Chapter 1

I was the only daughter of the Payne family, and I fell hard for a penniless university student.

For him, I spent freely, money, connections, everything, to lift him into the world of the elite.

It became the favorite topic of gossip in all of Harborton.

Everyone assumed Nathan Cole would be grateful—if not offering himself in marriage, at least he wouldn't bite the hand that fed him.

Yet, he chose to stand against me, becoming the bodyguard for my rival competing for the Metro Channel's Evening Spotlight anchor position.

In my previous life, I trashed the victory party, demanding an explanation from Nathan.

He simply said, "Miss Bright recognized my talent and offered me a high salary. I couldn't refuse."

I laughed coldly. What about all the resources and money I poured into him?

Nathan didn't mention any of that.

Only when I gave him the cold shoulder did he reluctantly explain. "It's different. What Miss Bright gives me, I earned with my own skills. Every penny feels deserved," he said.

That was his last shred of pride.

Because I loved him, I was the first to yield.

But I never expected that when danger came, the man who once promised, "Even if Miss Bright is my employer, I will always protect you first," wouldn't even spare me a glance. He let me take the bullet and fall into the sea.

In my final moments, I realized no pride could possibly be worth my life.

*****

At the party celebrating our newest sponsor, Emily Bright arrived late.

Seeing me chatting with Director Foster, champagne flute in hand, she smiled, clicked over in her sky-high heels.

"Charlotte, you're here so early? Usually, you don't show up until the last minute," Emily teased.

I smiled faintly, meeting her gaze. "You're always telling the Director that I don't give you the recognition you deserve. Today, you're the star of our channel. How could I possibly be late?"

Emily's smile stiffened slightly.

In my previous life, I wouldn't have been here exchanging pleasantries. My eyes would have been locked on the silent figure behind her—Nathan.

I'd have overturned the party, confronted him like a madwoman. "Didn't you say you had important school stuff and couldn't come with me? Why are you with Emily? Don't you know our history? We're like fire and water. She lives to see me fail."

Back then, Nathan remained eerily calm, expressionless.

He just said, "Miss Bright hired me as her bodyguard. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd be angry. I didn't know you'd be here today."

Those words only fueled my rage.

I knew he was lying.

Three days earlier, I had practically been begging him, offering a custom Patek Philippe. "Come to the party with me, be my plus-one, help me save face, please?

"Emily constantly mocks me for keeping a 'poor boy.' I need to show her you're not just anyone. You're the future son-in-law of the Payne family."

Nathan refused me almost immediately, using school matters as an excuse.

Now, thinking back, he probably hadn't even listened to a word I'd said.

I ended up causing a huge scene, directly confronting Emily. She'd poached people from me before with money, but no one had ever chosen her over me enough to truly hurt me.

Except for Nathan. It was the ultimate betrayal.

That day, Emily even tipped off the paparazzi. By morning, the newspaper headlines screamed, "Metro Channel Stars in Love Triangle Over a Bodyguard? Is He an Angel?"

The channel's reputation plummeted, nearly costing us our new sponsor.

Emily refused to smooth things over with the sponsor unless I was suspended indefinitely.

When profits were on the line, I became expendable.

Later, I asked Nathan countless times, "Do you know how many years it took me to get to where I was? Do you know Emily and I are fighting for the Evening Spotlight?"

Nathan always stayed silent.

He knew. Of course he knew. And he still chose to help Emily.

Looking back, I was such a fool in my previous life, destroyed by a worthless man.