Chapter 2

Arthur was obviously saying that for Chelsea's benefit.

Seeing the way Arthur and Julianna interacted, Chelsea's heart went cold as stone.

In this life, she was done with Arthur for good.

Since he was so taken with Julianna, Chelsea would let them be together.

She turned and walked out, heading straight for the registration center.

"Hello, I'd like to sign up for the SAT prep course," Chelsea said.

The staff member looked her over. "This SAT prep course is a live-in program. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes," Chelsea answered firmly.

"Alright, just pay the registration fee and report back in ten days," the staff member said.

Chelsea handed over a stack of cash, and the staff member quickly registered her information.

In her previous life, she voluntarily gave up taking the SAT, so that she could marry Arthur.

This time around, she was determined to build a life of her own.

After signing up, Chelsea headed home. As soon as she stepped into the yard, she heard two voices talking inside.

"Arthur, is it okay for me to move in? Will people gossip about us?" Julianna asked coquettishly.

Arthur said, "What are you worried about? I've got your back, no matter what happens. Not marrying you is already my biggest regret. You think I'm going to sit back and watch you marry that poor, blind guy from the village?

"Relax. Once I make it in the city, I'll divorce Chelsea and marry you. Sound good?"

Julianna was beaming with joy. "Arthur, are you serious? If I could marry you, I'd die a happy woman. But what about Chelsea? Will she agree to divorce you?"

Arthur spoke to Julianna with absolute certainty. "I only married Chelsea for her family's status and connections. With the Aniston family as my springboard, I could climb higher and finally have the freedom to make my own choices..."

Outside the door, Chelsea dug her nails deep into her palms. She never imagined that Arthur not only didn't love her, but had been using her as nothing more than a stepping stone.

The marriage had been nothing but a calculated manipulation from the very start.

Chelsea kicked the door open, and the two inside, caught in an embrace, instantly sprang apart.

"What the hell were you two doing?" Chelsea demanded.

Arthur turned beet red and blurted out, "Julianna got sand in her eye. I was just helping her get it out..."

Julianna hurriedly rubbed her eyes, her voice weak. "Yeah, Chelsea, my eye still hurts..."

Chelsea couldn't care less about their lame excuses anymore.

If Arthur was set on divorcing Chelsea, that was all the batter for her.

But from now on, Arthur could kiss any Aniston's family money goodbye.

Chelsea walked into the bedroom and saw the wedding photo hanging above the bed. In the picture, her smile was radiant, and the man beside her had soft, affectionate eyes.

As Chelsea stared at the photo, her eyes grew misty without her even noticing.

The matchmaker had talked Arthur up like he was a dream come true: fresh out of college, good-looking, and supposedly a real up-and-comer. The only flaw was his humble background.

Chelsea was smitten the moment she met him.

He was well-spoken, with striking features and a gentle gaze. Every move he made was considerate, always making her feel special.

Convinced she'd found her perfect match, she was overjoyed and begged her parents for their blessing.

Her parents eventually gave in to her wishes and agreed.

Not only that, she even asked her father to use his connections to land Arthur a respectable position.

And so, Chelsea stood by him for most of her life.

She exhausted all the Aniston family's connections and resources for Arthur's future. To take care of his daily life, she chose to stay home and look after the family, spending her whole life as a housewife.

But in the end, what did she get in return?

Even as Arthur lay dying, the only name on his lips and in his heart was Julianna.

And now, even after living his life a second time, he was still planning to use her and then cast her off

Chelsea reached up, tore the wedding photo off the wall, and ripped it to shreds before tossing the pieces into the trash.

This time, she would never give Arthur even the slightest chance.

Arthur followed her in, wearing a gentle smile. "Chelsea, don't be upset. Julianna couldn't live in her hometown. Her parents,to get the wedding gifts for her brother, were determined to marry her off to a poor, mute old bachelor from the neighboring village.

"She ran away for her life, and now she's all alone in the city. She only knows me. Do you expect me to stand by and let her fall back into that mess?"

Chelsea looked up at him. "This is our home. If you want someone to stay here long-term, shouldn't you at least tell me first? Talk it over with me? You brought her in without even asking. Am I still the lady of this house in your eyes?"

Arthur watched Chelsea's expression, then softened his tone. "I know bringing her here was sudden, but things happened so fast, I didn't get a chance to talk to you.

"You've always been the kindest, most generous person. I thought you'd understand and agree, like you always do. Isn't that right?"

Chelsea sneered inwardly.

Here he went again.