Chapter 1

On the rainy night his true love died, my husband drove our car off a cliff at full speed, taking me with him.

It was only then that I realized how much he hated me. He blamed me for tearing him and Celine Vance apart.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of my wedding to Pierce Sterling.

This time, he didn't hesitate to throw the wedding rings aside and run toward Celine, who was waiting outside the chapel.

I didn't cry or make a scene. I simply stood there and calmly announced that the wedding was canceled.

While they were loudly flaunting their relationship to the world, I accepted someone else's proposal.

In this life, Pierce and I became total strangers.

It wasn't until eight years later that we crossed paths again at a high-end auction.

I didn't hesitate to spend a fortune to outbid everyone for the centerpiece of the night―a pair of diamond cufflinks.

As I was preparing to leave, Pierce blocked my path. He frowned, looking at me with disdain.

"Stop wasting your time, Daphne. Even if you bought every pair of cufflinks in the world for me, I wouldn't love you. Celine is the only one in my heart."

I ignored him completely. Instead, I reached out to hold the hand of a beautiful little girl standing next to me.

"Sweetie, say hello to the nice man," I said softly.

Looking at the child's face, which was a mirror image of mine, Pierce's eyes suddenly turned red. He grabbed my wrist with a death grip.

"Is she our daughter?"

1

I had just taken the sapphire cufflinks from the staff when a voice, both strange and hauntingly familiar, sounded behind me.

"Daphne Reed, I didn't think you still loved me this much. It's been eight years, and you still remembered my birthday!"

My body froze for a second. I never imagined I would ever have to see Pierce Sterling again in this lifetime.

Before I could say a word, Celine Vance, who was clinging to his arm, spoke up first.

"Daphne, long time no see. Pierce and I are getting married next month. You're more than welcome to attend."

The people who hadn't left the hall yet began to gather around, offering their congratulations to the couple.

"I heard Mr. Sterling just closed that massive real estate deal downtown. Now a wedding? Double blessings!" someone cheered.

"They look so perfect together. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling will surely have a long, happy life," another added.

Celine basked in the flattery, pressing herself closer to Pierce while shooting me a triumphant look.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd asked a curious question.

"Mr. Sterling, I heard you two got engaged eight years ago. Why did it take so long to finally get married?"

Honestly, I was a little curious about that myself.

In my past life, Pierce was so obsessed with Celine that he forced me to die with him when she passed away.

After I was reborn, he didn't care about our families' ties at all and ditched me at the altar.

I assumed they would have rushed to get married to make up for the time they lost.

Yet, here I was with a daughter old enough to run errands, and they still hadn't tied the knot.

Celine's smile stiffened at the question.

Pierce squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with a scripted devotion.

"I was focused on building my empire back then. My wife deserves only the best, and a perfect wedding takes time to plan."

I remembered my own wedding to Pierce. He had screamed at me in front of the boutique staff because the dress I liked was over his budget.

I guess that was the difference between being loved and being a burden.

I didn't want to watch their little show anymore, but as I turned to leave, someone recognized me.

"Miss Reed? I can't believe you were the one who placed that record-breaking bid! When did you get back to the States?"

The man's eyes darted between me, Pierce, and Celine, filled with gossip.

Pierce leaving me at the altar eight years ago wasn't a secret. Everyone in the city knew I used to love him more than my own life.

Feeling the judgmental stares, I remained calm.

"I just got back a few days ago. I have things to do, so I'll be going now."

This time, it was Pierce who called out to me.

"Daphne, aren't you forgetting something?"

I frowned, not catching his drift.

Pierce gave a mocking laugh.

"You know I collect sapphire cufflinks. You made such a scene bidding for them today just to get my attention, didn't you?"

"Too bad for you, Celine is the only one I love. But since you went through the trouble, I'll buy them from you."

He pulled out a checkbook and held a pen ready.

I found the situation hilarious and pathetic at the same time. To avoid a scene, I kept my voice polite.

"Mr. Sterling, you're mistaken. These cufflinks aren't for you."

Celine let out a sharp, annoying scoff.

"Daphne, stop acting. Pierce and I know your family went bankrupt years ago. Your parents only tried to sell you to the Sterlings to save themselves!"

"Pierce is being generous by offering you money. You should take it while you can."

"Just one thing―we're getting married soon. I hope you aren't planning on being a homewrecker."

Pierce jumped in immediately.

"I know it was wrong of me to leave you at the wedding, but love can't be forced. I wouldn't love you if you waited eighty years, let alone eight."

"If the money isn't enough, I'll add another million. Consider it compensation for the trouble I caused you back then."

They were tag-teaming me, not giving me a chance to speak.

Pierce pulled out his phone, tapped a few times, and his face suddenly went pale.

"You deleted me from your contacts?"