Chapter 3

But honestly, after seeing Ryan's cringey "I've found true love" face in that photo, that bit of sourness in my heart disappeared in a flash.

Ugh, scumbag and his side chick. Lock yourselves together and stay out of my life.

I must've been blinded by stupidity in my previous life. I could've lived like a princess, but instead I turned myself into his maid, supporting him and pampering him. And what did I get for it? A total ingrate.

For the rest of my life, to hell with him.

I crumpled up those dumb photos and tossed them in the trash, then headed straight for Arthur.

He was in his study, buried in reports. When I barged in, he pushed up his glasses and grinned, "Well, what orders does my little princess have for me today?"

I sprawled across his desk and got right to the point. "Dad, I've figured it out. Just playing around all day is boring. I want to learn how to do business with you."

Arthur nearly dropped his glasses in shock. "Huh? Why the sudden interest? Is this about Ryan?"

I cut him off, waving my hand like I was shooing away bad luck. "It's got nothing to do with him.

"I figured, I can't rely on anyone but myself. Men are a mystery. One day he says he loves you, the next he can send you packing and go his own way.

"But money and skills? If I keep those in my pocket, nobody can take them from me."

Arthur stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing, looking genuinely proud. "Alright. My daughter's finally grown up. Tomorrow, you're coming to the office with me. We'll start from the bottom, and whatever you want to learn, I'll teach you myself."

Yes, I did it.

I felt a little thrill in my chest.

In my previous life, I let all my business smarts get worn down taking care of Ryan and his family. This time, I was getting it all back.

The next day, I headed to the office with Arthur.

I didn't act all high and mighty. I let the secretary take me around, checking out every department to see how things actually ran.

Everyone was curious about my sudden change, but nobody dared to ask.

Honestly, once I ditched my love-struck brain, everything looked way clearer.

With what I remembered from my previous life about future industry trends, I threw out a few ideas that totally blew Arthur away. He kept saying I'd finally wised up.

Life was so busy and fulfilling, I was almost forgetting about Ryan.

Until one day, I went to a high-end mall to check out our family's new store.

I was chatting with the assistant Arthur had assigned me when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted two familiar faces.

It was Ryan and Emily.

Ryan was wearing faded jeans and an old T-shirt, hauling around a battered canvas bag. He looked even more worn out than last time, like he could barely breathe under the weight of it all, his face drawn and tired.

Emily next to him was still wearing her signature white dress, though the fabric was obviously cheap stuff.

She was hanging onto Ryan's arm, eyes practically glowing as she stared at a crazy expensive bag in the window. She whined and tugged at his sleeve, "Ryan, isn't that bag gorgeous? My best friend's boyfriend got her one like that."

Ryan's face twisted with embarrassment. He opened his mouth, but his voice was stiff and awkward. "Emily, that's way too expensive. Maybe someday, when I have the money..."

"Someday, someday. It's always someday." Emily pouted, pulling his arm away, her eyes instantly welling up. "All you ever do is talk big. I don't want anything fancy. Is it really so hard to get a little care from you?"

Ryan stood there, completely lost, his face going from pale to red and back again. People were already starting to stare.

I almost burst out laughing.

Well, well, even Pure-and-Perfect Emily was starting to ask for gifts now?

Funny how her so-called "a little care" comed with a pretty hefty price tag.

I couldn't be bothered to watch this sad-sack drama any longer, so I turned to leave.

Maybe it was that I was dressed extra sharp today, with my assistant in tow. My vibe was too strong to ignore. Ryan happened to look up and caught sight of me.

His gaze froze, shock and embarrassment flickering across his face, and then, for a split second, something else, almost like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

He looked totally out of place, messy and awkward, feeling small and humiliated by the sheer contrast between us.

Bet he never imagined that the Evans family's heiress, who once had a thing for him, would walk away. She did not survive, but thrive, living so bright and glamorous, while he was left in the dust. We were night and day, worlds apart.

Emily followed his gaze and spotted me too, her eyes flashing with wariness and a barely concealed jealousy.

I gave them a casual nod in their direction, then turned and walked away without hesitation, didn't bother to stick around for even a second more.

As I walked away, I could still catch Emily's whiny, teary voice complaining, "Who is she? Why are you staring at her? Are you getting tired of me or something?"

Ryan, gritting his teeth and trying to sound calm, muttered, "No, stop overthinking. She's someone random, doesn't matter."

I let out a cold, mocking laugh.

Yeah, right. Someone random.

You two could keep playing your little drama all you want. I was done being your audience.

My new life was getting started.