She was Seaborne City's most famous darling—spoiled, radiant, and born into wealth. Growing up, she followed the heir of the legendary Jameson family like a shadow, always believing that one day she would marry that poised, upright man. Until the night someone played a cruel trick and threw him off a yacht. She didn't hesitate—she dove into the sea to save him, risking her own life. But when he opened his eyes, he insisted it was her best friend who had pulled him from the water. From that moment, he fell head over heels for the wrong woman. Given a second chance at life, she didn't scream or fall apart. She simply called off the engagement and walked away. Using the memories from her past life, she steadied her family's company and made it thrive—her gratitude reserved only for her parents and her brothers. When they met again, she was distant and spoke little, gone was the warmth she once showered him with. And only then did he lose his mind with regret.

Chapter 1Lyra Fairchild woke up groggy, feeling a warm chest pressed against hers.Achingly sore all over, she slowly lifted her heavy eyelids—the first thing she saw was a rusted, bronze-colored ceiling fan squeaking as it spun overhead.As a wealthy heiress from Seaborne City, Lyra had only experienced a room with a ceiling fan once in her entire life.Years ago, in a run-down motel, Rowan Jameson had taken her innocence while under the influence of drugs.She had hoped to earn the man's affection, but it had only brought a devastating disaster upon her.Memories of her past life flooded back, bringing a suffocating wave of emotion. Her muddled brain caught a sudden inconsistency—wasn't she dead?Her senses fully returning, Lyra whipped her head around to look at the man holding her.Rays of morning sun filtered through the curtains, illuminating a strikingly handsome face right next to hers. It was a much younger Rowan.He was sleeping deeply, shedding his usual predatory edge. His waist was lean, his chest muscles perfectly defined, and his strong arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if she were a precious treasure.Lyra's mind went blank, reeling as if she'd been struck by lightning.He had never held her in his sleep, except for that one night.The night she saved his life. When she found him, he was half-submerged in the freezing ocean, and she had barely managed to drag him to shore. Without her ID to book a luxury hotel, she had no choice but to bring the delirious man to this seedy motel, leading to their night of tangled passion.She had actually been reborn!Lyra carefully lifted his arm and reached for her phone. Sure enough, the text message had been sent half an hour ago.Just like in her previous life, it was a text begging her best friend, Jasmine Ford, to bring her a clean set of clothes.After sending the text, she had fallen back asleep from sheer exhaustion, only waking up now.Jasmine was almost here!Realizing this, Lyra ignored the ache in her body and scrambled out of bed. She picked up her clothes from the floor; the garments were still damp from the ocean, but she couldn't care less. She darted into the cramped bathroom to freshen up.Her gaze swept past the cheap showerhead. She paused, then instinctively reached out to turn the knob—just as she thought, it was broken. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.Just like before, the shower was broken at the worst possible time.Because she couldn't wash up, Jasmine had graciously booked her another room upon arriving. By the time Lyra showered, dried her hair, and returned to the original room comfortably, both Jasmine and Rowan were long gone.Jasmine had stolen the credit for saving him.From that day on, Rowan only had eyes for Jasmine.Even though Rowan's grandfather had eventually forced him to honor their childhood engagement and marry Lyra, his entire heart belonged to Jasmine. To elevate Jasmine's status, Rowan mercilessly dismantled Fairchild Holdings. Her father suffered a fatal heart attack, her mother suffered a mental breakdown, and Caleb jumped off a building...Lyra herself was ultimately poisoned.Fairchild Holdings was naturally swallowed by the Jameson Group, becoming just another asset in his vast empire.Remembering the tragedies of her past life, a suffocating hatred for Rowan washed over her.Stepping out of the bathroom, she intended to leave immediately. But the overwhelming fury was too much. She climbed right back onto the bed, straddled his chiseled stomach, and slapped him across the face with everything she had.Smack, smack, smack.Her eyes burned with rage. If she had a knife, she would have plunged it straight into his chest.She knew he wouldn't wake up right now.He wouldn't wake up until Jasmine arrived!Jasmine was like a magnet for good fortune, stealing the Fairchild family's business and the man she loved most. Jasmine was pampered and adored, while Lyra's family was completely destroyed.Lyra used every ounce of her strength, losing count of how many times she struck him, until her wrist was suddenly caught in an iron grip.Rowan grabbed her hand. Instinctively, still groggy and far from awake, he just held her to stop the movement."Be good, sleep a little longer," he murmured in a deep, gravelly voice, his eyes remaining shut.Lyra froze, not daring to breathe. She waited until his breathing returned to a steady, rhythmic pace before slowly sliding her hand out of his grip.For a brief moment, she truly wanted him to open his eyes and see exactly who was in front of him.But having been given a second chance at life, she realized she no longer loved him. She had no desire to stay entangled with this man.In her past life, his mistake had led to her family's total ruin. In this life, she didn't care if he recognized her as his savior.She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him!Once free, Lyra immediately prepared to leave. Her damp clothes were still slightly translucent, so she casually grabbed his tailored suit jacket to cover the marks on her skin and rushed out of the room.Ignoring the lingering discomfort in her body, she stumbled down the stairs."Miss, do you need any help?" a gentle female voice asked as she neared the front desk.Lyra looked over in a panic, spotting the motel receptionist.She hadn't gotten a good look while checking in last night. Seeing her clearly today, she realized the woman was strikingly beautiful—and somewhat familiar.In a flash, it clicked.It was Josie Somerset.The woman who would eventually become a massively popular, beloved superstar.In her past life, Jasmine had treated Josie like an absolute enemy just because she had shared a few dinners with Rowan.Who would have thought that right now, she was just a receptionist at a run-down motel.In this life, Lyra wasn't going to let Jasmine have an easy path.If she swapped out Jasmine for Josie, would Rowan fall for Josie instead?At that thought, a faint smile appeared on Lyra's pale face. She parted her lips and said softly, "The guest in room 506 asked for you. He needs a favor."...When Lyra returned home, the living room was empty, save for Snowy, the family dog, who trotted over affectionately and licked her ankle.Lyra headed to her bedroom, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and stepped into the shower.As the warm water cascaded over her chilled skin, she finally let out a breath, feeling like she was truly alive again.She had no idea whether it was Jasmine or Josie who eventually went to Rowan's room, but none of that mattered to her anymore...After her shower, she wanted to catch up on sleep, but the sudden realization of a crucial task left a bitter taste in her mouth.In her previous life, she had gotten pregnant.Shortly after marrying Rowan, she had fainted and discovered she was three months along.From that moment, the Jameson family had treated her like a woman of loose morals, completely indifferent to the fact that Rowan was cheating on her with Jasmine.Lyra dressed quickly and slipped out to the pharmacy. Leaving the store, she found a quiet corner and swallowed the pill. By the time she returned home, her parents were already there."Why isn't Lyra back from her friend's place yet? Do you think something happened?""Give her a call and ask."She had only managed to sneak out last night by telling her parents she was staying over at her friend Melanie's house.Her mother was just about to dial when Lyra rushed over and threw her arms around her. "Mom!""Lyra."Her father watched in surprise as his daughter, eyes brimming with tears, turned and hugged him next. Her voice was thick with emotion. "Dad...""What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked, worry lining his face.Lyra shook her head, her eyes red. "Nothing."In her past life, one had died from a heart attack and the other had lost her mind. She had effectively lost her parents far too early.Seeing them alive right now filled her with overwhelming joy! An indescribable wave of emotion.Her father let out a sigh of relief. "You're acting like you're still a little girl.""Go get ready. Did you forget we're supposed to have dinner at the Jamesons' today?"Lyra actually had forgotten, considering it was a memory from a lifetime ago. "I'm not going.""Did you have a fight with Rowan?"At this exact point in her previous life, she had been overjoyed, believing that sharing a bed with Rowan meant she was finally his, solidifying their relationship.But when they had gone to the Jameson Manor back then, Rowan never even showed up, leaving her parents incredibly disappointed.Lyra thought about it for a moment and changed her mind. She should go.Since she wouldn't run into Rowan anyway, she could use her parents' inevitable disappointment as the perfect excuse to call off the engagement.She refused to be as foolish as before, holding out hope that she could win his heart."Mom, Dad, let's go. We'll head to the Jamesons'."...Lyra accompanied her parents to the sprawling Jameson Manor.Just like before, the dinner was attended only by Rowan's parents and his brother. Rowan was nowhere to be seen by the time they finished eating.His parents were perfectly polite, but—As the Fairchild family walked out of the manor, her parents' disappointment was palpable.If this was how Rowan treated their daughter...Was there even a point to this arranged marriage?But just as they were about to get into their car, they bumped into Rowan, who had just returned.Lyra tensed up. She clearly remembered that he hadn't made an appearance on this day in her past life.It was probably because they had arrived and left earlier last time. Today, her detour to the pharmacy had delayed their schedule...And that butterfly effect had caused Rowan to cross paths with them.He had an incredibly commanding presence. Dressed in a simple white dress shirt with the top buttons undone and dark hair falling slightly over his forehead, he was undeniably gorgeous. But his gaze was ice-cold."Rowan..." her father greeted, pleasantly surprised."Mr. Fairchild, Mrs. Fairchild," Rowan replied. In stark contrast to her father's warmth, his tone was flat, his expression tired and aloof."Did you not sleep well last night?" her father asked.Rowan offered a noncommittal hum.Lyra balled her hands into fists, her eyes darting quickly across his face. Either she hadn't hit him hard enough, or his skin was just that thick—there wasn't a single red mark in sight.Her mother was just expressing concern over whether his thin clothes were warm enough for the autumn breeze...Suddenly, Lyra's gaze locked onto something.A sliver of pale pink crystal peeked out from the pocket of Rowan's tailored trousers, completely out of place against the dark fabric.She instinctively touched her wrist. It was bare.All the color drained from Lyra's face.Unless she was mistaken, that was her bracelet.This hadn't happened in her previous life. Her bracelet had stayed firmly on her wrist.Then again, she hadn't wildly slapped him in her past life either, meaning he had never grabbed her wrist and accidentally slipped the bracelet off...A wave of sheer panic washed over her."Lyra, are you okay?" her mother noticed her pale complexion as Lyra tried to shrink behind her. "Are you feeling shy because Rowan is here?"At that exact moment, Rowan's sharp, chilling gaze landed straight on her.Even though he was here, his attitude toward her hadn't changed. A flash of impatience and disgust was visible in his dark eyes.Lyra shook her head frantically, turning her body slightly to avoid his stare. "Mom, let's just go. Rowan looks like he really needs some rest."In this life, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. She just wanted to get out of there!In her past life, she had done everything to please him, and what had it gotten her? Her family's complete destruction.She was going to stay as far away from Rowan as humanly possible.Her mother was about to say their goodbyes when Rowan's phone buzzed. He answered it without a second of hesitation. "Hey... you made it home?"Shoving his free hand back into his pocket, he walked toward the front doors of the manor, not sparing the Fairchilds another glance.The last thing Lyra heard was his voice—low, soothing, and filled with a tenderness he had never once directed at her.Her father glanced back at Rowan's retreating figure before getting into the car, silently wondering who on the other end of the line could make the cold heir look so gentle.As soon as they got home, Lyra cut straight to the chase. "Dad, I don't have feelings for Rowan anymore. Let's just call off the engagement.""Is this because he brushed you off earlier?" Her father didn't seem angry, merely suggesting that Rowan had been on a call and his distraction was understandable."The person on the phone was a woman. They're basically together now."Her parents were stunned by the revelation.But since it sounded like a rumor, her father didn't press for details. He just patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't overthink it."The next day, her brother Caleb heard about the dinner and sought Lyra out."Lyra, I thought you were crazy about Rowan. Why the sudden tantrum about not liking him anymore?"A lump formed in her throat. "Caleb..."Remembering his tragic death in her past life, her eyes welled with tears, and she threw herself into his arms.Seeing her on the verge of crying, Caleb only grew more convinced that she was heartbroken over being rejected by Rowan. He affectionately ruffled her hair. "Are you worried you can't win him over? He's a tough one, for sure... even his parents can't control him."Caleb chuckled. "But you've got me. I'll help set up some opportunities for you. What are you afraid of?"She could hear the admiration for Rowan in Caleb's voice, alongside his endless doting on her. It was such a far cry from the future, where Caleb would curse Rowan as their company crumbled, screaming, "I hope you burn in hell.""Caleb..." Lyra felt a bitter ache in her chest. She clung to him tightly and shook her head. "I don't love him. Not even a little bit. Please, I don't want to get married. I just want to stay with our family forever.""Lyra?" Caleb froze."I'm not throwing a tantrum. I genuinely don't want him anymore. He's not worth my time."Caleb didn't seem entirely convinced.There had been plenty of times when she had stomped her feet in frustration, swearing she was completely over Rowan, only to go running right back to him like a lovesick teenager. So Caleb didn't take her declaration to heart."You graduate next month. What do you want to do after?"This was exactly what Lyra had wanted to discuss. She looked up at him with utter seriousness. "I want to work at Fairchild Holdings.""Oh?" Caleb laughed, teasing her. "So instead of marrying Rowan, you want to join the family business?"He figured she wouldn't last three days in a corporate office before calling it quits."I'm serious, Caleb." She squeezed his hand.He sensed something subtly different about her today, but he brushed it off."Alright, whatever you want." He agreed verbally, fully expecting her to change her mind by tomorrow. Her goals usually shifted based on whatever Rowan was doing.Lyra was thrilled by his approval.In her past life, Jasmine had become Rowan's top executive assistant—a celebrated intellectual in Seaborne City, and the woman keeping his bed warm. She was always by his side, respected by his inner circle, and treated as his real partner.Meanwhile, as Rowan's actual wife, Lyra had been completely ignored.When Rowan demanded a divorce, everyone cheered for him. A romance built on mutual ambition and support was clearly vastly superior to a loveless business arrangement built on money. His friends and top tech executives all believed he had been forced into the marriage, even pitying him for having to endure it.In this life, she would never marry him.The only issue was the old pact between the Fairchild and Jameson families. It was going to be a headache.She needed to find the perfect opportunity to sever the engagement for good....As soon as Lyra returned to her room, she scrolled through her phone and deleted any photo showing the pink crystal bracelet.She didn't spare Caleb's phone either. She double-checked every folder before handing it back to him.She owned plenty of jewelry and rarely wore that specific piece. She had certainly never worn it to any social events with Rowan, only sporting it a couple of times at the beach.She scrolled through her close friends' social media feeds. Not a single trace of the bracelet.Finally, she let out a sigh of relief.Still, the thought of him having something that belonged to her gnawed at her. She had to get it back....The perfect opportunity presented itself quickly.Rowan's mother invited Lyra over for dinner, and Lyra immediately accepted.Jameson Manor was massive. She had visited countless times and even lived there during her miserable marriage in her past life, so she knew the layout like the back of her hand.The staff all recognized her. Seeing her walk in, they greeted her respectfully, "Miss Fairchild..."Rowan's mother came downstairs and warmly took her hand. "Lyra, Rowan is up in his study with Waylon. Why don't you go chat with them? Dinner will be ready soon."Chapter 2Lyra Fairchild woke up groggy, feeling a warm chest pressed against hers.Achingly sore all over, she slowly lifted her heavy eyelids—the first thing she saw was a rusted, bronze-colored ceiling fan squeaking as it spun overhead.As a wealthy heiress from Seaborne City, Lyra had only experienced a room with a ceiling fan once in her entire life.Years ago, in a run-down motel, Rowan Jameson had taken her innocence while under the influence of drugs.She had hoped to earn the man's affection, but it had only brought a devastating disaster upon her.Memories of her past life flooded back, bringing a suffocating wave of emotion. Her muddled brain caught a sudden inconsistency—wasn't she dead?Her senses fully returning, Lyra whipped her head around to look at the man holding her.Rays of morning sun filtered through the curtains, illuminating a strikingly handsome face right next to hers. It was a much younger Rowan.He was sleeping deeply, shedding his usual predatory edge. His waist was lean, his chest muscles perfectly defined, and his strong arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if she were a precious treasure.Lyra's mind went blank, reeling as if she'd been struck by lightning.He had never held her in his sleep, except for that one night.The night she saved his life. When she found him, he was half-submerged in the freezing ocean, and she had barely managed to drag him to shore. Without her ID to book a luxury hotel, she had no choice but to bring the delirious man to this seedy motel, leading to their night of tangled passion.She had actually been reborn!Lyra carefully lifted his arm and reached for her phone. Sure enough, the text message had been sent half an hour ago.Just like in her previous life, it was a text begging her best friend, Jasmine Ford, to bring her a clean set of clothes.After sending the text, she had fallen back asleep from sheer exhaustion, only waking up now.Jasmine was almost here!Realizing this, Lyra ignored the ache in her body and scrambled out of bed. She picked up her clothes from the floor; the garments were still damp from the ocean, but she couldn't care less. She darted into the cramped bathroom to freshen up.Her gaze swept past the cheap showerhead. She paused, then instinctively reached out to turn the knob—just as she thought, it was broken. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.Just like before, the shower was broken at the worst possible time.Because she couldn't wash up, Jasmine had graciously booked her another room upon arriving. By the time Lyra showered, dried her hair, and returned to the original room comfortably, both Jasmine and Rowan were long gone.Jasmine had stolen the credit for saving him.From that day on, Rowan only had eyes for Jasmine.Even though Rowan's grandfather had eventually forced him to honor their childhood engagement and marry Lyra, his entire heart belonged to Jasmine. To elevate Jasmine's status, Rowan mercilessly dismantled Fairchild Holdings. Her father suffered a fatal heart attack, her mother suffered a mental breakdown, and Caleb jumped off a building...Lyra herself was ultimately poisoned.Fairchild Holdings was naturally swallowed by the Jameson Group, becoming just another asset in his vast empire.Remembering the tragedies of her past life, a suffocating hatred for Rowan washed over her.Stepping out of the bathroom, she intended to leave immediately. But the overwhelming fury was too much. She climbed right back onto the bed, straddled his chiseled stomach, and slapped him across the face with everything she had.Smack, smack, smack.Her eyes burned with rage. If she had a knife, she would have plunged it straight into his chest.She knew he wouldn't wake up right now.He wouldn't wake up until Jasmine arrived!Jasmine was like a magnet for good fortune, stealing the Fairchild family's business and the man she loved most. Jasmine was pampered and adored, while Lyra's family was completely destroyed.Lyra used every ounce of her strength, losing count of how many times she struck him, until her wrist was suddenly caught in an iron grip.Rowan grabbed her hand. Instinctively, still groggy and far from awake, he just held her to stop the movement."Be good, sleep a little longer," he murmured in a deep, gravelly voice, his eyes remaining shut.Lyra froze, not daring to breathe. She waited until his breathing returned to a steady, rhythmic pace before slowly sliding her hand out of his grip.For a brief moment, she truly wanted him to open his eyes and see exactly who was in front of him.But having been given a second chance at life, she realized she no longer loved him. She had no desire to stay entangled with this man.In her past life, his mistake had led to her family's total ruin. In this life, she didn't care if he recognized her as his savior.She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him!Once free, Lyra immediately prepared to leave. Her damp clothes were still slightly translucent, so she casually grabbed his tailored suit jacket to cover the marks on her skin and rushed out of the room.Ignoring the lingering discomfort in her body, she stumbled down the stairs."Miss, do you need any help?" a gentle female voice asked as she neared the front desk.Lyra looked over in a panic, spotting the motel receptionist.She hadn't gotten a good look while checking in last night. Seeing her clearly today, she realized the woman was strikingly beautiful—and somewhat familiar.In a flash, it clicked.It was Josie Somerset.The woman who would eventually become a massively popular, beloved superstar.In her past life, Jasmine had treated Josie like an absolute enemy just because she had shared a few dinners with Rowan.Who would have thought that right now, she was just a receptionist at a run-down motel.In this life, Lyra wasn't going to let Jasmine have an easy path.If she swapped out Jasmine for Josie, would Rowan fall for Josie instead?At that thought, a faint smile appeared on Lyra's pale face. She parted her lips and said softly, "The guest in room 506 asked for you. He needs a favor."...When Lyra returned home, the living room was empty, save for Snowy, the family dog, who trotted over affectionately and licked her ankle.Lyra headed to her bedroom, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and stepped into the shower.As the warm water cascaded over her chilled skin, she finally let out a breath, feeling like she was truly alive again.She had no idea whether it was Jasmine or Josie who eventually went to Rowan's room, but none of that mattered to her anymore...After her shower, she wanted to catch up on sleep, but the sudden realization of a crucial task left a bitter taste in her mouth.In her previous life, she had gotten pregnant.Shortly after marrying Rowan, she had fainted and discovered she was three months along.From that moment, the Jameson family had treated her like a woman of loose morals, completely indifferent to the fact that Rowan was cheating on her with Jasmine.Lyra dressed quickly and slipped out to the pharmacy. Leaving the store, she found a quiet corner and swallowed the pill. By the time she returned home, her parents were already there."Why isn't Lyra back from her friend's place yet? Do you think something happened?""Give her a call and ask."She had only managed to sneak out last night by telling her parents she was staying over at her friend Melanie's house.Her mother was just about to dial when Lyra rushed over and threw her arms around her. "Mom!""Lyra."Her father watched in surprise as his daughter, eyes brimming with tears, turned and hugged him next. Her voice was thick with emotion. "Dad...""What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked, worry lining his face.Lyra shook her head, her eyes red. "Nothing."In her past life, one had died from a heart attack and the other had lost her mind. She had effectively lost her parents far too early.Seeing them alive right now filled her with overwhelming joy! An indescribable wave of emotion.Her father let out a sigh of relief. "You're acting like you're still a little girl.""Go get ready. Did you forget we're supposed to have dinner at the Jamesons' today?"Lyra actually had forgotten, considering it was a memory from a lifetime ago. "I'm not going.""Did you have a fight with Rowan?"At this exact point in her previous life, she had been overjoyed, believing that sharing a bed with Rowan meant she was finally his, solidifying their relationship.But when they had gone to the Jameson Manor back then, Rowan never even showed up, leaving her parents incredibly disappointed.Lyra thought about it for a moment and changed her mind. She should go.Since she wouldn't run into Rowan anyway, she could use her parents' inevitable disappointment as the perfect excuse to call off the engagement.She refused to be as foolish as before, holding out hope that she could win his heart."Mom, Dad, let's go. We'll head to the Jamesons'."...Lyra accompanied her parents to the sprawling Jameson Manor.Just like before, the dinner was attended only by Rowan's parents and his brother. Rowan was nowhere to be seen by the time they finished eating.His parents were perfectly polite, but—As the Fairchild family walked out of the manor, her parents' disappointment was palpable.If this was how Rowan treated their daughter...Was there even a point to this arranged marriage?But just as they were about to get into their car, they bumped into Rowan, who had just returned.Lyra tensed up. She clearly remembered that he hadn't made an appearance on this day in her past life.It was probably because they had arrived and left earlier last time. Today, her detour to the pharmacy had delayed their schedule...And that butterfly effect had caused Rowan to cross paths with them.He had an incredibly commanding presence. Dressed in a simple white dress shirt with the top buttons undone and dark hair falling slightly over his forehead, he was undeniably gorgeous. But his gaze was ice-cold."Rowan..." her father greeted, pleasantly surprised."Mr. Fairchild, Mrs. Fairchild," Rowan replied. In stark contrast to her father's warmth, his tone was flat, his expression tired and aloof."Did you not sleep well last night?" her father asked.Rowan offered a noncommittal hum.Lyra balled her hands into fists, her eyes darting quickly across his face. Either she hadn't hit him hard enough, or his skin was just that thick—there wasn't a single red mark in sight.Her mother was just expressing concern over whether his thin clothes were warm enough for the autumn breeze...Suddenly, Lyra's gaze locked onto something.A sliver of pale pink crystal peeked out from the pocket of Rowan's tailored trousers, completely out of place against the dark fabric.She instinctively touched her wrist. It was bare.All the color drained from Lyra's face.Unless she was mistaken, that was her bracelet.This hadn't happened in her previous life. Her bracelet had stayed firmly on her wrist.Then again, she hadn't wildly slapped him in her past life either, meaning he had never grabbed her wrist and accidentally slipped the bracelet off...A wave of sheer panic washed over her."Lyra, are you okay?" her mother noticed her pale complexion as Lyra tried to shrink behind her. "Are you feeling shy because Rowan is here?"At that exact moment, Rowan's sharp, chilling gaze landed straight on her.Even though he was here, his attitude toward her hadn't changed. A flash of impatience and disgust was visible in his dark eyes.Lyra shook her head frantically, turning her body slightly to avoid his stare. "Mom, let's just go. Rowan looks like he really needs some rest."In this life, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. She just wanted to get out of there!In her past life, she had done everything to please him, and what had it gotten her? Her family's complete destruction.She was going to stay as far away from Rowan as humanly possible.Her mother was about to say their goodbyes when Rowan's phone buzzed. He answered it without a second of hesitation. "Hey... you made it home?"Shoving his free hand back into his pocket, he walked toward the front doors of the manor, not sparing the Fairchilds another glance.The last thing Lyra heard was his voice—low, soothing, and filled with a tenderness he had never once directed at her.Her father glanced back at Rowan's retreating figure before getting into the car, silently wondering who on the other end of the line could make the cold heir look so gentle.As soon as they got home, Lyra cut straight to the chase. "Dad, I don't have feelings for Rowan anymore. Let's just call off the engagement.""Is this because he brushed you off earlier?" Her father didn't seem angry, merely suggesting that Rowan had been on a call and his distraction was understandable."The person on the phone was a woman. They're basically together now."Her parents were stunned by the revelation.But since it sounded like a rumor, her father didn't press for details. He just patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't overthink it."The next day, her brother Caleb heard about the dinner and sought Lyra out."Lyra, I thought you were crazy about Rowan. Why the sudden tantrum about not liking him anymore?"A lump formed in her throat. "Caleb..."Remembering his tragic death in her past life, her eyes welled with tears, and she threw herself into his arms.Seeing her on the verge of crying, Caleb only grew more convinced that she was heartbroken over being rejected by Rowan. He affectionately ruffled her hair. "Are you worried you can't win him over? He's a tough one, for sure... even his parents can't control him."Caleb chuckled. "But you've got me. I'll help set up some opportunities for you. What are you afraid of?"She could hear the admiration for Rowan in Caleb's voice, alongside his endless doting on her. It was such a far cry from the future, where Caleb would curse Rowan as their company crumbled, screaming, "I hope you burn in hell.""Caleb..." Lyra felt a bitter ache in her chest. She clung to him tightly and shook her head. "I don't love him. Not even a little bit. Please, I don't want to get married. I just want to stay with our family forever.""Lyra?" Caleb froze."I'm not throwing a tantrum. I genuinely don't want him anymore. He's not worth my time."Caleb didn't seem entirely convinced.There had been plenty of times when she had stomped her feet in frustration, swearing she was completely over Rowan, only to go running right back to him like a lovesick teenager. So Caleb didn't take her declaration to heart."You graduate next month. What do you want to do after?"This was exactly what Lyra had wanted to discuss. She looked up at him with utter seriousness. "I want to work at Fairchild Holdings.""Oh?" Caleb laughed, teasing her. "So instead of marrying Rowan, you want to join the family business?"He figured she wouldn't last three days in a corporate office before calling it quits."I'm serious, Caleb." She squeezed his hand.He sensed something subtly different about her today, but he brushed it off."Alright, whatever you want." He agreed verbally, fully expecting her to change her mind by tomorrow. Her goals usually shifted based on whatever Rowan was doing.Lyra was thrilled by his approval.In her past life, Jasmine had become Rowan's top executive assistant—a celebrated intellectual in Seaborne City, and the woman keeping his bed warm. She was always by his side, respected by his inner circle, and treated as his real partner.Meanwhile, as Rowan's actual wife, Lyra had been completely ignored.When Rowan demanded a divorce, everyone cheered for him. A romance built on mutual ambition and support was clearly vastly superior to a loveless business arrangement built on money. His friends and top tech executives all believed he had been forced into the marriage, even pitying him for having to endure it.In this life, she would never marry him.The only issue was the old pact between the Fairchild and Jameson families. It was going to be a headache.She needed to find the perfect opportunity to sever the engagement for good....As soon as Lyra returned to her room, she scrolled through her phone and deleted any photo showing the pink crystal bracelet.She didn't spare Caleb's phone either. She double-checked every folder before handing it back to him.She owned plenty of jewelry and rarely wore that specific piece. She had certainly never worn it to any social events with Rowan, only sporting it a couple of times at the beach.She scrolled through her close friends' social media feeds. Not a single trace of the bracelet.Finally, she let out a sigh of relief.Still, the thought of him having something that belonged to her gnawed at her. She had to get it back....The perfect opportunity presented itself quickly.Rowan's mother invited Lyra over for dinner, and Lyra immediately accepted.Jameson Manor was massive. She had visited countless times and even lived there during her miserable marriage in her past life, so she knew the layout like the back of her hand.The staff all recognized her. Seeing her walk in, they greeted her respectfully, "Miss Fairchild..."Rowan's mother came downstairs and warmly took her hand. "Lyra, Rowan is up in his study with Waylon. Why don't you go chat with them? Dinner will be ready soon."Chapter 3Lyra Fairchild woke up groggy, feeling a warm chest pressed against hers.Achingly sore all over, she slowly lifted her heavy eyelids—the first thing she saw was a rusted, bronze-colored ceiling fan squeaking as it spun overhead.As a wealthy heiress from Seaborne City, Lyra had only experienced a room with a ceiling fan once in her entire life.Years ago, in a run-down motel, Rowan Jameson had taken her innocence while under the influence of drugs.She had hoped to earn the man's affection, but it had only brought a devastating disaster upon her.Memories of her past life flooded back, bringing a suffocating wave of emotion. Her muddled brain caught a sudden inconsistency—wasn't she dead?Her senses fully returning, Lyra whipped her head around to look at the man holding her.Rays of morning sun filtered through the curtains, illuminating a strikingly handsome face right next to hers. It was a much younger Rowan.He was sleeping deeply, shedding his usual predatory edge. His waist was lean, his chest muscles perfectly defined, and his strong arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if she were a precious treasure.Lyra's mind went blank, reeling as if she'd been struck by lightning.He had never held her in his sleep, except for that one night.The night she saved his life. When she found him, he was half-submerged in the freezing ocean, and she had barely managed to drag him to shore. Without her ID to book a luxury hotel, she had no choice but to bring the delirious man to this seedy motel, leading to their night of tangled passion.She had actually been reborn!Lyra carefully lifted his arm and reached for her phone. Sure enough, the text message had been sent half an hour ago.Just like in her previous life, it was a text begging her best friend, Jasmine Ford, to bring her a clean set of clothes.After sending the text, she had fallen back asleep from sheer exhaustion, only waking up now.Jasmine was almost here!Realizing this, Lyra ignored the ache in her body and scrambled out of bed. She picked up her clothes from the floor; the garments were still damp from the ocean, but she couldn't care less. She darted into the cramped bathroom to freshen up.Her gaze swept past the cheap showerhead. She paused, then instinctively reached out to turn the knob—just as she thought, it was broken. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.Just like before, the shower was broken at the worst possible time.Because she couldn't wash up, Jasmine had graciously booked her another room upon arriving. By the time Lyra showered, dried her hair, and returned to the original room comfortably, both Jasmine and Rowan were long gone.Jasmine had stolen the credit for saving him.From that day on, Rowan only had eyes for Jasmine.Even though Rowan's grandfather had eventually forced him to honor their childhood engagement and marry Lyra, his entire heart belonged to Jasmine. To elevate Jasmine's status, Rowan mercilessly dismantled Fairchild Holdings. Her father suffered a fatal heart attack, her mother suffered a mental breakdown, and Caleb jumped off a building...Lyra herself was ultimately poisoned.Fairchild Holdings was naturally swallowed by the Jameson Group, becoming just another asset in his vast empire.Remembering the tragedies of her past life, a suffocating hatred for Rowan washed over her.Stepping out of the bathroom, she intended to leave immediately. But the overwhelming fury was too much. She climbed right back onto the bed, straddled his chiseled stomach, and slapped him across the face with everything she had.Smack, smack, smack.Her eyes burned with rage. If she had a knife, she would have plunged it straight into his chest.She knew he wouldn't wake up right now.He wouldn't wake up until Jasmine arrived!Jasmine was like a magnet for good fortune, stealing the Fairchild family's business and the man she loved most. Jasmine was pampered and adored, while Lyra's family was completely destroyed.Lyra used every ounce of her strength, losing count of how many times she struck him, until her wrist was suddenly caught in an iron grip.Rowan grabbed her hand. Instinctively, still groggy and far from awake, he just held her to stop the movement."Be good, sleep a little longer," he murmured in a deep, gravelly voice, his eyes remaining shut.Lyra froze, not daring to breathe. She waited until his breathing returned to a steady, rhythmic pace before slowly sliding her hand out of his grip.For a brief moment, she truly wanted him to open his eyes and see exactly who was in front of him.But having been given a second chance at life, she realized she no longer loved him. She had no desire to stay entangled with this man.In her past life, his mistake had led to her family's total ruin. In this life, she didn't care if he recognized her as his savior.She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him!Once free, Lyra immediately prepared to leave. Her damp clothes were still slightly translucent, so she casually grabbed his tailored suit jacket to cover the marks on her skin and rushed out of the room.Ignoring the lingering discomfort in her body, she stumbled down the stairs."Miss, do you need any help?" a gentle female voice asked as she neared the front desk.Lyra looked over in a panic, spotting the motel receptionist.She hadn't gotten a good look while checking in last night. Seeing her clearly today, she realized the woman was strikingly beautiful—and somewhat familiar.In a flash, it clicked.It was Josie Somerset.The woman who would eventually become a massively popular, beloved superstar.In her past life, Jasmine had treated Josie like an absolute enemy just because she had shared a few dinners with Rowan.Who would have thought that right now, she was just a receptionist at a run-down motel.In this life, Lyra wasn't going to let Jasmine have an easy path.If she swapped out Jasmine for Josie, would Rowan fall for Josie instead?At that thought, a faint smile appeared on Lyra's pale face. She parted her lips and said softly, "The guest in room 506 asked for you. He needs a favor."...When Lyra returned home, the living room was empty, save for Snowy, the family dog, who trotted over affectionately and licked her ankle.Lyra headed to her bedroom, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and stepped into the shower.As the warm water cascaded over her chilled skin, she finally let out a breath, feeling like she was truly alive again.She had no idea whether it was Jasmine or Josie who eventually went to Rowan's room, but none of that mattered to her anymore...After her shower, she wanted to catch up on sleep, but the sudden realization of a crucial task left a bitter taste in her mouth.In her previous life, she had gotten pregnant.Shortly after marrying Rowan, she had fainted and discovered she was three months along.From that moment, the Jameson family had treated her like a woman of loose morals, completely indifferent to the fact that Rowan was cheating on her with Jasmine.Lyra dressed quickly and slipped out to the pharmacy. Leaving the store, she found a quiet corner and swallowed the pill. By the time she returned home, her parents were already there."Why isn't Lyra back from her friend's place yet? Do you think something happened?""Give her a call and ask."She had only managed to sneak out last night by telling her parents she was staying over at her friend Melanie's house.Her mother was just about to dial when Lyra rushed over and threw her arms around her. "Mom!""Lyra."Her father watched in surprise as his daughter, eyes brimming with tears, turned and hugged him next. Her voice was thick with emotion. "Dad...""What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked, worry lining his face.Lyra shook her head, her eyes red. "Nothing."In her past life, one had died from a heart attack and the other had lost her mind. She had effectively lost her parents far too early.Seeing them alive right now filled her with overwhelming joy! An indescribable wave of emotion.Her father let out a sigh of relief. "You're acting like you're still a little girl.""Go get ready. Did you forget we're supposed to have dinner at the Jamesons' today?"Lyra actually had forgotten, considering it was a memory from a lifetime ago. "I'm not going.""Did you have a fight with Rowan?"At this exact point in her previous life, she had been overjoyed, believing that sharing a bed with Rowan meant she was finally his, solidifying their relationship.But when they had gone to the Jameson Manor back then, Rowan never even showed up, leaving her parents incredibly disappointed.Lyra thought about it for a moment and changed her mind. She should go.Since she wouldn't run into Rowan anyway, she could use her parents' inevitable disappointment as the perfect excuse to call off the engagement.She refused to be as foolish as before, holding out hope that she could win his heart."Mom, Dad, let's go. We'll head to the Jamesons'."...Lyra accompanied her parents to the sprawling Jameson Manor.Just like before, the dinner was attended only by Rowan's parents and his brother. Rowan was nowhere to be seen by the time they finished eating.His parents were perfectly polite, but—As the Fairchild family walked out of the manor, her parents' disappointment was palpable.If this was how Rowan treated their daughter...Was there even a point to this arranged marriage?But just as they were about to get into their car, they bumped into Rowan, who had just returned.Lyra tensed up. She clearly remembered that he hadn't made an appearance on this day in her past life.It was probably because they had arrived and left earlier last time. Today, her detour to the pharmacy had delayed their schedule...And that butterfly effect had caused Rowan to cross paths with them.He had an incredibly commanding presence. Dressed in a simple white dress shirt with the top buttons undone and dark hair falling slightly over his forehead, he was undeniably gorgeous. But his gaze was ice-cold."Rowan..." her father greeted, pleasantly surprised."Mr. Fairchild, Mrs. Fairchild," Rowan replied. In stark contrast to her father's warmth, his tone was flat, his expression tired and aloof."Did you not sleep well last night?" her father asked.Rowan offered a noncommittal hum.Lyra balled her hands into fists, her eyes darting quickly across his face. Either she hadn't hit him hard enough, or his skin was just that thick—there wasn't a single red mark in sight.Her mother was just expressing concern over whether his thin clothes were warm enough for the autumn breeze...Suddenly, Lyra's gaze locked onto something.A sliver of pale pink crystal peeked out from the pocket of Rowan's tailored trousers, completely out of place against the dark fabric.She instinctively touched her wrist. It was bare.All the color drained from Lyra's face.Unless she was mistaken, that was her bracelet.This hadn't happened in her previous life. Her bracelet had stayed firmly on her wrist.Then again, she hadn't wildly slapped him in her past life either, meaning he had never grabbed her wrist and accidentally slipped the bracelet off...A wave of sheer panic washed over her."Lyra, are you okay?" her mother noticed her pale complexion as Lyra tried to shrink behind her. "Are you feeling shy because Rowan is here?"At that exact moment, Rowan's sharp, chilling gaze landed straight on her.Even though he was here, his attitude toward her hadn't changed. A flash of impatience and disgust was visible in his dark eyes.Lyra shook her head frantically, turning her body slightly to avoid his stare. "Mom, let's just go. Rowan looks like he really needs some rest."In this life, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. She just wanted to get out of there!In her past life, she had done everything to please him, and what had it gotten her? Her family's complete destruction.She was going to stay as far away from Rowan as humanly possible.Her mother was about to say their goodbyes when Rowan's phone buzzed. He answered it without a second of hesitation. "Hey... you made it home?"Shoving his free hand back into his pocket, he walked toward the front doors of the manor, not sparing the Fairchilds another glance.The last thing Lyra heard was his voice—low, soothing, and filled with a tenderness he had never once directed at her.Her father glanced back at Rowan's retreating figure before getting into the car, silently wondering who on the other end of the line could make the cold heir look so gentle.As soon as they got home, Lyra cut straight to the chase. "Dad, I don't have feelings for Rowan anymore. Let's just call off the engagement.""Is this because he brushed you off earlier?" Her father didn't seem angry, merely suggesting that Rowan had been on a call and his distraction was understandable."The person on the phone was a woman. They're basically together now."Her parents were stunned by the revelation.But since it sounded like a rumor, her father didn't press for details. He just patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't overthink it."The next day, her brother Caleb heard about the dinner and sought Lyra out."Lyra, I thought you were crazy about Rowan. Why the sudden tantrum about not liking him anymore?"A lump formed in her throat. "Caleb..."Remembering his tragic death in her past life, her eyes welled with tears, and she threw herself into his arms.Seeing her on the verge of crying, Caleb only grew more convinced that she was heartbroken over being rejected by Rowan. He affectionately ruffled her hair. "Are you worried you can't win him over? He's a tough one, for sure... even his parents can't control him."Caleb chuckled. "But you've got me. I'll help set up some opportunities for you. What are you afraid of?"She could hear the admiration for Rowan in Caleb's voice, alongside his endless doting on her. It was such a far cry from the future, where Caleb would curse Rowan as their company crumbled, screaming, "I hope you burn in hell.""Caleb..." Lyra felt a bitter ache in her chest. She clung to him tightly and shook her head. "I don't love him. Not even a little bit. Please, I don't want to get married. I just want to stay with our family forever.""Lyra?" Caleb froze."I'm not throwing a tantrum. I genuinely don't want him anymore. He's not worth my time."Caleb didn't seem entirely convinced.There had been plenty of times when she had stomped her feet in frustration, swearing she was completely over Rowan, only to go running right back to him like a lovesick teenager. So Caleb didn't take her declaration to heart."You graduate next month. What do you want to do after?"This was exactly what Lyra had wanted to discuss. She looked up at him with utter seriousness. "I want to work at Fairchild Holdings.""Oh?" Caleb laughed, teasing her. "So instead of marrying Rowan, you want to join the family business?"He figured she wouldn't last three days in a corporate office before calling it quits."I'm serious, Caleb." She squeezed his hand.He sensed something subtly different about her today, but he brushed it off."Alright, whatever you want." He agreed verbally, fully expecting her to change her mind by tomorrow. Her goals usually shifted based on whatever Rowan was doing.Lyra was thrilled by his approval.In her past life, Jasmine had become Rowan's top executive assistant—a celebrated intellectual in Seaborne City, and the woman keeping his bed warm. She was always by his side, respected by his inner circle, and treated as his real partner.Meanwhile, as Rowan's actual wife, Lyra had been completely ignored.When Rowan demanded a divorce, everyone cheered for him. A romance built on mutual ambition and support was clearly vastly superior to a loveless business arrangement built on money. His friends and top tech executives all believed he had been forced into the marriage, even pitying him for having to endure it.In this life, she would never marry him.The only issue was the old pact between the Fairchild and Jameson families. It was going to be a headache.She needed to find the perfect opportunity to sever the engagement for good....As soon as Lyra returned to her room, she scrolled through her phone and deleted any photo showing the pink crystal bracelet.She didn't spare Caleb's phone either. She double-checked every folder before handing it back to him.She owned plenty of jewelry and rarely wore that specific piece. She had certainly never worn it to any social events with Rowan, only sporting it a couple of times at the beach.She scrolled through her close friends' social media feeds. Not a single trace of the bracelet.Finally, she let out a sigh of relief.Still, the thought of him having something that belonged to her gnawed at her. She had to get it back....The perfect opportunity presented itself quickly.Rowan's mother invited Lyra over for dinner, and Lyra immediately accepted.Jameson Manor was massive. She had visited countless times and even lived there during her miserable marriage in her past life, so she knew the layout like the back of her hand.The staff all recognized her. Seeing her walk in, they greeted her respectfully, "Miss Fairchild..."Rowan's mother came downstairs and warmly took her hand. "Lyra, Rowan is up in his study with Waylon. Why don't you go chat with them? Dinner will be ready soon."