Chapter 1

On my twentieth birthday, my parents laid out photos of the most elite socialites in the country. They wanted me to pick a wife to secure our family's legacy.

In my past life, I chose Joelle Jones without a second thought. I had been head over heels for her since we were kids.

But after the wedding, I realized I had walked into a nightmare. Her true love, Kian Vance, had been so devastated by our marriage that he went on a bender at a dive bar. He got into a fight, and a thug sliced the tendons in his hands.

He tried to take his own life three times. Joelle was convinced I was the reason for his misery.

She spent our marriage draining my family's bank accounts to support her secret lover. She hollowed out the Sterling empire until there was nothing left.

In the end, she stood by and watched as Kian cut the brake lines on our car. My parents and I died in a mangled wreck on the highway.

Now, I've been given a second chance. I'm starting over.

This time, I chose Lia Lincoln. She's a quiet girl who avoids the spotlight, preferring meditation and spiritual retreats over high-society drama.

But when I walked into our engagement party with my arm around Lia, Joelle went absolutely ballistic.

1

I placed Lia Lincoln's photo in front of my parents. They shared a worried look, clearly concerned about my sudden change of heart.

"Sterling, we know you've been obsessed with Joelle since you were in diapers," my father said. "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

I shook my head firmly. "If this is what fate has dealt me, I want to see where it leads."

I already knew what happened when I forced a life with Joelle. It didn't just destroy me; it wiped out my entire family.

I wasn't going to let history repeat itself. This life was going to be different.

Seeing my resolve, my parents finally nodded in agreement.

"Fine. We'll talk to the Lincolns about the arrangements," my mother said. "But both families are high-profile. Let's keep this under wraps until the official party to avoid any gossip."

I agreed and headed out to a charity gala. But the vultures in the press must have smelled blood, because they swarmed me the second I hopped out of the car.

"Mr. Sterling! Have you decided which heiress will be the next Mrs. Sterling?" one reporter shouted.

Another didn't even wait for me to speak. "The Sterlings are the top family in the city. Every girl is dying to marry you, but we all know your heart belongs to Joelle Jones. Is it official yet?"

I looked up and locked eyes with Joelle as she walked into the lobby. She looked at me with the same coldness and disgust I remembered from my previous life.

"Excuse me, get out of my way," she snapped at the reporters.

Her bodyguards pushed the press aside. She immediately reached back and pulled a pale, sickly-looking Kian Vance to her side.

"I have only ever loved Kian," she announced to the cameras. "Even if my family forces me to marry someone else, I will never give that man a single ounce of my heart."

Kian looked moved, clutching her hand like a lifeline. He gave the cameras a watery smile.

The reporters scrambled to take photos. Some turned back to me, hoping to catch me looking heartbroken or humiliated.

A few rich trust-fund brats nearby started whispering and snickering at my expense.

"So what if he's the Sterling heir? Joelle doesn't want him," one whispered. "She'd rather have a guy from the slums than a billionaire like him."

"He's a joke," another added. "Just a backup character in Kian Vance's love story."

The mocking grew louder. Kian looked over at me and gave me a smug, taunting smirk.

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. I just turned away and focused on the event.

Of course, the organizers had seated her right next to me. Joelle sat down, her face tight with anger.

"Sterling, I've told you a thousand times I don't want to marry you," she hissed. "Why can't you just let it go?"

I had heard those words so many times in my past life. It used to cut me deep, but now I just felt a dull annoyance.

"I'm not holding onto you, Joelle," I said calmly.

She slammed her fist on the table, her eyes full of loathing.

"Then why are you forcing this? Just because the Sterlings are powerful doesn't mean you get to own my life!"

"You're trampling on my dignity," she continued. "Even if we do get married, I'll never even look at you."

She was right about that. In my last life, she never gave me anything but cold shoulders and resentment.

Kian walked over then, his eyes brimming with fake tears. Without warning, he dropped to his knees in front of everyone.

"Mr. Sterling, I know you hate me, but my parents are innocent," he sobbed. "You had your security kick them out of their apartment. My dad almost had a heart attack!"

"Please, just let us go," he begged. "If… if you want me to give up Joelle so you can have her, I'll do it… for my family."

He choked back a sob. Before I could even process his lies, Joelle was pulling him up, looking at me like I was a monster.

"This is between us, Sterling! Why are you attacking Kian's family?" she screamed.

Her accusations were completely out of left field. "I didn't do anything to his family," I said.

"You're a spoiled brat who thinks he can do whatever he wants because of his last name!" Joelle yelled.

Just then, a social climber scurried over with a fancy gift box.

"Miss Jones, a little early engagement gift for you and Mr. Sterling…"

Before the man could finish, Joelle snatched the box and hurled it at my face in front of the entire crowd.

"Apologize to Kian, Sterling!" she demanded.

"Otherwise, I don't care if the Jones family is beneath yours. I'll refuse the marriage! I won't marry a man this cruel!"