My name is Eleanor Keating.

In my past life, my older sister—Alice Keating—and I were entrusted to the McKellen family in Arborhill by our parents for arranged marriages.

I married John McKellen, the eldest son. While he might not be conventionally handsome, his calm demeanor and unwavering reliability stood out.

Alice married Xavier McKellen, the younger son. Handsome as he was, he was equally carefree and unpredictable in his actions.

Eager for a grandchild, the family patriarch—Henry McKellen—made a promise. The first to bear a child would have their offspring named the next heir of the family.

After our wedding, John and I conceived.

Our child was naturally declared the next heir, and with that, John and I gained influence and power within the family.

Tensions between Alice and Xavier escalated into frequent fights. Eventually, both had affairs, and their marriage ended in a bitter divorce.

Believing they had dishonored the family, John banished them from the household.

Blinded by jealousy, Alice poisoned me and my child, ending both our lives.

When I open my eyes again, I find myself back on the first day I arrived at the McKellen residence.

But this time, Alice makes the first move and sleeps with John.

In that moment, I realize she, too, has been given a second chance at life.

Unfortunately, she has no clue that John is a twisted man.

Not only is he devoid of love, but he also sees women as mere stepping stones in his relentless pursuit of power.

"Eleanor, John and I fell in love as soon as we met. That's why we gave in to our feelings and made love that night. Please, let him go so we can be together!"

At that moment, my older sister—Alice Keating—knelt before me. With tears rolling down her face, she clung to my arm.

I bit my lip, struggling to hold back the fury building within me.

Heartbroken, my mother—Matilda Cooper—spoke up in Alice's defense.

"Eleanor, what's done is done. Perhaps you should consider marrying someone else."

I glared at my mother with disdain. My lips curled into a sneer.

Though we were both her daughters, her heart always belonged to Alice. Only rarely did she spare even a flicker of affection for me.

Sensing my silence, Alice's sobs only grew louder.

"I know I've wronged you, Eleanor, but I can't help how I feel. I love John with all my heart!"

My gaze darkened as I looked at Alice's tear-streaked face.

Despite the pain and sorrow etched across her features, there was still a spark of hope and joy burning in her eyes.

At that moment, I realized she had been reborn as well.

With John McKellen's future wealth and power in mind, she didn't hesitate to make her move first.

In my previous life, both Alice and I were sent by our parents to the McKellen family in Arborhill for arranged marriages.

I married John McKellen, the eldest son. Though his looks were plain, his calm and dependable nature made him stand out.

On the other hand, Alice married Xavier McKellen, the younger son. Though handsome and charming, he was infamous for his reckless and unpredictable ways.

Driven by his desire for a grandchild, the family patriarch—Henry McKellen—made a solemn promise. The first to give birth to a child would have their offspring recognized as the family's next heir.

After our wedding, John and I conceived a child.

Our baby was immediately named the next heir, securing John and me greater influence and power within the family.

Meanwhile, the tension between Alice and Xavier grew into constant conflict. Eventually, infidelity tore them apart, culminating in a bitter and painful divorce.

Convinced they had brought shame upon the family, John kicked them out of the household.

Blinded by jealousy, Alice poisoned me and my child, ending both our lives.

Recalling my child's final moments, a surge of hatred flooded my chest. Every fiber of my being screamed for vengeance against Alice.

Still, acting on impulse was not an option. I had to think strategically and plan for the long game.

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "If you truly love each other, then I suppose you have my blessing."

Alice froze. She was caught off guard by my sudden agreement.

Meanwhile, my mother's face brightened with relief.

"That's wonderful! I always knew you were reasonable and understanding."

As Alice collected herself, she smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much, Eleanor."

I nodded absentmindedly.

Alice stood up, barely able to hide her excitement.

"I'm going to share this amazing news with John!"

As I watched her walk away, my lips lifted in a faint smirk.

Just then, my mother stepped forward and took my hand. She patted it gently, hoping to comfort me.

"Eleanor, I suppose this means you'll have to marry Xavier instead."

I stayed silent.

"He can be mischievous at times," she added, "but he's genuinely a good man. With his looks and status, he's well-suited for you."

Following a short pause, she admitted, "Had things gone differently, Alice would have been the one to marry him."

I understood what my mother was suggesting. Alice and I were expected to exchange our future suitors.

Without a second thought, I agreed. "Fine. I'll do as you wish."

Though everyone saw Xavier as a spoiled playboy, I knew it was merely a carefully constructed facade.

He never wanted to take on the weight of leading the family; his soul longed for freedom.

In my previous life, he never fought for power or control. Even through my pregnancy and childbirth, he appeared calm and distant, as though it was none of his concern.

Still, the most haunting memory I carried was the moment of my death. He was the one who had cradled my poisoned child in his arms while desperately searching for help.

Though his efforts were in vain, the kindness that dwelt within his heart was undeniable.

For that reason alone, he was a man deserving of my hand.

My mother appeared pleased with my sensible demeanor. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and her voice softened.

"Don't worry. If Xavier ever mistreats you, I'll be the first to defend you."

I returned a smile.

Deep down, I knew her words were merely for show. Beneath that facade, she was cold and distant.

If I were truly harmed, she would merely observe in silence and not lift a finger.

When Alice found out I was going to marry Xavier, she smiled and gave her blessing.

"Congrats! You've landed a good man who's both handsome and responsible."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then, why didn't you marry him?"

After a moment's hesitation, she whispered, "That's because I fell in love with someone else."

I sneered, and a shadow clouded my eyes. "Really? To be frank, I don't believe in love at first sight."

Alice's body tensed. She stared at me in shock. Her words were caught in her throat.

With a solemn look, I added, "I hope you never come to regret the choice you've made today."

A flicker of unease flashed in Alice's eyes, but she quickly recovered. She put on a confident smirk.

"I won't regret it. After all, I've found the best husband anyone could ever ask for. Just don't come crying when you're the one stuck in misery."

I shrugged and walked away.

Alice believed that John's strong vitality and romantic nature were the reasons I was able to conceive so quickly.

Unfortunately, she couldn't have been more wrong.

Deep down, John was a monster who found pleasure in a woman's suffering. In the privacy of our bedroom, his kindness vanished and was replaced by cruelty.

The truth was, my pregnancy came only after he forced me into artificial insemination. Back then, the pain I suffered was relentless.

It was only after I bore his child—and he'd risen to power—that he finally showed me a semblance of kindness.

Yet behind closed doors, he still delighted in my pain.

Just as I took a few steps, Alice's stern voice echoed behind me. "Eleanor, you'd better stay away from John. He'll be your brother-in-law."

I raised my hand, flashing her an "OK" sign.

To tell the truth, nothing would bring me greater joy than never having to be near him.

…

The next day, Xavier arrived with a wedding dress.

It was the first time I'd laid eyes on him since my rebirth. The sight of him awakened a feeling that felt both unsettling and familiar.

With a sculpted face and a defined jawline, his attractiveness was undeniable.

But beneath his wild and carefree exterior, a profound depth shimmered in his eyes.

He met my gaze with a blank, distant expression.

"This is for our wedding," he said.

I lifted the lid and found a mermaid-style gown inside. Its intricate embroidery and perfect craftsmanship stood as a testament to the meticulous effort behind it. From the very first glance, I was completely captivated.

"This is stunning," I said. A smile was spreading across my lips.

Xavier gave a slight nod. His voice was calm and indifferent. "I've already arranged everything for the wedding. If there's anything you're unhappy with, just let me know."

"It's fine. I'm okay with whatever," I replied nonchalantly.

Just then, Alice approached. Her eyes darkened with contempt as she spotted the wedding dress in my hands. "What kind of dress is that? It looks so old-fashioned."

I hugged the gown close. "It's beautiful. I'm really happy with it."

Before Alice could utter another word, Xavier's sharp glare stopped her in her tracks.

At that moment, John stepped forward and rested his arm around her shoulders.

"I've picked out an array of wedding dresses for you," he murmured. "You can choose whichever one you want."

Alice smiled, and her eyes were glowing with happiness. "You're the best," she replied.

I turned away, refusing to be a spectator to their affection.

No matter how much John seemed to love Alice now, his true colors would show once they were married.

If she failed to conceive, she would likely suffer the same abuse I endured in my past life.

At that moment, I could feel Xavier's gaze lingering on me.

"Eleanor, would you like to choose from a selection of wedding dresses as well?"

I shook my head. "It's alright. I'm happy with this gown."

Although both John and Xavier were heirs to the McKellen family, neither could access the family fortune until they received Henry's official approval.

For the time being, they were expected to rely solely on their own earnings.

John had built significant wealth over the years through his business ventures. Affording several wedding gowns was hardly an issue for him.

Xavier, on the other hand, worked as a freelancer. His income was inconsistent, and as a result, he often operated within strict financial limits.

For him to purchase even a single wedding dress spoke volumes about his sincerity.

He seemed pleased with my response. "You're wise beyond your years," he said.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly. My eyes softened as I looked at him.

He grew uneasy under my gaze and quickly looked away. Even so, he gave me his word.

"Don't worry," he said. "Even if you're marrying me out of obligation, I promise to always treat you with respect. You will never have to endure injustice."

His words melted the icy edges of my heart.

I took a step closer and reached for his hand. "I believe you. But this marriage isn't something I was forced into. I'm choosing this," I said with a smile.

Xavier stood frozen. His eyes were wide with disbelief.

At the same time, Alice and John exchanged surprised glances. They were clearly taken aback by my words.

An awkward silence settled over the room.

After a pause, Alice finally spoke up, unexpectedly choosing to touch on a delicate subject.

"With your health challenges, having children after marriage might be a struggle. I'm sure that's not easy to come to terms with."

I frowned, and frustration colored my tone. "Who told you I'm sick? Just because you're my sister doesn't give you the right to spread such nonsense."

Alice's sweet, innocent facade had clearly vanished. She was intent on exposing my supposed flaws, trying to plant doubt in Xavier's mind.

After all, Henry's promise lingered in everyone's thoughts. Whoever gave birth first would have their child recognized as heir.

Even though Xavier didn't care much for authority, Alice's intentional efforts to stir up trouble were infuriating.

Seeing the fire in my eyes, Alice whispered, "But Mom said so."

I let out a scoff. "That's impossible."

Alice immediately pouted. Tears welled in her eyes. "I was just worried about your well-being, Eleanor. I didn't mean anything else by it."

With a shrug, I replied sharply, "Since you're living with John, I'm sure you'll be pregnant sooner or later. You don't have to worry about me being a rival. Whether I can have children is nobody's business but mine. Perhaps you should focus on your own timeline instead."

With that, I took Xavier's arm and walked away.

Alice's sobs soon rang out from behind, accompanied by John's calm, soothing voice.

Even with a new lease on life, all Alice could think about was having a child. Wasn't that just pathetic?

Five days later, Alice and I held our wedding ceremonies simultaneously.

It was a grand affair. Every notable figure in the city came to witness the McKellen family's double celebration.

At the banquet, guests eagerly flocked to offer gifts and raise toasts to John and Alice. Meanwhile, Xavier and I received only a handful of congratulations and presents.

It was clear that everyone favored John. They seemed convinced that he was the rightful heir to lead the family.

Every now and then, Alice would sneak a glance my way.

With her wine glass in hand, she strode over confidently, clearly intent on showing off. "Hey, Eleanor, I'm absolutely wiped out. So many people are congratulating me. I'm honestly struggling to keep up."

A faint smile crossed my lips. "That's a good sign. I'm sure you'll sleep soundly tonight."

Sporting a coy grin, she deliberately teased, "Well, John and I will be up late regardless. After all, we've got a baby to make."

Without skipping a beat, I replied, "Here's hoping you both welcome one soon."