Chapter 1

When I found myself back in time, the very first thing I did was tag along with my husband, Kyle Miller, to Akatia Island.

Back then, I was the spoiled daughter of a rich family, and I never cared for Kyle, the husband my family had picked for me.

We fought all the time.

After I had kids, I couldn't stand them either, just because they had Kyle's blood in them.

Later, when Kyle was about to move to Akatia Island, I was the first to stand up and say no to going with him.

Seeing my reaction, Kyle didn't push me.

He took our kids and Rosa West, who was recently widowed, to Akatia Island.

Meanwhile, I, the drama queen, jumped right into the arms of my first love the moment Kyle left.

But it didn't take long for me to realize Lennon Pollard was just a total jerk who was only after my money and looks.

He gave me disease and even managed to bleed my family's fortune dry.

When Kyle finally came back from Akatia Island with our kids, they didn't even recognize me.

Instead, they called Rosa "Mom" with all the warmth and affection I'd never gotten from them.

I ended up wandering the streets, and no one cared if I lived or died, until I finally starved to death.

The moment I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the very day Kyle was about to leave for Akatia Island.

*****

Rosa said, her tone full of concern. "Sienna, you really can't be stubborn right now.

"Moving with the military is no small thing. If Kyle takes the kids to Akatia Island, your whole family will be apart, and you'll barely see each other all year.

"Life on Akatia Island might be tough, but as the commander's wife, you should really set an example for everyone."

Rosa's familiar, earnest words rang in my ears, and it hit me like a truck that I had a second shot at life.

I glanced up and caught Rosa's face. She looked genuinely worried, like she was really feeling my pain about being separated from Kyle.

Last time, the authorities were on a witch hunt for wealthy families.

As the pampered daughter of a rich family, I was forced to break up with Lennon and marry Kyle, a rugged, no-nonsense man, all to save my family from ruin.

I was never happy about being forced into this marriage, so I never bothered to hide my dislike for Kyle.

At home, I was always stirring up trouble, constantly butting heads with Kyle and looking for any excuse to argue with him.

Even the kids I'd risked my life bringing into this world, I couldn't stand them either, just because they were his.

When I found out Kyle was about to head off to Akatia Island for his job, I was over the moon. I thought I was finally about to get my freedom back.

But I never imagined that Kyle leaving would be the start of all my misery.

As soon as Kyle took the kids and Rosa to Akatia Island, I jumped at the chance to rekindle things with Lennon.

We went wild, indulging in every romantic escapade we could think of.

For the first few months, life really was smooth sailing.

Kyle kept sending me my support money right on schedule, and I was free to splurge on my dowry cash however I wanted.

After a while, Kyle's support money just stopped coming.

Then Lennon turned vicious, always demanding cash to feed his gambling habit. If I didn't give in, he'd beat me hard.

Lennon blew every penny of the massive dowry my parents gave me at the tables.

And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, red sores started breaking out all over my skin, giving off a nasty smell that made me want to crawl out of my own body.

It wasn't until I dragged myself to the hospital that I learned Lennon had infected me with some filthy disease. There was no cure. I could only count down the days until the end.

After Lennon took the last of my money, I was desperate and called Kyle, hoping he'd help me out since we were still husband and wife.

Kyle did come back, but not to help me out. He ended things for good and divorced me.

He told me he was in love with Rosa, and even our kids already saw Rosa as their mom.

I couldn't believe it. My last lifeline was gone. Over my dead body would I sign those divorce papers.

But in the end, I was thrown out onto the streets, left to fend for myself with nowhere to go and no one who cared.

Consumed by hopelessness and bitterness, I starved to death, unable to accept how everything had ended.

The next time I opened my eyes, I was back on the day Kyle told me he was leaving for Akatia Island.

No way in hell was I letting history repeat itself this time!

Kyle and the kids were sitting off to the side, barely daring to breathe.

I made up my mind in a flash and reached out, grabbing Rosa's hand.

I told her, "Rosa, you're totally right. I shouldn't be so selfish, not when I'm a military wife.

"I'm going with Kyle to Akatia Island."

Rosa nearly lost her composure.

"W-What?" she stammered. "But didn't you swear you'd never go with Kyle? What's up with that?"

"Oh," I replied, keeping it casual. "Just changed my mind."

Rosa opened her mouth, clearly wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

I glanced over at Kyle. His gaze was calm and distant.

Without a word, he silently added my name to the list of family members going with him.

Seeing my name on the list, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

I turned to head back to my room and start packing, but Rosa couldn't help herself and followed me in.

"Rosa, why'd you come in?" I asked.

Rosa grabbed my hand, holding on tight.

She said, "Sienna, talk to me. Didn't you say you didn't want to go to Akatia Island? What made you suddenly change your mind?"

Through the crack in the door, I thought I spotted something green.

"Didn't you just talk me into it?" I said.

Rosa's face darkened, but she managed a strained smile. "I just find it odd, you know. Since you were so dead set against it before..."

Looking back at how I acted before, I nodded and admitted, "I really didn't want to go."

Rosa's eyes sparkled, but then I switched gears. "I mean, I'm all alone here, no parents, no friends.

"I might as well head to Akatia Island with Kyle. At least he'll make sure I'm taken care of."