Chapter 3

3.

The White family's car was already waiting outside. I grabbed my suitcase and looked back at the happy family of three.

My father was rubbing his temples tiredly. My mother was coddling Chloe. Chloe flashed me a victory smirk when they weren't looking.

I watched the show with cold eyes. You idiot, I thought. You think stealing my old path will give you a happy ending?

In this life, I'm going to let you experience exactly what it feels like to be trapped in a living hell.

The White mansion was even more magnificent than I remembered. In my past life, Chloe used to brag about its luxury.

Back then, I was too busy worrying about the company's cash flow to care. Now that I was here, her descriptions didn't do it justice.

"Miss Sullivan, we have arrived." The driver opened the door respectfully.

I stepped out and looked up at the building. It looked like a modern European castle.

The Whites were the true kings of the city's elite. Their reach was global. Even politicians had to show them respect.

If our grandfathers hadn't been war buddies, the Sullivans would never have been considered for an alliance.

"So, you're Nina Sullivan?" A lazy male voice came from the side.

I turned and saw a tall man leaning against a marble pillar. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing a sharp collarbone.

He held a cigarette between his fingers. Through the smoke, his narrow eyes studied me. This was Byron White.

The demon who had tortured Chloe to the brink of death in my past life. "Hello, Mr. White."

I nodded slightly. I let a strand of hair fall over my ear. Chloe had said Byron hated women who tried too hard.

Surprisingly, Byron stood up straight and crushed his cigarette. He walked over and stopped right in front of me.

Then, he reached out and tucked that strand of hair behind my ear. "You can just call me husband."

His voice was deep, carrying a hint of a smile that was hard to read. "My fiancée doesn't need to be so formal."

I froze. This was completely different from the cold, heartless monster Chloe had described.

"What? Did I scare you?" Byron smirked and leaned closer to my ear.

"Don't worry. I'm very... gentle with women." His warm breath hit my ear.

I stepped back instinctively. He immediately caught my wrist. "My cute fiancée, shouldn't we work on our relationship?"

I knew Byron wasn't as harmless as he looked. I pulled my hand away, feeling awkward. "Where is my room?"

Byron's lips curved into a strange arc. He led me into the villa. "Your room is right next to mine."

He pushed open a carved wooden door. "Tell the butler if you need anything." The room was three times the size of my old bedroom.

It was decorated in low-key blues and grays. There was a private balcony. I walked to the window and saw it overlooked a rose garden.

"Do you like it?" Byron leaned against the doorframe. "I had it prepared specifically for you."

I turned to him, more surprised than anything. "Mr. White... Byron, when is the wedding date set for?"

"What's the rush?" He chuckled. "Is my fiancée that eager to marry me?" My heart skipped a beat.

He gave me one last meaningful look and turned to leave. Only when his footsteps faded did I let out a long breath.

Something was wrong. Everything was wrong. Byron's attitude toward me was nothing like how he treated Chloe.

Did my choice trigger a butterfly effect? I checked my phone. I had over a dozen missed calls, all from Chloe.

I sneered and ignored them. When I was slaving for the company in my last life, she never showed this much "concern."

A text popped up. "Nina, why aren't you picking up? I'm worried. Is the White family being mean? Is Byron scary? Do you want me to visit?"

I replied: "Everything is fine. Byron is a gentleman. You should worry about the company. I heard creditors showed up today?"

The phone rang less than ten seconds after I sent the message. I smiled and picked up.

"Nina Sullivan, what are you bragging about? Byron being nice? You're just trying to make me jealous!"

I stayed silent. Chloe probably thought she had called my bluff and grew even more arrogant.

"Stop pretending. When you start crying, don't you dare come back begging for a job at my company!"

I just gave a faint smile. "Worry about your debt collectors first." I hung up and laughed silently.

Chloe, enjoy the first big gift of your rebirth.