In my first life, I believed love was salvation.

I tore my future apart for two men who had grown up beside me—Marcus Black and Damian Knight.

I chose one of them, only to be abandoned on my wedding day for Elena Rivers. My grandmother died that same day, shattered by grief.

When I was at my lowest, the other man took my hand and promised he would never betray me. I believed him.

I married him.

And slowly, my world went cold.

I thought his distance was regret. I thought my failing health was fate.

Until the night I was dying, and I watched him run past me—to save Elena, whose injuries were nothing more than a scratch.

That was when I understood.

My life had never been a love story.

It was a carefully scripted game.

After my death, I learned the truth: Marcus and Damian had already written their wills, leaving everything to Elena Rivers. They had sabotaged my education, manipulated my career, and even fabricated a chronic illness to keep me weak, dependent, and easy to control.

They never wanted me to succeed.

They only wanted me quiet—so Elena could shine.

But fate gave me another chance.

This time, I tore up my admission letter to Harvard.

This time, I rejected their confessions before they could cage me again.

In this life, I will not be the woman they use, betray, or discard.

I will live for myself.

And I will never walk the same path twice.

When I tore up my acceptance letter from Harvard, my guidance counselor froze.

“Amara—what are you doing?”

That year, only four seniors from our school had been admitted to Ivy League universities.

And among them, I was the one with the strongest academic record—the highest GPA, top recommendations, a résumé that had been quietly passed around the faculty long before acceptance letters arrived.

The expectations hadn’t rested on my counselor alone.

They had settled over the entire school.

I said calmly—almost too calmly,

“I won’t be going to Harvard after all. I’ve accepted an offer from a special research program at Princeton. They’ve agreed to provide full-time medical support for my grandmother.”

There was a pause.

My teacher looked at me for a long moment—surprise giving way to something quieter, heavier. Regret, perhaps. Or sympathy.

“I know how much she’s meant to you,” she said softly. “And I understand why you’d make this choice. It’s not an easy one.”

Then, after a breath, she added, “Just don’t forget—you’re doing this not only for her, but for yourself too.”

I nodded.

But I didn’t allow myself the luxury of mourning the life I’d just let go of.

Marcus Black and Damian Knight were already calling, urging me to come downstairs.

As I walked down the stairs, I could hear people gossiping about me.

Someone stuck a foot out on the stairs and hissed, “Bitch.”

I stumbled, barely catching myself before I fell. By the time I limped back to my feet and turned the corner, voices drifted toward me.

It was Elena Rivers, chatting with two girls we’d grown up with.

“I mean, I did see Amara getting out of a car registered to someone on Harvard’s board late last night,”

Elena said lightly, as if it were nothing more than an afterthought. “But that doesn’t really prove anything. I’m sure there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation.”

A pause followed—the kind that invited imagination.

“Stop defending her, Elena,” someone scoffed. “She hasn’t even released her grades. If she had nothing to hide, why keep them secret?”

“Exactly,” another voice chimed in, sharp with disdain. “You’re always too nice. She knows how to play people. Girls like her will do anything to get what they want.”

I pressed my back against the wall, my heart sinking.

After joining the research group, I’d signed a strict confidentiality agreement. My academic records weren’t mine to disclose—even if my silence made me look complicit.

It turned out to be the perfect opening for Elena Rivers.

And the two of them—the boys who had grown up with me, who had watched me stay up night after night, who knew exactly how hard I’d worked for every single opportunity, all for my grandmother—still chose to believe her version of the story.

Not that I had earned my place.

But that I had traded something else for it.

I let out a soft, bitter laugh and told myself it didn’t matter.

Once I stepped onto that campus, my identity would be sealed, my past erased.

And when that happened, I would cut every last tie that bound me to them.

No more hearing hurtful words, no more living in lies and deception, and no more ending up with a tragic death.

I pretended not to hear anything and walked in front of the three of them.

“Is there something you need?”

Marcus Black smiled at me, a contrast to the disdain from before. “Amara, it’s great that we’re in the same school again. Your hard work all these years has finally paid off.”

Marcus Black, heir to the infamous Black family, a powerful name in the underground world, known for their control over international arms trafficking, money laundering, and high-stakes gambling rings.

His family’s influence extended deep into politics and business, and their wealth was built on power that was often acquired through violence and manipulation.

Damian Knight also smiled. “We’ll protect you like always, but four years isn’t enough. We’ll be here for a lifetime!”

Damian Knight, on the other hand, was the heir to the Knight family, a notorious organization dealing in smuggling, extortion, and illicit banking operations.

The Knight family had a long-standing reputation for ruthlessness, and Damian, as the next in line, was trained to handle everything from dirty negotiations to running the family’s covert operations.

In my previous life, the four of us went to the same university. I worked hard to ensure a bright future, attending every school event.

But in the end, my scholarship, the recommendation for further study, and all my opportunities were secretly given to Elena Rivers.

There were even rumors that I had an inappropriate relationship with the school officials.

I was isolated and bullied for four years.

And the whole time, these two swore to stand by my side, to protect me.

But after I died, I discovered they were the ones who started it all.

During all the sleepless nights and endless tears, they used my suffering to please their beloved Elena Rivers.

Seeing me silent, Elena Rivers spoke with a sour tone. “You’re so lucky, Amara.

As I prepared to leave, Marcus Black noticed my strange mood. He grabbed my hand, a look of guilt in his eyes.

“Amara, don’t overthink it. We care for Elena because she’s your friend.”

Damian Knight ruffled my hair like he used to when we were little.

“Don’t think too much. It’s been so long since the exams ended. How about we go for a drive? We’ve prepared some gifts for you.”

I nodded, not refusing. Soon, I would be leaving this city.

I just wanted one last look at the place we all grew up.

When we reached the garage, Marcus Black and Damian Knight were both eager to open the passenger door for Elena Rivers, each trying to outdo the other.

Elena Rivers feigned hesitation, glancing at me with an air of fake discomfort.

"Aren’t the passenger seats just for you, Amara?" she said, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness.

"If I sit there, wouldn’ Amaraget upset?" she added, throwing a smug look between the two of them.

Marcus Black was the first to act, quickly pushing Elena Rivers into the passenger seat.

“She doesn’t mind... She’s the calmest one,” Marcus said with a forced smile.

Damian Knight shot him a vexed look, slamming the car door shut, clearly frustrated.

It wasn't until the car was about to start that both men realized I hadn’t gotten in yet.

They rolled down the window, glancing at each other awkwardly, unsure of how to explain.

“It’s fine, I’ll just drive my own car,” I replied, not bothering to hide the indifference in my voice.

Upon hearing this, they both sighed in unison, relieved but still perplexed by my odd behavior.

“Amara…” they both called in unison.

I rolled up the window, not wanting to hear their insincere words.

But the scenery on the way made me reflect on many unforgettable memories.

The three of us had grown up together as childhood friends.

Our families had long been vying for me to marry into either of their households.

But everything changed when my parents died in an accident, leaving my grandmother and me to depend on each other.

An old woman and a young girl, alone in a world that was filled with predators, trying to hold up a crumbling family.

I threw myself into my studies, determined to take on the family business one day.

Elena Rivers, on the other hand, came from a poor background and wasn’t well-liked in school.

When I learned she was also an orphan, I felt pity for her and extended a hand of friendship.

I sponsored her schooling and encouraged her to endure with me through the hardships.

But to my dismay, she took my kindness as charity, jealousy seething within her for everything I had.

She used every trick in the book to seduce my two childhood friends, turning them against me.

Together, they shattered my life.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at our destination.

The events from earlier seemed to have unsettled Marcus and Damian, who both rushed to open the car door for me and grab my bag.

“Amara, look,” Marcus said, his voice thick with nostalgia.

“This is the old vineyard by the hills—the place we used to sneak into as kids. Damian and I bought the land and turned it into our private retreat.”

Damian nodded, clearly proud.

“I even had jasmine planted everywhere. You always loved how romantic it smelled. By next year, the whole vineyard will be wrapped in it.”

“We’ll come back here together,” they said with easy smiles, as if the future had already been written.

“Late at night. Just us. Watching the stars.”

I said nothing, only stood there, staring at the rows of vines stretching into the distance.

This place had once been our secret refuge, tucked away from the world, filled with memories that used to feel warm and safe.

But there was something they had never known.

I had never loved jasmine.

In fact, I was allergic to it—

the very scent they associated with romance, devotion, and love.

Lost in thought, I noticed a dazzling display of fireworks lighting up the sky above.

The colorful explosions seemed to spell out my name, a dazzling illusion in the night sky.

In the midst of this dreamlike scene, Marcus Black pulled out a family heirloom and presented it to me.

“Amara,” Marcus said quietly, opening the velvet box in his palm.

Inside lay a ring—dark, understated, unmistakably powerful. The Black family crest was engraved on the inner band.

“This ring has been passed down through generations of my family,” he said. “It belongs to the future Donna of the Black family. My parents entrusted it to me years ago.”

His gaze never left mine. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

Damian stepped forward, his voice sharper, more urgent.

“Amara, don’t you remember the night you nearly drowned?” he said. “I went into that river knowing I might not come back. I’d give my life for you without hesitation—this ring is nothing compared to that.”

In my past life, I had been fooled by devotion that looked this sincere.

Back then, I truly believed we were bound together by fate—that growing up side by side meant we were destined for the same ending.

That my grandmother, the Black family, and I would always remain together.

It wasn’t until the day I died that I finally understood the truth.

Their so-called devotion had only ever been a performance.

I inhaled slowly, preparing to refuse.

That was when Elena Rivers suddenly spoke.

“Amara,” she said softly, her gaze flicking to the ring in Marcus’s hand before dropping away. For a split second, jealousy flashed through her eyes—then she looked wounded.

“Why would you tell people that I was the one spreading rumors online… saying you slept your way into everything you have?”

She took a step closer, her voice trembling just enough to be heard.

“Everyone’s attacking me now. They’re saying I’m the one who dragged your name through the mud, that I tried to destroy you.”

Marcus’s expression darkened.

Damian’s jaw tightened.

Elena lifted her phone and turned the screen toward them.

Messages. Posts. Anonymous accusations—framed neatly, selectively.

“I never did any of that,” she whispered. “I thought we were friends.”

The air shifted.

In that moment, I knew exactly what she was doing.

Before I could reject the ring, she had made sure they saw me not as the girl they wanted to crown as Donna—

but as someone capable of betraying a friend to protect herself.

And once again, they chose to believe her.

On the school’s website, hundreds of comments were accusing me of shamelessly using my body to get into college.

A few comments defending me were twisted in Elena’s words as proof that I had attacked her.

Damian Knight snatched the phone from her hand, his face flushed with anger.

“Amara, how could you do this? If you’re reckless, that’s one thing, but why drag Elena into it?” he scolded.

Marcus Black, more composed but no less stern, gave me a look of accusation.

I swallowed the accusation whole.

Forcing my emotions down, I said evenly,

“I didn’t do it. If you don’t believe me, then investigate it yourselves.”

Neither of them listened.

Instead, they both turned to Elena Rivers at once.

“Elena, don’t worry,” Marcus said, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll have our PR team take care of this. Nothing that touches my family’s name lasts long.”

Damian’s voice softened as well.

“Come with us. Christie’s has a private evening auction tonight. You like those pieces, don’t you? I’ll make sure you get whatever catches your eye.”

They closed in around her instinctively—shielding her, guiding her away—

and left without sparing me a single glance.

I drew in a slow breath, watching the remnants of fireworks drift down like ash.

After everything I had lived through—after facing death itself—

what were these petty wounds worth?

At least I was still alive.

And this time, a new life—and a future untouched by them—was waiting for me.

I wanted to drive myself home, but then I remembered that Damian Knight was the one who had carried my bag.

Reluctantly, I had no choice but to catch up with the three of them.

As I passed a cluster of trees, I heard Damian Knight’s irritated voice.

“Elena, baby, how much longer are we going to keep pretending? I can’t take it anymore. Amara’s been acting so wild lately, who knows what kind of disease she’s hiding.”

“Amara’s such a fool, she can’t even tell the difference between real valuables and fakes. No wonder some old man could trick her into bed with a few words. A person like that doesn’t deserve to be the future lady of the Black family. Elena, the real family heirloom ring should only be for you.”

Elena Rivers looked at the two men with an innocent, almost pitiable expression.

“Amara has done many bad things, but she has been kind to me. How could I just ignore her? If you don’t do what I say, I’ll never talk to you again!”

At the sound of her ultimatum, both of the high and mighty men immediately became apologetic, bowing to her with humility.

It was as if they were willing to trample on me just to elevate her.

Years of shared friendship couldn’t match the few manipulative words of Elena Rivers.

I fought back the tears, turning away.

Under the endless night sky, I walked home with exhaustion weighing heavily on my shoulders.

By the time I reached home, my previously twisted ankle had swollen to an alarming size.

Grandma was heartbroken when she saw me. She immediately helped me sit down and gently examined the bruise, pressing a cold compress against it with careful hands.

Not wanting her to worry any more than she already was, I told her I’d been accepted into university.

My Amara, you’re really doing great! I’m old now, and it’s only you who can carry the Luciano family's future.”

I nodded through my tears.

“It’s been so many years, and finally, the Luciano family has some good news. Grandma’s going to throw you a big celebration banquet!”

Her smile, warm and full of pride, reminded me so much of the day she sent me off to my wedding in my past life.

Back then, she believed I had found a good man, and her heart was full of joy.

But it was that joy that was shattered when Marcus Black abandoned me at the altar, causing Grandma to die from the shock on the day of my wedding.

Now that I was reborn, I swore I would not let history repeat itself.

With Grandma no longer able to manage large social affairs, the responsibility of hosting the celebration banquet fell to me.

I made sure it was executed with precision—grand enough to showcase the Luciano family’s influence, wealth, and standing in our world.

When the two childhood friends heard about it, they both rushed to offer their help.

They even brought a limited-edition pastry from a renowned patisserie—something I had loved when I was younger—offering it as an apology.

“Amara,” Marcus said cautiously, “have you been upset these past few days… because of what happened?”

“We didn’t mean to blame you. We’re just worried you’ll go down the wrong path. After all, for people like us, our reputation is everything.”

I didn’t forgive them, but I allowed them to stay and help.

They owed me too much in my past life.

No amount of resentment could undo the harm they caused.

All I wanted this time around was for us to never cross paths again.