Chapter 2

Chapter 2

In my past life, on the day Chase and I got married, Vivian took her own life in a hotel room.

Chase abandoned me at the altar without hesitation, rushing off to find her.

I thought her death would forever remain a thorn between us. Watching him look so shattered broke my heart too.

Just when I had accepted that we would inevitably part ways, Chase pulled me into his arms.

"Maya, you're the only one I have left now," he whispered.

After our wedding, he treated me like royalty. He handled every household chore and never let me lift a finger.

No matter how hectic his schedule was, he always came home on time for dinner. He even hired male assistants exclusively, claiming he never wanted any misunderstandings.

All my friends envied me for landing such a devoted husband.

I genuinely believed I was the luckiest woman in the world.

Yet, on our tenth wedding anniversary, Chase slaughtered me in cold blood.

He blamed me for stealing his happiness, skinning me alive and bleeding me dry.

So when I woke up back in the past, my only desire was to stay far away from both of them.

Even after mentally preparing myself, seeing Chase looking so radiant still sent a dull ache through my chest.

He was standing outside the office building with Vivian.

The way he looked at her was tender enough to melt steel.

Catching sight of me walking down the steps, Chase's expression shifted, and he immediately cast a protective glance at Vivian.

Looking at him, old memories flooded back.

In my previous life, I was constantly picking fights with him over Vivian.

Whenever things escalated, Chase would glare at me with utter disgust. "Vivian and I are just friends now! She's emotionally fragile. Stop being so dramatic and don't trigger her! Stay away from her!"

After yelling at me, he would storm off and take Vivian on luxury vacations.

At twenty-four, Chase had never learned how to hide his true feelings.

He was like a porcupine, presenting his soft underbelly to Vivian while aiming every sharp quill at me.

I lowered my head and hurried past them.

Vivian called out to me, her voice dripping with artificial innocence. "Miss Hayes, Chase is only keeping me company. Please don't fight with him because of me."

"None of the guys are bringing their girlfriends to the party tonight. Please don't overthink it…"

"Chase, look, she's mad at you. Go comfort her."

Chase let out a doting chuckle and waved his hand dismissively. "Maya wouldn't dare throw a tantrum. She knows her place these days."

"Besides, if I pamper her, you'll be upset. And I could never bear to see you unhappy."

I froze in my tracks.

His words struck like a dagger straight to my heart.

Seeing that I hadn't left, Chase frowned in annoyance.

"What are you still standing there for? Looking at you pisses me off," he snapped.

"By the way, Vivian is starting work at our firm tomorrow. I'll be driving her to and from the office every day. Keep your distance so you don't ruin her mood."

The following morning, with puffy red eyes, I handed in the project proposal I had stayed up all night finishing.

Attached to it was my letter of resignation.

Leaving the director's office, I returned to my cubicle to pack my belongings.

A sudden commotion at the entrance drew my attention.

It was Chase and Vivian.

They were wearing matching outfits, laughing and chatting as they walked in side by side.

Chase's hand rested protectively on the small of her back.

His eyes were filled with adoration.

To anyone watching, they looked like the perfect couple.