After her first love died, Sophia Hayes hated me for ten years.

I tried to win back her favor every day, but she only responded with cold sneers. "If you really want to make me happy, why don't you just die?"

Her words were like daggers to my heart. It was a shock when she died in a pool of blood while trying to save me from an oncoming truck.

With her final gaze fixed on me, she whispered, "If only I had never met you."

Her mother was inconsolable with grief at the funeral.

"I should have let Sophia be with Ethan Brooks. I never should have forced her to marry you!"

Her father also looked at me with hatred in his eyes. "Sophia saved your life three times. She was such a wonderful person. Why couldn't it have been you who died instead?"

Everyone regretted that Sophia had married me—myself included.

I was driven away from the funeral, completely devastated.

Three years later, I traveled back to the past after a time machine was invented.

This time, I chose to sever all connections with Sophia, giving everyone the version of history they truly desired.

The time machine erupted with a blinding flash of light. I squeezed my eyes shut, only to suddenly hear Sophia Hayes' mocking voice.

"My parents threatened suicide to force me to marry you, Julian Reed. I bet you’re happy now that you've gotten what you wanted, huh?

"But even if we get married, what exactly will you gain? Do you really think we can be happy together?"

My eyes flew open to see Sophia standing before me, still alive and breathing.

She was wearing an elegant long dress and had her hair pulled up in a high ponytail, radiating youthful energy. Even so, her eyes were unable to hide their contempt.

The Sophia from my future was mature, cold, and unapproachable, but this version of her was bright and spirited, still carrying a touch of liveliness.

A lump formed in my throat when I laid my eyes on her.

The time machine had indeed brought me back to the past, but unfortunately, it seemed to have malfunctioned. Instead of returning to when we first met, I had arrived thirteen years in the past, on the day Sophia and I were about to be married.

Thankfully, there was still a chance to make things right at this point.

Fighting back the bitterness in my heart, I stared at her with a smirk.

"Sophia, you don't want to marry me because the person you truly want to marry is Ethan Brooks. Am I right?"

I might have struck a nerve because her body suddenly stiffened. She looked at me coldly and said, "So what if that's true? We're already standing here. How can I back out now?"

I nodded honestly. "You can."

Sophia laughed derisively. "I don't have time for your games of playing hard to get. Just sign the papers and get the marriage certificate done with. I'll wait for you outside."

Watching her walk away, my heart felt as if it were being pierced by a sharp needle.

In both my past life and this one, I had loved Sophia for many years.

She had saved my life twice without hesitation, leading me to believe she secretly had feelings for me.

Her parents, Gavin Hayes and Allison Sinclair, had also encouraged me to pursue her.

They said to me, "Sophia is harsh with her words, but she’s a softie at heart. If she didn't love you, why would she risk her life to save you twice?"

I believed them wholeheartedly and happily prepared to marry her. It was not until after her first love died that I realized she had feelings for someone else.

Her final words before death—that she wished she had never met me—had completely crushed me.

My decade of love had simply been her decade of torment.

Before activating the time machine, the stuff had told me that I could only sever our ill-fated connection by fulfilling Sophia's three regrets.

By doing this, she would not die at thirty years old because of me. Both of us would have our own smooth, diverged paths in life from that point on.

Hence, I looked down and wrote Ethan's name on the marriage application form.

I clearly remembered the three regrets Sophia had written in her diary.

"I regret marrying Julian. I regret not standing up to my parents, and I regret not saving Ethan."

Now, her first regret was being addressed.

I walked out holding two marriage certificates. Sophia was waiting for me at the entrance.

She instinctively reached for the certificates to check them, but I quickly stopped her.

I smiled at Sophia gently.

"Sophia, let's look at them tomorrow. I have a surprise for you."

Her eyes rested on me, and her brows furrowed. "You're acting strange today. What is it? Have you gone crazy with happiness after marrying me?"

It was indeed something worth celebrating. At the very least, I was able to see her alive again.

I smiled. "I think you're the best person in the world. Whoever marries you will be very happy."

She scoffed coldly and turned to leave. If I had not known she did not like me, I might have thought she was just feeling bashful.

At that moment, a young couple nearby was chatting excitedly.

"Tonight, there'll be a once-in-a-century meteor shower! Legend says that couples who watch the shooting stars together will grow old together. Darling, let's go too."

My steps slowed.

I remembered that in my previous life, I had pestered her to watch the meteor shower on this same day, hoping she might fall in love with me.

Back then, her cold mockery had stung when she said, "Do you really think watching a meteor shower as husband and wife will somehow make our relationship last longer?

"By that logic, would there be no more unhappy marriages if everyone in the world watched a meteor shower? What fantasy are you living in?"

This time, I had no such expectations. However, Sophia suddenly spoke up, "I can accompany you to watch the meteor shower if you want, but forget about a honeymoon. The company's keeping me busy, and I don't have time."

I looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to bring it up, but then I understood.

Although Sophia could be sharp-tongued, she had always been kind-hearted. Otherwise, she would not have sacrificed her life to save me three times.

The first time was when we were 18 years old. I was being robbed in an alley, and she took a knife to her right hand trying to save me. The radial nerve damage she was left with meant she could never lift heavy objects again, and she could no longer play the piano.

The second time was during an earthquake. We were trapped in the rubble together, and she tricked me into consuming all the remaining food and water, giving me the chance to survive over her.

If rescue had not arrived in time, she would have died there.

The third time it happened was when she embraced me protectively when a truck came hurtling toward us. Flying glass shards pierced the back of her head, while I suffered only scratches in her arms.

Three life-saving sacrifices—how could I ever escape the trap of loving her?

Sophia did not wait for my answer and asked impatiently, "Are you going to watch the meteor shower or not?"

Coming back to my senses, I smiled at her. "Sure. Let's watch the meteor shower together tonight."

Sophia's expression finally softened as she hailed a cab.

"Let's go home first, and later we'll go to the observatory for the meteor shower."

Just then, Sophia received a phone call, and her brow immediately furrowed.

"Ethan's hand is injured. I'm going to check on him. You go home first."

I nodded. "Alright."

She looked somewhat surprised. “Aren't you always bothered by me going to see him? Why the change of heart now?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but she just laughed coldly. "I suppose it makes sense. After all, we're married now, so he's no longer a threat to you. Let me know when you get home. I'm leaving."

She got into the car and left, not seeing the disappointment and bitter smile on my face.

In truth, I had never tried to stop her favoritism toward Ethan.

Until once, Gavin, Allison, and I accidentally saw Ethan kissing a middle-aged woman. Upon further investigation, we discovered he had been kept by various wealthy older women for some time.

That was why I desperately tried to prevent Sophia from having too much contact with him. Sophia knew nothing of this, and she suffered for ten years after his death.

If I had to choose now, I would rather see her with Ethan than have her endure such torment and ultimately die for me.

After all, guilt and self-reproach could crush a person.

I sighed, went to the university to secure my guaranteed admission placement, and then returned home.

Gavin and Allison had already prepared a table full of food. Seeing me return, Allison happily took my hand.

"Julian, you're back from getting your marriage certificate so soon! Why didn't Sophia come back with you?"

"She had something urgent at the company to take care of."

Allison chided, "That daughter of mine! Today's such an important day. She should know when to set work aside."

Gavin smiled. "It's good that she's dedicated to her career. Besides, they're married now—we can have a family dinner anytime."

Allison continued to express her dissatisfaction with gentle grumbles. I felt a lump in my throat as I witnessed this warm scene before me.

"Gavin, Allison, Sophia and I didn't get our marriage certificate. I've arranged my study abroad documents, and I'm planning to leave the country in a few days."

Allison was immediately shocked.

"What do you mean, you didn't get married? Did Sophia mistreat you? That girl is just tough on the outside. She actually cares deeply about everything concerning you and truly loves you in her heart.

"Besides, you taught yourself psychology and stayed by her side day and night to provide emotional support. We all saw your genuine feelings for her. You love each other, so of course you should be together!

"And you know that Ethan isn't a good person. We can't let him succeed."

Gavin quickly added, "Sophia's just being stubborn. Once you insist on marrying her, she'll surely soften."

These words were all too familiar; they had said the same things before. Unfortunately, forcing that outcome had made everyone regretful in the end.

I took Allison's hands and said softly, "Please don't get upset. Let me explain. Although I hate to admit it, you just can't force love.

"Sophia has never really had feelings for me.

"Last night, I had a dream where Sophia and I were married, but she refused to see me. She worked herself sick at the company every day, even developing stomach problems.

"She wouldn't eat the food I made for her and wouldn't let me take care of her when she was ill. She told me that the pain I brought her outweighed any happiness, and she died at the age of 30 under a truck trying to save me."

As I said this, my heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

Allison was stunned. "B-b-but that was just a dream, Julian. Sophia wouldn't do that."

I sniffled and forced a smile.

"Gavin, Allison, dreams are premonitions. I want her to be free from marrying me. We don't need to be husband and wife, but I want her to live a long, healthy life.

"Everything points to this conclusion. Sophia loves music, not business, and she hates following a path chosen for her. If her hand hadn't been injured back then, she wouldn't have taken this route.

"It's the same now. If it weren't for your arrangement, she wouldn't be forced to marry me.

"The root of all this is me. It's all my fault, and I don't want to keep making the same mistake.

"My study abroad program is already arranged. I'll always remember your kindness, and I'll take care of you both in the future!"

Allison secretly wiped away a tear. "You're a good man, Julian. Sophia doesn't know how fortunate she would have been to marry you."

I hugged them with misty eyes and smiled.

"It's alright. If I can't be your son-in-law, I can still be like a son to you. In the future, I'll still look after you both."

Gavin and Allison finally smiled through their tears and ultimately agreed with my decision.

I remembered the second wish in Sophia's diary. That should count as fulfilling it, right?

The time machine would only allow me to stay here for thirty-six hours. Now, there was one last wish to fulfill.

I wondered if it would go just as smoothly.

As night approached, I went to the observatory alone.

This was the best spot to view the meteor shower. I leaned on the railing, feeling a faint sense of anticipation.

After waiting for who knows how long, the door behind me suddenly opened. I turned around with hopeful eyes.