagues; at night, I devoured professional texts.

My efforts bore fruit, and soon I was making significant strides.

Colleagues who once overlooked me began to regard me with respect. My reputation grew, eclipsing even Olive, whom Richard had long groomed as his successor.

Her position threatened, Olive played dirty. She tampered with my files and misrepresented my proposals in meetings.

But I was no longer the pliable sister she knew. I backed up my files to counter her schemes and refuted her distortions with clear, data-driven arguments, leaving her speechless.

One evening, she cornered me at home. "You're making quite a name for yourself at the company, sister. Father says you're progressing swiftly."

Her smile was cloyingly sweet, but her eyes gleamed with calculation. "Marketing is grueling, though, and with your frail health, perhaps I could ask Dad to move you to a less demanding department?"

I brushed past her, my voice flat. "No need."

She hurried after me, her tone overly warm. "I'm not trying to discourage you, but your little successes are just luck. A failure would shame our family. With your physical condition, finding a suitable match might prove difficult."

She glanced pointedly at the Ramos brothers nearby.

"You're just scared I'm stealing your spotlight, aren't you?" I snorted.

Her smile froze as her schemes were exposed. Her voice rose, her eyes welling. "How could you say that? I'm just looking out for you."

I stepped closer, my voice icy. "Looking out for me? Have you forgotten why I have this condition? I risked my life saving you from that runaway horse, and you pushed me. That was why I fell and injured my leg."

Her tears hit the floor, her face crumbling. "I-I didn't mean it like that."

The Ramos brothers quickly stepped in front of her. "That's too much, Miss Eira Winters!"

Neal glared at me. "Apologize!"

I slapped him hard, not indulging his defiance.