They didn't back off. Instead, they grinned, revealing rows of yellowed teeth.

Panic surged through me. I grabbed Melissa and bolted, dragging her with me.

But dragging a drunk person made running nearly impossible. Within moments, we were caught.

I swung a brick at them, but it only earned me a few harsh slaps. They pinned me to the ground.

Melissa seemed to sober up from the shock. Trembling in fear, she broke free and ran.

I couldn't move. One thug's knee crushed down on my spine until it cracked. Sharp shards of broken glass dug into my back, and the searing pain made me grit my teeth.

"I've called the police! They'll be here in three minutes at most. If you stop now, it's not too late!" I shouted.

My plea was met with more slaps. Amid the ringing in my ears, I heard one of them curse me for meddling and mutter about teaching me a lesson.

Then, at last, the wail of police sirens pierced the air.

"Run!" they scrambled in all directions.

I lay on the cold ground, gasping for breath.

But I smiled through the pain. At least this time, Melissa was safe. Maybe… I wouldn't be the one everyone blamed anymore.

I had just pushed myself up when a violent force slammed me against the wall.

My back collided with the brick wall, and my torn wounds exploded with fresh agony. My vision went black from the pain.

"Claire!" Sam's voice was filled with fury as he held a trembling Melissa in his arms. "I already promised to marry you! Why would you still humiliate yourself and drag Melissa down with you?!"

I stared at him, stunned. "What are you talking about?"

"Enough!" he snapped, cutting me off. "Aren't your little self-harm stunts enough? And now this? You actually hired people to attack her? I won't believe a single word you say ever again!"

Melissa whimpered in his arms. "Sam… I was so scared… Those men… They were awful… I don't know where Claire even found people like that…"

His expression softened instantly. He lowered his voice, soothing her gently, "Don't be afraid. I'll take you to the hospital."

And that's when I understood.

Melissa had put the blame on me. And Sam believed her. He carried her into the car, never once looking back.

I let out a bitter laugh as blood soaked through the back of my shirt. I didn't have the strength to explain. I didn't even have the strength to call for help.

Just before I lost consciousness, I caught a glimpse of frightened bystanders rushing over.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

A police officer stepped through the door and handed me a case report.

"Miss Dunn, thanks to your timely call, we were able to intervene. Based on the evidence we've gathered, this gang has been targeting young women in bars, coercing them into compromising situations and blackmailing them with explicit videos."

The officer paused, then added, "If not for you, your sister might not have made it out alive."

I nodded silently.

Of course I knew. I had lived through it once already.

In my past life, Melissa was ruined by this exact group. They lured her in, took turns assaulting her, filmed everything, and uploaded the footage online.

On the eve of my wedding to Sam, she jumped from the twentieth floor.

The blood-red scrawl in her suicide note was still burned into my memory:

"It's all Claire's fault! If she hadn't stolen my spot, I would've never gone to that bar! I wouldn't have ended up like this! She already has Sam, and she still wants to take everything from me! I hate her! She's the one who killed me!"

Because of that note, Sam came to hate me with all his heart. My parents stopped answering my calls. Everyone turned their backs on me.

But this time, things were going to be different.

In my past life, Sam had died saving me from that truck.

In this life, I saved the girl he's always protected.

We were even now.

I drifted back into sleep, at peace.

When I opened my eyes again, Sam was sitting by my bedside. His posture was awkward, and his brow furrowed deeply.

I didn't know when Sam had arrived. His arm was still beneath my head, serving as a pillow.

I stared at him, confused.

Was it because I once complained that the hospital pillows were too hard… that he used his arm in their place?

He pressed his lips into a thin line and carefully pulled his stiff arm back.

"The police contacted your family. I know everything now," he said. "I misunderstood you yesterday. I'm sorry."

I continued to look at him. His arm looked stiff, the joints barely able to bend—he must have stayed like that for a long time.

He was the first to avert his gaze.

"The wedding… will use champagne roses. Everything you like. Every detail will be arranged just the way you wanted."

I blinked in surprise. "You confirmed this with the designer?"

"Melissa did," he replied.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

A message popped up from the wedding planner: [Claire, all details have been confirmed with Melissa. The invitations have been reprinted under her name.]

So… Sam didn't know yet. He didn't know the bride wasn't me.

But that was fine. Let it be a surprise.

I gave him a slight nod. "I wish you happiness."

His brows furrowed faintly. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual indifferent expression.

"This time, I owe you," he said. "If there's anything you want, just tell me."

"There's no need," I replied, shaking my head. "I did it willingly."

Suddenly, his phone rang.

As soon as he saw that it was Melissa, he answered immediately. "Don't be afraid. I'll be right there."

After hanging up, he unconsciously fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. "I'll see you at the wedding."

"My gift will arrive, but I won't," I said with a smile. "Sam, I wish you a peaceful life, free of worries."

He frowned. "Don't joke like that. If you don't attend, who am I marrying? Focus on resting these next few days—I won’t disturb you. Just promise you’ll be healthy and there when it matters. And since we're getting married, I'll take responsibilities for you."

With that, he left in a hurry, not waiting for a reply.

I sat still, watching him walk away, staring until his figure completely disappeared from sight.

Then my phone lit up again with another message: [UN Peacekeeping Force Remains Recovery Unit: Miss Dunn, your flight in three days has been confirmed.]

I typed my reply: [Noted.]

The day of the wedding arrived sooner than expected.

Sam stood outside the bridal suite, holding a bouquet of champagne roses, the petals crumpled slightly from the pressure of his grip.

He had always hated this wedding. Yet now, an indescribable anticipation churned in his chest.

Minute by minute, time ticked by—until finally, the door opened.

He instinctively held his breath and turned toward the sound.

"Sam!" Melissa stepped out in a white wedding dress, cheeks flushed with excitement. "How do I look in this gown?"

Sam froze. His body went rigid.

"What are you doing here?" he asked sharply. "Why is it you?"

"Sam!" The best man came rushing over, panting. "Claire's wedding gift just arrived."

Inside the gift box was a necklace, one he had given me. Along with it was a card.

He opened it, and my familiar handwriting pierced straight through his heart.

"Returning what belongs to you. We're even now. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness."

The card crumpled in his tightening grip.

"Where is she?" he asked, voice trembling.

The best man opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, his phone rang urgently.

He answered. His expression turned pale in an instant.

"Sam… news just came in. The UN Peacekeeping Forces aircraft Claire was aboard… crashed overseas."