After being reborn, my boyfriend chose his first love and regretted it bitterly.

My boyfriend died for his first love, and I died in a car accident as a result.

After we were reborn, we stayed out of each others lives. That was the silent agreement.

I never expected to run into him again at a nightclub

down on one knee, proposing to that same first love.

When he noticed me, his eyes swept over me with open disdain.

So this is what your life has come to without me?

Dont pretend. You followed me here because you want me back, didnt you?

Beg. Maybe Ill be generous enough to take you back.

I just stared at him, genuinely caught off guard.

Then I laughed.

Apparently, no one had told him yet

I was already married.

I never thought Id see Lucas again, especially not in a place like this.

I got stuck in traffic and missed the reunion dinner, so I drove straight to the club where I had another commitment. To my surprise, I bumped into my old classmatestheyd moved the party here.

They were lost in the music on the dance floor. Lucas, with his fair skin and tall build, stood out in the crowd. He held Olivia close, his eyes full of affection.

"Lucas is a real prodigy. So young and already owns multiple Formula 1 teams," someone commented.

"Absolutely. He rented out this entire club just for Olivia tonight."

"This has to be the most expensive venue in the city. A night here must cost at least a million."

"Well, you can't put a price on making your girl smile."

As the music faded, Olivia stood there, flushed and slightly breathless.

Suddenly, the big screen lit up, playing a montage of Lucas and Olivia's romantic moments. The crowd cheered as Olivia was guided to the stage. Lucas, holding a bouquet of roses, got down on one knee in front of her.

"Olivia, will you marry me?" His voice was soft, brimming with emotion.

Someone in the crowd muttered, not too quietly, "When did Lucas and Evelyn break up?"

The question hung in the air, reaching everyone's ears.

Hearing my name, Lucass expression darkened, his smile vanishing.

Olivias face stiffened for a second before she recovered, accepting the flowers with a polite smile. "Lucas has always been popular, but hey, who didnt make mistakes when they were young? What matters is that it all worked out in the end."

The crowd laughed, chiming in about what a perfect match they were.

I stood in the corner, watching their intertwined fingers. Was I the "mistake" she meant?

But she didnt knowin our past life, Lucas was the one who chased me.

He fell for me at first sight and pursued me intensely. Back then, who could resist a handsome, brilliant man who seemed utterly devoted?

So I said yes.

The day we made it official, Lucas cupped my face, hesitating before a kiss. "Evelyn, is this a dream?" he whispered. "If I kiss you, will I wake up?"

I laughed, brushed my fingers over his beautiful eyes, and stood on my toes to kiss him.

That night, he promised, "Evelyn, Ill spend my whole life making you happy."

I believed him.

But he lied.

I took a deep breath and moved toward the elevator through the dim light.

A sharp-eyed former classmate spotted me. "Evelyn? What are you doing here?"

"What happened to you? You look tired."

"Dont tell me youre still jobless. Since Lucas is here, just ask him for a favor. Im sure he could hook you up with something that pays at least five grand a month. For old times sake."

Their mockery was thinly veiled. I ignored it, politely smiling as I poured myself a glass of ice water.

From the moment I walked in, Lucass eyes were locked on me. Seeing me take the free water, he seemed to relax a bit. "Order whatever you want," he said casually. "Its on me tonight."

"Thanks, but Im good," I replied, my tone polite but distant.

Lucass step faltered. Half his face was shadowed, his expression unreadable.

After a long moment, he let out a low, bitter laugh. "Still as proud as ever, Evelyn."

Olivia watched me with wary eyes, lacing her fingers with Lucass in a possessive gesture. "Evelyn, no offense, but as a woman, you could at least try to look presentable in public."

"Look at youmismatched clothes, messy hair. What man would want you like this?"

"I have tons of old clothes at home. If you want them, you can have them. Lucas buys me so much, I cant even fit it all in two walk-in closets."

The group chuckled.

I glanced at my reflection in the glass. After two straight days on set, I was exhausted and hadnt bothered fixing up. Next to Olivias flawless appearance, I did look rough.

"No thanks," I said, waving her off as I reached for some chilled fruit at the bar. I was too hungry to care about manners.

Lucas suddenly walked over and held out his phone. I looked up, confused.

"Give me your account details. Ill wire you three hundred thousand," he said.

"Your situation its partly my fault."

"But thats in the past. Dont be so stubborn."

"Stop waiting around for me. Move on."

Lucass phone wallpaper was a picture of Olivia holding a huge bouquet. Her carefree smile made me pause.

In our past life, I wasnt even his wallpaper. My number wasnt saved because he never needed to call meI handled everything for him, both in life and work.

Guess its trueyou can always tell when someones really into you, and when theyre not.

We started dating in college and married right after graduation.

He dreamed of being a race car driver. I wanted to be a film director.

Two completely different paths, never meant to cross.

Seeing the disappointment in his eyes, I gave in.

I gave up my chance to study abroad without a second thought, following him around day after day, hauling heavy toolboxes.

When he didnt have professional gear, I delivered food on my bike late at night, saving up to buy him the best racing suit.

When he had no pit crew, I taught myself mechanics, doing the work of a whole team for him.

But he still lost.

His second-hand car, bought cheap, couldnt compete with the latest models.

And when I tried to comfort him through the slump, he pushed me away, his eyes filled with a disgust Id never seen before:

"Im so sick of this boring life with you."

"If Id chosen Olivia back then, I wouldnt be stuck like this."

Those words shattered every hope I had.

I didnt even get to look back at the road wed traveled before we both died in that crash off the cliff.

I wanted to beg him to save our baby.

But the words were swallowed by the flames before I could speak.

Since fate gave us a second chance, we both chose to live the lives we wanted.

There was no reason to stay in touch.

I pushed the phone back toward him. "Were not connected anymore. This isnt necessary."

Lucas frowned, his voice trembling slightly though he didnt seem to notice. "No connection? Whats that supposed to mean? Are we strangers now?"

I met his gaze evenly. "Arent we? Our lives dont cross anymore. How I dress, how I liveits none of your business."

"If youve got money to burn, maybe donate to people who actually need it."

Maybe feeling Id embarrassed him in front of everyone, Lucass face hardened. "Evelyn, cut the act. You came here to get my attention, didnt you?"

Olivia gently patted his arm. "Lucas, dont be so harsh." She turned to me, contempt barely hidden behind a gentle tone. "Evelyn, dont mind him. Hes just concerned about an old friend."

"How about this? I opened a private clinic on South Street. We need a receptionist$7,000 a month, plus room and board."

"If youre interested, its yours."

Someone nearby exclaimed, "South Street? Thats prime real estate! Olivia, youre amazing."

"Evelyn, you hit the jackpot! Quick, thank her!"

I rolled my eyes, calmly eating my fruit. "No need. Im happy with my job."

Seeing I wasnt grateful, the bootlickers turned on me.

"Evelyn, poverty has messed with your head. Lucas and Olivia are trying to help you, and youre acting all high and mighty."

"Were all old classmates here. We know what youre worth. Dont let your pride ruin this chance."

After he finished, Olivia pretended to stop him. "Dont say that Maybe Evelyn really likes her life now."

As she spoke, her eyes welled up, as if shed been wronged.

Seeing her tears, Lucas pulled her close. "Olivia, youre too kind."

He turned to me, his voice cold. "Evelyn, I didnt expect you to still be so selfish and fake."

"Youre beyond help. You deserve the life youve got."

I wondered why hed say such things.

In both lives, Id never done anything to hurt him. Why, after all this time, was he still so cruel?

I didnt want to engage further. I stood to head to the private room upstairs, but a former classmate blocked my way.

He held a drink, leering as he approached.

"Evelyn, I always hated that stuck-up act of yours. Never thought Id see the day."

"How about a drink? Five hundred bucks a glass, sound good?"

"Let me hold your hand, and Ill throw in extra."

I looked closerbarely recognizing him as the guy whod confessed to me at graduation.

Jack, I think his name was.

Back then, I was focused on landing a study-abroad spot, so I turned him down flat.

Guess he held a grudge.

Everyone laughed. No one stepped in.

I frowned.

I hadnt meant to crash their party. If not for my prior commitment, Id have left long ago.

Security was nowhere. As I was about to shove him away, Lucaswhod been watching silentlysuddenly hurled his glass at Jack.

"Stay away from her," he said, his voice icy.

Jack, now drenched, spun around ready to fight but froze when he saw it was Lucas. He just shot me a vicious glare.

The glass shattered on the floor. Olivias smug smile vanished as she stared at Lucas in disbelief. "Lucas, what are you doing?"

Lucas didnt even glance at her, his eyes fixed on me. "My event, my rules. I dont want trouble."

I stepped back, wiping alcohol off my pants. "The security here is terrible."

Olivia glared at me, her eyes blazing. "Youre complaining?"

"Do you even know where you are? This is Adrians placethe movie star. Without Lucas, someone like you wouldnt get within a mile of here."

At the mention of Adrian, several women perked up.

"The Adrian whos won all those awards and been on the citys rich list for five years straight?"

"I heard he has a kid, but no ones ever seen the wife."

Just then, the main door swung open.

A little girl walked in, surrounded by bodyguards.

She glanced around curiously. A butler in a suit followed closely. "Miss, please slow down. Watch your step."

The old classmates buzzed with excitement.

"Someone who can just walk in here, called Missmust be the movie stars daughter!"

"Oh my god, she looks just like Adrian!"

I was about to step forward when Jack blocked my path again.

He didnt dare confront Lucas, so he took it out on me. "Evelyn, if it werent for Lucas, someone like you would never get to see a celebritys kid. How about you kneel and apologize? If Im in a good mood, I might even marry you."

"A solid guy like me making five grand a month is a catch. You should be grateful!"

I ignored him, watching as the girl got swarmed.

They bombarded her with questions, some already pulling out phones to snap pictures.

Olivias earlier arrogance was gone, replaced by a fawning smile. "Sweetie, is your daddy Adrian?"

After getting a nod, Olivias smile widened. "What brings you here? Want some fruit? Let sister get it for you."

She reached to touch the girls cheek.

The little girl pushed Olivias hand away and walked straight to me.

Under everyones stares, she threw herself into my arms. "Mommy!"

Her bright eyes filled with tears. "Mommy, Lily missed you so much!"

"Why didnt you answer Lilys call yesterday?"

I held her close, soothing her. "Mommy was rehearsing on set and didnt check her phone. I wont do it again. Can you forgive me?"

Lily beamed and planted a loud kiss on my cheek. "Lilys not mad. I was just worried."

I poked her cheek. "My Lily is the best."

Everyone in the room was stunned, staring at us in disbelief.

Lucas stood frozen, frowning as if about to speak.

A handsome man in sunglasses rushed in.

"Honey, why didnt you text that you got off early? I wouldve picked you up. The traffics awfulI worry."

"The manager said your reunion was here?"

He put an arm around my shoulder, took off his sunglasses, and smiled at the crowd.

"Hey, everyone. Im Evelyns husband, Adrian."

"Tonights on me. Youre Evelyns friends, so order anything. Hope you all have a great time."

Jack, whod tried to get me to drink, turned pale. The women could barely contain their excitement.

"Evelyn is married to Adrian?!"

"Oh my god, this is like a movie! This is too perfect!"

I just smiled without responding.

Adrian turned, his gaze sweeping over Lucas.

After a moment, he gave a faint, dismissive smile. "So youre Evelyns college boyfriend?"

"I should thank you. If it werent for you, I wouldnt have met my perfect wife."

Lucas didnt answer, his eyes fixed on me. "Evelyn, are you lying again?"

"Did you hire some actors?"

I sighed, taking Adrians hand and showing Lucas the wedding ring on my finger. "Hes my husband, Adrian."

"I dont lie. And I have no reason to lie to you."

Lucas suddenly panicked. "But you said youd only love me forever!"

Worried Adrian might misunderstand, I quickly clarified, "I never said that. Never."

Those words drained the color from Lucass face.

He wanted to argue but knew he had no ground.

In our past life, I had vowed at our wedding to love only him.

But in this second chance, hed chosen a different path. What right did he have to hold me to a promise from a life that no longer existed?

Lucas couldnt accept it. "Even so, we loved each other once. How can you just move on? Did our past mean nothing?"

Beside him, Olivia had gone pale.

I glanced at the proposal photos still rolling on the big screen and sighed. "Arent you with Olivia now?"

"Half an hour ago, you were proposing to her. Now youre accusing me of not cherishing the past?"

Lucas had organized this gathering, and almost everyone had come to butter him up.

When that guy harassed me, no one lifted a finger. Now that they knew who I was married to, they turned on Lucas and Olivia.

"Come on, Lucas, let it go. Evelyns happy. You should be happy for her."

"I mean, who wouldnt want to be with a guy like Adrian?"

Olivia couldnt take it anymore. She reached for Lucass hand. "Lucas, lets go. Im your fiance now. You and Evelyn are over."

But the moment she touched him, Lucas shoved her away violently.

Olivia lost her balance and fell onto the broken glass. Her hands were cut in several places.

Her face flushed with humiliation, and she shot me a resentful look.

Adrians smile deepened. "Mr. Summers, youre not having second thoughts, are you? Trying to win my wife back?"

"Evelyn is incredible, but shes not interested. Dont overestimate yourself."

Exposed, Lucas stammered, "No I"

I raised a hand to stop him, my tone cold. "Lucas, the past is the past."

"I have a family now, and youre with the person you always wanted."

"Lets not do this."

Our daughter was clearly bored. She tugged Adrians hand and pouted. "Daddy, I dont wanna stay here for my birthday. I wanna go home and eat the food you and Mommy make."

Adrian asked the butler to take her to the car.

Holding my hand, he gave a meaningful look to the room. "I heard someone offered five hundred dollars for my wife to drink with him?"

Jack went pale, trembling as he stammered, "It was me I was an idiot, I offended Mrs. Smith. Please please forgive me."

He hung his head, shaking.

With a glance from Adrian, bodyguards stepped forward, lifted Jack, and dragged him into a side room.

Then Adrian turned to Olivia. "And I heard you offered my wife a cleaning job at your clinic?"

"Funny, I own the entire block in South District. If the clinic owner is personally hiring cleaners, maybe I should rethink the lease renewal."

The threat was clear.

Olivia forced a smile, hiding slightly behind Lucas. "I was just joking with your wife Please dont take it seriously"

Adrians gaze swept over the others whod disrespected me earlier.

They all looked down, not daring to breathe loudly.

Finally, he turned to me and gave a playful wink.

I knew what that meanthe wanted praise for standing up for me.

I took his hand and we turned to leave.

Just outside the door, Lucas caught up.

"Evelyn!"

The late autumn wind was chilly. I instinctively hugged my arms.

I motioned for Adrian to wait in the car. After a moments hesitation, he draped his coat over my shoulders before getting in.

Even now, he chose to trust me.

I held Adrians coat tight, watching Lucas approach unsteadily.

His eyes were dark, unreadable.

"Why did you marry him? Is he really better than me?"

His question was absurd, but thinking back to everything before I married Adrian, I couldnt help but smile.

That year, I was a rookie director trying to break into the industry. Even new-media producers wouldnt look at my scripts.

Id almost run through my savings chasing that dream.

When I was at my lowest, Adrian picked up my script.

He didnt look down on me. Instead, he went over every detail with me, suggested actors, helped me win my first director award.

The day I won, he confessed.

I wont deny Id fallen for him during those long collaborations, but because of my past-life scars, I held back.

I asked him, "If Im with you, can I still direct?"

Adrian seemed surprised. "Youre your own person. You dont need my permission. I love you, so Ill support whatever you want to do."

I took a deep breath. "I want kids."

Adrian smiled softly. "Me too."

I said yes, and from that day on, he became my new beginning.

We married.

Adrian respected my wish for a simple church wedding with just close friends and family.

Then came Lily.

Seeing my expression, Lucas looked as if hed been stabbed. Eyes red, he asked again, "That girl shes really yours?"

"Yes."

"You never wanted a child with me. Why him?"

His words brought back the ultrasound photo Id clutched until I died in that crash.

That baby had a steady heartbeat but died with me in the fire.

My chest ached, tears blurring my vision.

Lucas kept accusing me of betrayal. Finally, I couldnt take it. I slapped him.

Lucas held his cheek, staring at me in shock.

"We had a child once."

"The day you drove us off the cliff, I was going to tell you."

"I used to feel so guilty about that baby. But now Im just relieved. At least my child didnt have a father like you."

Lucas froze.

He covered his mouth, trembling. "No you went to the clinic that day. Olivia said she saw you go in for an abortion."

"She said you thought I was too poor to have my child."

Then I understood why hed called me selfish all those years.

"If I looked down on you, why would I have married you without hesitation?"

Lucas shattered.

He collapsed, mumbling, "I killed my child I killed them."

Tears fell as I looked at him, feeling only ridicule.

"I walked with you for so long, gave you so much, and you believed someone else so easily."

I turned to leave, but Lucas grabbed my wrist. "Evelyn, I was wrong. Im sorry. I shouldnt have doubted you."

"Please come back. I cant live without you."

I shook my head, pulling my hand free. "Lucas, you forgot."

"Lets never see each other again in this life. You said that."

I knew the past couldnt be changed.

Thankfully, Id truly moved on.

One night, police cars surrounded the Stevens private clinic.

The next day, headlines blared: Oliver Stevens, Olivias father, arrested for illegal organ trafficking, corpse sales, and baby auctions.