Chapter 2

"Do you understand what I'm saying or not?" Brian's patience finally snapped when I kept spacing out, and his voice turned ice-cold.

I swallowed down the urge to strangle him and sneered, "Oh, I understand perfectly. But you've got it all wrong. I don't have any romantic feelings for you, so I can't marry you.

"And as for the job opportunity, if you want to help Emily so badly, you should use your own connections to transfer her somewhere.

"I earned this position through my own abilities, and I'm not giving it up to anyone who's trying to skip the line through the back door."

I made sure he caught my implication that his beloved Emily was nothing but a useless woman.

I turned to leave without bothering to look at his ugly expression.

I couldn't stand to look at his face for another second, terrified I might lose control and claw it to shreds.

Brian stepped in front of me, blocking my path. He wouldn't even touch me, and his voice dripped with disgust.

He said, "You've been dying to marry me this whole time, so what's with the act now? Don't think your fancy background gives you the right to play games with people!

"I'm telling you, this is a one-time offer. If you don't take it, I'm never bringing up marriage again after today. Don't come crying to me later!"

He had the nerve to be angry with me.

Brian's attitude made me remember he'd come to see me a few days ago.

He wanted me to hand over the job opportunity to Emily.

I'd been stupid enough to make a deal with him—marry me, and I'd give Emily the position.

He actually agreed. That was how much he loved her. He was willing to marry me, even if it was a fake marriage, just to help her. The thought made my stomach turn.

Standing there listening to his insults, I realized I deserved this for being so blind. But his words cleared my head like cold water. This bastard was going to pay for what he did to me.

I took a few steps toward him, and Brian immediately backed away, putting distance between us.

How did I miss it in my last life? He couldn't stand being near me.

I thought he was just being respectful. God, I was so blind.

"Brian, the way you're acting right now makes me wonder if you even want to marry me at all."

Brian's body went rigid for a moment. He stared at me and clenched his fists.

His voice stayed cold. "If you still want to marry me, give me your ID. I'll have someone get the marriage license tomorrow. We don't have time for wedding photos, so we'll skip that.

"After we register tomorrow, I'm heading back to base. We'll hold off on the reception too. But you need to talk to your dean about that job opportunity today."

I wanted to laugh.

He was using the exact same playbook on me.

I was just too stupid in my last life to suspect anything between him and Emily.

I actually thought I was being considerate of how hard he worked. The second we got that license, I handed the job opportunity straight to Emily.

Now I understood. In my last life, they set me up together.

They probably left together, too. What a perfect pair of lovebirds.

My perfect life became a living nightmare, and I spent years being their doormat.

Rage burned through me, and I said firmly, "I'm not marrying you. I was joking before, and I'll say it one more time—I don't have romantic feelings for you. I'm not giving my job opportunity to Emily either.

"If she wants it, she can earn it by improving her skills. I trust the director's judgment is fair and unbiased. My family doesn't play favorites or pull strings."

Brian barely reacted when I refused the marriage—he just looked annoyed. But when I mentioned the job, his expression turned dark.

His eyes went cold. "What's that supposed to mean? You think you're better than everyone else because you come from money? If it wasn't for your background, do you really think your medical skills would've gotten you this transfer?

"Emily's just as good as you. Your parents pulled strings for you, didn't they? And you have the nerve to talk about family values?"

My medical skills earned me praise from patients throughout the hospital. The director said I was the most promising doctor of my generation. If I stayed focused, I could make a real difference in people's lives.

But in my past life, after Brian and I got our marriage license, the director's attitude toward me changed completely.

I got stuck working as a nurse and never set foot in an operating room again. I could only watch from the sidelines as others saved lives.

I dreamed about performing surgeries, but when I woke up, I was just an ordinary woman trying to please her husband and in-laws. My hands that once held a scalpel had become rough and calloused from housework.

Brian never respected me, and he never respected my parents either.

In my past life, I cut ties with my family to marry him. I didn't see them again until they died.

Even on their deathbeds, my parents were still thinking of me. They left me a substantial inheritance.

I took that inheritance to Brian, but instead of gratitude, I got ten years in prison.

Brian insulting me was one thing, but attacking my parents crossed a line I wouldn't tolerate.

While he wasn't paying attention, I lunged forward and raked my nails across his face.

I wished I'd grown my nails longer so I could've scarred him permanently.

I scratched Brian's face hard, and he shoved me away with force. I stumbled back a few steps before catching my balance, then glared at him with pure hatred.

Brian looked startled by my reaction and stammered defensively, "You're crazy!"