Reborn: I Watched Her Become My Grandfather’s Wife

My best friend is marrying my grandfather, a man forty years older than her.

In my last life, I broke down trying to stop her.

I warned her, begged her, tried to tear her away from him.

She repaid me by teaming up with my fianc and killing me.

This time, I dont argue.

I simply hold my grandfathers secret diary in my hands and smile at her.

Congratulations, I say. Its finally your turn.

"I saw your grandfather at the charity gala yesterday. He even complimented me, saying I reminded him of his first love when he was young."

Hailey said, clutching her coffee cup, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

She grabbed my hand, her gaze filled with calculation.

"I want to pursue your grandfather."

I was utterly stunned.

"Are you insane? He's forty years older than you!"

"Age is just a number! Besides, he doesn't look a day over forty, not even close to his sixties."

In my last life, this was where I stopped her, sternly warning her to stay away from my grandfather.

Shed flashed a twisted smile.

"Emily Parker, who do you think you are? Why are you blocking my path?"

Later, my grandfather married someone around our age, and they had a grand wedding.

Full of hatred, Hailey pushed me off a cliff.

"This is all your fault for stopping me from marrying into the Parker family! Everything should have been mine!"

But now, I just watched her, silently observing the undisguised greed in her eyes.

My grandfather, Wesley Parker, was the patriarch of Parker Enterprises, worth billions.

"You don't object?"

Hailey seemed surprised by my silence.

I picked up my coffee, a meaningful smile playing on my lips.

"Why would I object?"

"Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, and love shouldn't be limited by age, right?"

Her eyes lit up; she clearly hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.

Hailey excitedly hugged me.

"That's great! I knew you'd understand me!"

"Don't worry, once I become your grandmother, I won't treat you unfairly!"

Where she couldn't see, my smile completely vanished.

I softly murmured,

"I wish you success."

Grandfather had already married eight other women in the past ten years, and she was about to become the ninth.

Only, she didn't know that all eight previous brides had met untimely ends.

As I stepped out of the coffee shop, I stood by the curb, waiting for my driver.

A black Mercedes-Benz pulled up slowly in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing Mr. Jenkins, the butler.

"Miss Emily, Mr. Parker requests your presence for dinner tonight."

"Alright."

I opened the car door and slid inside.

"Mr. Jenkins," I suddenly said,

"How has Grandfather's health been lately?"

The old butler glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

"Mr. Parker is in excellent health. Last week's check-up showed all his vital signs were twenty years younger than his actual age."

My fists clenched. In my last life, I had never doubted my grandfather.

Now, looking back, many things seemed highly suspicious.

The most unsettling part was that whenever a bride died, Grandfather was always away on a business trip, with a perfect alibi.

He always seemed strangely indifferent after their deaths.

During dinner, I observed Grandfather.

He did indeed look much younger than his actual age.

"I heard you met the Miller girl today?"

My body tensed. How did Grandfather know? Unless he had been monitoring me, or Hailey.

"Yes, Hailey, she's my best friend."

A slight smile played on Grandfather's lips.

"She's a very vibrant girl. My birthday celebration is in two days. You can invite her to come over tomorrow and stay until the party ends."

In my last life, I had tried everything to keep Hailey away from Grandfather, so she never received a formal invitation from the Parker family.

"Of course," I replied sweetly.

After dinner, Grandfather always took a stroll in the garden.

I used this opportunity to find the secret compartment in his study.

My mother had told me about it before she died, but I had never opened it.

Behind a copy of the Bible on the third shelf, there was a hidden button.

Pressing it revealed a small secret room.

On a desk inside the room lay a notebook and a safe.

My hands trembling, I opened the notebook. What I saw almost made me scream.

It was a list, neatly recording eight names, along with their wedding and death dates.

Each name had a photo attached, and to my horror, I noticed that these women shared certain similarities.

The shape of their eyes, the curve of their lips, especially the last threethey were almost like replicas of the same type.

On the last page was the ninth name: Hailey.

A red question mark was drawn next to it, and the date column was blank.

My gaze was drawn to the safe.

My gut told me it held an even more terrifying secret.

But the safe required both a fingerprint and a password, so I couldn't open it.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching the door.

I hastily closed the notebook and ducked behind the curtains.

The study door opened, and Grandfather and the butler walked in.

"The ninth one should be the most suitable," Grandfather's voice was low and calm. "Her birth attributes match perfectly."

"We'll finally have all nine. Bring that Hailey to me tomorrow."

"Yes, Mr. Parker."

After they left, I collapsed onto the floor, my back drenched in cold sweat.

Grandfather knew Hailey, and it seemed he was actively planning something.

Even more terrifying, he appeared to be performing some kind of ritual that required nine brides?

The next day, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Hailey.

"Emily! Amazing news! I received a formal invitation from the Parker family! Can I come over to your place today?"

I stared at the screen, a cold smile slowly spreading across my face.

"Of course, you're more than welcome."

Hailey spent two days at Parker Manor, and I did my best to create opportunities for her and Grandfather to be alone.

On the day of the birthday celebration, all the prominent figures in the city were present.

I stood in a corner, watching with detached eyes as Hailey clung to Grandfather's arm, smiling flirtatiously.

Things were progressing quickly between them. It seemed both were quite eager.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"

Grandfather, Wesley Parker, stood on the grand staircase, gently patting Hailey's hand. His voice was steady and authoritative.

"Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. Today, I have some joyous news to announce."

The entire hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on them.

"Hailey and I have found a deep connection and decided to get married."

"The wedding will be in three days, and everyone is welcome to attend our ceremony."

Though I had anticipated it, hearing the words aloud made my heart involuntarily tremble.

The guests were briefly stunned, then erupted into a chorus of insincere congratulations.

After all, a sixty-year-old business magnate marrying a woman in her twenties wasn't uncommon in high society.

As long as there was enough money, age was never an issue.

Hailey wore a triumphant smile, her gaze sweeping through the crowd before finally landing on me.

Was she flaunting it?

I calmly took a sip of champagne, a slight smile on my lips, and even walked forward.

I spoke softly,

"Congratulations, Grandfather. Congratulations, Hailey."

Grandfather nodded in satisfaction, while Hailey narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly surprised by my composure.

And so, she eagerly bared her claws.

"Oh, by the way, Emily."

She feigned intimacy, taking my hand, but her voice was deliberately loud enough for everyone around to hear.

"Since I'm now the future mistress of Parker Manor, there are some things I need to handle for you."

"Oh? What things?"

She stared at me, enunciating each word.

"Your engagement with young Master Miller? It's time to call it off."

The Millerslong-standing family friends of the Parkers.

Landon Miller, the only son of the Miller family, and I had been engaged since childhood.

Though it was an arranged marriage, Landon had always treated me incredibly well.

And now, Hailey wanted to force me to break off the engagement?

Before I could speak, Grandfather actually nodded.

"Hailey is right. The Millers' business has been struggling lately, not fitting our family's standing. Emily, this engagement? It's over."

My breath hitched. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Landon standing nearby, his wine glass almost shattering in his hand.

"Grandfather," I heard my voice tremble,

"My engagement with Landon was arranged by our ancestors"

"That was all in the past." Grandfather waved a dismissive hand, and an attendant immediately offered him a cigar. He took a deep puff.

"What's the Miller family's situation now? Do they even deserve to be associated with us?"

Whispers started to spread through the banquet hall.

I saw Landon's face turn ashen, while Hailey smirked at me triumphantly.

"Grandfather!" I dropped to my knees before him.

"Please reconsider. While the Miller family might be struggling now, Landon"

Smash!

Hailey suddenly threw her hand up, knocking over a tray of red wine a server was carrying.

The red wine poured down over my head.

Guests exchanged glances, some snickering softly, others looking on with pity.

"Oops, my hand slipped."

She feigned surprise, covering her mouth, but then leaned down and whispered in my ear, in a voice only I could hear.

"You think begging on your knees will work? Let me tell you, after tonight, you won't even have the right to kneel."

I looked up at her, astonished.

"Enough!" Grandfather pulled his hand away from me.

"This matter is settled!"

Landon crushed his wine glass, glaring intensely at Hailey.

As I went upstairs to change, I saw Landon and Hailey embracing in the hallway corner.

"Hailey, how was my acting? She even knelt for me."

"Constantly parading around as your fiance, it's irritating."

My heart ached. I hadn't realized they were already involved.

My judgment of people was truly terrible.

"You disgusting cheats!" I swore.

Landon chuckled softly.

"Watching you beg like a fool, thinking we'd actually get married."

Hailey giggled, leaning into his arms.

"Your man has been mine for ages."

They were both sickening.

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell Grandfather?"

"Go ahead!" Hailey taunted, unafraid.

"See who he believesyou, or me."

"Once the old man dies, everything at Parker Manor will be ours." Landon fantasized, his arm around her waist.

"I thought we were best friends."

Hailey sneered.

"Hmph, friends. Don't play innocent. In your eyes, I was just a dog. Youd throw me scraps when you pitied me. I'm sick of it!"

"Now Im above you, and youll dance to my tune!"

I remembered how, back in college, Hailey couldn't afford tuition, so I paid for it.

When she ran out of living expenses, I shared everything I had.

Later, when her mother fell critically ill, I immediately arranged for her to be admitted to the best hospital.

And in her eyes, all that was just pity? I should have let her starve!

I was so angry, I laughed.

"Then consider everything I ever did for you wasted."

I wasn't in a hurry, because soon enough, they would both get what they deserved.

After the birthday celebration, Hailey officially moved into Parker Manor as the future Mrs. Parker.

The first thing she did was take my room.

"Emily, this room has the best light, it's perfect for me," she said, leaning against the doorframe.

"You'll be moving out soon anyway, why not get used to it beforehand?"

I stood in the hallway, calmly looking at her.

"If you like it, it's yours."

She narrowed her eyes, seemingly displeased by my compliance, then sneered.

"Oh, by the way, Wesley said your allowance will be handled by me from now on. After all, you're not a child anymore, you should learn to be frugal."

She pulled a card from her designer purse and handed it to me.

"Five thousand a month. Enough?"

Five thousand. It wasn't even enough for a single bracelet I used to buy on a whim.

I reached out and took the card, offering a small smile.

"Thank you, Grandma."

Her expression froze for a moment, clearly stung by the address, but she quickly reverted to her arrogant demeanor.

"Such a good girl."

I turned and went to the guest room.

But the next day, Hailey dragged me to her walk-in closet.

"Emily, look, isn't my wedding dress beautiful?"

She unfurled a pure white wedding gown, its skirt adorned with countless tiny diamonds, shimmering brilliantly under the light.

I nodded.

"It's very pretty."

She suddenly sighed, feigning regret.

"Actually, I originally wanted to choose your mother's antique wedding gown from back then, but Wesley said it was bad luck."

My blood instantly ran cold.

How dare she mention my mother?!

In my last life, my mother had died in Parker Manor, her cause of death a mystery.

And her wedding gown had been sealed in the Parker family vault, a place even I couldn't easily access.

Hailey tilted her head, enjoying my instantly pale face.

"But it's fine, my wedding dress is much more expensive than your mother's, wouldn't you say?"

I dug my nails into my palms, barely managing to maintain a calm expression.

"Yes," I said softly.

"I hope you get to live many days wearing it."

She paused, then burst into laughter.

"Emily Parker, you're not actually thinking about revenge, are you?"

She leaned closer to me.

"Don't forget, now the entire Parker family is mine."

On the wedding day, Parker Manor was decorated with extravagant luxury.

The wedding march began, and Hailey, arm in arm with Grandfather, slowly walked towards the officiant.

Guests applauded their congratulations, while I stood in a corner, quietly watching it all unfold.

When the officiant opened his book and solemnly asked if they were willing, Grandfather slowly looked up.

His eyes, however, weren't their usual gentle self; instead, they held a peculiar coldness. "I do."

When it was time to exchange rings, Mr. Jenkins, the butler, stepped forward, holding a delicate velvet box.

Inside lay two rings, each set with a blood-red gemstone.

They placed them on each other's fingers, completing the ceremony.

I saw Grandfather slowly exhale a long breath.

The next day, the butler frantically sought me out.

"Bad news, Mrs. Parker somethings happened."

"Mr. Parker left on a business trip abroad last night"