Chapter 1

While Eren Grant's true love, Vera Sawyer, was being rushed into the ICU, he stood over my hospital bed and ripped out my oxygen tube himself.

Eren said coldly, "Vera can only survive if you die."

As scenes spun through my mind like a movie reel, I suddenly remembered everything.

Turned out, this was my fifth time traveling back to the past. Every single time before, I'd lose all my memories, fall for Eren all over again, and he'd be the death of me.

This was my last time travelling back, and I finally kept all my memories. I did everything I could to stay far, far away from Eren.

But Eren was suddenly thrown off. "Jaelyn, why can't I feel your love anymore?"

*****

"Because you don't deserve my love." I jolted awake from the nightmare.

The script was still lying across my lap, and the coffee next to me was more melted ice than actual drink now.

I took a moment to get my bearings, realizing I'd traveled back again, and it was when I was still the top trending actress everyone couldn't stop talking about.

In every previous life, I'd always announced my retirement from showbiz at the peak of my career, just to focus on being Mrs. Grant, because Eren said the Grant family didn't want an actress in their family.

Thinking about all that, I threw myself into shooting this film harder than I ever did in any of my old lives.

On the day we wrapped filming, Eren booked out a fancy restaurant for the whole crew to celebrate.

He spoke in that smug, superior way, "The only reason I even give a damn about this crew is that you're here. I wouldn't spend a second on people who don't matter."

Back then, my heart would skip a beat whenever he said stuff like that, because I was always desperate to find some hint to prove he cared, even when he acted cold.

But this time, I wasn't falling for his crap again.

At the celebration dinner, a reporter who'd heard some rumors asked if I was planning to quit my acting career after wrapping up this film.

My gaze slid right past Eren as I smiled at the reporter. "Of course not. I'm going to work even harder on my acting and bring everyone even better projects."

Eren's eyes flashed with displeasure.

Once everyone else had left, he, a few years younger than me, strutted over arrogantly.

"Jaelyn, what scheme are you plotting now? We agreed you'd quit, and then we'd get married. Why did you go back to your word in public?" he demanded.

Staring at those familiar eyes and features, I couldn't help but shiver, remembering how he coldly ended my life in each of my five previous lives.

"You never really wanted to marry me. You can't force something that isn't meant to be. There's no reason for me to give up everything I have just for you," I said coldly.

I looked at Eren's handsome face, and where I once felt love, now all I felt was fear and disgust.

"It's just a marriage alliance anyway. Marrying Vera would be the same for you. Sure, she's a love child, but she's Sawyer, too," I continued.

Eren was actually taken aback by me pushing back for once.

"Jealous, are you?" He just curled his lips in amusement, clearly not believing for a second that I'd really call off the engagement.

"I just hope you two get your happy ending," I said, and I meant it.

And seriously, just stop dragging me into your mess.

I turned around and bumped right into the Best Actor himself, Leonard Reed.

"Sorry," I said, trying to step aside, but then he pulled out a diamond ring and held it out to me.

"Jaelyn, will you marry me?" he asked.

For a second, I thought this was just some publicity stunt for the celebration dinner.

Otherwise, I couldn't figure out why I was suddenly proposed to after I bumped into him.

"Jaelyn, you're my fiancée," Eren reminded me through gritted teeth, his voice tight with anger.

Thinking of all the endless tragedies I'd been trapped in through my old lives, I shot Eren a calm, knowing smile.

"Yes," I replied, took the ring from Leonard, and slipped it onto my finger.

Leonard looked surprised for a moment, but it was as if he'd expected me to say yes all along.

Our relationship was strictly business, just co-stars working together on this film.

I had no idea why he suddenly proposed, but honestly, as long as I wasn't marrying Eren, it didn't really matter who else it was.

Eren's face was stormy, but with everyone watching, he couldn't say a word.

He never really cared about me. All he wanted was a legit reason to get close to Vera without anyone questioning it.

I remembered the second time I traveled back. After we got married, I totally broke down when I heard Eren had gone abroad with Vera for a getaway.

I followed them overseas and was determined to confront him in person and ask why he was doing this to me.

But just as I finally tracked them down, the room suddenly burst into flames.

With the fire closing in, Eren didn't even think twice. He grabbed Vera and ran for it.

And I, on the other hand, was shoved by Vera and twisted my ankle, so all I could do was lie there and watch as the flames swallowed me up.

I shouted myself raw, begging Eren to turn back and save me.

Eren just said, "You will just get another shot at life if you die. But if Vera dies, she's gone forever."

He swept Vera up in his arms and dashed through the flames like the hero in some drama, leaving me to be swallowed by the fire.

Since Vera was always the person he cared about, this time, I'd let him chase after her all he wanted.