The second Zoe reset her life and landed back at the Elite Match Gala, she swapped her token with her half-sister's. No hesitation.

Connor grabbed the bouquet meant for Vicky, eyes lighting up.

He slipped his fingers into hers, all soft and serious.

"Vicky, you're it for me. My one and only."

Then he turned to Zoe—and the warmth vanished.

"Zoe, you've always been like a little sister to me. Don't even think about stepping into Vicky's place."

That hit like a slap. Cold, sharp, humiliating.

Whispers exploded around her, just like before.

Everyone thought she was pathetic. The girl who chased Connor for a decade... only for him to fall for her sister.

In Southport, everybody knew Connor Buxton had fans. Zoe Hertbert? She was the most hopeless of them all.

Last time, she got picked at the Elite Match Gala—only for Connor to ditch her on their wedding day. Her face got slashed, her heart shattered, and she died humiliated.

So the first thing she did after waking up in the past? Swap her number with Vicky's.

Connor stared at the number card—Vicky's now. His eyes lit up.

He walked right over and kissed her hand. "Vicky, will you be my one and only wife?"

She gave a shy little nod.

The crowd lost it.

Zoe stood next to them, watching their hands like she didn't care. Face unreadable.

Connor turned. Everyone followed his gaze.

He froze for a beat. Guilt flickered across his face—but he still held on to Vicky.

"Zoe, you've always been like a little sister to me."

He actually said that. With a straight face.

"Don't worry, I'll still look out for you. Like family."

Then he smiled at Vicky. "She's the love of my life. And since you two are sisters, just treat her like your sister-in-law. Take care of her for me, yeah?"

The crowd hushed, all eyes drifting to Zoe with mixed looks.

Everyone in Southport knew she'd been obsessed with Connor. So obsessed, it was pathetic—especially since he was clearly into her half-sister the whole time.

A few guests even smirked.

Zoe didn't move, but her nails dug red crescents into her palms.

Connor still looked flawless, just like always. And that soft, dreamy look in his eyes? She used to think it was for her.

Now it was all for Vicky.

Zoe smiled. "You're too kind, Mr. Buxton. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness."

Voice smooth. Perfectly polite.

Connor stiffened. That glow from before? Gone. His brows tightened.

Before he could speak, Vicky's eyes welled up. "Zoe, I know you've always had feelings for Connor... I'm sorry. I took the guy you loved...

"I always gave you everything growing up—but not Connor... I love him. Please don't hate me—"

Connor rushed to her side. "Vicky! I've only ever loved you. You don't need to apologize."

His tone was soft, but there was urgency behind it. He shot Zoe a look—cold, almost blaming.

"She's your sister-in-law now. Let's just leave it at that."

Zoe stayed quiet.

Connor's voice snapped. "Zoe! Be mature about this. Whether you accept it or not, Vicky is your sister-in-law now. Don't be selfish!"

His words hit like a slap.

The crowd started murmuring.

"That's the girl who simped over Connor her whole life, huh? And he ends up falling for her sister..."

"She knew he liked her sister and still kept throwing herself at him. Total drama magnet. Probably got used to playing the homewrecker."

"Seriously? Going after your own sister's man? She looks decent, but wow—desperate much?"

Zoe's face went pale. She stared at Connor—he wasn't giving her a choice.

To protect Vicky, the girl he loved, he'd trash her dignity right here in front of everyone.

A bitter smile pulled at her lips.

This was the guy she'd wasted over ten years on. Gave him everything. Every version of her.

And sure, he was loyal. Just not to her.

"Vicky, I was the one being immature," Zoe said. "Let's not make it a thing."

Vicky blinked. That... wasn't the reaction she'd planned for.

Zoe was supposed to lose it—go off and make a scene. That would've let Vicky play innocent and soak up Connor's pity.

But now?

Connor actually relaxed. Reached out and patted Zoe's head like she was some kid. "That's more like it. No drama between sisters, right?"

"Go freshen up. You're gonna be Vicky's bridesmaid."

Zoe had to fight the urge to slap his hand away.

The farce was over. People swarmed Connor and Vicky, tossing out congratulations like candy.

Zoe used the chaos to slip out of the banquet hall, quiet and unseen.

***

Back at the Buxton estate, Connor's mom—Eleanor—was curled up on the couch.

"Zoe? Why are you back so early?"

The surprise in her voice made Zoe's chest tighten.

"Mrs. Buxton... Connor didn't choose me."

"What? That—no, that can't be right. Connor's always been closest to you. We all saw it. He even said when he was little he'd marry you one day! He must've been tricked by some girl with bad intentions. Zoe, just wait—I'll talk to him—"

Zoe gave her a tired smile and gently stopped her from reaching for the phone.

"He was just a kid back then. Stuff like that doesn't mean anything."

Her voice cracked, eyes full of quiet heartbreak.

Eleanor's face fell. She pulled Zoe into a hug, hand rubbing her back like she used to.

And just like that, wrapped in a warmth she hadn't felt in forever, Zoe finally broke.

The weight of her past life still clung to her—heavy, unshakable. This time, all she wanted was to stay far, far away from Connor and Vicky and finally live her own life.

"Mrs. Buxton, Connor said it himself—Vicky's the only one he loves. Not me. Yeah, I used to like him, but I've made peace with it. Forcing something fake doesn't make it real."

Eleanor didn't say a word.

Zoe wiped her tears, pulled together a small smile. "But hey, I'll still visit. You've always taken care of me. You're the only one who's ever felt like a real mom."

After a few more soft words, Zoe turned and walked away from the Buxton estate—for good.

Only then did she check her phone—three unread messages.

All from Lucian Lyttelton. Heir to the powerful Lyttelton family in Khelmark City. Now the head of it. Her arranged fiancé, picked by her dad before he slipped into a coma.

[I'm glad you've agreed to honor the engagement, Ms. Hertbert.]

[I'll send someone to Southport to pick you up in a week. Please make preparations accordingly.]

[Also, I've prepared a small gift for you. It'll arrive with the escort.]

Zoe was done with Southport, but she had one last thing to cross off her list.

In her past life, she hadn't even known about her mom's keepsake until right before she died—found out it had shown up at some auction.

And that auction? Happening exactly three days after the Elite Match Gala.

She threw her last few things into a bag and showed up that night looking drop-dead stunning.

Zoe tuned out the whispers and zeroed in on one thing.

The moment that familiar gemstone bangle popped up, she raised her paddle.

"Three hundred thousand."

It wasn't in the best shape, but she threw out a high bid fast—hoping to lock it down without any fuss.

Right as the gavel started to drop, a voice cut through the room.

"Three-fifty!"

Zoe whipped around and locked eyes with Vicky, who stared her down like it was a game.

Her stomach dropped. She lifted her paddle. "Four hundred."

Vicky fired back. "Five hundred."

Zoe clenched her jaw. "Seven."

The crowd started buzzing. That bangle wasn't worth nearly that much.

Vicky hesitated, lowering her paddle—until a hand stopped her.

Connor.

"One million," he said, cool as ever. "It's just a bangle. If Vicky wants it, no reason to let someone else take it.

"Zoe, don't be difficult. What's hers isn't yours."

His tone was icy, but to Zoe, it felt like a slap.

Zoe stared at him, stunned. "It was mine first!"

Connor's eyes narrowed. "Your dad spoiled you rotten. You've had more jewelry than you can count.

"Vicky got sent away as a kid. She's your sister too, and she had to figure everything out on her own. And now you're really going to fight her over some bangle?"

Zoe met his blank stare, and her whole body went cold.

She flashed back to middle school—some kid had tried to snatch her lottery prize just because he liked it more.

She'd clung to it, crying, too small to fight back.

Connor had stormed in, grabbed the kid by the collar, and snarled, "No one takes what's yours."

That version of him? Long gone.

Now, he barely looked at her. Just flicked his hand.

"I'll take on every bid. Let's not waste time."

The room stirred—everyone got the message. He was locking it down for Vicky.

Zoe's jaw clenched so tight she could taste blood. Rage, grief, and all those buried memories came rushing back.

In her last life, Connor had waved his hand just like that—right before her explicit photos got blasted on a giant public screen.

Zoe let out a bitter laugh, eyes locked on Connor and the pale-faced Vicky.

"Connor, what's the rush? Trying to impress your girl and lovechild already?

"Vicky, just because you're the daughter of a mistress doesn't mean you get to play lady of the house by taking my mother's bangle."

Smack!

The slap echoed like a gunshot. Zoe's head snapped to the side.

She stared at Connor, stunned, caught in the chill of his disgusted glare.

"You've got no manners, Zoe. Talking like that about your own sister—did your mom teach you anything before she died?"

The jab landed hard. Her eyes stung. She glanced at the bangle, vision blurring.

She wanted to speak, to tell him it was the only thing her mom left her—

But before a word could leave her mouth, Connor was already waving security over.

"Get her out. There are rules here. Don't let her crash the party again."

Zoe got tossed out of the auction hall like trash, right in front of everyone.

Her dress was wrecked, her body ached from where security had roughed her up—but none of it hurt like her heart did.

Outside, fireworks lit up the sky—used only when someone locked in a win.

She just stood there, staring. By the time she blinked, her cheeks were already soaked.

Whatever was left of her feelings for Connor burned out right then, gone with her mom's stolen bangle.

She wiped her face, pulled herself together, and grabbed every asset she still had.

She was going to his place. That bangle was the one thing she wasn't walking away from.

***

Zoe showed up just as Connor's car rolled through the gate.

Vicky froze when she saw her, instantly shoving the hand with the gemstone bangle behind her back.

Zoe's face was pale, her hands clutching a fresh stack of financial statements.

"Give me back my mother's bangle. All of this—it's yours," she said, voice shaking in the cold but steady as ever.

Connor's jaw tightened. At the word "bangle", his scowl deepened.

"Vicky's the lady of my house now. We don't need your money."

Zoe didn't say a word. She just stepped in their way, arm out, eyes locked on them.

Vicky placed a soft hand on Connor's arm. "Go inside, Connor. This is between me and Zoe. I'll handle it."

He paused, then turned and walked off.

The second he was gone, Vicky's whole vibe flipped cold.

She smacked the papers out of Zoe's hands like they were nothing.

Then she smirked, lifted her wrist—and chucked the bangle straight into the pond.

Zoe didn't even think—she watched the bangle disappear and dove in after it.

The freezing water slammed into her, stealing her breath and numbing her on contact.

She thrashed for a second, then the panic hit.

She couldn't swim.

The cold, the dark, the blind panic—it all blurred together. She had no idea where the bangle went.

Water thrashed around her as distant, muffled shouting came from the shore—then another splash. Someone else had jumped in.

Her skin felt like it was on fire, every inch stabbed with ice, the weight of the water pressing in.

Through the blur of water and panic, Zoe barely made out Connor rushing over.

He was yelling.

"Vicky! Vicky, are you okay?"

So Vicky had jumped in too. But... why?

Zoe didn't have time to figure it out.

Her fingers suddenly brushed something solid—round, smooth.

She grabbed it, heart pounding. It had to be the bangle.

With everything she had left, she kicked toward the surface.

Onshore, Connor dragged a soaked Vicky out of the water, barking for the butler to take her inside.

Vicky was coughing, gasping, trying to say something.

But Connor didn't answer. He just stood there, silent, eyes locked on the water, brows drawn tight.