Chapter 1

"Sign it. The agent can start the transfer process this afternoon," James Carter said as he slid the pen toward me.

I stared at the property purchase agreement on the table, frozen for a while.

This was the exact day it happened in my previous life.

I sold the house my parents bought for me before they got married for 500,000 dollars and invested every last cent into James's startup.

Then I quit my job to stand by his side: chasing clients, overseeing deliveries, and begging suppliers for cooperation.

Five years later, his company was valued at over 30 million dollars.

Olivia Blake became one of the company's shareholders.

I didn't own a single share.

On the day we divorced, James frowned and asked me, "Emily, aside from enjoying the success I built, what have you actually done all these years?"

When I opened my eyes again, the house sale contract was still sitting in front of me.

But this time, I had been given a second chance.

*****

"Emily?" Margaret Carter, my mother-in-law, urged, "What are you spacing out for? James needs the money urgently. Sign it quickly."

I looked up.

James sat across from me, looking like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It was exactly the same as last time.

I reached out and picked up the pen.

Margaret's face brightened up right away.

She said, "That's the spirit. Couples shouldn't keep things so separate, you know? When James's company takes off, you'll be the boss lady. Who cares about just one house?"

I nodded, trying to keep my expression calm.

But in the next second, I snapped the cap back on the pen.

I said, "Sorry. The house isn't for sale."

The room fell silent.

The realtor stood there, stunned, and Margaret's smile froze on her face.

James frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said," I replied.

I closed the contract and pushed it back toward the realtor.

"Sorry you had to come all this way for nothing. If there are any breach-of-contract fees, just list them out and send them to me. I'll handle it," I said.

The realtor glanced at me and then at James.

"Ms. Dawson, are you sure? The buyer's almost ready to close," the realtor said.

"I'm sure," I replied.

"Emily!" Margaret shot up from her seat. "Are you out of your mind? The contract's all set, and now you're just backing out?"

I looked up at her.

"Why can't I say no to selling my own house?" I said.

She was momentarily at a loss for words, then her face darkened.

"What do you mean, 'your house'? After four years of marriage, why are you still acting like it's just yours and not ours?" she snapped.

"My parents bought this house outright before I got married," I said. "And my name is the only one on the deed. Of course it's mine."

In my previous life, I never said anything like that.

Back then, I genuinely wanted to make things work with James.

He said he wanted to start his own business.

I thought couples should stick together.

I figured we could always buy another house.

We could always find another job.

And if we missed an opportunity, there would always be more chances down the road.

But later, I finally understood.

Once I gave up certain things, I she could never get them back.

Margaret's chest heaved with anger.

"How did you suddenly become so selfish?" she snapped. "James still needs over 300 thousand dollars for his startup. Selling this house would cover it perfectly.

"If he succeeds, do you really think you won't get your share of the benefits?"

I almost burst out laughing.

In my previous life, I believed that too.

So when the company was founded, James said the equity structure should be left as was for now, and I didn't think much of it.

He said there was no need for couples to keep such detailed accounts, and I believed him.

It wasn't until the divorce that I found out.

James held 55% of the shares.

Olivia held 35%.

The remaining 10% was reserved for employee incentives.

And me, the one who put up the initial 500 thousand dollars in startup capital.

My name never appeared on the shareholder list.

"Mom," James said, his face darkening as he cut her off.

Then he looked over at me.

"Is this about our argument the other day? Are you still holding a grudge?" he asked.

I stared at him.

Same as before, every time I made a choice he didn't like, he'd say I was just being petty.

He'd accuse me of making a scene.

He'd call me immature.

"No," I said.

"Then why are you suddenly backing out?" James pressed.

"Because I've thought it through."

I leaned back in her chair.

"Starting a business was your decision," I said. "So you should take on the risks yourself.

"I'm not going to use the house I owned before we got married to bail out your dream."

James's expression turned stormy.

"Emily, we're married," he said.

"That's right." I nodded. "So what?"

He clearly hadn't expected me to say that.

"Isn't it normal for couples to support each other?" he said.

"It is." I looked at him. "So if I quit my job to start a business, would you sell your parents' home to support me?"

Margaret was the first to blow up.

"Why should we sell our family home?" she snapped.

I gave a wry smile.

"See?" I said. "Looks like you're drawing the line pretty clearly."

Her face flushed red.

James slammed his cup down hard.

"Enough," he said. "Did you have to say it like that?"

I didn't say another word.

The realtor, sensing the tension, quickly gathered up the contract.

"Well, Ms. Dawson, I'll head out now. I'll put together the list of breach-of-contract fees and get in touch with you," the realtor said.

I got up and walked him out.

As soon as the door closed, James's voice turned cold. "Emily, I'm asking you one last time. Are you really not selling this house?"

"I'm not selling," I said.

"Even if that means my company can't get started because of you?" he pressed.

I looked at him.

"James," I said. "Why is it on me if your business can't get off the ground?

"Did I stop you from starting your business?

"Or did I write your business plan for you?

"Funding, connections, team—those are things you, as the entrepreneur, should handle yourself.

"You can't just play the boss while I sell my house for you, right?"

His face darkened.

Margaret couldn't resist throwing shade from the sidelines.

"Fine then," she said. "Earning a few bucks at your job and you really think you're hot stuff now, huh?

"Women just don't have any vision.

"If James really makes it big someday, don't come crying to me when you regret it."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Last life, they said the same thing.

And sure enough, James really did make it big.

And I really did regret it.