Chapter 3

My heart sank when I saw that message.

So, I wasn't the only one who'd been reborn.

In my last life, after Chloe accepted the engagement, I thought my sincerity had finally moved her.

After all, I'd chased her for over ten years; even a stone should have warmed up by then.

But she'd only accepted the alliance to humiliate me terribly at the wedding.

In front of all the guests, she clutched Leo's hand tightly.

She announced to everyone that she couldn't marry me, that Leo was the only one she loved, and she would marry no one else.

I was utterly humiliated, left alone in my tuxedo, lost in a storm of despair.

Everyone around me knew how much I loved her, how I'd neglected my health, making myself so sick that I was close to death.

All of it just to soften my parents' hearts and secure an alliance with the Thompson family.

I had debased myself, shamed myself and my parents, only to be met with Chloe's revenge.

She resented me for using my family's power to force the engagement, tearing her and Leo apart.

I also passed away from my illness, a pain I vowed never to experience a second time.

So, after being reborn, I gave up on Chloe and chose her older sister, Victoria.

But I never expected my engagement to Victoria to proceed so smoothly this time.

There were no obstacles; I just had to wait for next month's wedding to arrive.

In my previous life, Victoria had worked overseas and remained single her whole life.

Everyone assumed she had some hidden condition. Even Grandpa, hearing my decision to marry Victoria, had double-checked with me.

Was I truly set on marrying Victoria?

I nodded. Even if she did have a hidden condition, so what?

If I had to choose between them, a respectful, peaceful life was far better than a life scarred by heartbreak.

The next day, I went to the jewelry store to pick up Victoria's and my wedding rings.

But the staff told me Chloe had already taken them.

This jewelry store was part of the Thompson Group, so if Chloe wanted them, the staff couldn't stop her.

Out of so many couple's rings, she just had to take my wedding rings.

A sudden fury surged through me. Those rings were my own design.

Since childhood, I'd dreamed of wearing my own design with the person I loved on my wedding day.

I used to think Chloe would be the one wearing the female ring.

But now, with a different fiancée, I'd torn up the old design.

The final version, the one that was made, was specifically designed for Victoria.

And Chloe had just snatched it from me.

Just as I was about to call Chloe to demand an explanation, I saw a new post on Leo's Ins feed.

[A one-of-a-kind ring, from my darling you.]

The picture showed him and Chloe wearing my designed rings.

The comments section was full of blessings for them.

Unknowingly, my eyes welled up.

Even if the alliance had caused Chloe distress, I had stopped in time, giving her freedom.

Why did she have to keep chasing me to humiliate me, even letting Leo steal my wedding rings?

I couldn't wait another second. I didn't want to bicker with Chloe over the phone.

So, I hailed a cab and headed straight for Chloe's office.