My childhood companion went missing while hiking, but this time, instead of searching the Alps myself, I contacted the rescue team.

In my previous life, I slipped and broke my leg trying to save him. Out of gratitude, the Larson family arranged for him to marry me. I thought my long-held crush had finally blossomed into reality, and with a heart full of joy, I agreed. But for twenty years of marriage, he was utterly indifferent to me, never once meeting my eyes.

It wasn't until the day a fire broke out in a shopping center that, sitting in a wheelchair, I used my whole body to hold up the collapsing debris, pushing him and my daughter into the safety of an escape route while I was crushed under the shelves. They didn't try to save me; instead, they mocked: "Serves you right. You broke up Dad and Elaine. You, this cripple, should have died long ago!"

Rhett Larson even pulled Elaine Price into his arms, exclaiming, "Thank God, we can finally be together!" Watching the three of them standing united, I died with resentment.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day he went missing. This time, I would let them have what they wanted.

---

“Giovanna, you just won the mountain climbing challenge last month and you’re familiar with this terrain. You’re the only one who can find Rhett. Please, go save him,” Rhett’s brother, Reid Perez, pleaded with me, his voice riddled with worry.

In my past life, he did the same thing, urging me to save Rhett by insisting that the rescue team was too slow. Overcome with concern, I ignored the treacherous mountain path and hurried into the depths of the forest with a climbing rope in hand. When I finally found Rhett stranded on a ledge, I lost my footing while trying to save him and ended up breaking both my legs.

At that thought, I shook off Reid's grip and said coolly, "The rescue team has professional equipment and search experience—far better than anything I can do."

He frowned and insisted, "The rescue team won't arrive for at least half an hour; Rhett can't wait that long." Seeing my lack of response, he added, "Your childhood friend is missing, and you're just going to sit back and do nothing? Giovanna, do you have no conscience?"

It was laughable.

In my last life, I risked everything to save Rhett, and what did it get me? Twenty years of emotional abuse. His disdainful looks. His cruel words when he held Elaine and said, "Seeing you makes me sick."

The first time I caught him kissing Elaine, I asked for a divorce. He refused, saying he didn’t want to worry his parents. After that, his coldness only grew, day by day, until I was drowning in self-doubt. I thought my disability was why he and our daughter didn’t like me.

It wasn’t until I lay dying, listening to their harsh words, that I realized how absurd my devotion had been.

This time, I refuse to make the same mistakes.

“If you really want to save him, then contact the rescue team right away,” I said steadily, not bothering to glance at Reid’s shocked expression as I turned to leave.

He grabbed my wrist again, disbelief etched on his face. “Giovanna, how did you become so cold-hearted? If you walk away now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!”

The cold rain pounded against my skin, momentarily bringing back the bone-chilling cold from the cliff fall of my past life. I pulled my hand free and walked away, ignoring the raging voice that echoed behind me.

When the rescue team found Rhett, his right arm was severely fractured. The news spread rapidly on Facebook, and friends were quick to criticize me.

"This woman is always trailing behind Rhett like a shadow. But when things get tough, she's out of there quicker than anyone. How can she even dream of becoming Mrs. Larson with such spineless behavior?"

"I heard Giovanna Woods had a chance to help Rhett but chose to stand by and do nothing. She was just waiting for him to get hurt. Such a heartless person."

"After this mess, Rhett is definitely done with her."

Listening to these so-called friends throw insults, I felt detached. In another life, I had risked everything to save Rhett, only to be met with his apathetic gaze as I lay dying. Even our own son, despite my efforts to take him to parks and push through my own disability in a wheelchair, ignored me because Elaine Price had taken him to Disneyland a few times, and he started calling her ‘mom,’ embarrassed by me.

I owed nothing to Rhett or our son. I had already done my part by notifying a friend to call the rescue team. That was more than enough.

Because of this incident, when Rhett woke up in the hospital, he was determined to see me despite his arm being in a cast.

"Giovanna, thank you for not saving me."

With his one good arm wrapped around Elaine, he added, "I came here specifically to tell you that my parents have agreed to my marriage to Elaine. The wedding is next month."

I smiled indifferently and said, "Congratulations."

In that previous life, my marriage to Rhett stemmed from two reasons: first, I had once saved his life, and second, his parents had discovered Elaine's pattern of switching wealthy benefactors for money, rejecting her for the Larson family.

But Rhett had accused me of using my good deed to manipulate his parents into the marriage, treating me with coldness for two decades.

This time, because I didn't save Rhett, his parents finally consented to the marriage he had always wanted.

I said calmly, "Rhett, you've finally gotten what you wished for."

Rhett briefly seemed surprised by my composure, then his tone became more intense.

"Giovanna, I hope you stick to that and never bother me again."

With that, as if to wound me deliberately, he kissed Elaine passionately right in front of me.

"Rhett, you're awful. You'll make Giovanna jealous," Elaine purred in an annoying voice.

Feeling utterly disgusted, I ignored them and turned to leave.

I thought that after our last encounter, Rhett and I wouldn't cross paths again. However, the Larson family sent an invitation for Royce's eightieth birthday celebration, and my parents were conveniently traveling abroad. The elders of the Larson family had always been generous towards me, and considering the close ties between our families, I couldn't decline and had to attend.

Midway through the banquet, seeking a respite from the lively crowd, I made my way to the terrace for some air. As I turned, I unexpectedly collided with someone. A sharp crash echoed as a porcelain piece toppled to the floor. The antique Victorian vase shattered, its fragments scattering at my feet. Looking up, I was met with Rhett's furious gaze, his right arm in a sling.

Elaine, standing beside him, gasped and covered her mouth. "Giovanna, you can be so careless! This vase from the Victorian Era was something Rhett specifically found for Grandpa Royce. There are fewer than ten of them in the world."

As soon as she finished speaking, murmurs swept through the crowd.

"That was a priceless antique. Giovanna's really reckless."

"I heard Rhett had been planning this birthday gift for months. Now it's ruined. Such a shame."

Reid barged through the gathering onlookers, shouting angrily, "Giovanna Woods, first you left Rhett in harm's way, and now you've ruined Grandpa Royce's gift. You're truly heartless!"

His accusation sparked a wave of whispers:

"Giovanna grew up with Rhett, how could she act so cold-hearted at a family event?"

"If you ask me, she should be shown the door before she causes more embarrassment."

Rhett sneered, his disdain clear. "Giovanna, how many more stunts do you have planned? Do you think this will make me pay more attention to you? It's pathetic."

In the next moment, he seized my neck with his left hand, his voice seething with anger. "Three hundred thousand dollars. I expect ten times that—three million—or I won't let this slide."

I struggled as his grip tightened further.

Elaine used the opportunity to pretend she was intervening while delivering another jab, "Rhett, don't be mad. I'm sure Giovanna didn't mean to do it. Maybe she was just desperate for your attention..."

Before she could finish, Rhett shoved me away forcefully. I stumbled back several steps, nearly losing my balance.

"Giovanna, I warned you not to bother me again!" His eyes were cold, as if he found me utterly repulsive.

Elaine approached me with her innocent act, soothingly saying, "Giovanna, get up. As a woman of standing, you shouldn't cling to Rhett and embarrass yourself..."

Yet, just as she was about to touch me, she dramatically fell backwards, landing on the floor.

"Sister, I was trying to help you up. Why did you push me?"

The banquet hall erupted instantly. Insults rushed towards me like a tidal wave.

Rhett, barely steady on his feet, helped Elaine up, ensuring she was unharmed before he turned to face me, expression dark. He raised his left hand and slapped me hard.

"Giovanna, have you lost your mind?!"