Chapter 1

To save Grayson Wilde from the fire, I inhaled too much smoke and became a vegetable.

Grayson swore to my parents that he would take care of me forever.

Once he gained their trust, he slowly drained my family's fortune.

Then, he personally pulled the plug on my oxygen.

Only after my death did I learn the truth about that fire.

It happened because his obsession, Cora, said one thing. "Looking at those books gives me a headache. I wish a fire would just burn them all away."

Reborn into this life, I didn't hesitate to point out the arsonist to the police.

1

"Oh my God, the library is on fire! Everyone, run!"

"Is everyone out? Who's still in there?"

"Professor, I think Grayson Wilde is still inside!"

The chaotic screams filled my ears until someone grabbed my arm. "Lyra Vance, where's Grayson? Is he in there?"

I finally snapped back to reality.

This was the scene of the library fire during our senior year.

"No," I said without a single doubt.

I looked at the building as smoke billowed out. A cold smile touched my lips.

In my previous life, I threw myself into those flames to save him.

I ended up as a living corpse, rotting in a hospital bed for ten years.

Do you know how agonizing that was? I could hear my parents' desperate pleas and their constant crying.

But I couldn't wake up.

Day after day, year after year.

Grayson, as my boyfriend, knelt before my parents. He promised to guard me for the rest of his life.

I was so moved back then. I thought I hadn't saved the wrong person. I thought he loved me.

After winning my parents' trust, he played the devoted boyfriend in public. In private, he tormented my body and mocked me relentlessly.

"Lyra, you probably don't know this, but I truly despise you. If it wasn't for your family's money, who would play house with a vegetable?"

"Your parents have already handed the company over to me. Soon, I'll finally be with her."

"I should really thank you. If you hadn't been stupid enough to run into that fire, I never would have reached these heights."

I lay on that bed, wishing I could crawl up and slap him. I wanted to scream at him to get out. I wanted to ask why he was doing this to me.

Then, Grayson personally disconnected my oxygen mask.

After I died, my soul followed him. I saw his True Love.

I learned that the fire was started just to please her.

"I hate studying. I wish the library would burn down so I never have to do homework again."

I was the only fool who rushed in to save him, ruining myself and my family.

Shortly after my death, Grayson took full control of the company.

He framed my father. He gave my mother a heart attack with his cruelty.

My mother died in the hospital, and my father jumped from a building in total despair.

It was all my fault for being blind.

By the time the firefighters put out the flames, the library was nothing but a charred skeleton.

The only difference this time was that no one was hurt.

As for Grayson, I knew his secret.

He had planned his escape route perfectly before starting the fire. Even without me, he wouldn't have died.

"Professor, this fire looks intentional. It spread way too fast," I suggested.

The professor's face paled. He asked if I had seen anyone suspicious.

"Well..." I pretended to hesitate, but someone interrupted me.

"Lyra! You knew I was in the library! Why did you tell everyone I wasn't there? Do you have any idea how close I came to dying?"

A dark, masculine voice rang out. I turned toward the sound.

I almost burst out laughing.

Grayson's thick, short hair was burnt to a crisp. He had burns all over his body and looked absolutely pathetic.

Everyone's eyes landed on me.

I widened my eyes, and tears immediately spilled over as I rushed toward him.

As I lunged, I aimed right for his fresh burns and pressed down hard.

"Grayson! Are you okay? Why were you in there? Didn't you tell me you were going to your off-campus part-time job?"

Grayson hissed in pain, but I didn't let go.

I fumbled over his injuries, using every bit of my strength.

I remembered.

In my last life, he lied about the job to sneak in and set the fire.

I only went in because someone in the crowd yelled that he was still inside.

Grayson froze, realizing what I was asking.