Chapter 1
[System: "Which one do you choose? The comatose rich man, or the kind man with potential?"]
In my past life, my younger sister married a richest man. She lived like a widow her entire life, and in the end, she was kicked out of the house by his illegitimate son.
I married a promising man, but he turned out to be abusive. He beat me until I lost my baby, and I spent my whole life in misery, yet my sister only saw the "perfect family" I seemed to have on the surface.
When we were reborn back at the engagement party, my sister rushed forward and threw her arms around the promising man. "Judy, being with the richest man is too hard. This time, I'll be the one who stays by his side no matter what."
I held back tears, all of it an act, and married into the richest man.
Meanwhile, my sister was busy dreaming of a life where her husband's success would bring her status and luxury.
She didn't know that the so-called promising man would turn violent when drunk. He'd even grab a knife and attack people.
And what she knew even less, the richest man had actually been awake all along. He was only pretending to be unconscious to flush out the traitor around him.
*****
"Judy, I'm sorry. I've fallen for Ferol," Serene said softly.
At the engagement party, Serene, looking all innocent and pitiful, clung tightly to Ferol right in front of everyone.
Ferol looked utterly guilty.
"Judy, I'm sorry. But I've realized the one I truly love is Serene."
The guests below erupted in shock, and my parents' faces turned dark.
I stood on the stage, staring at that shameless couple, my heart went cold as stone.
Just like last time, the system's icy voice echoed in my mind.
[Option A: Roffin Baxlor, the comatose richest man. Option B: Ferol Gallant, the gentle promising man. Please choose your marriage partner.]
Serene went straight for Option A without a second thought.
She said, "Judy, I won't let you suffer like that. I'll take the hit for you."
In my previous life, she married into the Baxlor family and instantly became the center of attention.
Meanwhile, I ended up with Ferol, the 'promising man' Serene kept bragging about.
After the wedding, Ferol's mask of gentleness shattered completely.
He started drinking and gambling, and whenever he lost, he'd take out his rage on me with his fists.
The first time I miscarried was on a snowy day. He kicked me down the stairs.
The snow turned crimson with my blood.
I called Serene for help, but she acted like it was no big deal.
"Judy, every couple fights. Ferol's just under a lot of stress. You should cut him some slack."
"Look at me, stuck with a guy who's basically a vegetable. Now that's what real misery looks like."
She never saw me as the one hurting.
All she ever noticed was that I had a "complete" family and a husband who was actually alive and kicking.
Later, when the Baxlor family was caught up in a vicious power struggle, Roffin's illegitimate son threw Serene out after she'd spent ten years like a lonely widow.
Meanwhile, Ferol finally beat me to death during yet another violent episode.
Reborn, I found myself back at the engagement party, starting all over again.
Serene had tears streaming down her face, looking all pitiful as she hugged Ferol tightly.
"Judy, life with the Baxlor family is just too miserable. I don't want you to go through that again. This time, let me stay by Ferol's side, never leaving him."
Nice acting, Serene.
She thought I had no clue that Ferol's company just scored a huge investment, and his future was looking brighter than ever.
She also thought I didn't know that Roffin's condition hadn't improved one bit and marrying him was basically asking for trouble.
She never wanted to suffer in my place.
What she really wanted was to become the wife of a successful man and bask in Ferol's glory.
I looked at her, my tears falling perfectly on cue.
"Serene, are you... really sure about this?"
"Absolutely! Judy, you deserve something better!"
She was so determined, as if she was worried I might back out.
I turned to Ferol, who looked painfully awkward, my voice shaky.
"Ferol, since your heart belongs to Serene, I'll step aside and let you have her."
With that, I took off my engagement ring and firmly pressed it into his hand.
Then, right in front of everyone, I dialed the Baxlor family's number.
"Mrs. Baxlor, I agree to marry Roffin."
The whole room went dead silent.
Serene and Ferol's faces froze in disbelief for a moment, but then their shock quickly turned into excitement as they lit up with joy.
But only I knew the truth, Ferol was a psycho who'd actually grab a knife and go after people, while Roffin, the comatose rich man, had woken up a long time ago.
My wedding to Roffin was hurried and plain.
No guests, no ceremony, just a couple of signatures on the marriage papers.
Paula, my mother-in-law, flung a bunch of keys onto the table in front of me.
"These are for Roffin's bedroom. From today on, you move in and take care of him."
Her voice was all command, zero warmth.
"Just remember. Your job is to look after him. Don't get any funny ideas."
I lowered my gaze and nodded obediently.
"Yes, Mom."