Downstairs, one hundred luxury sedans lined up neatly. Alan stepped out from the driver's seat, tall and imposing, clad in a custom black suit that fitted him like a glove.

The rear door opened, and a sweet-looking young woman stepped out after him. She stayed close to his side, appearing far too intimate for comfort.

I froze in place.

In my last life, Alan had been devoted and loyal; a man who treated his wife with nothing but care.

So who was the woman beside him now?

Once again, the floating messages exploded noisily.

[Alan's unbelievable! He even brought his side chick to pick up his bride! Is this some kind of power play?]

[I heard he's got more than a dozen women like this at home. What a freak!]

[Tiffany, run before he gets upstairs and call Leon! This is your last chance!]

Watching the messages jump around, all convinced this girl was some kept woman, I calmed down instead.

I looked more closely through the window and noticed that although the girl walked beside Alan, she always kept a polite half foot of distance between them.

The embroidered evening gown she wore was custom-made, with pearls sewn onto the hem by hand. It was the couture that sold for an insane price at an auction last year.

A woman dressed like that wasn't someone's secret pet.

I understood immediately and calmly walked back to the bed.

The sound of steady footsteps echoed up the wooden stairs and stopped outside my room. Alan tried the doorknob, but the door wouldn't budge.

His voice cut through the door, cool and distant.

"Ms. Glisson, if you don't want to get married because of the rumors, you could've just said so. Why are you doing this instead?"

I rushed to the door. The moment my fingers touched the cold lock, I felt something jammed inside the keyhole.

Leon's smug smile from earlier flashed through my mind. He had done this on purpose.

Now, Alan must think I was slamming the door in his face.

Cold sweat broke out across my back. In my last life, I learned that while Alan was gentle with his family, he was ruthless with anyone who lied to him.

Sure enough, Alan's voice dropped low and dangerous, like thunder before a storm.

"You're the first person who's ever shut me out."

The messages flooded in again.

[She's done for now. She offended a freak, and she's going to suffer!]

[She could still run if she wanted to, but she won't listen.]

I stared at the gloating messages and took a deep breath.

A stupid door wasn't going to stop me. I had already died once.

I grabbed my dress, stepped back three paces, then rushed forward and kicked hard. With a loud bang, the door flew open and crashed to the floor. Everyone was shocked.

The force sent me stumbling straight into Alan.

His warm hand caught me firmly around the waist. When our eyes met, something sharp and bright flashed through his dark gaze like starlight.

My ears burned hot as I hurriedly adjusted my veil. "Mr. Palmer, you're overthinking it. The door was just broken. Marrying you is the only thing I've ever wanted."

A low chuckle sounded beside my ear, rich and teasing.

"Well, Ms. Glisson, you're not quite what the rumors made you out to be."

I silently muttered that he wasn't exactly what the rumors said, either.

The girl beside Alan suddenly burst into applause, cutting through the tension. She looped her arm through mine warmly.

"That's so impressive, making an entrance like that on our first meeting! I like you already! I'm Karen, Alan's sister."

So she was his sister.

I finally let out a quiet breath of relief.

Before I could speak, Alan had already taken a few long strides toward us. He knocked on Karen's head lightly.

"Mind your manners."

When he turned to me, his expression grew serious. He took out a small velvet box from inside his jacket.

"Grandpa said we have to exchange heirloom bracelets before the wedding."

Without thinking, I reached for my wrist and touched nothing but cold air.

My heart skipped. I had clearly been wearing it this morning. When had it disappeared?

When I looked up in panic, I ran straight into Alan's suddenly icy stare.

He stepped closer, lifted my chin with his fingers, and said in a low, dangerous voice, "According to the rumors, you've always been quiet and timid. But now… You're sharp in every way. I'm curious. Did your personality change, or are you a different person altogether?"

I backed away step by step, my throat tightening. I had no idea how to explain.

After you had died once, you wouldn't stay the same. If I didn't become strong, how would I ever take back the life that should've been mine?

Still, something like being reborn sounded insane. No normal person would believe it.

Just as I hit a dead end, the floating messages appeared again.

[She should just confess she's fake. Maybe she'll survive.]

[If she doesn't run now, she's going to be tortured by that freak!]

I clenched my dress and shook my head, taking a deep breath. "What are you talking about? I'm Tiffany. I can prove it!"

"Oh? And how exactly would you do that?"

My mind raced. Alan and I had never met before, so of course he wouldn't recognize me.

But his grandfather had met me. My parents once said he even held me on the day I was born.

"Your grandpa saw that I had a red birthmark on my chest when I was born, shaped as a blooming rose, and he really liked it."

I paused and swallowed my nerves.

"You'll know I'm Tiffany the moment you see it."

I let out a tense breath, suddenly realizing how ridiculous it felt to have to prove that I was myself.

Alan narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lips curving upward.

"Yeah, I've heard Grandpa mention that before."

He released my chin and casually straightened his cuff links.

"But offering to take your clothes off in front of everyone? That kind of openness is really something else."

My face went hot in an instant. "That's not what I meant!"

Before I could explain again, Leon's voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Mr. Palmer, there's no need to see the birthmark. This is the real Ms. Glisson! The bracelet proves it."

Leon placed his hand on Harmony's shoulder and pushed her forward gently. On her wrist was the matching heirloom bracelet.

Harmony took off the bracelet and handed it to Alan, lifting her eyes to him timidly.

Alan accepted it with his long fingers and casually turned it in his hand.

He suddenly looked up and studied Harmony's face.

"You do resemble Mr. Glisson Sr. a little, but…"

His voice trailed off, heavy with pressure that made the air tighten.

Before anyone could react, Leon stepped forward and yanked me in front of him.

"Mr. Palmer, I'm Tiffany's childhood friend. You may have heard of me. I came today to offer my congratulations, but I heard Tiffany's voice from the basement. That's when I realized she had been locked in."

He spun around and kicked me hard.

"You nasty maid! The Glissons raised you and paid for everything you had, and you still tried to steal Tiffany's identity and her marriage!"

The pain of my knees slamming into the floor sent stars spinning before my eyes.

I glared up at that fake face and shouted, "You're lying through your teeth! I'm the real Tiffany! You're the one who—"

"Cover her mouth!"

A rough hand clamped over my mouth and nose.

Leon reached into my purse and pulled out a phone that wasn't mine at all. Smiling, he handed it to Alan.

"Mr. Palmer, this phone contains everything. All the information she gathered on the Glissons, even her plan to swap identities step by step."

He put on a shaken expression.

"I was hiding nearby and saw her checking the details myself…"

Alan lowered his eyes and scrolled through the screen. His brows drew tighter and tighter as cold radiated from him. When he finally looked up, his eyes were ice.

"The evidence is clear. What else do you have to say?"

With my mouth covered, I couldn't make a sound.

Leon immediately bowed and scraped.

"Mr. Palmer, today's supposed to be your happiest day. Leave this woman to me."

He glared at me viciously.

"Get out of Northingdale right now and never show your face in front of Mr. Palmer or me again! Otherwise, I'll make sure you regret it!"

Seeing the smug look on Leon's face made my chest go cold. The guard's iron grip locked around my shoulders; he dragged me outside, tossing me hundreds of feet away from the venue.

I wandered the road in a daze. The ceremony would start in an hour. What was I supposed to do now?

The floating messages filled the air again.

[Just accept it, Tiffany. Alan already showed mercy.]

[Don't go back. If they see you again, you won't get away.]

I lifted my head and let the tears run over the cuts on my face, but a stubborn smile tugged at my lips.

Did they really think a few fake messages could scare me off?

This time, I wasn't handing my life over to anyone.

I had no money, no phone, nothing. With nothing to lose, I ran back toward Alan and the wedding that was supposed to be mine.

Five minutes left before the ceremony, I finally arrived, breathless and shaking.

But Alan was practically Northingdale royalty. Security circled the venue like a solid wall.

While I was panicking, Karen came rushing over in sky-high heels and grabbed my arm.

"I knew it! A woman's instinct never lies. You're my real sister-in-law. Alan's an idiot. He can win boardroom battles, but he can't read women at all!"

She looked me over, saw how wrecked I was, and squeezed my hand.

"I'm taking you in there. I'll help you prove who you really are. I won't let that woman steal your life."

I smiled bitterly. "How? He doesn't believe me anymore."

Karen suddenly winked and dragged me toward the fountain near the stage.

"There's no time. One more minute, and it's official. We've got no choice. I hope you'll forgive me for this."

Karen shoved me into the fountain, and the freezing water swallowed me whole.

I thrashed my way back up, hair plastered to my face. My gown was soaked through, and my collar had tugged open in the chaos.

I brushed my hair aside. Beneath my collarbone, my red, rose-shaped birthmark flashed into view.

When Alan saw me, his expression changed instantly. His cold gaze tightened, locked on that mark.