Grant, the heir to the Bennett family, had been my protector for over a decade.

He taught me how to fire my first shot and saved me from every attempt on my life.

After someone slipped drugs into Grant's drink at the family gathering, he stumbled into my room, and his icy control shattered.

His hands found my waist as he pulled me close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered my name.

A single night of drugged passion left me pregnant with his child.

When my twin sister, Claire, found out, she left a note and disappeared, heartbroken.

After that, I was cast as the cold-hearted villain who drove her own sister away.

Grant personally forced the contraceptive potion down my throat and exiled me to the lawless territories beyond our family's control.

To make me atone, he abandoned me to fend for myself in that desolate land. I was eventually killed in the crossfire of a mob war.

As I lay dying, my mind was flooded with memories of Grant.

The troublemaker he always called me was finally gone. He must have been relieved.

When I next opened my eyes, I had returned to the morning after that disastrous night.

This time, without hesitation, I drank the contraceptive potion myself.

Grant, the heir to the Bennett family, had been my protector for over a decade.

He taught me how to fire my first shot and saved me from every attempt on my life.

After someone slipped drugs into Grant's drink at the family gathering, he stumbled into my room, and his icy control shattered.

His hands found my waist as he pulled me close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered my name.

A single night of drugged passion left me pregnant with his child.

When my twin sister, Claire, found out, she left a note and disappeared, heartbroken.

After that, I was cast as the cold-hearted villain who drove her own sister away.

Grant personally forced the contraceptive potion down my throat and exiled me to the lawless territories beyond our family's control.

To make me atone, he abandoned me to fend for myself in that desolate land. I was eventually killed in the crossfire of a mob war.

As I lay dying, my mind was flooded with memories of Grant.

The troublemaker he always called me was finally gone. He must have been relieved.

When I next opened my eyes, I had returned to the morning after that disastrous night.

This time, without hesitation, I drank the contraceptive potion myself.

...

Grant woke up just after I finished the potion.

A night of passion. The marks I had left still stained his skin.

But his eyes were terrifyingly cold, his expression murderous.

"Aria, you're a Ricci. Have you no shame?"

"Resorting to cheap tricks like drugging my drink? I never thought you would sink so low. You disgust me."

Even though I had heard these words once before, they still felt like a bullet tearing through my chest, the pain suffocating.

Unlike last time, I didn't try to defend myself. I just answered softly,

"I'm sorry, Grant. It was my fault."

Seeing me back down so quickly, Grant froze. A smirk then curled his lips, the sarcasm in his eyes impossible to hide.

"If you were truly sorry, you wouldn't have pulled a stunt like this."

I fought back the feeling of my heart tearing apart. "If you can't stand the sight of me, I'll disappear from your life for good."

I already knew my fate was to die. There was no need to beg for this man's mercy anymore.

Grant threw me a sideways glance. "Aria, it's a shame you're not an actress."

I had known Grant for over a decade. He grew up with me and was once the person I depended on most, the one I held closest.

There was a time he cherished me, always at my side. He used to say I was his to protect.

But for some reason, ever since Claire came back, everything changed.

I remained silent, keeping my head down to hide the redness in my eyes.

But he would never protect me like that again.

Grant didn't notice my distress at all. His gaze fell on the empty potion bottle by the bed.

He quickly got out of bed and bent over to pick it up.

When he saw that it was an abortifacient, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

"You drank it?"

I gave a scornful laugh. "What else?"

"Did our great Underboss hope I'd give him a bastard heir after one night?"

Grant crushed the glass bottle in his hand. Beads of blood seeped from between his fingers as he threw the shards into the trash can with a clatter.

"You know if you had dared to give birth to it, I would have strangled it with my own hands."

In my last life, that was exactly what he did.

That tiny life, snuffed out before it could even draw a breath. Grant had pinned my jaw, forcing the bitter potion down my throat.

The memory alone was a sharp blade twisting in my heart.

So this time, I severed the blood tie between us myself. I wouldn't make him go to the trouble.

"Aria, at least you have some sense. You took care of the problem yourself."

Grant was always this cruel, this heartless with me.

A frantic knock rattled the door. "Boss, we've got a lead on Claire at the docks."

Grant's sharp gaze vanished instantly, replaced by unconcealed worry and tension.

"I'm on my way."

Any news about Claire could change his entire demeanor in a second. With me, he had long since run out of patience.

The only thing left was a thin veil of civility for the sake of our families.

The man outside asked, "Is Miss Aria not home? Where did she go?"

At the mention of my name, Grant's voice turned cold.

"She's stewing in her room, probably drowning in regret."

The man tried to smooth things over.

"Miss Aria is still young. It was probably a lapse in judgment. Don't be too hard on her, Boss."

The man knocked lightly on the door. "Boss, can we come in?"

Grant quickly threw on his clothes and stood blocking the doorway.

Before leaving, Grant shot me a final, warning glance. It was a clear message: behave, and don't cause any more trouble.

I smiled bitterly. Not this time. He would be rid of his troublemaker soon enough.

Back in my room, I decided to take three days to say goodbye to everything in this world.

I gathered all of my things, leaving the room in disarray.

The first bullet casing Grant ever gave me, the custom gown from my debutante ball, the first necklace he ever fastened around my neck... I threw it all, along with the photos, into the fireplace.

The roaring flames burned relentlessly, and those memories soon turned to ash.

A deep, questioning voice came from behind me.

"What are you doing? What are you burning?"

He stepped closer for a better look and his expression grew tense. He kicked over a box of photos I hadn't yet thrown in.

Ignoring the searing heat, Grant reached into the flames, his voice trembling.

"Why burn it all?"

The warm glow of the fire illuminated my cold face. I hadn't expected him to be back so soon.

"Because they're tainted. Just like our past."

Grant rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking weary. I wanted to go to him, to comfort him, but I didn't move.

His voice was tight with anger. "Even so, you didn't have to destroy it all! These were our memories!"

But before he could finish, another call about Claire tore him away.

Claire and I. Grant would always choose Claire, without hesitation.

That evening, I returned to the Bennett family estate.

My maternal grandpa and Don Bennett were brothers who fought their way up from the bottom together.

During a shootout, it was my grandpa who had sacrificed himself to save the Don's life.

Because of that, my mother and I had lived well under the Bennett family's protection for years.

The only real misfortune was my father's affair and betrayal. He left my mother and took my twin sister, Claire, with him.

"Aria, you're here."

"Did Grant give you trouble again? You tell me, and I'll go set him straight."

Don William doted on me, treating me like his own granddaughter. Hearing his voice, an overwhelming bitterness washed over me.

"Grant treats me well, Grandpa. He does. It's just... I need a change. I need to be somewhere else for a while."

The old Don was confused. "Why? Are you not happy here? Tell me, my darling."

I couldn't stop my body from trembling, and I was on the verge of tears.

"No, it's not that. I just feel I'm grown now. I should be able to stand on my own two feet."

But the old Don, a veteran of countless conflicts, saw through it in an instant.

He flew into a rage. "Get Grant! Tell him to get his ass back here!"

I quickly grabbed his sleeve, my voice pleading through my tears.

"Please don't tell Grant. I don't want to make things difficult for him anymore."

"Grandpa William, I don't love Grant anymore. I just want to leave, please?"

The old Don let out a heavy sigh.

"You've all grown up. An old man like me can't control you anymore."

"Aria, remember this. I will always be your grandpa. If you're wronged out there, you can always come back."

"Grandpa's got your back."

I managed a smile through my tears and replied, "Okay."

I had just stepped out of the Don's study.

Grant blocked my path, radiating pure menace.

"I hear you went to see my grandpa."

Grant's arm snaked around my waist, yanking me flush against his hard chest with a force that knocked the air from my lungs.

"Well played, Aria, after you burn everything this afternoon."

"Then you go running to my grandpa? Were you that desperate to trap me?"

"You knew he owes your grandpa his life, so you used his guilt to force my hand. To lock me down and secure the Ricci family's future. Is that it?"

"Are you satisfied now?"

I wrenched myself from his grasp, panting heavily.

"That's not what happened, Grant. I didn't go crying to anyone."

Grant let out a cold laugh. "You didn't say anything? Then how would he know what happened?"

I looked at the man who had once been my gentle protector, feeling nothing but exhaustion.

"Think whatever you want. I told you, I didn't."

My cold indifference finally pushed Grant over the edge.

"Look at you, acting so high and mighty. Who was it that schemed their way into my bed?"

"Let me tell you, even if you were the last woman on earth, I would never..."

His phone rang.

Grant glanced at the caller ID, and his face changed instantly.

"Boss! Something's happened to Miss Claire, she's been kidnapped! They left a threatening note at the scene!"

"It looks like... it's in Miss Aria's handwriting."

So, Claire had made her move. It was just like the last time. She staged her own kidnapping and pinned all the blame on me.

Grant hung up, the fury in his eyes hot enough to burn me alive.

"Aria, you did this, didn't you?"

"You kidnapped her because you were jealous of her!"

The injustice of it all hit me like a physical blow.

I laughed bitterly. "Grant, do you really think I'm that stupid? If I had done it, why would I leave my own necklace behind as evidence?"

"Do you think the whole world is as blind as you are?"

Grant slammed his fist into the wall in a blind rage. Blood splattered onto my face.

"Aria, you venomous bitch! I underestimated you."

"She's your sister! How could you do that to her?"

I closed my eyes. "I told you, I didn't do it."

"But I know you've already condemned me."

Grant was beyond listening. He stormed toward the door.

"I'm going to save Claire. And you, Aria, you just wait. When I get her back, I'll make you pay!"

The door slammed shut. He didn't even give me a chance to explain.

I collapsed onto the floor, a familiar despair washing over me.

Grant didn't come back that night.

The next morning, news spread like wildfire through the family.

Claire had been "successfully rescued," completely unharmed.

But the bigger bombshell was the marriage announcement:

[Miss Claire has been safely recovered. The Boss has announced his engagement to the Ricci family.]

[Congratulations to Miss Claire, soon to be the wife of the Bennett family heir.]

He was marrying into the Ricci family, but not to me, the woman who had grown up by his side.

Luca, the family's majordomo, entered my room with a worried expression.

"Miss Aria, Boss, he..."

"I know," I cut him off.

"It's for the best. Claire finally got what she wanted."

Luca looked at my pale face, hesitating.

"Miss Aria, you look unwell. Should I call a doctor?"

"No need." I waved his concern away. "Luca, I'll be at the celebration dinner tonight."

"After all, I have to celebrate my dear sister's safe return, don't I?"

As night fell, the main hall of the Bennett estate was ablaze with light.

Everyone was celebrating Claire's safe return and the upcoming union between the two families.

The grounds outside the estate had been transformed into a sea of champagne-colored roses, Claire's favorite flower.

The murmurs of the guests swirled around me, drilling into my ears.

"Look, that's Aria Ricci. I heard she almost got her sister killed out of jealousy."

"Who would have thought? She looks like such an elegant princess, but she's so vicious on the inside."

"After her mother died, the Ricci family lost its footing. She's just an empty shell, a porcelain princess."

"Haven't you heard? Her father and Claire are the ambitious ones. They'll kick her out sooner or later."

"She spent all those years kissing up to Grant, and for what? He chose Claire in the end. She's lost everything."

I walked through the crowd with a blank expression, heading for a corner seat.

But on the inside, their words had already ground me to dust.

Grant and Claire stood in the center of the hall. His hand rested gently on the small of her back, his eyes full of tenderness.

Her gaze met mine from across the room, triumphant.

I picked up a glass of champagne but found I couldn't drink it.

My stomach churned, and a wave of nausea rose in my throat.

I fled to the restroom.

Grant followed me.

"Aria, what the hell are you doing?"

I gripped the sink, my face as white as a sheet.

"I'm sorry, I don't feel well."

Seeing my state, Grant's concern was replaced by even greater anger.

"Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to ruin our big night by faking sick?"

"Aria, can you stop being so childish?"

I choked back the feeling of my heart tearing apart and took a deep breath.

"I never wanted to come to this sham of a party."

"Are you satisfied, hearing them all talk about me like I'm some kind of clown?"

Grant sneered. "What's with the attitude, Aria? Claire almost died because of your jealousy!"

My voice was hoarse as I shot back, "Grant, you accuse me without even knowing the truth?"

"Am I the monster, Grant, or have you just always chosen to see me as one?"

"A distorted lens? Name one time I've wrongly accused you of anything."

"Claire is back, safe and sound. You should be happy for us!"

I looked up, meeting the eyes of a stranger in the mirror.

"I am happy for you. Truly, Grant."

Grant froze for a second, seemingly surprised by my words. But he quickly reverted to his cold demeanor.

"At least you have some self-awareness."

He turned and left, leaving me alone in the restroom.

I was so tired. I had never been this exhausted in my life.

I touched my chest, where a dull ache throbbed.

Suddenly, a violent coughing fit seized me.

I covered my mouth and felt the wetness in my palm.

Staring at the bright red blood on my hand, I suddenly understood.

My body could no longer bear the weight of this life.

In this new life, I had only been granted three days.

Now, only one day remained.

The next morning, I packed my final bag.

There wasn't much time left. I had to see Grandpa William one last time.

Pushing open the study door, I found the old Don handling family business.

He put down his papers when he saw me.

"Aria, what are you doing here so early?"

"You look terrible. Was last night's party too much for you?"

I walked toward him, forcing a smile.

"Grandpa, I came to say goodbye."

"In a couple of days, I'm going somewhere very far away."

Grandpa William's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with concern.

"Goodbye? Where are you going? Why so suddenly?"

"Did Grant do something again? You tell me, and I'll go have a word with him."

I shook my head and moved to his side. Grandpa took my hand. "But you'll come back, right?"

I hugged him. "Of course, I'll come back. Home is wherever you are."

The old Don patted my hand. "Remember, this will always be your home. I support you no matter where you go, but always remember the way back."

Tears threatened to fall, but I held them back.

After saying my goodbyes, I returned to my room to get my luggage.

The door flew open, kicked with enough force to crack the wooden frame.

"Aria! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

I stood there, confused.

"Grant, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Grant sneered and began dragging me out of the room.

The commotion alerted Luca, the majordomo.

He approached cautiously. "Boss, where are you taking the young miss?"

A murderous look flashed in Grant's eyes. "Stay out of my way!"

Seeing Grant's fury, Luca had no choice but to step aside.

Grant shoved me roughly into an armored car. I pounded desperately on the window.

"Grant, where are you taking me!"

Grant gripped my shoulders, his face a stony mask.

The car sped off, heading toward one of the family's secret safe houses.

It was an old house in the suburbs with an ancient wine cellar in the basement.

"Get out!" Grant commanded coldly.

He pushed me inside the house.

The interior was dark and damp, filled with a musty smell.

"Look at what you've done!"

"You conspired with a rival family, planned Claire's kidnapping, and leaked the family's core secrets."

His eyes burned with rage, his voice low and dangerous.

"Now the entire underworld is laughing at us. Was this your goal?"

Claire approached, her face a mask of distress. She urged him in a trembling voice.

"Grant, that's enough. Maybe my sister had her reasons. Don't be so upset."

"I'm sure sister would never truly betray the family."

"I didn't do it, Grant," I shot back.

Grant refused to listen, the murderous look in his eyes deepening. "Enough! Your handwriting, your necklace, the evidence is all there. What else can you say?"

"You traitor. To think I once treated you like family."

That was it. I was reckless, I wasn't worthy, I was a traitor. It was all one-sided.

In Grant's heart, Claire was the loyal family member.

My own heart was already dead, so I stopped arguing.

"Say whatever you want."

As I turned to leave, Grant's hand clamped down on my wrist like a pair of pliers.

"Grant, what are you trying to do?"

I was exhausted and had no desire to continue this fight.

"What am I trying to do? First, I have some news for you." He turned to face me. "Our engagement is tomorrow."

Hearing the word "engagement" from Grant's own lips was like the gunshot at an execution.

"Engagement? Good."

I smiled. "Good. Congratulations, Boss, on finding a suitable match."

"But you will be locked in the wine cellar to reflect on what you've done until you confess."

At the words "wine cellar," my entire body began to shake.

It was the place I had feared most since childhood. Small, dark, and enclosed.

When I was six, I was kidnapped by a rival family and locked in a place just like it for three whole days.

When they rescued me, the first person I saw when I opened my eyes was Grant.

He had stayed up all night watching over me.

And now, he was going to personally send me back into that terrifying nightmare.

"No... don't..." I backed away, trembling.

"Grant, you know I'm claustrophobic. You can't do this to me."

"Please, lock me up anywhere else. Just not the wine cellar."

Claire's voice was laced with false pity. "Sister, it's the family rules."

"It'll just be for one night."

Several of his men grabbed my arms, twisted them behind my back, and roughly dragged me toward the gloomy cellar.

One of his Capos standing nearby spoke up.

"Boss, please, let Miss Aria go. She's been terrified of enclosed spaces since she was a child. Something could happen to her."

Grant's face was impassive. "Afraid?"

"She wasn't so afraid when she was plotting to kidnap Claire, was she?"

Claire's voice was soft. "Sister, just bear with it for a little while."

"I know you must have your reasons for doing all this, but there's nothing we can do. We have to give the family an explanation."

I grabbed the hem of Grant's pants, terrified and desperate.

"I really didn't kidnap Claire! And I didn't leak any family secrets, I swear!"

"Aria," Grant said coldly, prying my fingers from his clothes, "a traitor's word is worthless."

I collapsed to the floor, shaking uncontrollably.

The cellar was pitch black, with only a faint sliver of light coming from the top of the stairs.

I was surrounded by cold stone walls, the air thick with the smell of decay.

I curled up in a corner, breaking out in a cold sweat.

This was the last day of my second life.

I didn't want to die in this sunless place. I wanted to see my family.

"Please, just let me go to the cemetery to pay my respects to my mother and grandpa. After I get back, you can do whatever you want with me."

Grant remained cold and unmoved. "Impossible. You'll stay here quietly. After the engagement ceremony tomorrow, I'll consider letting you out."

"Grant!" I screamed, my voice cracking. "I don't have a tomorrow!"

Grant scoffed. "What, Aria? Planning to drop dead before then?"

My last shred of hope was gone.

I accepted my fate and stopped struggling.

Yes, I was really going to die.

The heavy iron door slowly swung shut, and darkness swallowed me whole.

I heard the key turn in the lock, followed by the fading sound of his footsteps.

The silence was absolute, broken only by my own ragged breathing echoing in the vast cellar.

I slumped onto the cold ground, feeling the last moments of my life tick away.

Maybe this was for the best. In this dark place, I could wait for death in peace.

I don't know how much time passed, but I could hear the sounds of celebration from far away.

It was the music and cheerful laughter of the guests at the engagement party.

And I couldn't stop coughing up blood. The metallic smell filled the cellar.

Minute by minute, I felt my life force draining away.

The pain in my chest grew sharper, and the blood I coughed up increased.

I closed my eyes, feeling my body grow lighter, my eyelids too heavy to lift.

This was it. The final moment had arrived. The last day the gods had granted me was over.

After the engagement ceremony, Grant finally remembered me.

He asked Luca coolly, "How is the traitor? Is she behaving?"

Luca wiped at a tear, his voice trembling. "Boss... Miss Aria won't be causing any more trouble. "

"We just found her... she's no longer breathing."