"Mona, you really need to think this through. Our family isn't what it used to be. If you stay, you'll only suffer…"

My mother's voice pulled me out of those painful memories. I saw her holding Mona's hand tightly, her eyes full of reluctance and heartache.

I remembered it clearly. In my last life, when Mona chose to live a good life, my parents' eyes had been filled with satisfaction. They didn't even bother saying a single word to comfort me.

Of course. In their eyes, I was one year older than Mona, so I was supposed to give in to her in everything. I was the one who was meant to suffer.

It had always been that way, ever since we were kids.

Mona spoke with righteous passion.

"Mom, I know you love me, but I've grown up. Laura has never been able to handle hardship since she was little. I…"

Before she could finish, Mona's voice choked up. She glanced at me timidly, as if I had threatened her. In the end, she swallowed the rest of her sentence.

I sneered inwardly. How did I not see through Mona's fake act in my last life?

Sure enough, the moment Mona covered her face and cried, our mother's gaze toward me turned noticeably colder.

Mona even shot me a smug little smile.

"So, Laura, what do you think? Mona can't possibly handle a hard life…"

My father looked at me anxiously, as if hoping I would give a different answer.

It was always like this. They never stated their wishes outright. They knew I was soft-hearted and couldn't bear to see Mona lose out, so the only one who ever paid the price was me.

This question was really a threat, a warning for me to know my place, leaving me with no excuse to blame them later.

"I respect Mona's decision."

I lowered my eyes, hiding the chill in them. I pretended not to understand the deeper meaning behind my father's words.

My father froze for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

"Then it's settled. Laura, you'll marry into the Whites. Mona will stay and help me," he said. After a pause, he added, "Laura, once you're married, don't forget to help Mona out. Pay attention to the investment matter."

I remembered clearly how, in my last life, when Mona chose to marry Jonah, my father had only held her hand with concern and spoken earnestly.

"Just focus on living your life well. Don't burden yourself with the family. Our bankruptcy already dragged you down and lowered your standing with the Whites. We'll do everything we can to not trouble you again."

But when it came to me, I was expected to support the family at every turn.

What blatant favoritism.

So be it. I had already seen my own parents for who they truly were. The pain spread through me, but my heart was strangely calm.

I didn't answer. I just went upstairs and packed a few clothes.

Mona leaned against the doorframe, looking at me with open disdain.

"Life at the Whites isn't some cozy paradise. Go ahead and enjoy that psycho's love."

I only glanced at Mona indifferently, my face blank.

This time, I would be setting the rules of the game.

The Whites' car was already waiting outside. I picked up my suitcase and looked back at the family of three inside the house.

My father rubbed his temples in exhaustion, while my mother held Mona tightly, full of concern. However, from an angle our parents couldn't see, Mona flashed me a victorious smile.

I watched the whole scene coldly.

I sneered inwardly.

What an idiot. Did she think stealing my path from my last life meant she would get a good ending in this one?

In this life, I would let her experience firsthand what it really meant to live in hell.

The Whites' estate was even more grand than I remembered.

In my last life, after Mona married into the Whites, she had smugly bragged to me about how luxurious this place was.

Back then, I was drowning in the company's cash flow crisis and didn't have the energy to care about her showing off.

Now that I was standing here myself, I realized her descriptions hadn't even covered a sliver of it.

"We're here."

The driver opened the door respectfully.

I stepped out of the car and looked up at the building, which resembled an ancient, glamorous castle.

The Whites were the true top-tier elite of the city. Their businesses spanned the globe, and even people in politics reportedly gave them some respect.

If not for the strong friendship between our grandfathers' generation, people from our family would never have been able to marry into a family like this.

"So you're Laura?"

A lazy male voice came from the side.

I turned my head and saw a tall man leaning against a marble column.

His white dress shirt was casually unbuttoned at the collar, revealing sharp, elegant collarbones.

A cigarette rested between his fingers. Through the curling smoke, his narrow eyes slowly swept over me.

Jonah.

I silently repeated the name.

This was the demon who had tortured Mona until she was barely alive in my last life.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. White."

I gave a slight nod, deliberately letting a strand of hair fall by my ear. In my last life, Mona had mentioned that Jonah hated ostentatious women.

To my surprise, Jonah suddenly straightened up and pressed the cigarette out against a nearby ash stand. He strode over and stopped in front of me. Then he reached out and tucked that loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Just call me honey." His voice was low, with a faint trace of amusement. "You don't need to be so formal. We're getting married, anyway."

My whole body stiffened. This was nothing like the cold and ruthless Jonah Mona had described.

"What, did I scare you?"

Jonah raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned close to my ear.

"Don't worry. I'm…very gentle with women."

His warm breath brushed against my ear. I instinctively stepped back half a step, but he grabbed my wrist.

"Hey, now. Shouldn't we try to build some chemistry?"

I knew Jonah was definitely not as harmless as he looked. I broke free from his grip and asked awkwardly, "Where am I staying?"

The corner of Jonah's mouth curved into a smile I couldn't quite read as he led me inside the villa.

"Your room is next to mine." He pushed open a carved wooden door. "If you need anything, just tell the butler."

The room was more than three times the size of my bedroom back home. It was done in muted gray and blue tones, with floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto a private balcony.

I walked to the window and realized it overlooked the rose garden in the backyard.

"Do you like it?" Jonah leaned against the doorframe. "I had it prepared especially for you."

I turned to look at him, more surprised than pleased.

"Mr. White…I mean, Jonah, when is our wedding date?"

"What's the rush?" He chuckled. "Are you that eager to marry me?"

My heart skipped a beat.

After saying that, he gave me a meaningful look and turned to leave.

Only after his footsteps completely faded did I finally let out a long breath and sit down on the edge of the bed.

Something was wrong. None of this felt right.

Jonah's attitude toward me was completely different from how he treated Mona in my last life. Could my choice have triggered a butterfly effect?

I picked up my phone and saw more than ten missed calls, all from Mona.

I let out a cold laugh and ignored them.

When I was running around for the company in my last life, she had never been this "concerned" about me.

Just as I put the phone down, a message popped up.

[Why aren't you picking up? I'm really worried about you. Did the Whites make things hard for you? Is Jonah scary? Do you want me to come see you?]

I replied, [Everything's fine. Jonah's a gentleman. You should focus on the company. I heard creditors showed up today.]

Less than ten seconds after the message was sent, my phone rang.

I curled my lips and pressed to answer.

"Laura, what are you so smug about? Jonah's treating you well? I don't believe you. You're just trying to make me jealous!" Mona sneered.

I stayed silent.

Mona probably thought she had seen through me and grew even more pleased with herself.

"Stop pretending everything's fine. When you start crying later, don't come begging us to take you in!"

I only smiled faintly. "Deal with the creditors first, then we'll talk."

After hanging up, I laughed silently.

I hoped she enjoyed the first big gift of her reborn life.