Stanley Porter, my wife Jessica Evans’ close male friend, and I are both competing to be the next fire captain.

In my first lifetime, I was chosen by a unanimous vote. On my very first night on duty as captain, Jessica came over to the fire station to celebrate with me.

Sticking to my duties as captain, I didn't touch a single drop of alcohol. Yet, after drinking the chicken soup Jessica gave me, I fell into a deep sleep.

That night, a massive fire broke out in the old district, resulting in the deaths of 58 people.

Because I missed the station's alarm, I was accused of dereliction of duty and labeled as the main person responsible for the tragedy. The enraged families of the victims ended up beating me to death.

In my second lifetime, I withdrew my name from the selection for captain. I handed the badge over to Stanley instead, saying, "You're better suited to be captain than I am."

I'd assumed that this was enough to ensure that the fire couldn't be pinned on me.

Yet, when the authorities looked into the fire, they ended up seeing me appear in the security footage from where the fire began.

Everyone assumed I'd deliberately started the fire to get back at Stanley out of jealousy for losing out on the captain position.

I now open my eyes again to live my third life.

I watch as Stanley excitedly gives his speech on the podium after being made the captain. This time around, I submit a request for annual leave and take a cab straight to the airport.

The fire would break out at 1:00 am the next morning. I deliberately booked a flight to Dalisbury for 11:00 pm that night.

Just as the booking system notified me that the ticket had been issued successfully, I received a message from my wife, Jessica Evans.

"Honey, even though you didn't get the position, you'll always be the best to me. I made some chicken soup just for you. Make sure you come home early from work today."

Her words seemed full of care and concern for me, but the hair on my arms stood on end.

In my first life, after drinking the chicken soup Jessica made for me, I blacked out. I didn't hear the station alarm going off.

In the end, I was labeled the one responsible for the fire, while Stanley Porter became the hero who put it out.

The second time around, to avoid repeating the same mistake, I not only gave up on the fire captain position but also deliberately left work early to go home.

Yet, after drinking the chicken soup Jessica had made, I fell into a deep sleep again.

When I woke up the next day, Stanley claimed he'd seen me in the security footage from the scene of the fire. I became the main suspect in an arson case.

Jessica, the only person who could prove my alibi—that I wasn't there at the scene—adamantly declared that I only got home at 3:00 am. She even falsified the security footage showing me entering the house at 3:00 am and handed it to the police.

Just like that, the person I loved the most personally sent me to prison.

After reliving the same tragedy twice now, no matter how dumb I was, it became clear to me that Jessica, my beloved wife, had betrayed me.

In other words, Jessica and Stanley definitely had something to do with the fire. I had simply been their scapegoat.

I was still lost in thought when my phone started ringing with a call from Jessica. The moment I took the call, her irritated voice rang out. "Craig, didn't you see my message?"

"I did."

That only seemed to irritate her more. "Then why didn't you reply? Stan has always been better than you. It's no surprise you lose to him."

Even though this was my third lifetime, hearing those words still made my heart clench painfully. I honestly believed I'd done my best as Jessica's husband. I had cherished her with my whole heart and cared for her in every way.

But in her eyes, I could never compare to Stanley. She didn't even hesitate to let me die for his sake.

In both of my previous lives, the moment I received my sentence, I also received the divorce papers from Jessica, along with her statement that she was cutting all ties with me.

My eyes flashed with hatred. After taking a deep breath, I kept my voice as calm as I could and said, "I just wrapped up some work and was about to text you back. I don't think I'll be going home tonight. I have to be on duty at the fire station."

Jessica was a little taken aback, asking in confusion, "Aren't you off the roster for tonight? Why are you suddenly on duty now?"

Smirking, I fed her the excuse I'd come up with from the start.

"There's going to be a party at the station tonight to celebrate Stanley's appointment as the fire captain. I'm afraid that everyone might have too much to drink during the party and won't be able to handle any emergencies that might come up. So, I decided to stay for another shift."

Jessica quickly softened her tone and said, "Sorry, honey. I was being too sensitive. I thought you were ignoring me on purpose because you were upset about Stan becoming fire captain. To make it up to you, I'll bring the chicken soup to the station for you later."

My expression was stone cold, but I replied in an exceptionally gentle voice, "I wouldn't want you to go through all that trouble for me, babe. You can have the soup instead and rest early tonight."

"It's no trouble at all, honey. I haven't seen you all day. I'm starting to miss you!" Jessica declared. "Besides, I prepared the chicken soup for you. Are you really going to let my effort go to waste like that?"

Hearing this, I couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Even though I knew everything she said was a lie, I still agreed to it. "Alright. You might as well come and join Stanley's celebration party, too."

If she didn't come, she and Stanley wouldn't be able to carry on with the performance they'd carefully prepared.

Upon arriving at the fire station, the first thing Jessica did was congratulate Stanley. "I knew you'd become the fire captain, Stan!"

Even though they were right in front of me, Stanley showed no qualms about putting his arm around Jessica's waist.

"It's all thanks to your support and encouragement, Jessica. Without it, I wouldn't have had the confidence to beat Craig for the position," he said while shooting me a gloating grin.

I just smiled without saying anything.

I'd told the fire chief, Ezra Higgins, in advance that I wasn't interested in becoming the captain. If not for that, Stanley would've received zero votes, just like he had in my first life.

But now, I wanted them to be as giddy with self-satisfaction as possible. The more smug they were, the more they'd lower their guard around me, and the better it was for me to carry out the rest of my plans.

After flirting with Stanley for a bit, Jessica finally remembered the chicken soup she'd brought. She quickly took the cap off the thermal flask and handed the flask to me.

"Come on, honey. Drink the soup while it's still warm."

As I stared at the soup, the smell wafting in the air, my hands clenched beneath the table. In the previous two lives, it was this very soup that had ruined my reputation, destroyed my future, and ultimately cost me my life.

When Jessica saw me eye the soup without showing any intention of drinking it, she asked in confusion, "Why aren't you drinking, honey? Haven't you always loved the chicken soup I make for you?"

"Doesn't the captain also love the soup you make?" I said. "Since it's his first day as captain today, he should get the first spoonful as well."

I pushed the soup toward Stanley, but he didn't even hesitate before pushing it back toward me. "I appreciate the thought, Craig, but Jessica made this soup specifically for you. How could I take it? You should drink up. Don't let Jessica's efforts go to waste."

He even shot Jessica a meaningful look. She got the hint and immediately acted as if I'd angered her, exclaiming, "Craig! I spent all the time and effort preparing this soup just for you! How can you offer it to someone else?

"How many times must I tell you that Stanley and I are just friends? Can you stop being so jealous all the time?"

I stared straight into Jessica's eyes, my tone a mix of hurt and confusion as I said, "Why are you getting so worked up, honey? All I did was stare at the soup for a little longer and made the offer out of politeness. Don't tell me you added something extra to the soup that only I'm supposed to drink."

Jessica's expression stiffened, her eyes flickering evasively. Forcing a dry laugh, she retorted, "Don't be ridiculous! What could I have possibly added to the soup?"

Stanley quickly chimed in teasingly, "If Jessica did add anything, it would definitely be some kind of aphrodisiac. Be honest with me, Craig. Have you been having a hard time keeping Jessica satisfied? I know what she likes. Want me to share some tips with you in private?"

Though he appeared to be joking, his tone was taunting and full of ridicule.

Jessica glared at Stanley. "Hush, Stan!"

Then she pushed the soup toward me again.

"Hurry up and drink the soup, honey. It won't taste as good when it's cold," Jessica urged.

I looked at her affectionately and said, "Don't worry, babe. I'll drink every last drop."

With that, I picked up the thermal flask and brought it to my lips, with Jessica and Stanley eagerly watching me.

Just as I was about to take a mouthful, however, I pulled the flask back a bit. As if remembering something, I said to Stanley, "Oh, captain. I almost forgot to tell you that Chief Higgins was looking for you. I think he wants to introduce a potential girlfriend to you. You should go see him."

Jessica's eyes immediately flashed with displeasure. With feigned curiosity, she asked, "A potential girlfriend? What's she like? I'll come with you to see who it is, Stan."

Then, she turned to me and added, "Don't forget to drink the soup, honey."

Nodding, I smiled faintly as I watched them leave. Once they were out of sight, I swiftly poured some of the soup into a resealable bag I'd prepared in advance. The rest went down the toilet bowl.

…

By the time Jessica and Stanley returned, there was no trace of the soup left in the flask, save for the drop of it that clung to the corner of my lips.

Jessica secretly exhaled in relief before glaring at me. "Craig, Chief Higgins said he never claimed he was going to introduce a potential girlfriend to Stan. Can you stop making up these ridiculous lies?"

Looking all aggrieved, Stanley said to Jessica, "I think Craig doesn't like it when you spend too much time with me, Jessica. That's why he said that on purpose to drive a wedge between us.

"Maybe I should keep my distance from you from now on. I wouldn't want Craig to get annoyed with me and start picking on me."

His words only made me want to laugh. Jessica was my wife. Why was it any of her business whether he got a girlfriend? How would it drive a wedge between them?

With a smile that didn't reach my eyes, I looked at Stanley and said, "You need to watch what you say, my dear captain. After all, you're the fire captain, and I'm just a lieutenant. Since you outrank me, if anyone's going to be picking on someone, it'd be you picking on me."

But Stanley became even more indignant and started complaining about me. "See that, Jessica? Doesn't that prove my point? Craig can't accept the fact that I became the captain. He spends all his time gathering the others in the station and forming cliques with them. Everyone gets along well with him.

"Even though I'm the captain, all he has to do is say the word, and everyone will still follow his command. I'm just a figurehead. If that's going to be the case, I might as well just step down voluntarily to avoid embarrassing myself."

He turned and immediately started heading toward Chief Higgins' office.

Jessica hurriedly grabbed his arm. Eyes filled with tender concern, she assured him, "Don't worry about it, Stan. As long as I'm here, no one can push you around."

She marched up to me and slapped me right in front of everyone in the station. "Apologize to Stan at once, Craig!"

I cupped my cheek, my gaze darkening slightly. "What did I do wrong? Why should I apologize to him? I'm your husband, Jessica! Instead of trusting me, you'd rather stick up for another man?"

As I recalled what had happened in my first two lives, I almost roared the last sentence. Even my eyes began to redden.

However, Jessica looked as if she'd done nothing wrong.

Perhaps it was because she thought I'd drunk the soup. Maybe she believed that, after tonight, I would be labeled a criminal, subjected to everyone's scorn and contempt.

Either way, she couldn't even be bothered to hide her true self anymore. She came right out and mocked me.

"That's because you're a petty man who does nothing but stir up trouble! If I hadn't come to the station today, I wouldn't have realized just how much you've been bullying Stan.

"I've already shown you enough courtesy by not demanding that you get on your knees and beg for Stan's forgiveness! I'm warning you, Craig. If you don't apologize to Stan in public today, I won't forgive you!"

She grabbed Stanley's hand and turned to leave.

"Don't go, babe!"

Pretending to be scared, I hurried after Jessica and caught her arm. I used this opportunity to slip a recording bug into the pocket of her jacket. "I'm sorry, babe. I was wrong."

Jessica stopped in her tracks and eyed me frostily.