Chapter 1

In my previous life, both my best friend and I ended up marrying the guys we tried to save.

My best friend, Claire Evans, took a good-for-nothing thug and turned him into a top-tier movie star.

As for me, I paved the way for a poor, aloof campus heartthrob and pushed him all the way to the top of the business world.

But when the kidnappers held a knife to our throats, both men didn't even hesitate before choosing their childhood sweetheart.

Ryan Carter, the man who could shake up the entire business world, gently wrapped his arms around the girl. When he looked at me, his eyes were full of hatred.

Ryan said, "If you hadn't leaned on your family and pushed me at every turn, do you think I'd ever have married a woman like you? Everything I have now feels like a humiliation you forced on me!"

Jason Reed glared at Claire, his face twisted with anger.

Jason said, "If I wasn't worried you'd hurt Emily, do you think I'd have put up with you this long? Letting you stomp all over my pride with your lousy money!"

So that was it.

We thought we'd given them everything.

But to them, everything we'd given was the price they'd had to pay, swallowing their pride so they could protect the ones they really loved.

We were reborn together, right back to the day when Ryan Carter was cornered in that alley.

Claire and I turned around and walked away.

This time, we wouldn't push anyone anymore.

*****

We heard the sounds of a fight coming from the alley.

Claire and I shot each other a glance.

Then, without a word, we both turned around at the same time to leave.

But someone came running up and blocked our way.

"Hey! Why aren't you two helping him?"

Emily Lane brushed past me, giving Claire a self-righteous glare.

Emily said, "Claire, we all go to the same school. How can you be this cold?"

I stopped and gave Emily a cold stare.

I said, "If you're that worried, why don't you go help him?"

Emily was momentarily speechless. She glanced at Jason, who was clearly losing the fight, worry written all over her face as she made as if to rush over.

Emily said, "Jason, if she won't help you, I will!"

But even as she said it, she didn't move an inch.

The next second, Jason, pinned to the ground, suddenly looked up and yelled anxiously at her.

Jason said, "Emily, don't come over here! You'll get hurt!"

Emily immediately stopped in her tracks.

The thugs smirked and made a dismissive sound, then grabbed their sticks, ready to bring them down on Jason.

Seeing this, Emily rushed over and grabbed Claire's hand, her voice quivering, almost in tears.

Emily said, "Claire, aren't you always the one who stands up for others? Go help Jason! If you don't hurry, they're going to break his hands!"

Claire shook off Emily's hand, her brows arching sharply in anger, but before she could say a word.

Jason's head snapped up, and he shot her a vicious glare.

Jason said, "Claire, don't think saving me means you can control me. I'll never let you force me again! Honestly, I'd rather break my own hands than be saved by someone like you!"

Claire and I instantly went cold, our faces hardening at once.

In my previous life, when Claire saw Jason cornered, her temper got the better of her and she ran straight in.

In the chaos, she took a hit meant for Jason, her hand broken right then and there. From that moment on, she could never touch the piano she loved ever again.

But to Jason, it never meant gratitude.

In Jason's eyes, it was never a debt he owed her. It was a trap she'd set to bind him.

Thankfully, this time, Claire and I didn't even bother getting involved.

And right on cue, as if to match Jason's tough talk, the thugs brought their sticks down hard.

"Ah!"

Jason screamed as both his hands snapped with a sickening crack.

After teaching him a lesson, the thugs swaggered off without a care.

Emily only dared to run over once they were gone, screaming and crying as she helped Jason up. "Jason, how are you? Are you okay?"

I didn't care to watch any longer.

Claire and I turned and walked away.

But as we were leaving, we ran straight into a tall figure.

When I saw his face, I was stunned.

I never expected this.

This time around.

We met sooner than last time.

It was Ryan Carter.

My husband from my previous life.