Chapter 1

My childhood sweetheart, Paul Anderson, fell for Janet Cameron, the daughter of the maid who lived with his family. He was dead set on breaking off our engagement.

His mother, unwilling to let go of the Finch family's influence, took it upon herself to send Janet away.

But Paul blamed me for it all.

Later, he left the entertainment industry for love, inherited the company, and the very first thing he did was come after me for revenge.

Paul said, "Back then, you were throwing your weight around, using my mother to drive Janet away. Now, I want you to know what it feels like to be cornered with no way out."

He said it all so self-righteously, completely disregarding the seven years we'd been married.

Janet was the reason I died. When my asthma flared up, she snatched my inhaler away on purpose, leaving me to suffocate right in front of her.

When I came to, I found myself back on the day Paul was determined to call off our engagement.

*****

My brother's body had gone completely cold in my arms.

I was his most cherished little sister. He always spoiled me and never refused me anything. When he saw Janet Cameron speeding her car right at me, he didn't even think and threw himself in front of me.

Right before he died, he was crying, apologizing for not keeping me safe.

"Paul, you're so cruel," I said.

I looked at him, numb inside. Finch Manor was engulfed in flames. My entire family was wiped out in a single night. Not a trace of them remained.

Paul walked up to me, a mocking smirk on his lips.

He said, "Seren, bet it doesn't feel so good now, does it? Seven years ago, you made Janet leave alone. Did it ever cross your mind you'd wind up like this?"

My eyes were bloodshot, and I was laughing and crying at the same time.

"Just for her?" I spat, barely holding it together.

I almost couldn't stand.

I screamed, "You destroyed my whole family, even my newborn nephew, over a woman? Paul, you're a fucking monster!"

If he had a problem with me, he could take it out on me. Why did he drag everyone else into this?

Everyone in the Finch household, plus the servants and the nannies who cared for me growing up, there were more than fifty people altogether.

I could say I was the most caring and dutiful wife anyone could ask for.

For seven years, I treated Paul's parents very well. Just because he said he didn't like women in the spotlight, I gave up my dream of becoming a pianist.

So he could pursue his dreams without any worries.

I was the Mrs. Anderson whom everyone in Cherton admired.

My father and brother, Vincent, treated Paul as family, like their own son and brother.

They helped him rise in the business world, backing him every step of the way until he became the heir.

But Paul was ruthless. He gained my trust, stole confidential files from Finch Group, and sold them off to our competitors.

The Finch family had been in business for generations. We couldn't do business without making a few enemies.

When people heard Finch Group was about to go bankrupt, they all rushed to kick us while we were down.

Paul faked evidence of corruption at Finch Group and got my dad thrown in jail.

And the world even praised him for his so-called "righteousness," for betraying the Finch family in the name of justice.

But everyone ignored how Paul used the Finch family as his stepping stones, stepping over our backs to grab the heir's throne he always dreamed of.

"Paul, you backstabbing traitor! You'll never die in peace!" I screamed.

I was so worked up that my asthma kicked in again.

Out of the blue, Janet lunged forward and snatched the inhaler right out of my hand.

I crumpled to the ground, helpless, visions of my brother right before the crash flashing through my mind.

My aging father, his hair snow-white, was sent to prison because of Paul.

My gentle mother, my cultured sister-in-law, Madeline, and the nanny who'd doted on me since I was little, all of them were swallowed up by the flames.

Dad, Mom, Vincent, Madeline, I would join you all soon.

*****

"Seren, are you alright?" my mom asked, worry etched in her voice.

I stared blankly at everything around me, and the first thing I saw was my mom's anxious gaze.

Despite myself, tears slipped down my cheeks.

My mom immediately got worried and hurried over, asking, "It's such a joyful day. Why are you suddenly crying?"

I looked at her for a long time, then couldn't hold back anymore and rushed into her warm embrace.

"I'm okay, Mom. I really need a hug from you," I whispered.

As I hugged her, feeling her warmth through the fabric, it finally hit me. We were still here, alive.

My mom was right there in front of me, alive, breathing, real.