When my father asked me to choose a husband from the Sterling brothers I grew up with, I chose the dazzling Caleb Sterling, the family heir.

He was the man I had adored for thirteen years.

But at our engagement party, his stepsister, Hailey Vance, played a montage of their private moments from over the years in front of all our guests.

It was only then that I discovered they had been secretly involved behind my back for years.

At the party, Caleb was publicly humiliated. He then exiled himself to a remote region to do charity work, cutting all ties with his past. I was left to face the fallout alone, becoming the laughingstock of New York.

He spent the rest of his life in self-torment, using atonement as an excuse to escape from everything.

I resented his deceit, yet I stubbornly clung to that ridiculous engagement. We hated each other for many years.

Until a fiery explosion, an act of revenge by a business rival, where he sacrificed himself to save me, dragging the attacker into the flames with him.

Before he died, he gazed at me and said, "Charlotte, I should have told you the truth. But now... we're even. If you get another chance, don't choose me again."

Then, I opened my eyes. I had returned to the day my father asked me to make that choice.

This time, without a second thought, I chose his younger brother, Rhys Sterling.

————————

1

"Char, I know you've always had a soft spot for Caleb, but I really think you should consider Rhys. He might be more reserved, but he's far steadier. Most importantly, I see the way he treats you."

A sharp pain throbbed in my head. I slowly lifted my eyes. My dad, Julian Archer, sat across from me, his expression patient as he tried to reason with me.

A glance around the room confirmed it. I was back.

I had been sent back to a time before the tragedy had even begun.

In my past life, after Caleb died, our enemies dragged me from the rubble of the explosion and threw me into the cold Hudson River. I could still feel the suffocating burn of brackish water filling my lungs.

I took a deep, shuddering breath—the only thing that could convince me I was truly alive.

"Char, what's wrong?" my dad asked, his voice laced with concern. "You're as pale as a ghost. Are you feeling unwell?"

He called toward the doorway, "Someone, get Dr. Chase on the line, now!"

Seeing his worried expression, I quickly reassured him, "Dad, I'm fine, really. Just a little dizzy."

I threw myself into his arms, tears instantly welling in my eyes. "Dad, I missed you so much."

In my previous life, Caleb had shattered me, leaving me a hollow shell of the woman I once was.

Worry over me had worn him down to the bone, causing the company's stock to plummet. In the end, exhaustion claimed him in a car accident on his way to Long Island to find me a psychiatrist.

It wasn't until he was gone that I realized how blind I had been.

Now that I have a second chance, I'll be the daughter he deserves.

My dad stroked my hair gently and asked, "What's wrong, Char? I'm right here."

I shook my head, unable to stop the tears from streaming down my face.

My mother died from complications while giving birth to me, and my father never remarried for my sake.

I was supposed to be the pride he poured his heart and soul into raising, the most dazzling girl on the Upper East Side, yet I had withered away for a cowardly, hypocritical man.

How was Caleb ever worthy of my devotion?

I smiled and said, "Dad, I think you're right. Rhys is the best choice for me. Let's arrange the engagement with him."

My dad asked in surprise, "Really? Didn't you always say you wouldn't marry anyone but Caleb?"

I shook my head, and before I could explain, he asked sharply, "Did he do something to you?"

My dad knew me too well. He knew that unless something drastic had happened, I would never give up on Caleb.

I feigned nonchalance. "No. I just suddenly lost interest. Dad, you're Julian Archer, the real estate tycoon of New York, and I'm your daughter. The man who deserves me should be someone of substance and ambition like Rhys, not someone like Caleb…"

I let the sentence hang, pursing my lips in disdain.

His face softened with relief. "It seems you've finally grown up and are seeing things clearly. I'll call Arthur Sterling today and get this settled as soon as possible."

With that, he left the study.

The moment he was gone, my phone screen lit up with a text from Caleb: I'm on my way to pick you up. Be ready.

Only then did I remember that today was Hailey's birthday, and she had invited us to celebrate at a rooftop bar in SoHo.

In my past life, I knew nothing about their relationship. So, I treated my "future sister-in-law" with genuine warmth.

In fact, I spent millions on luxuries for her every year.

But she used that montage of them to publicly humiliate me at my own engagement party, leaving me to be torn apart by New York's gossip mill for months.

And they were the ones who had deceived me all along.

This time, I swore to have nothing more to do with them.

And tonight was the perfect opportunity to cut them out of my life for good.

I spent the day holed up in my apartment. Toward evening, my phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Rhys.

As soon as I answered, his usually calm voice held a trace of tension. "Did you really choose me?"

"Mm-hm," I affirmed softly. "Are you saying you don't want me to?"

He was silent for a moment. "I do. I was just worried you were joking."

That made me laugh. I wasn't worried he would reject me. In my past life, I learned he had loved me just as fiercely as I had once loved Caleb.

"I'm serious, Rhys. Don't worry, I wouldn't joke about this," I said sincerely.

Rhys let out a sigh of relief, his voice turning gentle. "Okay. I'll be back soon. I have a gift for you."

I smiled, knowing he couldn't wait to see me. "Okay, I'll be waiting."

Just then, a voice came from behind me. "Who are you waiting for?"

I hung up and turned to find Caleb standing there, his gaze sharp with suspicion.

I answered calmly, "I'm waiting for my fiancé."

His face twisted in disgust. "Charlotte Archer, I will never marry you. If you have any self-respect, tell your father to cancel the engagement."

A chill went through me, but not because he had misunderstood.

And in that moment, it hit me. He had been reborn, too.

So Caleb's first move after his rebirth was to rush over and put a stop to our engagement.

Fortunately, I had already decided on another path, so I just replied calmly, "As you wish."

My words brought him no visible relief. Instead, he just froze.

He studied my face, his expression a cocktail of confusion and suspicion, as if my coldness was an equation he couldn't solve.

His confusion quickly curdled into a sneer. "When did you learn to play hard to get? Don't waste your energy. That little trick won't work on me."

After a pause, he added decisively, "Besides, after tonight, there's no way we can be together anyway!"

So he'd come back intending to go public with their affair?

If that was the case, I could almost respect him for it.

"That would be for the best," I said coolly.

My indifference only seemed to darken his mood. He said coldly, "Let's go. Everyone's waiting."

I had no desire to go, but I knew Caleb. If I refused, he wouldn't take no for an answer.

His precious stepsister reveled in any chance to tarnish my "It Girl" reputation.

If I didn't show up, how could she flaunt her victory?

Besides, it was about time I said a proper goodbye to my foolish, youthful obsession.

The ride over was silent.

When we arrived at the rooftop bar in SoHo and pushed open the doors, I saw a crowd of familiar faces.

Hailey, projecting her usual image of manufactured innocence, sat in the center like a queen bee, holding court among her admirers.

The moment she saw us, a flicker of disdain crossed her eyes before she threw herself into Caleb's arms.

She gushed, "Caleb, thank you for setting up the venue yourself. I love it so much!"

Hailey had done the same thing in our last life. She was always draped over him, showing off how he doted on her.

She would brag about how Caleb brought her hot water bottles for her cramps, held her during thunderstorms, and carried her on his back when she was tired from shopping.

Every time, I felt a mix of envy and unease. I'd even questioned their relationship, but when I confronted Caleb, he'd just accuse me of having a filthy mind.

Hailey's provocative glare snapped me out of my thoughts. "Charlotte, what's with the death stare? Are you going to start spreading those nasty rumors about me and Caleb again?"

As soon as she spoke, the others began to point and whisper.

"Some people just have their minds in the gutter."

"Exactly! What's she so jealous about? She should take a good look at herself."

I replied flatly, "Rumors or not, you both know the truth."

Caleb's face darkened, while Hailey leaned against him, her eyes welling with tears. "Caleb, you see? She's slandering me again."

I watched him calmly, curious to see what he would do this time.

I thought, having been given a second chance, he'd finally have the guts to come clean.

But instead, he glared at me and snapped, "Enough! Charlotte, do you have to be so paranoid and malicious? Are you really trying to destroy me just because you can't have me? You're disgusting."

Vile?

I scoffed. "You're the coward, Caleb. And for the record, I only came here to make one thing clear. I never intended to marry you in the first place."

Caleb froze, then burst out laughing. "Stop pretending. My dad already booked a three-star Michelin restaurant for tomorrow. He said our families are discussing the engagement. If you've really given up on me, why haven't you canceled?"

A smirk played on my lips. "Caleb, have you forgotten? You have a younger brother."

He blinked in confusion, then laughed again.

Caleb tapped my cheek mockingly, his face a mask of contempt. "Charlotte, why would my brother be interested in you? Besides, everyone knows you're my loyal little follower. Why would he want a woman I cast aside? Do you think Rhys has no pride?"

I hadn't expected him to think so little of me.

But I had no interest in explaining myself. "Then I guess you'll just have to wait and see," I said, my patience wearing thin.

With that, I turned to leave.

Before I could move, Caleb's hand shot out and clamped around my wrist, his expression turning icy. "Did I say you could leave?"

A chill went down my spine. "What do you want?"

Caleb didn't answer. Instead, he shoved me into a VIP lounge. The others exchanged glances and quietly filed out, leaving only a man in a baseball cap behind.

He was a stranger, and his posture, his clothes—he clearly didn't belong in our circle.

My instincts screamed danger.

I backed away and glared at Caleb. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Caleb took a step back, pulling out his phone.

At the same time, the man, Rocco, began to unbutton his shirt.

Just then, Hailey sauntered into the lounge. Seeing the scene, she said triumphantly, "Charlotte, how can you be so shameless? You know Caleb doesn't like you, yet you use your dad to pressure him. Since you love forcing things so much, why don't you get a taste of being forced tonight?"

Realization crashed over me, and my eyes widened in horror. "You're setting me up," I snarled at Caleb, my voice trembling with disbelief. "You're throwing me to another man just to ruin me?"

Even though I was done with him, I never imagined he could be this depraved.

I'd already told him I wasn't marrying him. Why did he still want to destroy me?

My voice trembled. "You might not want to marry me, you might even hate me for clinging to you, but we grew up together, Caleb! And I don't even want you anymore!"

For a split second, a flicker of conflict crossed his eyes.

He said, "Don't worry. He won't actually touch you. We just need a few photos. They won't be released. I'll only use them to cancel the engagement. After that, we can still be friends."

How could he be so naive? Did he really think I could be friends with him after this?

God, how pathetic must I have seemed in my last life for him to think I was this spineless?

"Stop wasting time," Hailey snapped impatiently. "Rocco, get on with it!"

The man she called Rocco picked up a glass of wine and held it out to me.

I tried to dodge, but he gripped my chin and forced the wine down my throat.

Instantly, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and a searing heat coursed through my veins.

As he advanced, I stumbled backward. "What did you give me?"

Rocco grinned. "Relax. Just something to help you loosen up."

Caleb looked startled. "We agreed this was just an act! Why did you drug her?"

Rocco shot a panicked look at Hailey.

She immediately clung to Caleb's arm, her eyes welling with tears. "Caleb, do you feel sorry for her? Think about it—without a little help, how could the photos look realistic? When our parents see them, they'll know she was forced. If that happens, we'll both be finished."

Caleb's expression wavered.

I shook my head, desperate. "Caleb, if you don't want this to blow up, take me to a hospital now! Otherwise, my dad will never let you get away with this!"

But his expression hardened again. "No. Your dad treasures you too much to let something like this go public and ruin your name. Hailey's right."

"Don't worry. I'll watch. I won't let him go all the way."

I trembled with rage at the implication.

Was he saying he'd stand by and let this animal do whatever he wanted, as long as he didn't "go all the way"?

I gritted my teeth. "You're a monster."

Rocco's eyes gleamed as he leered at me. He swallowed hard. "Save your energy. You're going to need it."

With that, he lunged.

I bit down hard on my lip, preparing to fight for my life.

Just then, the lounge door was kicked open with a deafening crack.