After I was reborn, I dumped the cheating bastard and married his older twin brother. But as it turns out, I still picked the wrong man.

In my past life, I married Maxwell Vaughan, the younger twin. Not long after our wedding, he started sleeping with Kelly Sloan, the maid's daughter.

For her, he set the house on fire while I was sleeping. I woke up burned beyond recognition.

Amoura, the world-famous lingerie brand, dropped me overnight. Just like that, my modeling career was over.

This time, I chose Charlie Vaughan, the older twin.

We were in sync and deeply in love. I thought I'd finally made it, that I'd rise to the top and become the supermodel I was meant to be.

But the night before my Amoura runway show, my face was burned again.

Charlie uncovered the truth quickly and had Maxwell arrested. For a moment, I thought I'd made the right choice this time.

Six years later, I overhear something I was never meant to hear as Charlie tucks our sons, Declan and Dylan Vaughan, into bed.

"Dad, Uncle Max already took the fall for Kelly. So why did she have to leave the country? Couldn't she have stayed here with us?"

"Yeah, Dad. We still want Kelly to be our mom. We hate that freak!"

Charlie pulls Declan and Dylan into his arms. His gaze softens with sorrow, then hardens with quiet resolve.

"I already betrayed your mom once for Kelly. I'll spend the rest of my life to make it right."

A rush of emotion surged through me, the pain cutting deeper than the fire ever did. For six years of marriage and eight years of love, I've been nothing more than a joke.

Only now do I see it—Charlie loved Kelly all along, just like Maxwell did. Our marriage was nothing more than a matter of convenience.

Even Declan and Dylan call me a freak and wish Kelly were their mother.

If that's how it is, then so be it. I'm done with all three of them.

"Mom looks like a freaking ghost! I'm not going out with her! What if she scares someone?" Declan Vaughan yelled at Charlie Vaughan, on the verge of losing it.

His words seemed to slam into me, knocking the air right out of my lungs.

Charlie reached over and flicked both Declan and Dylan Vaughan on the forehead.

"I'm the one who failed her. She'll always be my wife, as long as she wants to be," he said.

"What if she wants to leave?"

"If she finds out we like Kelly, she'll probably walk away on her own, won't she?"

Charlie's expression hardened. "She can't find out. And neither of you is going to tell her. I've made my choice to spend the rest of my life making it up to her. So just let her hold on to what peace she has."

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I felt my heart crack wide open. I had to hide somewhere to dull the ache those words had left behind.

Back in the bedroom, I spotted a photo album on the nightstand that hadn't been there before. I was drawn to it by something I couldn't explain, so I walked over and opened the heavy cover.

Every photo inside was of Kelly Sloan—shots of her in competitions, striking poses on the runway from every angle, and pictures of her with Charlie, Declan, and Dylan.

When I saw her up there on the runway—so confident and radiant—I couldn't keep the storm inside me from breaking loose.

Every photo was stamped with the date and location. Every time Charlie took Declan and Dylan out for "family time", they were actually off visiting Kelly.

They'd surprise her backstage during her shows overseas. They'd show up at fashion expos as investors, backing her like proud family, until the whole world believed that was exactly what they were.

My chest ached like it had been split wide open. I thought this second chance was supposed to be a clean slate—a chance at something new. But here I was, knocked flat all over again.

In my last life, I truly believed Maxwell Vaughan and I were cut from the same cloth. Perhaps we weren't soulmates, but I thought we'd grow old side by side.

However, he'd been working against me behind my back right up until the day I died.

When Charlie found out, he beat Maxwell bloody at my funeral, just like their family tradition dictated. He ignored the protests from his parents, Ben Vaughan and Laurie Turner.

That was the moment I let myself believe his feelings for me had been real.

So when I got this second chance, I didn't fall for Maxwell's empty gestures. I chose Charlie, the one who'd always been steady and grounded. And yet, life had sucker-punched me all over again.

Charlie played his role a little too well. For six whole years, he had completely fooled me. In the end, every word he said felt like a knife to the gut.

Maxwell and Charlie played me for a fool in this life and the one before it.

I put the photo album back and wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. But when I turned around, the door creaked open, and there Charlie was.

"Lucia…"

Charlie walked in with a smile, but it vanished the second he saw the photo album on the nightstand. His eyes flicked to me, sharp and searching.

"Are you getting some rest? I just came to grab a file," he said.

I nodded and eased onto the pillow, appearing calm on the outside.

Charlie let his guard down right away and hurried to stash the album out of sight.

"Just some confidential company stuff. I left it here by mistake," he quickly remarked.

Declan and Dylan stood in the doorway, nodding as they called Charlie out for his carelessness.

I shut my eyes, sick with disbelief. How had I ever fallen for their lousy act?

Charlie sat on the edge of the bed, took my hand, and pressed a soft kiss to it.

"Lucia, the weather's been awful lately. Is your face bothering you again? I've already found the best plastic surgeon. Once you're healed, you'll be back in the modeling competition and shine brighter than ever. No matter what happens, I'll always love you."

His words flowed out so easily, like they cost him nothing. And that was exactly how he fooled me—all those easy, sugarcoated promises were just another way to keep me in line.

I was just about to tell Charlie to leave me alone when his phone buzzed.

Whatever tension he'd been carrying disappeared the moment he looked at the screen. His fingers flew over the keyboard, already typing back.

"Just an update about Declan and Dylan's competition," he told me.

He looked relaxed, as if it really were just about some competition. But I'd seen Kelly's profile picture when he tapped the message open, her image as clear as day.

Charlie took my hand, his gaze steady and earnest.

"Lucia, I can't go with you to the consultation today. The competition results just came in. I've got to take Declan and Dylan to the finals. You know how much this means. You said it yourself.

"We'll reschedule the appointment, alright? Just take it easy today," he said gently.

I looked up at him. His expression was one of complete honesty, but that didn't fool me anymore. I ran a hand over my cheek, the loneliness creeping into my eyes.

Still, I didn't look away. I pressed my lips together.

"Does it have to be today, Charlie?" I asked.

It felt like one last chance for both of us to change our minds. Hope still clung to me, faint but stubborn.

But Charlie just smiled. He reached up, gently smoothing my hair, his voice firm and resolute.

"You're the one who said Declan and Dylan's competition mattered more, remember? This could actually change their future. We'll come straight back when it's done. And then, I'm making that creamy mushroom pasta you love."

I lowered my gaze to Declan and Dylan, still standing in the doorway, hesitant to come in.

"Is it for the competition?" I asked.

"Mom, you've never seen one. This is the finals," Declan said.

"Declan and I are on the same team. We'll bring the medal back to show you," Dylan chimed in.

I didn't have anything left to say. I just sank deeper into the blankets and gave them a small wave.

Charlie knew that was me letting go. Without another word, he rushed off to get changed, then left with the boys.

The bedroom was quiet, except for the sound of my muffled sobs. When the tears finally dried, I reached for my phone and called my brother, Kurt Gladstone.

"Kurt… I want a divorce. And about my injury back then..."

I had stubbornly brushed off all my family's warnings and married Charlie anyway, only to end up broken and leaving them to deal with the fallout.

When I finished speaking, Kurt launched into a furious tirade, cursing Charlie without holding back.

"Leave it to me. I'll make sure he pays for what he did! Did you really think Maxwell rotting in prison was enough? The other two won't get away with it either. So, are you really sure about this?"

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded. "Yes, Kurt. Getting divorced is for the best."

I couldn't wait to get the hell out of this damn place.

"What about the twins?"

When I was pregnant with them, the doctors had warned me how risky it was. In the end, all three of us had nearly died.

Still, I'd always believed Declan and Dylan were gifts from heaven. If it were up to me, I'd keep them with me.

Sure, it made sense that they preferred Kelly right now. I was disfigured, and they were still just kids. But if I raised them right, they'd come to understand one day.

I opened my mouth to say it, but the words caught in my throat.

-

Charlie had walked in with Declan and Dylan right behind him.

When Declan and Dylan saw me sitting in the living room with my phone, they instinctively started backing toward their rooms, but Charlie pulled them back.

"Why are you out here? Are you hungry?" he asked me.

I turned off my phone and set it face down on the table. "Just needed a change of scenery. I've been lying down too long."

Charlie didn't say anything else. He just headed into the kitchen to make me some pasta. Later, he set it in front of me.

I took one bite and instantly lost my appetite. It tasted bland, but I used to love that pasta because Charlie made it. Now, just thinking about it made me feel sick—it was exactly like our relationship.

I picked at my food absentmindedly.

Charlie shot me a confused look, asking, "What's wrong? Did I mess up the cooking today?"

Behind him, Declan and Dylan were watching me, too.

"No, it's fine. Just don't make this again," I said.

Charlie froze, panic flickering across his face.

I gave an excuse. "I've just been craving stronger flavors lately."

His expression softened as he met my eyes.

"Alright, I'll make you something else. Whatever you want, just say the word."

I pressed my lips together, staring at the document Kurt had sent. It was the divorce agreement he'd dug up, all ready to be printed and signed.

I was done with Charlie.

…

The next afternoon, I got a call from the competition organizers. Declan and Dylan had won first place, and I was expected to attend the award ceremony.

I hardly ever went out. And if I did, I steered clear of crowds.

I stood there for a long time, feeling torn.

They'd had so many milestones over the years, and I hadn't been there for any of them. As I was afraid they'd be let down again, I threw on a cap and a mask before stepping outside.

…

The moment I arrived at the awards hall, I spotted one of the organizers by the entrance. He noticed me right away and started walking over.

"I was told to come to the award ceremony. My kids are in it—"

Before I could finish, he gave me a sharp, suspicious look. His stare made my stomach twist.

"Which kids are yours? All the parents are already inside. You need to leave now, or I'm calling the police."

I froze. Whatever I'd meant to say died in my throat. Suddenly, I heard Kelly's voice.

"I'll step out for a moment," she said.

Across from her stood Declan and Dylan.

She strutted over, eyes gleaming with open contempt.

"Wow. You've actually got the guts to show your face? I'm surprised people aren't running the other way."

Kelly's eyes raked across my face, slow and deliberate.

"None of your business," I muttered.

"Lucia, do you really think you're still the beloved Gladstone heiress everyone used to worship? You're nothing but a sad, ruined mess. The funny thing? Your face could've been saved.

"But I wanted that first place from the modeling competition, so he made sure they used something that would ruin it completely. Hey, at least now you stand out.

"The more disgusting you look, the more it proves how much he loves me."

My composure snapped in an instant. My face wasn't just a career-ending disaster—it was the one thing that had haunted me more than anything else.

For a blinding second, all I wanted was to lunge at her and drag us both into the dark. But before I could move, she stepped back and slammed into the wall.

I didn't even have time to register what was happening before a brutal slap knocked me off my feet. I hit the floor hard, blood bursting from my mouth. My cap flew off, and my mask hung from one ear.

Charlie's furious voice cut through the air. "You got a death wish? You think you can touch someone under my protection?"

I ignored the blood pooling at the corner of my mouth and fumbled with my mask, trying to hook it back over my ear.

Across from me, Charlie was beside Kelly, examining the cut on her forehead. His face had gone soft, all concern.

"So what if I did?" I retorted.

I shoved myself upright, smearing the blood on my hands across my clothes without a second thought. My eyes locked onto his.

I was thankful I hadn't started crying yet.