Chapter 3

I hadn't been worn down by forty years of playing the maid, and I hadn't been left with scars all over my heart from betrayal.

In my previous life, I quit my job to support Graham's dream of becoming an architect, dedicating myself completely to him and 'our' son, giving up my own career and dreams.

This time around, I won't be that naive again.

"Mom, I'm heading back to work at the design institute," I said as I walked out of my room to my mom, who was still sulking.

She froze. "Didn't you say you were going to quit to help Graham..."

"That was before," I cut her off. "From now on, I'm focusing on my career."

In my previous life, I was one of the best students in architecture, and after graduation, I was assigned to the state design institute.

If it hadn't been for Graham, I could have built a successful career in architecture.

Mom stared at me, totally baffled, like she couldn't wrap her head around how I'd turned into a whole new person overnight.

She just wouldn't get it because I really was different now.

The next morning, I got up early, slipped into my sharpest business suit, and pulled my hair into a sleek bun.

Mom was still trying to convince me. "Chelsea, just think about it. Guys like Graham don't come around often. You both have steady jobs, you're perfect for each other..."

"Mom, I'm not getting back together with Graham," I said firmly. "If you still want Molly to go after him, you'd better encourage her to make a move now."

As I stepped outside, the sun was shining and the air felt fresh. It was the first day of my new beginning.

When I arrived at the design institute, I headed straight for Spencer Barnes's office.

"Mr. Barnes, I'd like to apply for the 'State Cultural Center' design project," I said, cutting right to the chase.

In my previous life, this project was my chance to shine, but Graham landed a huge project at the same time and needed me to drop everything and help him out, so I put my own dreams on hold for him.

Later, that project won a national award, and the lead architect became an overnight sensation.

Spencer blinked in surprise. "Chelsea, weren't you planning to quit?"

"That's just a rumor," I flashed him a smile. "I love what I do, and I'm hoping for more chances to let my skills shine."

As I walked out of Spencer's office, I felt a sense of freedom I'd never known before.

Graham, this time around, I was not giving up any more opportunities for you.

I wanted to see if he could chase his architectural dreams without me cleaning up after you. And I wanted to know just how high I could fly now that he was not holding me back.

In the hallway, I ran into Graham—totally by surprise.

"Chelsea..." He started, then stopped, clearly struggling for words. "Can we talk?"

"We have nothing to talk about," I said, walking right past him without even slowing down.

"It's not what you think between me and Molly!" he called after me.

I stopped and turned to face him. "Oh yeah? What do you think I'm thinking?"

He was at a loss for words.

I let out a soft laugh. "Graham, come on. Just admit it. You were into Molly the moment you laid eyes on her. I just ended things before the drama really started."

His expression said it all.

How ridiculous. In my last life, how did I ever buy that they just 'happened' to fall for each other all those years after I got married?

"If you two are in love, then go for it. Good luck to you both," I said it, and I really meant it.

I truly did. I couldn't wait to see what happened when love ran into the mess of daily life—when his dream girl turned into just another part of his daily routine. I wanted to see if they could keep the spark alive.

Graham stood there, stunned, like he was seeing me for the very first time.

That was right, Graham. This was the real Chelsea.

I was not that pathetic fool who threw away everything for him and died broken and alone.

News of my return to the design institute spread quickly among my coworkers.

"Chelsea, weren't you supposed to quit and get married?" Lily Hall from my office asked, clearly curious.

"Plans changed," I replied, keeping my focus on the design sketches laid out on my desk.

"Hey, I heard you broke up with your boyfriend?" Ryan from the office scooted over and lowered his voice. "What happened? You guys were together for more than a year..."

I looked up and gave a faint smile. "Turns out we just weren't a good match, so we called it quits."

Little did they know, behind that casual 'not a good match' was forty years of sacrifice and betrayal, ending with me coughing up blood and dying alone.

During lunch break, I was holed up in the design institute's library, poring over every resource I could find to get ready for the bid on the State Cultural Center project.

In my last life, this was the project that put Graham on the map. But this time, I'm claiming it for myself.

"Chelsea?"

The familiar voice made my back stiffen. I turned, and of course, it was Graham. He stood by the bookshelf, a couple of architecture theory books in hand, his expression unreadable as he looked at me.

"Do you need something?" I asked, my tone cold.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Can we talk? About us... and Molly."