Chapter 1

The moment my wife heard her first love, Julian Carter, had been in a car crash, she abandoned our wedding to donate blood to him. But he died anyway.

After throwing him a grand, lavish funeral, she put on her wedding dress, held a framed photo of them, and took an overdose of pills to join him in death.

Only then did I realize that Julian was the only man she had ever loved.

When I was reborn, she didn’t hesitate. Right in front of my face, she threw her arms around Julian and kissed him passionately.

From that moment on, we were done.

Five years later, we crossed paths again at a high-society birthday gala.

She frowned as she watched me walking past in a hurry.

"I know you’ve been waiting for me for five years, Ethan," she said, looking down her nose at me. "But Julian is my only love. Give up."

I didn't even give her a glance. Instead, I stepped aside and stood in front of my daughter, who was hiding under a table with a smudge of chocolate on her face.

"Being mischievous again, are we? Watch out, or Mommy’s going to get you when she finds you."

She froze. Her eyes welled with tears as she stared at me in despair.

"You swore I was the only woman you’d ever marry! Are you doing this on purpose just to make me feel guilty?"

I never expected to cross paths with Chloe Higgins again in this lifetime.

Chloe was leaning proudly against Julian Carter, soaking in the compliments of the crowd around her.

"I can't believe such a genius is right here next to us! Chloe, you’re so young and you’ve already achieved what others can't even dream of in a lifetime. You’re incredible."

The elders in the room pointed at Chloe and lectured their own kids:

"Look at her, then look at yourselves. You should be taking notes from Chloe."

"Chloe is not only gorgeous and brilliant, but she also has such a loving boyfriend. She’s truly won at life."

Chloe had easily become the golden child everyone praised.

She soaked in the flattery with an easy, practiced grace. She was clearly used to this kind of spotlight.

She and Julian shared a sweet look, prompting immediate sighs of envy from the crowd.

"The chemistry is insane! I ship them so hard."

"Chloe and Julian are both so stunning. Their future kids are going to be gorgeous."

"When is the wedding, Chloe? I need an invite to get some of that good luck!"

With that question, the crowd's eyes instantly locked onto Chloe's face.

The hand Chloe had wrapped around Julian's arm suddenly loosened.

Even I couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise. They still weren't married?

In my past life, Chloe had risked her own life to save Julian, selflessly donating 1,000 mL of her blood without a second thought.

I had assumed she loved him more than life itself and would marry him the second she left me.

I never expected they’d be together for five years without tying the knot.

Was Julian the one holding back?

Someone in the crowd voiced my exact thought.

"Julian, this is on you. Chloe is a total catch. Why haven't you put a ring on it yet? Aren't you afraid someone else will steal her away?"

Julian nodded solemnly.

"You’re absolutely right. Chloe is so incredible, and she’s stood by my side for five long years. How could I let her slip away? I want her with me forever."

He suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box.

One of his friends immediately handed him a bouquet of blooming red roses.

Right there, in front of everyone, Julian dropped to one knee. He looked up at Chloe, his eyes practically overflowing with tenderness.

"Chloe, I love you. Will you marry me?"

Chloe took a subtle step back, staring blankly at Julian on his knee.

The crowd went dead silent for a second before bursting into wild applause.