Chapter 1

My brother Jason married Veronica Chase, the powerful heir to a business empire. But rumors swirled about Veronica's dark, sadistic tendencies-ones that pushed him to the brink of madness.

I ended up with Hannah Porter, Veronica's assistant. She didn't have wealth or influence, but she showed me a kindness I'd never known. Later, she even replaced Veronica and gave me a life of wealth and luxury.

Consumed by envy, Jason stabbed me, leaving me to bleed out on the floor.

When I came to - back in that fateful moment-Jason was already choosing Hannah, without a second thought.

A smug grin spread across his face as he whispered, "This time, dear brother, you're the one who'll suffer for life. My happy ending is guaranteed. "

How could he be so naive?

Did he honestly believe Hannah was a good person?

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw Veronica Chase sitting at the head of the dining table.

Standing beside her was her assistant, Hannah Porter.

In a startling move, Jason lunged forward and seized Hannah's hand, and said excitedly to Veronica, "Veronica, I like your assistant. Let her marry me."

At his words, my father immediately stood up from his seat, his face darkening with fury. "Jason, what are you doing? Stop this nonsense!"

"I'm not being ridiculous. I really like Hannah."

Jason spoke defiantly, shooting me a smug look.

That's when it hit me-he was a reborn soul, just like me. He remembered everything.

In my past life, my father brought Jason and me here so Veronica could choose a future husband.

It would also propel our family business to unprecedented success.

But my father always favored Jason. There was no way he'd let me marry the powerful Veronica and live comfortably.

So he'd laid down the law in advance: "If Veronica chooses you, reject her immediately and choose Hannah instead. Otherwise, I'll make sure you never see your birth mother again."

Jason and I were half-brothers.

My brother was in a nursing home, recovering from a long illness. The woman at home now was Jason's biological mother—my stepmother.

To keep my mother alive, I had no choice but to agree.

In my past life, Veronica actually chose me.

I had to reject her and choose her assistant instead.

Then Jason stepped in, declaring his sudden admiration for Veronica.

Back then, Veronica's expression was unreadable, her eyes like dark pools.

She'd simply said coolly, "Fine. Then you'll be my husband."

But after the marriage, Jason's life wasn't happy at all.

Because Veronica supposedly had twisted habits—she enjoyed tormenting people.

She would lock Jason in the basement day after day, using every method imaginable to torture him.

Meanwhile, I married her assistant Hannah. Though she had no money or influence, she was incredibly gentle with me.

She brought me to work every day,under the guise of taking care of me.

Eventually, she even killed Veronica, took her place, became the new heir, and gave me a life of wealth and luxury.

Jealousy ate away at Jason until he snapped. He escaped from the basement and stabbed me to death.

That's why he was so eager to choose Hannah in this new life.

But Jason was a fool.

Just like before, you never look beneath the surface.

Someone capable of killing an heir—how good could she really be?

"I choose Hannah!"

Jason spoke again, his tone firm.

My father was furious, but could only explain to Veronica, "Jason doesn't know any better, but rest assured, if you favor him, I will ensure he honors the arrangement."

"No."

Veronica spoke softly.

"I'm not interested in him. But Hannah happens to be single. I think they're well-matched."

At her words, my father's expression darkened.

After all, he'd originally planned for Jason to climb the social ladder. But with Veronica saying this, he couldn't refuse.

Now only I remained. Veronica's beautiful eyes fixed on me intently.

"Marcus, will you marry me?"

Though in my past life Jason was tortured to death by her.

Because Hannah brought me to work every day, I spent a lot of time with her and learned that Veronica didn't actually have twisted habits.

Jason must have done something to displease her, which made her treat him so cruelly.

"Marcus, Veronica asked you a question. Don't you want to marry her?"

Jason suddenly spoke up, watching me like this was all a show.

I smiled. "Absolutely."

At my words, not only did Jason smile smugly, but Veronica's lips curved up slightly too.

I didn't know what she was smiling about, and I didn't want to know.

I only knew that this time, I would make every single one of them pay. One by one, I'd drag them down.