Chapter 1

I was reborn on the eve of my wedding to Kashton Wallace. In my previous life, I fell for him the moment I saw him and agreed to the family-arranged marriage. Yet, he left me a widow for five years, drunkenly uttering my stepsister's name each night. My stepsister later married into the Quincy family and tragically passed away within a year. On the day of her funeral, his mistress pushed me into oncoming traffic, leading to my demise. His face twisted in grief as he lamented, "If it weren't for you, Priscilla wouldn't have had to marry someone else, wouldn't have died!" He blamed me entirely for their star-crossed love being torn apart. "You wretched woman, it's all your fault!"

This time, I plan to keep my distance from him and allow those star-crossed lovers to be together. I never expected him to lose his grip at my wedding.

In the study, I stared at the array of marriage alliance files, pausing on Eren Cook's. My father stood behind me, his voice tinged with surprise, "Reagan, are you sure you want to choose Eren Cook? Not Kashton Wallace?" I understood my father's confusion. Just last month, I had sacrificed a $30 million project for Kashton's company. Everyone knew I was infatuated with him, even my father had agreed to the engagement.

"I'm serious," I replied, lifting my head, my tone steady. "Marriage is a big deal; I want to choose someone suitable." My father hesitated, wanting to say more. I lowered my head, organizing the documents, masking the bitterness in my eyes. In my previous life, I naively believed that love could wear down even the hardest stone. But I didn't realize that some hearts are unyielding, always holding someone else.

Entering the ballroom, amidst clinking glasses and laughter, I spotted Kashton and a few wealthy acquaintances drinking in a corner. When they saw me, a mischievous glint appeared in their eyes. "Well, came rushing over as soon as you knew Kashton was here? The eldest Cook daughter really is clingy," one of them jeered.

Kashton looked at me with blatant disdain. "Like a barnacle," he sneered, swirling his wine glass. "Reagan Cook, I warn you, if you want to be the Wallace family's daughter-in-law, you'd better not be so disgraceful."

"Even if you want to marry me, you still have to see if I'm willing," he added dismissively.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the sting in my eyes, "I'm just here for a stroll; the event is about to end."

"Ending? So soon?" they paused, surprised. "Have you picked your marriage partner already?"

This event, celebrating my birthday, was actually to choose my marital alliance. As the sole heir to the Cook Group, my marriage was a nerve-wracking affair for many.

"So eager, huh?" Kashton frowned, his voice laced with irritation. "I haven't even shown up and you've picked me?"

The others quickly caught on, raising their glasses to congratulate him. "Kashton, a marriage alliance between two great families, don't forget to give us a leg up in the future!"

Kashton basked in their compliments, his face splitting into a proud grin. Then, turning to me, he frowned again, "Since it's like this, you better behave yourself and stop bragging about it."

At that moment, I caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the opposite end of the ballroom. Priscilla George, my stepsister. Her presence made Kashton's expression change instantly. He hurried towards her, supporting the seemingly frail girl. "Priscilla, you said you weren't feeling well. Why are you here?" His voice full of concern.

Priscilla weakly clutched her chest, her voice barely a whisper, "Even if I'm unwell, how could I not come to my sister's event?"

Upon hearing her words, Kashton whipped around, glaring at me with anger. "You're so overbearing, Priscilla isn't well, yet you forced her to come."

"Looks like I'll need to reconsider our Wallace-Cook alliance," he said with a tone of finality.

Priscilla clutched Kashton's hand, her eyes glistening with tears, "Kashton, are you going to marry my sister?"

He hastily reassured her, "It's just an alliance; you're the one I love."

As he spoke those words, a myriad of expressions appeared on everyone's faces. I stood there, expressionless, feeling their gazes fall upon me. There was pity, ridicule, and most of all, the thrill of those watching a scandal unfold.

When I was ten, my father remarried, wedding the nurse who had been caring for him. Priscilla came to the Cook family with my stepmother. Her status was awkward, never accepted by high society. In my previous life, my father found her a husband, the heir to a small business. Though not from a noble family, he was upright and had a solid background. However, Priscilla was dissatisfied, spending her days in a drunken stupor, eventually succumbing to an overdose. For the sake of both families' reputations, we claimed she died from depression.

I never disclosed this to Kashton, which is why he believed that Priscilla died from heartbreak due to unrequited love.