Chapter 2

2

Five days later, at Vera's memorial service.

The moment I arrived, Mason glared at me with furious eyes.

"Dad, what the hell is this? You donated all your assets to charity?"

"Are you trying to ruin us?"

Right then, my younger brother, Clay, stepped forward and slapped Mason across the face.

"You ungrateful bastard! Did you ever treat him like a father? He has stomach cancer and doesn't have much time left!"

"You vultures only care about the Evans family fortune. Get the hell out of here!"

In my youth, I worked tirelessly for Vera and the boys, often skipping meals and living on black coffee.

That wrecked my stomach.

Getting stomach cancer was on me, a consequence of my own devotion.

I pulled a folder from my coat and looked calmly at the two brothers.

"I'm not leaving you a single penny. You never cared about me as a father; all you wanted was my money."

"Let's see how you two survive without my wealth."

I had already signed the updated will and handed it to my attorney.

It was legally binding.

Seeing that their golden ticket was gone, Mason threw a vicious punch right at my jaw.

"You old bastard! If you won't let us live, I'll kill you first!"

A sharp agony ripped through me, making me gasp.

Ignoring the horrified gasps of the guests, the two brothers began beating and kicking me mercilessly on the ground.

Gradually, darkness closed in, and my consciousness slipped away.

In my final moments, memories of forty years of devotion to Vera and these two boys flashed before my eyes.

It had all been a sickening lie. I had been played for forty years!

If I could start over, I would never live such a pathetic life again.

Finally, I died, beaten to death by the two boys I raised.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the exact day Vera asked me to marry her.

"Carter, let's get married!"

Vera's sweet, familiar voice rang in my ears.

I froze. Did I really travel back in time?

All around us, our friends in the lounge were cheering and whistling.

I looked down at Vera, who was throwing her arms around me.

"Do you actually love me?"

Vera paused, caught off guard.

"What do you mean? I'm agreeing to marry you, so of course I love you."

Just like in my previous life, she hugged me tightly and proposed.

Back then, I cried like a grateful child, genuinely believing my devotion had finally won her heart.

I never imagined I was just her backup plan, her designated fool.

Seeing the slight guilt flickering in her eyes, I smirked.

"Forget it, Vera. We're not right for each other."

Vera didn't expect that answer, and her expression instantly hardened.

"What did you just say? Say that again!"

"I said we aren't a good match. You should go find Kyle Lucas. I'd be happy to step aside," I replied, staring straight into her eyes.

Vera frowned deeply and grabbed my hand in a panic.

"Listen to me, Carter! Kyle is in the past. I don't love him anymore!"

"You have to trust me. I really love you, and I truly want to marry you."

"Haven't you always wanted to be with me? Don't you want to marry me anymore?"

I let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

"If you had told me this in the past, I would've said yes in a heartbeat."

"But coming to me in your current condition? Don't you think that's disgusting?"

Vera instinctively placed a hand over her lower belly, looking at me with pure panic.

"What are you talking about, Carter? I don't understand. Please believe me, I truly love you."

I coldly shoved her hand away.

"Vera, I did a lot of foolish things for you in the past. I admit I was an idiot."

"But using me as a safety net to cover your secret? That's crossing the line."

"Let's just end this cleanly. From now on, we walk separate paths. Don't ever bother me again."

With that, I turned around and walked out right in front of everyone.