On the night of our wedding, my husband’s childhood sweetheart, Sabrina Young, posted a cryptic message online—she was standing on the edge of a cliff, threatening to jump.

Panic-stricken, my husband sprang up, ready to rush to her side.

But his father grabbed his arm and said coldly, “If you don’t stay and complete the wedding tonight, the Linwood family will no longer acknowledge you as our son.”

In the end, he stayed.

The next day, news broke—Sabrina had fallen off the cliff. Dead.

But my husband didn’t cry. He didn’t even flinch. His eyes were dry. His expression blank.

Thirty years later, after I had given my youth, loyalty, and health to the Linwood family, I lay gravely ill on my deathbed. That was when my husband brought our son into the room—and poured gasoline all over me.

“Claire,” he sneered, “if you hadn’t clung to the Linwood family for status, I could’ve lived happily with Sabrina.”

His next words crushed whatever life I had left in me.

“To be honest, that son you raised so lovingly—he was never yours. He’s a test-tube baby, made using Sabrina’s egg. You raised her child for thirty years! Are you mad? Are you in pain?”

He lit the match.

I died engulfed in flames—betrayed, broken, and alone.

Then I opened my eyes.

And I was back. Back in the bridal chamber. Back on our wedding night.

——

“If you don’t stay and complete the wedding today, the Linwood family will not have you as a son!”

Mr. Linwood’s stern voice rang in my ears.

The sting of fire still haunted my skin. My whole body trembled as the weight of my past life came crashing down on me.

Crimson ribbons and floral garlands adorned the room. The air smelled of fresh flowers and incense. It was real—I was reborn.

Ethan Linwood stood nearby, his eyes bloodshot, his expression twisted in resentment.

“Don’t think I’ll fall in love with you just because you forced me to stay,” he spat. “I’ll hate you for the rest of my life!”

His voice—vicious and cold—echoed the same hatred he’d shown when he burned me alive.

A chill swept through my bones. My fingers shook uncontrollably.

Mr. Linwood turned toward me, his voice softer now. “Don’t mind him, Claire. He’s just angry.”

“I watched you grow up. You’re capable, smart, and far better than Sabrina in every way.”

He patted my shoulder warmly. “Take care of Ethan. The ceremony starts in half an hour.”

As he walked out, cane tapping steadily, Ethan suddenly hurled a teacup at me.

“You’re so ugly you shouldn't be seen in that bridal makeup. How dare you compare yourself to Sabrina? You disgust me!”

The cup shattered against my forehead. A sharp sting followed. Blood trickled down my face.

But I didn’t cry. This pain was nothing compared to the agony I endured in my past life.

Ethan froze. For a split second, guilt flickered in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you dodge?” he muttered.

Then his face twisted again, cruel and mocking. “Oh, I get it. You’re trying to get sympathy—bleed a little, then go crying to my parents like a pitiful little puppet.”

“Claire, you’re a shameless, disgusting woman.”

As he hurled insult after insult, something inside me broke free.

For years, I have tried so hard. Tried to win him over. Tried to be enough.

But now I saw the truth: it had all been a cruel joke.

My parents, loyal employees of the Linwood family, had died in a car crash saving Mr. Linwood’s life. I was five when they took me in, raised me like one of their own.

Back then, Ethan used to cling to me, calling me "sister," trailing behind me wherever I went.

Until Sabrina arrived.

Her defiance, her wildness—it fascinated him. And from then on, he was lost to her.

Mr. Linwood quickly sensed the danger—Ethan was becoming completely entangled in Sabrina’s web. Fearing his son would be ruined, he rushed to arrange our marriage.

At the time, I had just completed my PhD and had been offered a coveted position at the National Laboratory. But because of this sudden engagement, I gave it all up.

Over the next thirty years, I devoted myself—mind, body, and soul—to the Linwood family. I poured all my knowledge into the company’s pharmaceutical R&D, personally pushing Linwood Pharmaceuticals from a regional name in Bridgefield into one of the nation’s top three pharmaceutical giants.

And what did I get in return?

Illness from overwork. Betrayal. A fire that consumed me. Death without even a place to be buried.

To Ethan, our marriage was a shackle that tore him away from his precious Sabrina.

But to me—it was a sacrifice. A repayment of the debt I owed to the Linwood family for raising me.

And now, with everything I remember from my previous life, I have made up my mind.

I turned to face Ethan, who still looked at me like I had ruined his world. I walked calmly to the door, opened it, and said evenly:

"Since your heart was never in this, our engagement is void. You're free to go."

Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if the words had slapped him.

"You schemed for years just to become the young madam of the Linwood family," he accused. "Now that you're finally about to succeed, you're suddenly having a change of heart? Don't act so noble!"

I looked at the suspicion in his eyes and felt a familiar exhaustion wash over me.

In my past life, I had bent over backwards out of gratitude to the Linwood family. I had tolerated Ethan’s disdain, even his cruelty, like a loyal dog begging for scraps of affection.

But under Sabrina’s manipulative whispering, the entire elite circle in Bridgefield saw me as nothing more than an opportunistic orphan—someone who cozied up to the Lin couple in order to climb the social ladder by marrying a second-generation heir.

As long as Ethan’s heart remained with Sabrina, anything I said would sound like a lie.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. “Say what you want. No matter how lowly you think I am, I always saw you as family. Even if we can’t be husband and wife, I have no desire to become your enemy.”

For a moment, Ethan faltered. His expression softened into something hesitant—something almost innocent. For the first time in years, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the boy who used to call me ‘sister’ and follow me everywhere.

“Fine,” he said slowly. “I’ll trust you… just this once.”

He quickly changed into casual clothes.

With my help, Ethan snuck out through the security net the Linwood family had set up around the estate. He disappeared into the night without a trace.

By the time Mr. Linwood found out, Ethan had already reunited with Sabrina—and the two had posted a video online, kissing in a hotel bed, proudly flaunting their reunion on Instagram Story.

Enraged, Mr. Linwood smashed his phone on the spot and had no choice but to announce the postponement of the wedding.

It wasn’t until the next day, just before noon, that Ethan returned.

He walked hand-in-hand with Sabrina, grinning smugly. His collar was deliberately loose, revealing hickeys all over his neck. The message was clear: the night had been passionate.

“Dad,” Ethan said shamelessly, “Sab and I love each other. The rice is cooked. Who knows—maybe your grandchild is already in her belly. Just give us your blessing!”

They acted like I wasn’t even in the room. Clinging to each other, whispering sweet nothings, flaunting their love like a trophy.

Mr. Linwood’s face was thunderous. “You’re blinded by obsession—throwing yourself into a pit of fire!”

But in the end, he could do nothing. He turned to Sabrina and warned, “Now that you're part of this family, you’d better behave. No more reckless scandals that embarrass us!”

Ethan, taking that as a green light, grinned from ear to ear.

Sabrina, ever bold, cast a sideways glance at me and sneered.

“Since Ethan and I are getting married, there’s no reason for you, an outsider, to stay in the Linwood family anymore.”

Her words caused both Mr. Linwood and Ethan to stiffen. Ethan frowned slightly and tugged her sleeve. “Sabrina, that’s enough.”

“What do you mean, enough?” she said, shaking him off. “Every time I see her face, I remember how she shamelessly tried to steal you away from me. It disgusts me!”

She turned to me with eyes full of scorn, lips curling into a malicious smile.

“Unless, of course, you want to crawl on your knees and bark like a dog—swear loyalty to the Linwood family forever. Maybe then I’ll throw you a bone and let you stay!”

The moment Sabrina’s words fell, I locked eyes with him.

I had given in once before—because I was too afraid to repeat the same mistake.

This time, I wouldn’t back down.

My gaze pierced straight through him, and for a second, he flinched, as if my silence burned more than any insult ever could.

Grinding his teeth, Sabrina forced a sneer.

"What? You think you can glare at me just because Mr. Linwood is here? You’re just an outsider—are you planning to attack his future daughter-in-law in front of him?"

Before I could speak, Mr. Linwood’s cold snort broke through the room.

“Hmph! If you hadn’t opened your mouth, I might’ve mistaken you for the head of this family. You seem awfully comfortable giving orders, Sabrina.”

His sarcasm was sharp, deliberate—and most importantly, on my side.

Sabrina's face twitched. Even with her shamelessness, being publicly rebuked like that stung.

He turned quickly to Ethan and clutched his arm, pouting in feigned innocence.

“Baby, help me out here! Say something for me, won’t you?”

Ethan looked awkward. He hesitated, then finally turned to me.

“Claire, this is your decision now. Either you do what Sab said, or—”

“No need to waste your breath,” I cut him off flatly. “I never intended to stay.”

My words made Mr. Linwood lurch to his feet in alarm.

“What? No. That can’t happen!”

He stepped forward and gripped my shoulders tightly, voice filled with both urgency and disappointment.

“You’re Linwood’s chief pharmaceutical expert! If you leave, what will happen to those unfinished drug projects? They were your life’s work!”

I smiled, gently prying his hands away.

I knew he wasn’t thinking about profits or market impact.

He just didn’t want me to go.

“Sir,” I said softly, “all the research data is already documented. I’ve personally filed everything, and your expert team will be able to complete the rest without any issues.”

I wasn’t angry. On the contrary, I felt lighter than I had in years.

“As long as you appoint professionals and keep people like Sabrina from interfering, Linwood Pharmaceuticals will be fine.”

I turned to leave, but not before offering one last reminder.

“It’s a pity I can’t stay to help any longer. I hope you find the real heir soon.”

My words struck a nerve.

“What do you mean by that?!” Sabrina exploded. “Are you implying Ethan and I aren’t qualified?”

I didn’t even look at him.

Instead, I turned back to Mr. Linwood, offering a slight bow.

“Sir, Claire is officially leaving.”

I took a step toward the door—but Sabrina rushed ahead, blocking my way with outstretched arms.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

“If you want to leave, then leave the way you came in! Everything you’re wearing, every piece of jewelry, even the car you drove here—none of it belongs to you! The Linwood family paid for all of it. How shameless can you be, trying to walk out like a queen?”

His eyes narrowed, full of venom. He was clearly looking for a fight now.

I stared him down, my voice was like ice.

“If you’re so desperate to find fault, try using facts next time.”

I took a step closer and said, calmly but with unmistakable force:

“In just the past two years, I developed three new pharmaceutical patents for Lin’s. Each has generated an average net profit of over 10 billion.”

“Thirty billion. Do you really think these clothes and a car can’t be bought with that?”

Sabrina’s mouth twitched, the color draining from his face.

He had no comeback. Not one.

I didn’t say it to brag—I said it so he’d understand one thing clearly:

I wasn’t being kicked out.

I was walking away—on my terms.

But just as I turned again to leave, Ethan stepped in front of me and bit his lip, his voice suddenly low and bitter.

“Claire... all that effort... was just to repay the Linwood family for raising you?”