The day I died, my hospital room was packed with people who'd come to say goodbye.

Even my lifelong rival showed up.

The only person missing was Spencer Gilbert—the man I'd been married to for twenty-five years.

He was in Iceland with his mistress and their son, watching the Northern Lights.

Moments before I flatlined, my phone buzzed with a text from him.

"Back then, I had no choice but to marry you for the family's sake. But all these years I made you take birth control, never let you have children, and you went along with it. I suppose that made you a good wife."

"If there's a next life, I'd choose you again. Rest easy now. I'll handle the funeral personally."

Nanette James caught sight of the message. She let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Grace Fox, you really were never cut out to be Mrs. Gilbert."

"Next time around, don't bother competing with me."

Who knew her words would come true?

When I opened my eyes again, we'd both been thrown back to the day of the Gilbert family's marriage lottery.

Spencer's voice was cold. "Grace, you drew the short straw. You'll be the Gilbert family's new daughter-in-law."

Without hesitation, I shoved the slip into Nanette's hand.

"I think the position of Mrs. Gilbert suits Nanette much better."

1.

Wallis Gilbert stared at me, bewildered.

"Grace, you and Nanette used to fight over Spencer so fiercely the whole city knew about it."

"Now fate's handed you the winning ticket. Why would you turn it down?"

The Fox, James, and Gilbert families were the three great dynasties of Harbor City—equally powerful, equally untouchable, and careful never to step on each other's toes.

But Nanette and I had both fallen for Spencer Gilbert.

To avoid offending either family, the Gilberts came up with what they called the fairest solution: a lottery.

In my previous life, when I drew the winning slip, I'd wept with joy.

I never imagined it would buy me a lifetime of loneliness and suffering.

Given a second chance, I wanted no part of this so-called fate.

I kept my voice steady as I answered Wallis.

"Mrs. Gilbert, I'm too indecisive. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to manage a family as prominent as yours."

"Miss James is known for being decisive and capable. She's far better suited than I am."

Seeing my mind was made up, Wallis turned to her son. "What do you think?"

Spencer sat at the table, filtering tea, not even bothering to look up.

"Doesn't matter who I marry."

Of course. When you can't have the woman you actually love, one bride is as good as another.

The woman Spencer loved was named Abigail Dickerson—the same mistress he'd keep hidden in my previous life.

Abigail was a motorcycle saleswoman.

During his sophomore year, Spencer's friends had dragged him to a biker meetup. The moment he saw Abigail tearing across the road on her bike, he never forgot her.

He thought she was bold. Different. He believed that only with her could he truly feel alive.

But the Gilbert empire would never allow him to marry a woman with no background.

So he accepted his fate and agreed to a strategic marriage with one of the other two families.

When Spencer didn't object, Wallis had nothing more to say.

She simply reminded us both: "You two work this out between yourselves."

"Our three families have been close for generations. Let's not let this create bad blood."

I understood her concern.

Nanette and I had both loved Spencer since we were children.

I was soft-spoken, never one to fight for what I wanted.

But Nanette was no pushover.

Spencer saw me as fragile, so he'd always shown me a little extra attention.

Nanette took that as a slight and made me her target.

Accusing me of cheating on exams, spreading rumors that I was manipulative—it was all routine.

I'd learned not to let it get to me. Only when she pushed too far would I fire back, and even then, half-heartedly.

Now, reborn with the truth laid bare, I saw us both for what we were: pathetic fools fighting over a man who'd never wanted either of us.

What was left to fight about?

I nodded calmly. "Don't worry, ma'am. Nanette and I have already talked it over—there won't be any conflict between us."

Only then did Wallis look satisfied.

"Good. Spencer's grandfather is gravely ill and can't wait much longer. The wedding will be in three days."

After leaving the Gilbert estate, Nanette and I had just found a place to catch up when Spencer showed up with Abigail in tow.

But he wasn't there for me.

He stood in front of Nanette, holding Abigail's hand, looking as if what he was about to say was the most natural thing in the world.

"Nanette, since our marriage is settled, there's something I need to tell you."

"You know the one I love is Abigail. So don't expect me to give her up just because I'm marrying you."

"Unless something major comes up at home, I'll be staying at her place."

In my past life, Spencer had said the exact same thing to me.

It was the first time he'd ever asked me for anything. I didn't want to disappoint him, so I agreed.

Back then, I thought his feelings for Abigail were just infatuation—that once the novelty wore off, he'd come around.

I was wrong. Spencer loved her far more deeply than I'd imagined.

And Abigail wasn't the obedient, unassuming woman she'd promised to be.

She was viciously jealous. Every few days, she'd find some excuse to make trouble for me.

Snide comments and passive-aggressive jabs were the least of it. Sometimes she'd even hurt herself and frame me for it, poisoning Spencer against me.

The reason Spencer never had children with me? Abigail had deliberately caused herself to miscarry their first child—and pinned the blame on me.

Spencer believed every word. He made me spend the rest of my life childless as penance.

A wave of bitterness rose in my chest, but Nanette's voice cut through my thoughts.

She let out a mocking laugh.

"Spencer, what century do you think this is? You really think you can pull that 'one man, multiple wives' nonsense?"

"Let me make this clear: if you dare move in with Abigail, I'll make sure she never sets foot in Harbor City again."

Spencer flinched.

Nanette was known for being fierce, but in the past, she'd reserved all her gentleness for Spencer alone.

He had no idea we'd both been reborn. Naturally, he couldn't understand why she'd changed so drastically.

He assumed Abigail's presence had simply provoked her, so he softened his tone to explain.

"Nanette, don't be unreasonable. Abigail is pregnant."

"She needs me to take care of her."

Nanette didn't buy it for a second. She looked at Abigail with a cold smile. "A grown woman who can't even take care of herself while pregnant—what's the point of having the baby at all?"

"Just get rid of it."

The color drained from Abigail's face.

Spencer's heart ached for her.

He dropped the pretense entirely, his expression darkening with fury. "Nanette, shut your mouth."

"This baby is something Abigail and I have wanted for a long time. There's no way in hell we're getting rid of it."

Nanette shrugged, utterly indifferent.

"Suit yourself. Just remember—if you move in with her after we're married, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it."

Apparently deciding their company was bad luck, Nanette grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the café.

But Abigail followed us out alone.

She tugged at Nanette's sleeve, her face the picture of wounded innocence.

"Miss James, I know you don't like me. But the baby is innocent—he can't be born without a father."

"Please, don't push us to the breaking point. I'm begging you."

I instinctively glanced back at the café. Sure enough, Spencer was standing there, watching us without blinking.

It hit me then—this was exactly how it had happened before.

Seven days after I married Spencer, he announced he was moving out.

I'd tried desperately to stop him. And right on cue, Abigail had volunteered to approach me alone, all apologies and pleas.

Back then, she had grabbed my sleeve just like this, making it look like I'd pushed her down the stairs and caused her miscarriage.

My heart lurched. I was about to warn Nanette, but Abigail was already pulling the same trick—tilting her head back and letting herself fall.

My heart shot into my throat.

This time Abigail wasn't framing me, but in my past life, Nanette had stayed by my side until the very end. I already considered her a friend.

Thankfully, at the last second, Nanette reached out and grabbed Abigail by the collar.

She turned to me. "Is this how she framed you back then? Used this baby to ruin you, made sure you'd never have children?"

I gave a heavy nod.

Nanette looked at Abigail with contempt. "Stooping to something this filthy—seems like you really don't want this baby after all."

"Fine then. I'll take care of it for you myself. Save you the trouble of pinning it on me."

With that, Nanette let go, and Abigail tumbled toward the road.

A car was coming. It couldn't swerve in time. The front bumper slammed into Abigail's stomach.

Spencer came sprinting from somewhere in the distance, his eyes red and wild.

He clutched Abigail's blood-soaked body, glaring at Nanette with pure murder in his eyes. "Nanette James, you're vicious!"

"Someone like you doesn't deserve to be a Gilbert bride!"

"Even if you got on your knees and begged, I wouldn't marry you now."

Then Spencer turned to me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Grace, go home and get ready. You're marrying me in three days."

Before I could refuse, the ambulance arrived.

Spencer climbed in after Nanette, didn't even spare me a glance.

I watched the ambulance disappear down the street. "Nanette, this is exactly what my life used to be like."

"You saw it all. Do you still want to marry him?"

Nanette's expression went distant. It was a long moment before she answered. "There's one last thing I need to do. If he still disappoints me after that, I'll give you my answer."

She pulled out her phone.

"Dad, come with me to the hospital..."

I understood Nanette, I really did.

Because I'd been the same way once—unable to let go.

Spencer always believed Abigail over me. He'd misunderstood me more times than I could count.

My friends told me to divorce him.

But I'd loved him since we were kids. I just couldn't bring myself to leave.

So I kept telling myself he was just temporarily blinded. Kept convincing myself to forgive him, over and over.

I knew better than anyone—matters of the heart, you have to figure out on your own. No one else can help you.

So I didn't push. I just said calmly, "Alright. Whatever you need to do, I'll go with you."

By the time we reached the hospital, Abigail was out of danger and awake.

When Spencer saw Nanette and me walk into the room, he immediately pulled Abigail behind him, on guard.

"Nanette, Abigail lost the baby because of you. I haven't even settled that score yet, and here you are waltzing in!"

Pain flickered in Nanette's eyes. "Spencer, I wasn't trying to hurt her."

"She was trying to frame me. That's the only reason I acted."

Abigail's voice came out in a wounded whimper. "Spencer, I didn't..."

"I only wanted to apologize to Miss James in private. To beg her forgiveness, to ask her to stop pressuring you."

"But she wouldn't accept it. She called our baby a bastard, said it didn't deserve to be born."

"Spencer, maybe I'm just not good enough for you. Maybe we should end this..."

Spencer panicked. He pulled Abigail into his arms and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"Don't say stupid things. You're the only woman in this world who deserves me."