Chapter 2

The truth was, after all the betrayal and pain in my last life, I really didn't love him anymore. The lie was that the unforgettable hatred carved into my soul was far stronger than any love I ever felt.

"Chelsea, don't be impulsive..." Graham reached for my hand.

I stepped back, avoiding his touch, and turned to Molly. "I can tell you've got feelings for my ex. Well, I'm giving him to you."

Molly's face turned bright red. She stammered, trying to defend herself, but her eyes kept sneaking glances at Graham.

Graham's expression was a mix of shock, confusion, and maybe even a hint of relief?

How did I never realize in my last life that he was into my sister from the very start?

"Chelsea, are you sure about this?" Graham finally managed to speak, his voice a little shaky.

"No, I'm not mistaken," I replied calmly. "I just realized we're not a good match. You're looking for something I can't give you."

Honestly, he never needed someone like me—a caretaker who'd sacrifice everything for him. What he wanted was that dream girl who could really make his heart skip a beat.

So go ahead, I would step aside and let you two be together.

My mom came out of the kitchen after hearing the commotion. "What's all the noise about?"

"Mom, Graham and I broke up," I announced matter-of-factly. "He and Molly are a better match."

My mom's expression darkened. "Chelsea, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Molly kept her head down, twisting the hem of her shirt like she was all innocent and pitiful, but that little smirk at the corner of her mouth totally gave her away.

Graham just stood there, silent.

I noticed Graham kept sneaking glances at Molly, that look like he wanted to say something but always held back. I'd seen it a thousand times in my last life, but I was stupid enough to think he was just being friendly to my little sister.

"I'm not talking nonsense," I replied, steady as ever. "I've never seen things this clearly."

I walked straight to my room and started picking up Graham's stuff he'd left at my place.

A couple of books, a jacket, and that model he always claimed was priceless.

I shoved it all into his hands. "Here, take your things. From now on, we're nothing to each other."

Graham stood there, clutching his stuff, looking lost. "Chelsea, can we just talk this out?"

"There's no need," I replied, my voice cold and final.

Molly snuck a glance at Graham, her eyes all soft and flirty—a look I could never pull off.

"Come on, Chelsea, it's not like that. Graham and I just met..." she whispered, her fake innocence making me want to gag.

She played the innocent for forty years in my last life, and I fell for it every single time.

"Isn't it love at first sight?" I shot back with a cold laugh.

Graham and Molly both froze.

Yeah, I just called it out, forty years before anyone else dared to say it.

"Chelsea! Are you out of your mind?" my mom snapped at me, then turned to Graham. "Graham, don't listen to her. She's probably just not feeling well today..."

"I'm perfectly fine," I cut her off. "Honestly, I've never been this clear-headed in my entire life."

I looked Graham straight in the eye and said, "I hope you and Molly are happy together."

I meant every word.

I honestly want to see how long your epic romance lasts without me running around cleaning up after you, solving all your messes for free.

Graham opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say a word.

His silence spoke louder than any words ever could.

In my last life, I always thought his feelings for Molly only started after we got married. It wasn't until the day I died that I realized he was already hers the second he saw her.

How ridiculous. My forty-year marriage was a lie from the very beginning.

"Just go," I said to Graham, then shot a look at Molly. "Well? Aren't you going to walk him out?"

Molly hesitated, glancing at my mom and then at me, but in the end, she trailed after Graham.

As they turned away, I caught Graham's hand lightly touching Molly's, so easy and familiar, like it was second nature to them.

Turns out, some feelings were just written in the stars from the very beginning.

As soon as they left, my mom blew up. "Chelsea! Do you even realize what you just did? Graham is such a catch, and you just handed him over to Molly? Do you have any idea how many girls would kill to marry a guy like him?"

"I know," I replied calmly. "That's exactly why I'm letting Molly have him, so they can enjoy their so-called 'love story.'"

"You!" my mom snapped, her face turning red with anger. "Are you out of your mind?"

No, I had traveled through time.

I woke up from a forty-year nightmare, and came back from a life that ended with me coughing up blood.

I walked back into my tiny room and looked at myself in the mirror—just twenty-two years old.

I was young, alive, and hopeful, with a light in my eyes.