Chapter 1

In my previous life, I died on that hospital bed, Charles Rivers holding my hand and crying.

I didn't even have the strength to open my eyes. All I could think was: this life was such a waste. It really wasn't worth it.

With the last bit of strength I had, I pulled my hand away and silently thought: hope we never cross paths again in the next life.

That's when I opened my eyes.

The living room was pitch dark, icy moonlight spilling in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The master bedroom door was wide open, and the shameless noises of Charles and Anna Grant were coming from inside.

I lit up a cigarette and waited on the couch.

Anna was an art student.

Rumor had it that the first time Charles saw her, he was hooked by her cool, distant aura. She haunted his thoughts from then on.

She was the lover who stayed by his side the longest.

His friends all said she was the second most important woman in his life, right after me.

Anna pouted and complained in a sweet, sulky voice, "Charles, didn't you say she wouldn't be back until tomorrow? I... This is so humiliating!"

Charles probably had a thing for her when she got all shy and annoyed, so he soothed her gently.

Embarrassed? Seriously?

You're already the side chick. What's the point of feeling ashamed now?

Looking back, what did I even do in my previous life?

I stormed in and ended up a complete mess, pathetic and out of control, screaming and sobbing.

By the time I finished my cigarette, Charles had composed himself and came out, looking a bit flustered and sheepish.

He gave me a serious look. "Didn't we agree you'd quit smoking?"

With that, he pushed open the window, letting a chill sweep through the room.

Anna's eyes were rimmed with red, and she glared at me, her gaze full of bitterness and defiance.

"Hey, Charles and I really love each other. Can't you divorce him?

"He doesn't love you anymore. Why can't you let us be together?" Her words were so naive it was almost funny.

But Charles loved that kind of drama.

He stood there, lips pressed together, quietly watching it all play out.

"You're messing with someone else's marriage, playing the side chick. Aren't you shameless?" I snapped.

"It's not my fault I love him. Yeah, I know being the other woman is trashy," Anna muttered.

Tears streamed down Anna's face as she pouted, "But true love isn't a crime."

True love isn't a crime, huh? How convenient.

Charles caught the pissed look on my face.

He hurried over, wrapped his arm around Anna, and gently pressed a finger to her lips as a playful punishment.

Anna pouted and gave him a playful glare.

The two kept giving each other those flirty looks.

Charles turned to me, his tone growing cold, "You came back early from your trip without telling me."

He was basically blaming me for walking in on them, like I was the one at fault for not announcing my return.

"Don't let it happen again," he said.

He wanted me to let it go and spare Anna.

Charles thought my silence meant I was giving in, so his voice softened. "I'll take her home."

The two of them grabbed their coats and headed out, shutting the door behind them.

I stared blankly out the window, lost in thought, shivering as the cold wind hit me.

Even this time, he still forgot it was my birthday.

I came back early, just wanting him to be by my side when the clock struck midnight.

But instead, I walked right into the scene of his affair.

It was the third time he'd cheated on me.

And God knows countless more times there'd be, right up until I died of cancer.

The air still carried the sharp, acrid scent of their passion.

I frowned, stepped out onto the balcony, and lit a cigarette.

This time, I'm getting a divorce.