Chapter 1

My marriage to Jasper Lucas was built on a web of lies. He used a vintage glass lantern to convince me he was my childhood sweetheart, Quentin. I believed him with every fiber of my being.

I poured my family's fortune and influence into his career, helping him climb the political ladder until he held the city in his hands. But behind my back, he was sleeping with Becca Hayes. He even planned a lavish ceremony to bring her into our home.

When I refused, they turned my world into a graveyard. On their wedding night, they raided my family home. I watched my parents scream and struggle as the flames devoured them.

I wailed in agony, but my cries were met with their cold, heartless laughter. Jasper took the very necklace I gave him as a token of my love and used it to strangle the life out of me.

As I lay dying, Jasper smashed the glass lantern into a thousand shards. Only then did I realize that everything―every memory, every promise―was a fake.

With my final breath, I cursed them. "Jasper, Becca... I swear, if there's a next life, I'll drag you both to hell!" They just laughed harder.

Becca sneered, "Macy Vance, a loser like you couldn't beat me in a hundred lifetimes. Just die already!"

She pulled out a knife and plunged it straight into my heart. She grinned like a demon. "I think you're dying too slowly. Let me help you along."

I died in the bitter cold of that winter night, my body tossed into the wilderness like trash. And then, I woke up.

1

I opened my eyes and found myself back five years in the past. I was sitting in the Lucas family's living room, surrounded by his relatives. We were all waiting for Jasper to return from his big promotion ceremony.

Jasper walked in, and he wasn't alone. Becca Hayes was clinging to his arm. She was his so-called "white moonlight," his first love.

In my past life, she was the one who orchestrated my family's massacre. She stood there now, looking like a total siren, exuding a cheap, flirtatious vibe. She gripped his arm tighter, making sure I saw how close they were.

Jasper beamed as he introduced her to the family, then turned to me with a smug look. I kept my face blank, but my mind was a storm of fury.

Jasper started as a low-level officer, but thanks to my family's connections, he'd become a high-ranking official. The Lucas family had skyrocketed into the elite circles of Buck Ridge.

But Jasper was never satisfied. He dreamed of ultimate power, of being a kingmaker. In my previous life, I ran myself ragged to make that happen.

My cousin knew a man―the leader of the Zenith Syndicate. That man had connections to the Shadow King, the most powerful figure in the country.

I had foolishly opened that door for Jasper, paving his way to the top. This time, I wouldn't be so stupid.

I buried my hatred under a mask of my usual gentle devotion. "Husband, don't worry," I said softly. "If she's coming into this house, we're family now."

Jasper nodded, looking relieved. "Macy, I'm glad you're being so understanding," he said, his voice dripping with fake sincerity.

"You're so kind, Macy," Becca chirped, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. "It's such a blessing to be sisters with you."

As she spoke, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She was wearing a jade lily earring. It was part of my bridal dowry, a gift from my mother. Jasper had already started giving my things to his mistress.