The very first thing I did after being reborn was secretly move my parents’ grave and replace it with the ashes of a stray dog.

Not only that, but I also poured manure on the grave.

Why?

Because in my previous life, my boyfriend’s childhood sweetheart had asked to accompany him to pay respects to my parents. I thought it was a kind gesture at the time.

But from that day onward, misfortune clung to me like a shadow.

Meanwhile, she—Sierra Wynthrope—seemed to ride a wave of endless good luck. She landed a top job, won a million-dollar lottery prize and eventually... I died from a mysterious illness.

After death, my soul lingered in the mortal world, hovering around my boyfriend. I overheard Sierra giggling softly, flirting shamelessly with him.

"Thanks to your dead girlfriend," she whispered sweetly, "I swapped lives with her. She had no idea how good she had it. But now that we’ve switched fates, everything that was hers belongs to me."

Hearing those words, I had wanted nothing more than to drag them both to hell with me.

But then I opened my eyes—and found myself back in the past.

It was the very same day Sierra asked to pay her respects to my parents.

——

“Ivana, is this where Uncle and Auntie are buried?” she asked, her voice laced with gentle curiosity as her eyes swept over the grave.

I nodded. “Yes. My parents are buried here.”

The moment Sierra heard that, a flicker of light passed through her eyes. She bowed gracefully before the gravestone.

“My Sister, Ivana Smith, may I burn some paper money for Uncle and Auntie too?” she asked.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” she added with a smile.

In my past life, her words touched me.

But now, I knew better. When she said she wanted to "burn some paper," what she really meant was that she was going to steal my fortune.

This time, I coldly refused. “There’s no need, Sierra. These are my parents. Only I can burn paper money for them sincerely.”

Her expression faltered. She turned to Lucas Blackwood—my boyfriend—with a look full of wounded innocence.

“Lucas, I just wanted to show my respect... I didn’t mean anything else,” she said softly.

“Ivana,” Lucas cut in, “Sierra is just being considerate. How can you refuse her like that?”

I looked at the two of them and sneered inwardly.

“If you’re so eager to burn it, go ahead,” I said, my tone cold and dismissive.

The moment the words left my mouth, Sierra cast a meaningful glance at Lucas.

He caught the signal and turned to me. “Ivana, how about we go buy a bouquet of flowers for Uncle and Auntie?”

He had done the same thing in my previous life. While I was gone, distracted by his fake sentiment, Sierra had already finished her ritual, taking what was never hers.

Back then, when I returned and asked what she had burned, she seemed flustered, but I didn’t think much of it.

Not until I was dead did I realize what she had truly done, stolen the fortune my parents left behind to protect me.

But this time... I wouldn't stop her either.

Because the people buried in this grave weren’t my parents.

I had already moved their remains back to our hometown.

The only people my parents ever needed to protect was me.

As I walked away with Lucas, I saw Sierra pull a stack of yellow paper from her chest. She had even written her birthdate in her own blood.

I simply smiled and pretended not to notice. I turned my back to her and left.

When Lucas and I returned with the bouquet, Sierra had already completed her ritual.

She took the bouquet from my hands and beamed. “Ivana, I’ve already asked Uncle and Auntie to bless you!”

I gave her a faint smile, saying nothing.

But as I looked into her eyes, gleaming with self-satisfaction, I couldn’t help but let a knowing smile play on my lips.

After parting ways with Lucas and Sierra, I headed straight to the hospital for a full medical checkup.

The doctor told me I was perfectly healthy.

Finally, I let out a sigh of relief.

In my previous life, I had died from an unexplainable illness. But in this life, that fate would not repeat itself.

When I returned home, I received a phone call.

It was from the company I had always dreamed of joining, a top-secret organization at the highest level.

They informed me I had passed the interview and was to report immediately.

I stood frozen, shocked.

In my past life, I never received this call.

It was Sierra who had received an acceptance call from a major company on her way back from my parents’ grave. But now... it was me.

Since the company was based in another city, I immediately began packing.

But just as I finished, Lucas appeared at my door.

“Ivana, Sierra didn’t receive her acceptance notice,” he said, staring at me. “She’s a little upset, so I’m going to comfort her.”

I smiled faintly. “Alright. Go ahead.”

He studied me for a moment before asking, “Ivana, have Uncle and Auntie’s graves always been there?”

I nodded, keeping my expression calm. “Of course.”

I knew Lucas had started to suspect something.

After all, the three of us had once had our fortunes told together. The fortune teller had said that I was protected by my parents’ spirits, that everything I did would be met with success.

That was why they had set me up in the first place.

“Lucas,” I said, feigning pain, “do you really think I would forget where my parents are buried?”

He smiled awkwardly. “Of course not.”

“Then I’ll go keep Sierra company,” he said, turning to leave.

I played the part of a concerned friend well. “Sierra’s upset, right? Go comfort her properly.”

Lucas paused, clearly puzzled. “Ivana, didn’t you always dislike me spending time with Sierra? Why are you urging me now?”

I smiled sweetly. “It’s not that I like it. But Sierra’s upset, go be with her.”

Then I looked him straight in the eye and added, “Lucas, I trust you completely.”

He nodded and left.

The moment he was out of sight, I packed the rest of my things and called the landlord.

I told him I was checking out and that he could keep the deposit. I didn’t have time to waste.

Then I bought the earliest flight out and rushed to the airport.

As I stepped into the terminal, I finally felt the tension leave my shoulders.

I was safe now.

I didn’t dare to think what Lucas and Sierra might’ve done to me if I had stayed.

But in this lifetime, I wouldn’t give them the chance.

As for Sierra, her misfortune had only just begun.

Only I knew the truth: that the grave she had just worshiped belonged to a stray dog.

And not just that, I had poured manure on it, draining all the fortune she had hoped to steal.

From now on, her life would be filled with bad luck and ruin.

And Lucas?

Being with Sierra would only drag him down with her.

Which was why I needed to get far, far away from both of them.

In the airport waiting room, I opened my phone and checked the social media updates from Sierra and Lucas.

The two of them were planning a trip together.

In the photo, their pose looked far too intimate to ignore.

As I stared at the image, a wave of emotion passed through me—confusion, maybe even bitterness. After all, it was just a year ago when I started dating Lucas. Back then, a classmate had dragged me to see a fortune-teller and by chance, Sierra and Lucas were also there.

They overheard my birth chart.

And shortly afterward, Lucas began to pursue me relentlessly.

I didn’t understand it at first. But eventually, I realized the truth: he had taken a liking not to me, but to my birth chart.

According to him, my birth chart was extremely fortunate.

He got close to me, but it was all for Sierra’s sake.

Now, looking at the two of them smiling in that photo, I simply smiled to myself and locked my phone.

When the plane landed, someone was already waiting for me.

Everything had been arranged in advance.

Since the organization I had joined was highly classified, security was top-tier. Even at the check-in area, uniformed officers were patrolling the grounds.

That sight instantly put me at ease.

After completing my onboarding procedures, my supervisor informed me that I’d officially start work the following week. Until then, I was free to explore and get familiar with the environment.

With everything in place, I finally allowed myself to relax.

I went straight to bed that night. After a full day of traveling and arrangements, I was mentally and physically drained. The moment I lay down, I fell fast asleep.

But then, in the middle of the night, my phone rang.

Groggily, I answered it. Lucas’s voice came through, sounding frantic.

“Ivana, come to the hospital!”

“What?” I asked, disoriented for a moment before recognizing the voice.

“Lucas? What’s going on?”

“Sierra and I were in a car accident. We’re still in the hospital, please, come quickly!”

His voice was laced with panic.

I didn’t miss a beat. “Lucas, I’m sorry. I can’t come. I found a job and I’ve already left the city.”

There was a long pause.

Then his voice rose in disbelief. “Ivana, what did you just say?”

“You haven’t found a job, how can you lie like that?! I saw you yesterday!”

“You’re just upset because I went out with Sierra, aren’t you?”

“Stop being so stubborn, Ivana! Come here now!”

He practically roared the last sentence.

But I only smiled faintly. “Lucas, I did find a job.”

“And I’ve also realized... maybe you care about Sierra more than you care about me.”

“So, Lucas. We’re breaking up.”

I hung up without waiting for his response.

It was over.

From this point forward, it would be their turn to suffer.

My fortune had finally returned.

Just as I was about to fall back asleep, my phone lit up again, Lucas was calling.

I frowned, stared at the screen for a moment, then powered the phone off.

Finally, I could sleep peacefully.

Over the next two weeks, I immersed myself in work.

I gradually took on more responsibilities and my superiors seemed especially pleased with my performance. They even hinted that if I completed the current project successfully, I would be given a solo project to lead.

Naturally, that motivated me even more.