Chapter 1
In my past life, I saved Antonio Kaufman, the kidnapped heir to the richest family in town. To support him, I worked four jobs a day, spoiling
him rotten.
But once he returned to his family, he ordered everyone to never mention that shameful past.
Out of gratitude, his grandpa Ethan Kaufman asked me what I wanted in
return.
Naïve and hopeful. I told him, “I wanna marry Antonio…”
I had no idea that from the day Antonio returned home, he’d already fallen for Graycee Sinclair, a wealthy socialite.
Since the day we got married, he had been giving me the cold shoulder, He would even wipe his hand clean after holding mine.
Later, when Graycee got pregnant, he pushed me off a high–rise balcony. It was the perfect way to secure his future with her without being labeled a cheater
As I lay dying, he casually said to me, “My first choice will always be Gracie, and anyone else is just a backup
“Grace, a lowly ereature like you could never deserve to be my wife.”
When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Ethan asked me what I wanted
This time, I didn’t choose to win Antonio’s heart like a fool. I’d already
Chapter 1
booked a ticket out of Ravenvale, set to leave in a week.
“I want some money. Enough to start over somewhere far away.
“I wanna pursue the life I really want.” I calmly told Ethan.
“What? You sure you can get over Antonio?”
At my response, Ethan furrowed his brow, looking surprised.
Everyone knew how much I loved Antonio. They all assumed I’d use the fact that I’d saved his life to blackmail him into marrying me.
In my past life, I had done exactly that.
And what had I got in return? Indifference, disdain, and ultimately…. death.
The memory of the pain when I hit the ground was still fresh. Even now, I could still recall the relief in Antonio’s eyes when he pushed me off that building.
This time around, I wasn’t going to hold onto that foolish hope.
I took a deep breath, forced a calm smile, and looked at Ethan. “Anto
and I come from completely different worlds. He deserves someone better.
“I want to pursue my dreams. Please, Ethan. Just say yes.”
After a long while of silence, Ethan finally sighed and nodded. “You’re right. You two are so different in status. Your marriage is bound to be unhappy.
“Thank you so much for saving his life and spending so much effort to shape him into who he is. Name your price, and I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”
He looked up at me. “Gracie, you don’t need to leave Ravenvale. I’ll ensure your future is secure, no matter what you choose to do.”
I smiled and shook my head, lowering my gaze as I murmured. “The sky’s the limit. I’m ready to spread my wings. I want to live a life that doesn’t revolve around Antonio.
“Ethan, please don’t tell him I’m leaving yet. He’s just taken over the company, and I don’t want him distracted by this.”
By the time I left the Kaufman’s mansion, the sun almost set.
I had just opened the car door when my phone rang. It was Antonio. In my past life, he and Graycee had already fallen in love by this time.
But I used the fact that I saved his life to make Ethan push Antonio into. marrying me.
After marriage, I’d been caught up in happiness. I had no idea Antonio had fallen for someone else until I bumped into him and Graycee kissing.
Shaking myself out of the memory, I answered the call.
Before I could speak, Antonio’s angry voice sounded from the other end. “Grace Parrish! I asked you to send over a document. Did you drop dead or what? What the hell is taking you so long!
“You can’t even handle something this small! What use are you to me?”
I finally recalled I was supposed to bring him the document. Taking a deep breath, I said, “I forgot.”
If it had been before, I would’ve apologized again and again and delivered. the document asap.
But now? I didn’t feel like doing so.
Antonio fell silent, almost as if he hadn’t processed what I said.
After a long pause, he muttered. “You can forget something like that? What a fool.
“Forget it. Make dinner, and I’ll be home soon.”
With that, he hung up without giving me a chance to say anything.
I stared at the disconnected screen, feeling a surge of bitterness in my chest. Tears welled up in my eyes.
The next second, I opened a flight booking app and bought a ticket to leave the country a week later.
Five years ago, I accidentally saved Antonio in the small town where I lived.
He had been kidnapped and fallen off a cliff. Severely injured from the fall, he lost all his memories.
I spent all my money to save him. When I contacted the police, they told me they couldn’t find any records of Antonio, so they wanted me to take care of him.
And I had been doing that ever since for five years.
After Antonio recovered, he seemed completely different. He was smart and bright, and he looked so fine.
The villagers always joked, “Goof for you, Gracie, picking yourself up a husband!”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I just blushed and ran home.
