The day ended in a flurry of hushed whispers and speculation from family members.

When the dinner bell rang, I packed my files twice as fast as usual.

I could already hear the uncles from the branch families talking in the hallway. I grabbed my briefcase and rushed for the door, desperate to avoid Julian.

But just as I stepped out of the main house, I saw him standing under the old oak tree, his white linen shirt fluttering in the evening breeze.

In all the years I'd known him, this was the first time he'd ever waited for me.

I pretended not to see him and quickened my pace, trying to slip past.

But he stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Evelyn! Why are you avoiding me?"

I had to stop. "Is there something you need?"

His brow furrowed, his eyes glinting with an emotion I didn't recognize. "What is all this about? We agreed on the marriage, on running our families' futures together. Why did you suddenly back out?"

The lamplight filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled pattern on his face. This was the face I once spent every waking moment thinking about, but now, it just made me feel tired.

Memories from my past life flooded back.

For ten years after our marriage, he didn't love me, but he never hesitated to order me around, making me handle all the dirty work.

Analyzing ledgers for him, neutralizing his rivals, even running back and forth through the rain during a firefight to bring him backup...

And because I loved him, I did it all, knowing full well he was just using me. I was never truly happy.

I sighed and decided to get it all out at once. "I think I made myself perfectly clear earlier."

"You don't love me. Since that's the case, I won't bother you anymore, and you can stop using me. We'll go our separate ways."

He stared at me for a moment, then a smirk played on his lips. "Evelyn, what kind of game are you playing now?"

"I'm serious this time."

"Cut the crap!" he suddenly snapped. "You've been following me around, cleaning up my messes for years. Now you're just going to walk away? You expect me to believe that?!"

Family guards passing by glanced over, a few even stopping to watch the show.

Julian seemed to realize he was losing his composure and lowered his voice. "What's gotten into you? Did someone say something to you?"

I shook my head and turned to leave.

But he grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it hurt.

"Is this because I gave the port analysis you wrote to Sophia Blanco?" he blurted out. "You're going to throw a fit over something so small? Her father needed a similar proposal, so I just—"

Sophia Blanco.

The name was like a poisoned dagger stabbing straight into my heart.

In my last life, Sophia was the "soulmate" Julian met while expanding his business in Europe. The woman he loved for half his life.

I never knew they had connected so early.

The thought of my own ignorance, my own stupidity, made me laugh out loud.

Seeing my reaction, Julian quickly let go, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," I said, taking a step back. "I wish you two the best of luck."

Then I turned and walked away, my pace so fast I was almost running.

I could hear Julian shouting behind me, "Evelyn! Get back here and explain yourself!"

I didn't look back.

Under the night sky, my shadow stretched out long and lonely on the path back to my house.

In my last life, it wasn't until I was on my deathbed that I heard from someone else that Julian and Sophia had known each other long before he went to Europe.

By the time I reached my house, the moon was hanging over the estate's clock tower, the sky a deep, dark blue.

I stood at my front door, hesitating to take out my key.

How much did I give up for Julian in my last life?

Wharton, my right to inherit my family's legacy, my entire life.

And in return, he took the heart I offered him and crushed it into the mud, leaving it to rot.

The door suddenly swung open from the inside. My mother stood there holding a plate of pastries, stunned. "What are you doing standing out here? Why don't you come in?"

Looking at my mother's still-youthful face, a lump formed in my throat.

In my past life, I embezzled the family's emergency funds to cover Julian's financial screw-ups. Because of that, my mother couldn't get the best treatment when she got sick. I was such a monster.

I fought back tears, took the plate from her, and smiled. "Mom, I got into Wharton."

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Really? But I thought you were going to marry Julian."

"I've thought it through," I said softly. "It's time to live for myself."

My mother gently stroked my hair. She didn't ask any more questions, just smiled and said, "Good. Your mom supports you."

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling until the early hours of the morning.

The moonlight was bright, illuminating the signed family agreement on my desk.

Next to Julian Moretti's name, the space for my signature was blank.

Reborn, I finally understood.

Some people are simply not worth betting your entire world on.