I couldn’t understand why she had reacted so strongly.

Wasn’t it normal to delete an ex’s contact after a breakup?

Besides, I have someone at home who’s notoriously jealous. If she found out I still had my ex-girlfriend’s info, she’d give me hell for it.

“Weren’t you the one who told me not to come looking for you ever again after we broke up?”

Regina’s expression froze at my words. She looked like she wanted to say something, but stayed silent in the end.

I added flatly, “And I don’t need your money either.”

Her face darkened further. After being turned down again and again, her tone went cold.

“Why are you still pretending? If you weren’t so pathetic right now, I wouldn’t even bother saying a word to you.”

Tyler comforted her gently. “Regina, you’re just too kind. A guy like this isn’t worth your time. Look at him, all pathetic and hopeless. A complete loser!”

His tone dripped with disdain, as if he’d forgotten that ten years ago, he was even worse.

In our last life, Regina’s family had opposed her relationship with Tyler for good reason. He was nothing more than a delinquent, constantly in trouble with the law.

The first time I met Regina in college, she had just bailed Tyler out of the county jail and was being pressured by her family to break up with him.

During her lowest days, I stayed by her side and helped her through it.

Since she loved photography, I used the money I’d originally set aside for starting a business to buy her professional equipment worth tens of thousands.

Through the heat of summer and the freezing winter, I carried that heavy gear as I trailed behind her, just to see her smile from the heart.

Who would’ve thought that Regina would be the one to confess to me first?

I knew about her past with Tyler, having seen her occasionally staring at old photos, lost in thought.

So when she confessed, I asked her seriously, “Have you really moved on from Tyler?”

Back then, she held me tightly and said firmly, “That’s all in the past. I finally see who truly cares about me. Daniel, I love you. Let’s be together.”

We dated for seven years. Even her best friend was surprised.

“She loved Tyler so much, I didn’t think you two would last.”

However, no one knew how many times Regina had refused my proposals in private.

“Daniel, I don’t believe in marriage. Can’t we just stay like this forever?”

It wasn’t until her parents pressured her endlessly that she finally agreed.

Then, during our honeymoon, news came that Tyler had been in a car accident.

Regina leaped into the sea from the cruise, leaving behind only a note.

Every word on that note was about Tyler, not a single line for me.

At the very end, written in blood, she wrote, “Tyler, all I ever wanted was to be your bride. I’m coming to you now.”

That was the moment my love for her turned completely to ashes.

So, when I was reborn and Regina wanted to break up, I didn’t stop her.

After all, I knew there was no changing it.

I thought deleting all her contact info and watching her reunite with Tyler would mean we’d never cross paths again.

Yet, here she was, in front of me tonight.

I was ready to leave, but Tyler refused to let it go. He insisted on humiliating me in front of everyone.

“To get close to Regina, you really went all out, didn’t you? Look at you, dressed like that. I bet you don’t even have a real job.

“Tell you what, I can introduce you to a position here at the hotel. Learn how to serve people, and you could make five figures a month.”

Someone nearby jumped in, eager to flatter him.

“This is a luxury hotel in Rivendell’s prime district! Working here would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. Shouldn’t you be grateful?”

I found myself surrounded, unable to leave. With no other choice, I said calmly, “Thanks, but I already have a job.

“I’m a photographer.”

The moment I said the word, Regina’s eyes snapped toward me. Something complicated flickered in her gaze, her lips moving as if to speak.

However, she turned her head away and said coldly, “Photography? How much money can that make? A hobby doesn’t put food on the table. Look, since we all know each other, I can help arrange a proper job for you.”

I froze. In that instant, I realized she had completely misunderstood me.

I didn’t love photography because I still had feelings for Regina.

The truth was that all my feelings for her had already died when I saw her suicide note in my last life.

It was only after I was reborn that I realized all my savings had already been spent on photography equipment.

I couldn’t resell it online. So, I picked it up myself.

In the end, I fell in love with it.

This time around, I wasn’t doing it to please anyone. I was doing it for myself.

I gave Regina another polite but distant refusal. “My hobby earns me more than enough. Thanks for your concern.”

Her expression tightened, anger flashing in her eyes.

“I’m offering you an opportunity. Don’t come crying to me later when you regret it!”

I stayed silent.

I didn’t bother to tell her that my photos were regularly published in national magazines and even top international journals. The royalties alone weren’t any less than her income.

However, if I said that, she’d probably just think I was bragging, especially since I was standing there in wrinkled pajamas.

It was all my son’s fault. He insisted I play in the sandbox with him, and when I turned around, he had run downstairs.

I didn’t have time to change before I rushed after him.

Just as I was thinking of leaving, the same waiter noticed something.

He pointed at my clothes.

“Balenciaga? Where’d you pick that up? Don’t tell me you’re a janitor here who stole it from a guest’s room?”

I frowned.

“Why can’t it be mine?”

Tyler let out a mocking laugh.

“Yours? Can you even afford it? What kind of rich person would run around looking like a slob?”

He pinched his nose theatrically. “Dirty, too. Probably didn’t even wash it before throwing it on.”

Regina’s brows knitted so tightly it looked like she might crush a fly between them.

“Daniel, look at yourself. Do you still want to argue?”

I ignored them and looked straight at the waiter.

“If you really think I stole something, then call the police.”

I knew he was only trying to curry favor with Tyler by stepping on me.

Sure enough, his arrogance deflated immediately. He muttered under his breath, “If it weren’t for some very important guests at the hotel tonight, I’d have already called the cops.”

Tyler’s eyes lit up, and he quickly cut in, “Important guests? You mean the Browns’ daughter, right? I heard she’s here with her family, staying at this hotel.”

Regina nodded, her eyes flashing with excitement.

“If our company’s project could get the Browns’ support, that would be incredible.”

The mention of the Browns was like pouring water on hot oil, stirring up conversation.

“Isn’t that why we all came tonight—hoping to meet Ms. Brown? Her family owns this entire building.”

“I heard she married young, in her early twenties, and already has kids. I wonder which family she married into.”

As people gossiped, the hotel manager suddenly rushed in, sweating and anxious, followed by a group of staff.

“Everyone, have you seen a seven-year-old boy? About this tall.” His eyes scanned the crowd with urgency as he wiped off his sweat.

The guests caught on quickly. With such a fuss, there was only one possibility.

“Could it be the Browns’ young master? I heard he just turned seven this year.”

The ballroom buzzed with excitement as people scrambled to help search.

After all, whoever found the boy might get the chance to connect with the Browns.

Even Regina and Tyler eagerly joined the search, leaving me alone.

I scanned the chaos, then walked calmly toward the dessert table.

Sure enough, my son was there, his face smeared with whipped cream.

I stretched out my hand.

“Come here.”

He jumped in fright, hugging the table leg tightly. “I don’t want to.”

I was about to pull him over when Tyler appeared out of nowhere, stepping between us with righteous indignation.

“Daniel, what are you doing?!

“Even if you want to cozy up to the Browns, you don’t take it out on a child!”

Regina hurried over, her eyes filled with disappointment.

“Daniel, I didn’t think you’d stoop this low, using a child just for money and connections.”

The waiter jumped at the chance to accuse me again, grabbing the manager.

“That’s the guy! He crashed the gala and even stole a guest’s clothes!”

The manager’s face darkened immediately. He waved the security forward.

“Arrest this thief and send him straight to the police! If he frightens the young master, none of you will keep your jobs!”

A triumphant glint flashed in Tyler’s eyes. He crouched down, smiling warmly at the Browns’ heir.

“Come here, little one. Uncle Tyler will protect you.”

My son ignored him, though.

Instead, under everyone’s stunned gaze, he carefully reached out and grabbed my hand.

“Daddy, I know I was wrong.”