My husband, Lucas Gabriel, and I were on our way to sell paintings when we got robbed.

I used all my strength to fight off the robbers. I wanted to keep Lucas’s hands safe so that he could keep painting.

However, he failed to escape. He threw his paintings on the ground and yelled at me, “This is all your fault, Aria!

“If I had married Chloe instead of you, I would be the leader of the Lenza Group in Ros Aegeles by now! I wouldn’t be some poor, helpless painter!”

Right before the robbers killed me, I finally realized that he never got over his childhood sweetheart, Chloe Lionel.

That was why he never wanted to have children with me while we were married.

When I opened my eyes again, we had both returned to a time before our marriage.

This time, we went our separate ways.

I cut ties with him and left Ros Angeles to focus on medical research.

Seven years later, I returned.

Lucas was already the boss of Cosa. He had Chloe in his arms and mocked me. “I know you’ve loved me in both lives, but did you really have to stay single for me?”

I ignored him and held my son’s hand.

He lost it. His eyes turned red with anger as he demanded, “Whose child is that?! Didn’t you say you would only have my children?!”

Seven years later, I returned to Ros Aegeles and saw Lucas again.

With the Lionel family’s help, he became the boss of Cosa, the Ros Aegeles branch of the Lenza Group. It was the biggest gang in Ameria.

Lucas was at a grand villa that belonged to the Lenza Group’s boss. He stood at the center of the crowd with Chloe in his arms. Her flawless makeup and beautiful dress highlighted her beauty while Lucas enjoyed the admiration of his subordinates and fellow branch leaders.

“Lucas is amazing! He became Cosa’s boss in just a few years! This year, he was even invited to Mr. Lenza’s private party!”

“That’s right! Under his leadership, Cosa has become the most promising Eastern branch! Even Mr. Lenza thinks highly of him! The bosses of the Western branches are all eager to get close to him!”

“Lucas, our branch also does business in the East. We’d love to work with you!”

Lucas smiled proudly and pulled Chloe closer as she gently leaned against his shoulder.

One of the branch leaders curiously asked, “Lucas, when are you and Chloe getting married?”

Lucas looked at the shy Chloe with a gentle gaze and said, “Next month, on the 20th. It’ll also be Chloe’s birthday. We’re here today to personally invite Mr. Lenza to our wedding.

“I want to introduce Chloe to him and let everyone in the Lenza Group know she’ll be my wife.”

His romantic words sparked cheers and applause from his subordinates.

No one noticed me when I returned to the villa.

One of the branch leaders was unimpressed, and he mocked Lucas. “But I remember that his girlfriend used to be Aria, right? I heard that he even wanted to be a painter for her. Wasn’t his first award-winning painting a portrait of her?”

At the mention of my name, Lucas’s expression darkened. Feeling displeased, he took a sip of his wine.

Chloe, who had been resting in his arms, sat up straight and smiled.

“That’s all in the past. If given the option between me and Aria, between being the boss of Cosa and a poor painter, anyone would know the right choice.”

The branch leader fell silent, and the others quickly went back to praising how perfect Lucas and Chloe were together.

However, I knew Lucas’s only award-winning painting was a portrait of me. He had painted it when he confessed to me.

In our past life, we fell in love at first sight in college.

He told me that I was his only muse.

He said that he would rather die than live without painting and me.

I believed him, but in the end, it all turned out to be lies.

I wore a relieved smile.

I had arrived straight from the hospital after work. I did not even have time to fix my clothes or hair.

As I turned to change into a gown, I accidentally bumped into a waiter holding a tray of champagne.

The waiter knocked over the champagne tower. Glasses fell to the floor, and the liquid spilled onto my pants.

Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at us.

The Cosa members recognized me.

They looked at my champagne-soaked T-shirt and jeans, then at the waiter beside me before sneering.

“Aria?! What are you doing here?

“It’s only been a few years, and you already look this miserable?

“Don’t tell me you’re working here as a part-time maid?”

The moment Lucas saw me, he did not look away.

When our eyes met, he hesitated for a moment before stepping closer.

“Aria, it’s been a long time. You’re still as clumsy and careless as ever. You can’t even do a maid’s job properly.

“This is Mr. Lenza’s party. If he finds out that you ruined it, you might lose your job.”

It sounded like he was concerned, and Chloe’s eyes were filled with jealousy.

She clung to his arm and pouted playfully.

“Oh, Lucas! Don’t be so mean! Aria’s an old friend after all! We can’t just let her lose her job.

“How about this, Aria? Lucas is about to introduce me to Mr. Lenza and his wife. If they get mad at you, I’ll put in a few good words to help you out.

“Being a maid is already tough enough. I wouldn’t want you to lose your pay and struggle to survive, right?”

I did not bother explaining myself.

I calmed the panicked waiter and told him to clean up the mess. Then, I turned to leave.

However, Chloe stepped in front of me and blocked my way. She glanced at my simple outfit with disdain and mocked me. “But Aria, with you dressed like this, even if I beg Mr. Lenza to forgive you, I doubt it would work.

“Do you want to borrow a dress? People might think you’re some homeless person sneaking into the party for free food.”

Lucas’s subordinates laughed.

I frowned. “Not everyone cares only about looks like you do.”

They laughed even louder.

Chloe was covered in designer brands. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was perfectly styled. She looked like a beauty sculpted by money.

Meanwhile, I had spent almost 20 hours in surgery. I came straight from work and did not even have the time to put on lipstick. My face was pale, and my hair was a mess.

Chloe crossed her arms and smiled smugly. “Someone might think you’re actually close to Mr. Lenza if they heard the way you talked.

“You should watch your mouth, Aria. If Mr. Lenza hears you and gets offended, you can forget about begging for mercy. Even Lucas and I won’t be able to help you!”

I checked the time and smiled at Chloe.

“Thanks, but I don’t need your help.”

I could not care less about what they said. After working 20 hours and getting drenched in champagne, all I wanted was a hot bath.

Before I could leave, Lucas grabbed my wrist and pulled me aside. He handed me a fifty-thousand-dollar check.

“Aria, I know life hasn’t been easy for you without me. Take this. It’s my way of helping you.

“Use it to buy better clothes, find a decent job, and rent a nicer place.

“We were once in love. I don’t want to see you struggling like this. In our past life, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have… Never mind, it doesn’t matter now.

“What matters is that you move on. Don’t let my absence ruin your life. Don’t give up on yourself, okay?”

I looked up at him with confusion.

I suddenly wondered what I had done in my past life for him to abandon me so easily after being reborn.

Back then, we fell in love in college.

He wanted to be a famous painter, and I wanted to be a doctor.

He told me he was tired of the endless gang conflicts that his father was trapped in. He just wanted to escape.

Since I loved him, I gave up on medical school and ran away with him. I even worked multiple jobs to support his dream.

He kept failing and becoming increasingly discouraged.

Yet, I kept cheering him on despite being tired from work.

I thought that he understood it was because I loved him.

After that, he wanted to travel for an art event. For the first time, I said no because we could not afford the plane ticket. Then, he exploded with anger.

At that time, I had just found out I was pregnant. I could no longer work fourteen-hour shifts just to afford his ticket.

So, I hesitated and asked if he had ever thought about having a child.

He shoved me away harshly.

“Didn’t you say we were too poor to even afford a plane ticket? Now, you want a baby?! I told you before! I hate kids! I don’t want one, especially not with you!”

Frustrated, he tore up his paintings and swore never to paint again.

I could not bear to see him give up on his dream, so I took the portrait he had painted of me. It was the one I cherished the most, and I went from gallery to gallery. I was hoping to sell it for a plane ticket, but I got robbed in the process.

I fought back to protect his precious hands and told him to run with the portrait. In the end, I was dragged into the bushes, assaulted, and killed.

Just before I died, I heard him. He failed to escape. Furious, he threw the painting to the ground and shouted, “This is all your fault, Aria!

“Chloe liked me too! If I had married Chloe instead of you, I would be the leader of the Lenza Group in Ros Aegeles by now! I wouldn’t be some poor, helpless painter!”

Right then, I finally understood. He had always regretted choosing me.

He wished he had married Chloe, the daughter of a businessman connected to Cosa.

So, when he got a second chance at life, he left me without a second thought. I accepted it without complaint too.

I let him go and allowed myself to move on as well.

We both made our own choices, so we should keep our distance.

I smiled faintly.

“Sorry, but I don’t take money from strangers.”

“Stranger? Are you talking about me?”

Lucas frowned. He was clearly unhappy with my indifference.

Chloe caught up and saw the check in Lucas’s hand. She seemed to realize what was happening.

Hiding her anger, she wrapped her arm around Lucas’s waist to show her claim over him.

“Lucas has always felt guilty. Since you won’t take our money, how about something more useful?

“My dad just opened a company, and he needs a janitor. I’ll pay you three thousand dollars a month. That’s better than being a maid, right?

“After all, you can’t even carry a tray properly. Cleaning toilets will, at least, be easy. You can handle that, can’t you?”

I smiled at her calmly. “No need. I’m happy with my job—”

Before I could finish, Lucas’s men interrupted with mocking laughter.

“A maid being happy with her job? You should take the money and job while our boss and Chloe still pity you. Why are you being so stubborn?

“Oh, I get it! You think three thousand dollars is too little, don’t you?

“Out of all the rich families in Ros Aegeles, you chose to work at Mr. Lenza’s place. Then, you just happened to spill champagne on yourself? Are you trying to catch his attention?

“Or did you already know our boss would be here and wanted to get back with him?”

Lucas was stunned. He frowned and looked at me.

Chloe and his subordinates exchanged looks. Then, one of them grabbed my chin.

“Do you really think you’re good enough for our boss?

“You want money? Here, have a drink with me! I’ll give you five hundred dollars!”

He pulled out some cash and tossed it on the floor before forcing the wine to my lips.

I struggled. The wine spilled all over my face and soaked my clothes.

Everyone laughed, and no one helped me. Why would anyone stand up for a maid?

Lucas, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly smashed his glass onto the floor.

The glass broke, and the loud crash made everyone go quiet.

The man holding me down trembled as Lucas glared at him. He immediately let me go, but Lucas still slapped him across the face.

Chloe gasped and grabbed Lucas’s sleeve. “Lucas! What are you doing?”

“This is Mr. Lenza’s party. I won’t let my men cause trouble and embarrass Cosa.”

Was Lucas… helping me?

His face was still cold. When I looked at him, he avoided my gaze.

Then, he crouched down and picked up the wet check from the floor.

He held it up in front of me.

“I don’t care why you’re here. Just forget about me. Take the check and leave. This place isn’t for you. You don’t belong here.”

I smiled slightly and pushed the check away.

“I don’t need it. I have money, and I’ve already forgotten about you. Whether I’m doing well or not has nothing to do with you.

“It’s not up to you to decide whether I belong here or not either.”

Lucas’s expression darkened. He sneered and angrily said, “Fine! Keep putting on a tough front! Let’s see how long you last being broke!”

Just then, the doors to the hall swung open. A group of bodyguards walked in as they escorted a young boy.

One of the branch leaders gasped. “Judging from the people around him, he must be Aden Lenza!”

Aden was Mr. Lenza’s only son and the heir to the Lenza Group. He was only five years old.

When Mr. Lenza got married, there was a serious power struggle in the Lenza Group. To keep his wife and child safe, he hid their identities.

Most Lenza Group members had never seen Mrs. Lenza or Aden before.

The party tonight was meant to officially introduce them to everyone.

“I heard that Mr. Lenza went to pick up his wife after work, but she wasn’t there. He didn’t want to keep everyone waiting, so he sent Aden home first to make an appearance.”

“This is the perfect chance to get on Aden’s good side!”

Wait, really?

I scratched my head awkwardly as I looked at Aden, who was clearly frustrated.

I was about to take out my phone when Chloe suddenly bumped into my arm on purpose.

She glanced at my soaked clothes and smiled with disdain.

“You should leave while you can. Aden hates messes. If he learns that you knocked over the champagne tower and made a mess in his house, he won’t let you off the hook so easily!”

After that, she hurried off with the others to impress Aden.

“Aden, I’m Chloe Lionel. Even though your parents aren’t here, Lucas and I will take good care of you at the party.”

She reached out to stroke his short golden hair, but he dodged her touch with annoyance. So, Chloe awkwardly retracted her hand.

Surrounded by people, Aden kept walking forward until he spotted me in the corner.

His cold little face almost lit up with a smile, but then, he pouted. Ignoring everyone else, he walked toward me and said, “Why did you come back alone?”

He sounded upset.

Before everyone’s shocked gaze, Aden ran straight into my arms with tears in his eyes.