Chapter 1

After Elias's business failed, he took me with him to jump off a building.

We both died, but when we opened our eyes again, we had returned to before we got married.

In his previous life, he confessed before dying that he could never let go of his beloved campus queen Athena, feeling I was always inferior to her.

The day the debt collectors came, to get revenge on me, he offered me to them to settle the debt, watching me be humiliated right in front of him.

In our three years of marriage, we had just had our first child.

As blood spread beneath me in that moment, I felt regret.

After being reborn, I let him go pursue his happiness.

I cut off all contact and stayed far away to let him take his shot.

In eight years, he successfully amassed a fortune worth hundreds of millions and gloriously married his campus queen girlfriend who had struggled alongside him to build the business.

He ostentatiously saved the front row at the wedding for me to show off.

"Thank you for leaving me in this life. Even if you gave your life for me, you still wouldn't be good enough for me."

"Why don't you go marry some ordinary guy?"

I graciously congratulated him, then took the arm of my tycoon fiancé beside me and publicly announced our wedding date.

Elias's eyes turned red, and the ring in his hand fell to the ground.

"Vesper, didn't you once say you would only marry me and stay by my side for life?!"

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1

"The bride insists you must attend her wedding. There's a seat reserved for you in the front row! Without you, the ceremony won't be complete!"

I've heard that voice on the phone countless times.

Eight years after our separation, Elias warmly invited me to his and Athena's wedding.

Everything was meticulously arranged, from the hotel accommodation to the private car service.

Elias said without my presence, the wedding would be incomplete.

Meeting again, Elias's company had gone public, transforming him into a billionaire bachelor.

Shortly after landing back in the States, I didn't even have time to freshen up before being whisked directly to the wedding venue.

Elias stood at the center of the crowd, arm-in-arm with the exquisitely made-up Athena, surrounded by a circle of people.

A perfect match in looks, coupled with billions in assets, they truly stood out from the crowd.

"Now that's a match made in heaven! You've become a big shot, and now you're the most famous one from our graduating class!"

"That's an understatement! I've even seen you in TV interviews. Athena's got a great eye, supporting you through your startup, and now she's the boss lady! With your monthly income in the millions, you'd better let her manage it all!""Buddy, I'm still unemployed. If there's any suitable position at your company, do you think you could bring me on board...?"

"Seeing you marry Athena, we're all so envious of you! Not only did you become a CEO, but you also married the campus beauty from our year!"

Athena smiled happily, wearing a custom wedding gown as Elias leaned down to give her a gentle kiss.

"Athena is the love of my life."

The surrounding crowd let out some good-natured chuckles until someone spoke up.

"Yeah, it's a good thing Vesper didn't keep clinging to you. Her pursuit of you back then was famous throughout the whole school!"

"From confessing her love to bringing you breakfast every day, she even memorized your entire class schedule. When you agreed to date her, we were all worried for you."

Elias put down his champagne glass, the smile disappearing from his face as he let go of Athena's hand.

In the next moment, his hand was grasped again. Athena batted her eyelashes and spoke in a sweet voice.

"I've stood by Elias's side to this day, and I should thank her for letting go on her own. A woman like that doesn't deserve my dear husband."

The adoring gaze and soft, fragrant embrace made everyone feel a pang of envy.

Standing behind this group, I couldn't bring myself to smile at all.No matter if it was bringing breakfast or memorizing class schedules, these were all things Elias did persistently for a whole year when he was pursuing me.

In my previous life, he chased after me for a year and a half. I was moved by his sincerity and agreed to be with him.

"Vesper, I know you grew up in an orphanage. From now on, I'll be your family and stay with you forever!"

Relying on those words, I dated him for three years and eventually walked down the aisle.

But in the end, he could even sell off his "family" for money.

He was nothing but a liar.

I stood outside the crowd, dressed completely differently from this group of people. They were all in suits and formal attire, while I looked like a hiker.

Finally, someone turned around and saw me.

"Oh my God! Vesper, long time no see!"

"Why didn't you tell us you were coming? How could you wear hiking gear to a wedding reception?!"

"You should show at least some basic respect. You can't even dress appropriately. Everyone's watching, and this is your ex-boyfriend's wedding!"

Covering her mouth, Athena pushed through the crowd towards me. Elias's gaze fell directly on me.

"Congratulations on your marriage."

I said the congratulatory words with a neutral expression. Elias chuckled softly, his eyes showing a strange look."Vesper, your current appearance truly suits you, as always... poor to the bone."

With a snicker, Athena couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

Covering her mouth, she threw herself into Elias's arms, laughing so hard that a large expanse of skin was exposed on her chest. Around her neck hung the three-million-dollar diamond necklace she had been flaunting online.

"Honey, you're so mean. Is it really necessary to treat your ex-girlfriend like this? Whether she's doing well or not isn't entirely up to her. She just had bad luck and didn't choose the right person."

"But given her situation, I doubt she's married."

"Hello, Vesper."

She extended her hand towards me, her face full of contempt and disdain.

Haughtily raising her head, the moment I reached out to touch her, my hand was forcefully slapped away.

Amidst the mocking laughter, Athena turned her back on me, dramatically raising the hand that had touched me and presenting it to Elias.

"Darling, does she even resemble a woman anymore? The calluses on her hands are so thick, rougher than a man's. Those calluses could practically tear through my skin."

"Vesper, have you been doing hard labor all these years?!"

Lifting her chin at me, in the midst of a sudden silence, Athena swayed the man's hand.

"She's so pitiful. Why don't we donate some money to her?""

The roaring engine of a red sports car echoed through the city streets as it screeched to a halt in front of a swanky nightclub. The driver's door swung open, and out stepped a man with an aura that commanded attention.

His tailored suit hugged his broad shoulders, and his chiseled features were accentuated by the neon lights. As he tossed his keys to the valet, his eyes swept over the crowd, a mixture of hunger and disdain evident in his gaze.

Without a word, he strode towards the entrance, the sea of people parting before him like the Red Sea. The bouncer, recognizing him instantly, unclipped the velvet rope with a deferential nod.

As he stepped into the pulsing heart of the club, the bass thrummed through his veins, matching the predatory beat of his heart. Tonight, he was on the hunt, and God help anyone who stood in his way.