Her eyes flickered hesitantly before she reluctantly climbed onto the emergency bed. Even as she lay there, Madeline clung tightly to my sleeve, pleading with me not to leave her side.

I followed as the medical staff wheeled her toward the elevator. Then, out of nowhere, she cried out, "Matt, I don't like them being in the elevator with us. Can you have them wait upstairs for us?"

I narrowed my eyes, uncertain. "Madeline, that doesn't seem appropriate."

She quickly added, her voice tinged with desperation, "Matt, I'm a middle-aged woman about to give birth. It's embarrassing... Please, just this once, I'm begging you."

Her words made me frown, but I reluctantly agreed.

Once the elevator doors opened, I pushed the bed inside. Five seconds later, we arrived on the upper floor, where the waiting doctors immediately took over. They briskly wheeled the emergency bed toward the operating room, leaving me standing at the threshold.

This time, everything should go smoothly, I told myself. She wouldn't have a reason to accuse me. I hadn't even touched her—how could she fabricate anything this time? Still, unease gnawed at my thoughts.

Soon after, Lily arrived, her strikingly beautiful face marred by anxiety. "Matt, is my mom okay?" she asked breathlessly.

I studied her for two seconds, then shook my head slightly. "She should be fine."

Two hours passed before the surgeon emerged from the operating room. His expression was grim as he shook his head and sighed. "The baby couldn't be saved. The patient's age was a critical factor, and I'm afraid she won't be able to conceive again."

Lily's face lit up with disbelief. She took two hurried steps toward me, her delicate features hardening. Before I could react, her hand shot out, slapping me hard across the right cheek.

"Matt!" she shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "Didn't you say my mom would be fine? How could she lose the baby?"

I touched my stinging cheek, my confusion and anger intertwining, leaving me restless and agitated. How could I have known she'd lose the baby again? I had made every preparation, ensured everything was flawless. How could this happen?

Moments later, her mother was wheeled out of the operating room, a pallor on her face, her hand tethered to IV lines. Her gaze found me, and in an instant, her eyes widened with rage. She pointed a trembling finger at me, her voice trembling with hatred.

"It was him! He's the one who killed my baby!"

That familiar accusation. The same actions, the same venomous glare.

The scene dragged me violently back to my past life, where I had stood in the same hospital, stunned and disbelieving. Back then, I couldn't fathom why my future mother-in-law, who had always favored me, would suddenly turn against me like this. Nor could I understand why Lily, the woman I loved, would believe her over me.

Chaos swirled in my mind as a familiar panic bubbled up inside me. Where had I gone wrong this time?

Lily's bloodshot eyes bore into me as she hurled furious accusations. "Say something! What did you do to cause my mom to miscarry? Did you push her?"

I frowned, my head throbbing from the pressure. "Lily, calm down."

But my words fell on deaf ears. Her hand flew again, slapping me hard across the other cheek. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she choked out, "My mom treated you so well, and this is how you repay her? Why would you push her into losing the baby?"

Lily had completely lost control.

I didn't understand it. Not long ago, when I was named the wealthiest man in the country, she had celebrated with unrestrained joy. She had told me she was the happiest woman in the world, swearing she'd rely on me for the rest of her life. I had indulged her, promising to take care of her.

But now? Now, there wasn't even a shred of trust in her eyes.

What did Lily truly want?

After a few more slaps landed across my face, I turned to the lead surgeon. "Doctor, I never touched her—not even once. How could she have a miscarriage?"

The doctor avoided my gaze, his expression tinged with a faint but unmissable trace of surprise. "When you went to the elevator, we didn't follow you."

I pressed further, my voice edged with frustration. "Isn't there surveillance in the elevator?"

"There isn't," he replied plainly.

In that moment, the ground beneath me seemed to crumble. My heart turned cold as stone.

Once again, I was being accused of causing Madeline to miscarry. Once again, the blame had fallen squarely on me.

Was I truly unable to escape the fate of my previous life?

Around me, the murmur of whispers began to rise. Though hushed, every cruel word was as clear as a blade cutting through the air.

"Who would've thought, someone dressed so properly could do something so vile."

"Causing his future mother-in-law to miscarry—how low can one get?"

"He should be ashamed of himself. Absolute trash."

Their words clung to me like filth I couldn't wash off.

I wanted to march into that hospital room and demand an explanation. I wanted to ask Madeline why she was slandering me like this. But before I could act, Lily stood in the doorway, her voice erupting like a sharp crack in the air.

"Matt! I'll never forgive you. Get out of my sight!"

She shoved me hard, and I stumbled back two steps before regaining my balance. Turning on my heel, I walked away, my mind a tangled mess as I dialed a number.

"Brian, investigate everyone Lily has been associating with recently."

Something wasn't right. Ever since I was reborn, the mysteries surrounding me had only grown deeper, spiraling further out of my control. It felt as though an invisible hand was manipulating every piece on the board, guiding my every move.

I had to be missing something.

When my assistant, Brian Conelly, sent over the photos and documents, I stared at them for a long time, my mind unable to process what I was seeing.

So that's how it was.

The truth hit me like a punch to the gut. I laughed until tears welled up, but it was a laugh filled with nothing but bitterness and self-mockery.

It was all a setup. I was my girlfriend's pawn.

The resentment of my past life and the anguish of this one crashed together in my chest, leaving me breathless. Unable to contain myself, I turned the car around and headed back to the hospital, gripping the so-called evidence tightly in my hand.

As I approached the door, I froze. Voices spilled out from the room, clear and unmistakable.

"Lily, do you think Matt will believe us?"

It was her mother's voice.

Lily's reply came light and careless, but every word cut into me like a knife. "Mom, he's an idiot. He's head over heels in love with me. Just keep pretending. I've already bribed the doctor. Don't let his status as the richest man fool you—his brain is as useless as a pig's."

She chuckled, her voice laced with mockery. "Soon, all his wealth will belong to us. Then, I'll finally be free to marry Lance."

The words hit me like a tidal wave, leaving my body cold and stiff.

So, she never loved me. She only wanted my money.

So, her mother had never been pregnant. They'd conspired with the doctor to deceive me.

So, the man she truly loved had always been someone else.

Suddenly, everything from my past life fell into place. Why the doctor had condemned me with such certainty. Why, overnight, my family's estate had been occupied by her relatives.

It all made sense now.

Rage burned inside me, threatening to consume me, but I didn't let it. Instead, I let it harden into resolve.

Fine, Lily. If you want to play this game, I'll play it with you. This time, I'll make sure the board is mine.