Chapter 1 Chapter 1

On February 14th, Valentine's Day, Madelyn Jent, a 31-year-old woman, lost her battle to cancer. Inside a room in SereneCare Hospital in Ventropolis, the air was filled with a strong scent of disinfectant. [Zach, the doctor inserted a painful dialysis needle in me today.] [I'm on the verge of death. Could you spare a moment to visit me?] [Please, Zach...] Madelyn weakly turned her head and glanced at the text messages on her phone. Despite sending multiple messages, she had received no response from Zach. IV drips were connected to her veins. Her face was pale, her eyes sunken, and her body emaciated. The cancer had ravaged her limbs, causing them to deteriorate. She was completely immobile, unable to perform even the simplest tasks unaided. The nurse assigned to care for her hadn't shown up for almost two weeks, citing that further treatment was unnecessary. Madelyn was sensitive to the pain, but in the advanced stage of her cancer, she had to suffer with it every day. The only thing that kept her going was her love for Zach. But now, her once overwhelming love for him had faded. She was left with nothing but a frail and ailing body. Madelyn switched off her phone and silently awaited the embrace of death. The pain had nearly blurred her consciousness. She reminisced about the eight years she had devoted to being Zach's faithful wife. But what had she gained in the end? One by one, those around her had abandoned her, leaving her alone and destitute. Madelyn couldn't help but think that Zach would perhaps feel the greatest relief upon her demise. With her gone, he was no longer subjected to the sight of her face. He could finally satisfy his longing to bring Cecilia Samford home as his wife. Eight months ago, on Zach's birthday, Madelyn sat on the couch, anxiously waiting for his return. It was well past two o'clock in the morning, and the carefully prepared meal on the table had grown cold. Instead of Zach, it was his assistant who arrived, bearing a divorce agreement. The assistant delivered the news hesitantly, saying, "Madam, Mr. Jardin had no choice. The Jardin Corporation is a vast enterprise that requires an heir." Madelyn forced a pale smile. A few years ago, she had been pregnant, but an accident had tragically led to a stillborn child. Since then, she hadn't been able to conceive. Zach, now in his early thirties, indeed needed an heir. That was why he wished to divorce her and seek a woman who could bear children. Madelyn dismissed the assistant and trembled as she dialed Zach's number. She needed to confirm if those were truly his instructions. The call connected, but instead of hearing Zach's voice, it was Cecilia's voice that greeted her. In that instant, a dull ache pierced Madelyn's heart. After she hung up the phone, Madelyn found herself laughing at her own expense. The laughter echoed through the room, mingling with tears that welled up in her eyes. Zach owned the Jardin Corporation, while Madelyn's father handed over the Jent Corporation to him before passing. In less than five years of taking over the Jent Corporation, the Jardin Corporation somehow rose rapidly to become a prominent conglomerate in Ventropolis. Zach emerged as a commanding figure in the business world, renowned for his extensive connections in the underworld and government agencies. His undeniable charisma effortlessly drew a bevy of captivating women. Among them, Cecilia Samford was the one who had remained by his side the longest. Cecilia came from a modest background and became Zach's assistant right after graduating from college. Her talent and methods were undeniable. The bond between Zach and Cecilia seemed destined, as they were the most compatible soulmates. If it hadn't been for Madelyn in the beginning, Zach and Cecilia might have been together much earlier, instead of carrying on as clandestine lovers for numerous years. A loveless marriage was undeniably a sorrowful circumstance. Madelyn signed the divorce agreement, received a substantial sum of money, and was permanently banished from Ventropolis. She could never return without Zach's permission. Just one week later, she received the devastating diagnosis of advanced-stage cancer. BOOM! It was Valentine's Day, and vibrant fireworks illuminated the night sky, casting a magical glow. Madelyn roused from her reverie, her weary eyes slowly fluttering open. She shifted her gaze toward the window, and in an instant, her pale face froze. On the colossal LED screen, Zach stood tall. His face was striking and breathtaking. Clad in a sleek black suit, he exuded a commanding aura. Zach cradled a boy of around five or six years old in one arm, while his other arm encircled Cecilia protectively. The child bore a striking resemblance to Zach. "Mr. Jardin, is this your child with Ms. Samford?" inquired a voice. "Ms. Samford, you look absolutely stunning. You've waited for years for Mr. Jardin to marry you. Could you share with us your wedding date?" Cecilia lifted her head from Zach's embrace, her smile sweet and enchanting, as she proudly displayed a diamond ring on her delicate hand. "From this day forward, please address me as Mrs. Jardin! We have officially tied the knot," she announced. Madelyn closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face. 'Zach Jardin, I regret it! If only I hadn't loved you! If I could start over, I... I would never fall in love with you again!" Outside, heavy snowflakes began to descend, accompanied by the resounding fireworks. The dazzling fireworks illuminated Madelyn's face through the window, as well as her teary eyes. On the day Zach and Cecilia exchanged their vows, Madelyn's spirit waned and faded into the ethereal realm, departing from the mortal world.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

In the middle of the night, Madelyn jolted awake from a terrifying nightmare. She sat up abruptly, her forehead drenched in sweat. In an instant, a familiar scent of disinfectant invaded her nostrils, the one she detested above all. Madelyn paused for a brief moment, questioning herself, 'Am I not dead? Why am I still alive?' Just then, a click echoed, and the once-dark hospital room was light up. The lights were strong that made her hard to open her eyes. A man's icy voice sounded. "Did you have a nightmare?" He strode forward with long steps, approaching her bedside. His tall figure blocked the light, and his long shadow enveloped Madelyn. "Z-Zach?" Madelyn looked up. As she caught a glimpse of the man's face, her eyes widened, and a look of terror washed over her. "Stay away!" she thought, 'Why am I back in the clutches of this devil?' Instinctively, she recoiled, trying to prevent him from approaching further. Madelyn's mind was in chaos. The sight of Zach filled her with overwhelming fear and despair, suffocating her. Zach's movement froze. As his narrow eyes shot her a cold glare, his handsome face darkened. "I'll go get the doctor," the man's hoarse voice sounded intimidating. With the sound of the door slamming shut, Madelyn's nerves finally relaxed. Anxious, Madelyn threw off the covers. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain emanated from her wrist. She lowered her head and noticed her wrist wrapped in gauze. She wondered, 'Did I cut my wrist?' Enduring the pain, Madelyn reached for the cellphone on the bedside table. Pressing the buttons, she glanced at the calendar. The moment she saw the date, she was numb with disbelief. It was the year she turned eighteen. Struggling to piece together her fragmented memories, Madelyn realized that she was currently hospitalized, seemingly because she had resorted to cutting her wrist in an attempt to force Zach to be her boyfriend. Zach had become Hayson Jent's godson when Madelyn was ten years old. Her true feelings for him had blossomed when she was fifteen, on the day when Zach saved her from an attack by their family's mastiff. The dog had suddenly gone into a frenzy and lunged at her. Zach shielded her with his own body, but his arm bled because the dog clamped onto it firmly. His voice echoed in Madelyn's ears, "Don't be afraid! Close your eyes." Trembling, she felt the warmth of his gaze upon her before closing her eyes... Madelyn couldn't forget the sense of security that Zach provided back then. Zach was now in his twenties. He exuded a mature aura beyond his years. His features were strikingly handsome, with well-defined eyebrows and sparkling eyes. He had broad shoulders, a slender waist, and a lean hip. However, he always maintained a cold demeanor and rarely displayed a smile. Just a few days prior, it had been Zach's birthday, and Madelyn had planned to surprise him by becoming a gift herself. She had undressed and laid on his bed, thinking that she was now an adult capable of anything. Zach returned in the early morning. As soon as he saw her on the bed, he flung her off with disgust and scolded her for her audacity. She had never seen him that furious before. That night, Zach stormed out of the room, purposefully avoiding her for several days. No matter how diligently Madelyn searched, she couldn't find any trace of him. In desperation, she cut her wrist to force him to appear. Madelyn was gripped with fear as she thought of the tragic end she’d ended up with after being with Zach in her previous life. A few minutes later, the doctor in charge of Madelyn rushed into the room along with his colleagues. Zach stood at the doorway, his face clouded with gloom. He glanced at Madelyn’s face coldly. He wondered, 'When Madelyn first woke up and looked at me, her eyes were filled with fear and despair. Why is she terrified of me?' After assessing Madelyn's condition and consulting his colleagues, the doctor said to Zach, "The patient's fever has subsided, and she can undergo the discharge process tomorrow. Regarding the wound on her wrist, please ensure she keeps it dry once she's back home. She can return to the hospital after a week to have the stitches removed." A faint hint of relief softened the man's previously stern expression as he added, "Thank you." The doctor didn't linger and left the room with his colleagues after providing a few instructions. Left alone in the small room with Zach, Madelyn lay on the bed uneasily. She purposedly kept her eyes shut to avoid meeting his eye. Zach glanced at his wrist to check the time and spoke softly, "I have a meeting in half an hour. I need to return to the company. I'll come to pick you up tomorrow at eight in the morning to take care of the discharge procedures." Madelyn pressed her lips together. Zach always rejected her love but showed kindness to her. That gave her an illusion that he deeply loved her. She didn’t want to speak or look at him. The pain she had suffered in her past life hadn't faded yet. She couldn’t face him calmly. Seeing Madelyn's silence, Zach's eyes narrowed with a dark intensity. A trace of displeasure flickered in his gaze. "Don't hurt yourself like this again. If you desire a relationship, seek someone else. I am not suitable for you," Zach declared firmly. Madelyn’s heart constricted at his words; they were exactly the same as what Zach had said in her previous life. She still vividly recalled that, after he had uttered those words, she wept inconsolably and even tried to end her own life. Yet, Zach responded with icy indifference, stating, "If you wish to die, it’s your choice." Madelyn had already experienced death once. Her love for Zach had been eroded by countless days of despair. She opened her eyes and regarded Zach with a calm gaze. In her heart, she uttered, 'Zach Jardin, from this moment onward, I no longer love you.'

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Madelyn took a deep breath and smiled at Zach. "I'm sorry, Brother! I won't force you to be my boyfriend anymore. You're my brother, and I promise to remember that." She looked calm and showed no signs of displeasure. Zach faintly smirked as he thought to himself, ‘Is this her new trick?’ He responded gently, "It's good that you understand. Get some rest and don't stay up too late. I'll come to pick you up tomorrow." With that, he reached out and gently patted her head, like an elder would. Madelyn nodded, holding back from pushing him away. As Zach turned away, the kindness in his eyes was replaced by coldness. He left the room, took a white handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped the hand that had touched Madelyn. Then he walked to the elevator and threw the handkerchief into the nearby trash bin. When the elevator doors opened, Zach stepped inside and pressed the button for the parking level. An Audi car with bright headlights was waiting for him. Inside, there was a sexy woman with long, wavy hair. Holding a cigarette between her fingers, she blew out some smoke and watched Zach walk toward the car. Zach got into the car and fastened his seatbelt. The woman asked, "Did you manage to calm her down?" in a curious tone. A look of disgust flashed in Zach's eyes. He took the cigarette from the woman's hand and tossed it out of the window. He sternly said, "Jasmine Manning, don't smoke in my car!" With a flirtatious smile, Jasmine crossed her legs and replied, "If I can't smoke, how else am I supposed to hide the sweet smell of Madelyn's perfume?" Her eyeliner-enhanced eyes looked at the pink perfume bottle in the car. A sticker on the bottle said, "Madelyn's exclusive seat." Jasmine let out a light chuckle. "Who would've thought that an eighteen-year-old girl like her would be so possessive? Have you ever considered marrying into the Jent family and then manipulating the young girl? That way, you can achieve your goal more easily." Zach grasped the steering wheel and pressed down on the accelerator. As the car smoothly maneuvered out of the parking lot, he spoke, "For now, let Madelyn be. She still has her uses to me.""Tsk, I thought you might spare her and not be so heartless. But you're even more ruthless than I expected! It seems she doesn't mean much to you. After all these years, she still hasn't won your heart." Zach looked irritated, speaking in a cold, cutting tone, "Say one more word, and get out of my car!" Internally, he cursed, 'Madelyn Jent? She's nothing but a fool! I have no interest in an immature brat.' The car drove away, fading into the darkness. Meanwhile, Madelyn lay on the hospital bed quietly. Her eyes were wide open, gazing into the darkness. She occasionally felt a subtle pain in her wrist. When the sun rose in the morning, instead of waiting for Zach to pick her up, she decided to leave the hospital on her own. She managed the hospital discharge procedures herself and departed at six-thirty in the morning. In her past life, Madelyn had devoted herself entirely to Zach. However, in this new chapter, she yearned to live for herself... Madelyn understood that Zach's reason for joining the Jent family was solely out of a motive for revenge. She knew she couldn't stop him, nor did she want to try. She no longer wished to be entangled in the feud between Hayson Jent and Zach. In her previous life, she had believed she could persuade them to let go of their grudges. But in this life, she no longer harbored such a foolish belief.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

After a long taxi ride, Madelyn finally arrived at the entrance of the Jent residence. As she stepped inside the house, Rosario Watson, the housemaid, greeted her. "Madelyn, why are you alone? Didn't Mr. Jardin come back with you?" Madelyn hugged Rosario, recalling how kind she had been to her in the past after her father's passing. In her previous life, Rosario was the only one who treated her like family, showing her care and compassion. However, certain circumstances led Rosario to work for the Jardin family, taking care of Zach and Cecilia. "Rosario, I've missed you so much," said Madelyn. "Oh... um, Madelyn, what's going on? Are you still not feeling well?" Rosario gently pushed Madelyn away and placed her hand on Madelyn's forehead. Rosario found no signs of fever on Madelyn. She had a strange feeling about Madelyn today, but she couldn't quite pinpoint it. "It's nothing, I just felt like giving you a hug," Madelyn reassured her. "Are you hungry? I've just finished preparing some porridge. Let me serve it to you.""Nah, not really hungry. Just wanna rest a bit after the long trip," Madelyn replied, feeling a bit dizzy from staying up all night and the car ride. "Oh, before I forget, your dad called. He wants you to give him a call once you're home. Said it's something important. Also, he left this for you before heading on a business trip," Rosario said, passing a platinum shopping card to Madelyn. Taking the platinum shopping card, Madelyn nodded. "Okay." She knew it was probably Hayson's way of making up for Zach's actions. With that thought in mind, she dialed her father's number and made the call. Talking to Hayson was always tough for Madelyn. He acted caring, but she knew it was all an act... Hayson Jent was far from a good father. Madelyn knew that Hayson always wanted a son to carry on the family business, leading him to have numerous affairs with other women, but none resulted in a child. Eventually, he adopted Zach as his godson. Hayson saw Madelyn as a pawn for advantageous marriages, willing to sacrifice her to further his interests. Since Madelyn was a child, Rosario had been the only one by her side. If she had the means to escape this family right now, she would without hesitation. When Hayson picked up the call, Madelyn said, "Hello, Father.""Feeling better now? What did the doctor say?" His voice sounded distant. "I'm fine now, much better.""Madelyn, you're my daughter, and Zach is my godson. In this lifetime, you can only be his sister, got it?" Madelyn silently chuckled, knowing this was Hayson's warning to her. Even though he wasn't present, she could imagine the coldness in his eyes. To him, her love for Zach was a family disgrace. Madelyn replied obediently, "Yes, I understand! Father, I'm sorry. I'll see him as my brother.""Did you get the card? Whenever you have time, go shopping. If you find something you like, just buy it. Don't stay home painting all day. Go out and make friends.""Alright, Father." After the conversation with Hayson, Madelyn headed straight to her room. Her room, from her early teens, was all shades of pink. The air carried a sweet, candy-like scent, and a grand princess bed adorned the space. It was every girl's dream room. Just then, Madelyn's phone started ringing. When she saw that it was Zach calling, her hand trembled, causing the phone to slip and fall to the floor. She didn't bother picking it up, even entertaining the thought that it would be better if the phone broke. After the call ended on its own, Madelyn retrieved her phone and sent him a message. [Brother, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you earlier that I've already arrived home. I was actually planning to message you.] The message showed as read, but he didn't reply. Instead, he called her. Madelyn answered with an expressionless face, "...Hello, Brother...""Madelyn, this is the last time. Next time, before you do anything, call me!" His voice carried a tinge of anger, leaving no room for negotiation. "Alright, I understand," Madelyn responded obediently. Having been Zach's wife for eight years in her previous life, Madelyn knew him well. He wanted everything to be done his way and demanded unwavering compliance. Over time, she had grown accustomed to this dynamic and obediently adhered to his every word.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

After dinner, Madelyn headed to bed early, as she often did. Before drifting off, she had her usual cup of hot milk. Outside the mansion, a distant headlight cast a faint glow in the dark. Zach's Audi A6, a new car gifted by his company, was parked nearby. Stepping out of the car, Zach entered the living room and placed his keys on a nearby table. He looked around with keen eyes but couldn't find Madelyn. She used to sit on the sofa, engrossed in soap operas. Now, the space was empty, and the coffee table had no snacks as usual. His eyes dimmed a little. Rosario came from the kitchen and asked, "Mr. Jardin, have you had dinner?" Zach asked, "Where's Madelyn?""She's not feeling well, so she went to bed early.""I'll go check on her," Zach said, putting his hand in pocket as he walked upstairs. A trace of weariness etched onto his face. He climbed three steps before halting, and said, "Jadie will return tomorrow afternoon. Prepare a few dishes she enjoys.""Sure, Mr. Jardin," Rosario responded. Zach made his way to the third floor and reached for the doorknob of Madelyn's room. But to his surprise, it was locked from the inside. Both Zach and Madelyn had rooms on the third floor, while Hayson's resided on the second floor, which was usually off-limits to everyone. The fourth floor was exclusively occupied by Jadie White. Previously, Zach could freely enter Madelyn's room as she never bothered to lock it. This sudden change caught him off guard, making him wonder if Madelyn had given up pursuing him. He knocked on the door and called out, "Madelyn, are you asleep?" Inside her room, Madelyn heard the knocking but deliberately ignored it. She had been awake since Zach's car pulled up outside. Zach had an apartment nearby with two bedrooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. He rarely returned to the Jent residence as long as Madelyn was there because he disliked being around her. However, he had come back now because Jadie White, who had been undergoing treatment overseas for asthma, was due to return tomorrow. Zach had sent Jadie abroad for better medical care as the facilities in Venturia were only average. He had also returned to caution Madelyn against any ill intentions toward Jadie. Jadie and Zach shared a special bond as childhood friends, having grown up together in an orphanage. They had faced numerous hardships, enduring nights on the streets and fighting stray dogs for scraps of food. Their survival depended on each other. During Zach's second year at the Jent residence, he brought Jadie with him. Hayson didn't object much to the idea, considering the family's financial status and simply seeing it as another person to care for. Jadie and Madelyn were of similar age, but Jadie's natural beauty and innocence made her the center of attraction for boys during their teenage years. With her preference for white dresses, long straight black hair flowing down to her waist, and captivating eyes, it was hard for anyone to resist her charm. Even Madelyn couldn't deny Jadie's allure and accepted that men would be drawn to her. However, Madelyn's jealousy had consumed her, and she started bullying Jadie behind Zach's back. Madelyn had used thin needles to prick Jadie's waist, arms, thighs, and other vulnerable areas relentlessly. Jadie couldn't find the courage to speak out because Madelyn knew her dark secret. Tragically, Jadie took her own life by cutting her wrist... Madelyn couldn't forget the day Zach stormed into her room, hands covered in blood, his eyes full of rage. He grabbed her throat and asked why she didn't leave Jadie alone. It was pouring rain outside, and lightning flashes illuminated the scene. In that terrifying moment, Madelyn had thought Zach wanted to kill her. Jadie's death haunted Madelyn, and she felt responsible for it. Sleep offered no comfort in the years that followed. Feeling remorse for her past actions, Madelyn made a resolute decision to make amends to Jadie.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

In Madelyn's past life, Zach married Cecilia partly because she bore a slight resemblance to Jadie. From childhood to adulthood, Madelyn was inferior to Jadie in every way, whether it was grades or appearance, except for her family background. Jadie and Zach had a strong bond, but Zach felt no affection for Madelyn, as she was the daughter of his enemy. The knocking grew louder, making Madelyn anxious as she bit her lip. Zach had never been patient with her. If she didn't open the door for him soon, he might even kick it down without a second thought. So, she flicked the light switch, pulled back the blanket, and slipped on her shoes as she got out of bed. Opening the door, she put on a pretense of just waking up and rubbed her eyes. "Brother? You're back! Sorry, I was asleep and didn't hear anything. Is there something you need?" Zach furrowed his eyebrows. However, seeing her sleepy appearance and realizing she had made an effort to let him in, his brows relaxed. He reached out to touch Madelyn's head, but she avoided his touch by turning away and lowering her gaze. Trying to hide her emotions, she walked to a nearby table and poured herself a glass of water. A coldness flickered in Zach's eyes. He casually withdrew his hand and entered Madelyn's room. As he closed the door behind him, Madelyn's uneasiness grew, but she calmed herself by thinking that the current Zach despised her and wouldn't harm her in any way. Zach looked around Madelyn's pink room, catching the familiar scent of her perfume, just like the one she placed in his car. He smiled, thinking, 'She's still the same old Madelyn.' Then, he asked in a relaxed tone, "Feeling better?" Madelyn placed the glass back on the table and pulled out a chair, making sure to keep her distance from him. "Thanks for caring, but I'm much better now." Zach approached her, and a mix of tobacco and alcohol floated around him. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't terrible either. Unlike others his age, Zach had already achieved success as a business leader at his young age. Maybe his experience in the corporate world gave him that pride and demeanor. Dressed in a sleek black suit, the tall and well-built Zach had a captivating charm, easily drawing attention and winning favor with women. However, Madelyn knew there was more to Zach than just his good looks. Behind his handsome facade, a menacing devil lurked, ready to destroy the Jent family and her life. To keep her distance from Zach, Madelyn purposely wrinkled her nose and waved her hand. "Brother, are you smoking again? And I can smell alcohol. Hate that scent." As expected, he stopped approaching. "I'm sorry. I've been with social gatherings. I'll be more careful." Without waiting for him to bring it up, Madelyn took the initiative to mention Jadie. "Is Jadie coming back tomorrow? It's been years since I last saw her, and I miss her. I've already had Rosario tidy up the upstairs room, so she can move in." Zach narrowed his eyes. "No need. Jadie's moving to my place.""I see," Madelyn said softly while touching her wrist bandage. She felt a twinge of pain in her heart. "I see... Let me know if you need any help." In Madelyn's previous life, Zach had also mentioned that he wanted Jadie to move to his place, but Madelyn strongly disagreed. She didn't want to miss the chance to torment Jadie, and her love for Zach was so deep that she couldn't bear the thought of him and Jadie living together. Hence, she convinced Zach to let Jadie stay with her at the Jent residence, using the excuse of wanting company. "Tomorrow's my day off, so I'll head to the airport to pick her up and bring her here for dinner. We'll leave after she packs her things. You can join us in the evening and hang out together." Madelyn smiled and politely declined, "I won't be joining you guys. I need to relax at home for a day. Exams are coming up, and I must focus on my studies." As she noticed Zach's stern expression, a touch of nervousness came over her. She didn't want to get caught up in his conflicts with others. Her goal was to play the role of an obedient and harmless sister, endure these few years, save money, and make her escape. However, Zach was suspicious and unpredictable, leaving her uncertain if she could deceive him. Zach calmly observed Madelyn, who now displayed a submissive demeanor, a sharp contrast to her previously arrogant and defiant attitude. He sneered inwardly, 'She's really doing a great job for keeping up this act for this long.' He spoke gently, "Both you and Jadie are my sisters. I won't show favoritism to either of you... When I come back tonight, let's have dinner together. I'll get you your favorite strawberry mousse cake. How does that sound?" Madelyn didn't dare let her guard down. She smiled and said, "Okay, thank you, Brother.""Get some rest early.""Mhm."

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

After Zach left, Madelyn could finally sleep peacefully. Knowing that Jadie was alive in this lifetime, the terrifying nightmares no longer haunted her. The next day, Madelyn woke up to footsteps. She rolled over and opened her eyes. In her previous life, she had endured months of chemotherapy, struggling to sleep due to excruciating pain each night. Additionally, her hair fell out unexpectedly, a side effect of the treatment. Madelyn used to cherish her sleep and would get grumpy if anyone disturbed her. Rosario knew this and made sure not to interrupt her rest. However, things had changed now. Madelyn didn't really mind being disturbed anymore. She checked her phone and saw it was a little after eight o'clock. Instead of getting up, she just put her phone aside and dozed off for a short while. She didn't want Zach, who was always suspicious, to become aware of her drastic changes. Madelyn woke up well past eleven o'clock and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. A knock on the door announced Rosario's arrival with a fresh blanket. "Madelyn, lunch is ready. It might take a while since Mr. Jardin had to return home before joining you for the meal later.""Okay," Madelyn replied while brushing her teeth, water splashing over her face. In the mirror, she saw her youthful appearance, smooth and flawless skin. She couldn't help but touch her face, remembering how different she looked in her previous life before death. Those recollections now felt like a distant dream. Madelyn had an attractive appearance. Her eyes, when devoid of expression, held a hint of innocence. They made her look vulnerable and seemingly harmless—a quality that others could easily exploit. She remembered her personality from her past life, which had indeed been unpleasant. She had been the spoiled daughter of a wealthy family, the type of young lady others would label as bratty and privileged. As Hayson Jent's only daughter, she had believed she could obtain anything she desired, including Zach. "Got it," she replied to Rosario. Since Madelyn had no plans to go out that day, she chose a casual pink floral long-sleeved pajama set and left her slightly curled hair loose. Going downstairs, she stood in front of the fridge and poured herself a glass of milk. Laughter-filled familiar voices reached her from the foyer. She knew it could only be them. Madelyn saw Zach standing in the doorway, accompanied by Jadie. They were both dressed in matching outfits. She couldn't help but wonder, 'Did they plan this?' Zach, who usually preferred dark colors, had a white jacket on today. Jadie, who had spent years abroad for treatment, looked even more radiant in a white dress that exuded purity. Seeing Jadie's beauty made Madelyn understand why Jadie had held a special place in Zach's heart all these years. However, a twinge of discomfort lingered within Madelyn, suggesting that she hadn't entirely moved on from her role as Zach's wife. Madelyn only stole a quick glance at Jadie before diverting her gaze. Zach leaned in and whispered into Jadie's ear, "It's alright, let's go have our meal." Jadie hesitated but then nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. She walked over to Madelyn, who was already eating at the dining table. Jadie handed the gift to Madelyn, saying, "I got this for you when I came back. Hope you'll like it." Madelyn smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you. Have a seat and let's enjoy our meal. Rosario prepared something delicious today." Jadie was surprised by Madelyn's kind words. Before, Madelyn would have thrown the gift down, pulled Jadie's hair, and told her to go away. Zach would have stepped in and take Jadie away. In Madelyn's past, that was exactly what happened. She had even scratched Jadie's face. She could not recall the exact words Zach had said, but she knew they were harsh. Jadie glanced cautiously at Zach, who then handed his plate to her. "Let's eat. Later, I'll take you to see if there's anything you want to buy," he said casually. Taking the plate obediently, Jadie replied softly, "There's actually nothing I really need to buy. I know you're busy, so don't worry about me. I'll be waiting for you at home when you finish work and come to pick me up." Zach served her some food from the plate, saying, "It's alright. I took the day off. It's rare for me to have an entire day with you. Opportunities like this may not come around often in the future." As they sat together, Madelyn remained seated across from them, showing no interest in their conversation. She simply nodded and continued eating her meal. On her plate, there was a chicken wing that Zach had served to her. "You're really not joining us today?" Zach asked. As Zach mentioned "us," meaning himself and Jadie, Madelyn realized that she would always feel like an outsider in their eyes. Going with them would make her feel like a third wheel. Moreover, in this fresh start, her main goal was to distance herself from Zach, so she must decline his invitation. With a smile, Madelyn responded, "No, I still have some studying to do." She had only eaten a little and didn't feel like sticking around. She cleaned her mouth with a tissue, got up gracefully, and went upstairs. As she turned away, her expression changed. In her heart, she whispered, 'Zach Jardin, in my past life, I let my obsession with you consume me, prioritizing you over everything else. Marrying you was a mistake. In this life, I'll let you go and set myself free! I wish you and Jadie a blissful life...'

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Madelyn sat at her desk, staring at Jadie's unopened gift. She already knew what it was—a Swarovski crystal hair clip. She never cared for jewelry, feeling like each piece was a burden. With a sigh, she put the gift in her desk drawer. Then, she took out her senior math review booklet. The problems weren't too challenging for her, and the pages were still crisp, hardly ever used. In her previous life, Madelyn had struggled in class, but everything changed when she asked Zach for help. He tutored her outside of regular school hours, even though he had only completed middle school-level education. What amazed Madelyn was that Zach could fluently speak five foreign languages. He taught himself all of them with relentless dedication, which made him seem incredibly intelligent. He even outperformed the top student in Ventropolis. No wonder Hayson liked Zach so much. In contrary, Hayson never showed interest in Madelyn's academic performance. Instead, he focused on her extracurricular activities, treating her like a budding socialite. He enrolled her in dance classes, piano lessons, golf, cooking, and embroidery, wanting her to master these skills. Hayson plan to marry Madelyn off to a wealthy business partner. To him, a woman's worth did not lay in her intellect. He expected her to become a wife and mother, confined to the home, serving her husband. Looking out the window, Madelyn watched a black sedan exit the front gate. It seemed to her that Hayson and Jasmine had finally left. Hayson would not be back for three days, leaving Madelyn with a rare period of freedom. Tossing her book aside, she resolved to do what she wanted. Hurrying into the backyard, she looked for the jujube tree, said to be planted by her mother while pregnant with her. The tree now stood tall, its thick branch stretching into the neighboring mansion. She wanted to climb up and enjoy the view while relishing the sweet fruits. However, her climbing skills fell short, and she had to fetch a ladder. Sitting on the wall under the tree, she picked a ripe fruit, cleaned it, and savored it with joy. Suddenly, there was a loud crash of breaking porcelain and a boy's angry voice coming from the mansion next door's second floor. Madelyn could hear it clearly because the mansions in this neighborhood were connected, separated only by a few trees. "Get out, all of you. Get out!" Madelyn looked up just in time to see a cane being thrown out the window. "Ethan, I'm just worried about you. Let's go for a walk, okay? You're always cooped up in the house, and it's really worrying.""Worried about me? You all think I'm just a burden, don't you? Wouldn't it be better if I were dead? I'm just a useless cripple. You wouldn't have to waste your time on me. Get out! Everyone get out!""Ethan...""Didn't you hear me? I said get out!" Ethan Arnold roared. The woman finally yielded. "Alright... I'll leave, Ethan. Just don't hurt yourself." 'Who lives here? What a temper,' Madelyn thought to herself. She recalled that about half a month after her own suicide attempt, Zach had taken her to the hospital for a checkup. When they returned, she saw an ambulance parked outside the neighboring mansion. Medical personnel were carrying out a body draped in a white sheet. The person had died the same way she had tried to—suicide by wrist-cutting. His fate was even more tragic; his body was not discovered until two days later in the bathroom. Rosario had told her that the deceased was Ethan Arnold, the future heir of the renowned Arnold family of Ventropolis. But when he was a child, he got hurt in a car accident and couldn't walk anymore. This made him really sad, and he began avoiding people and dealing with mental health issues. He had always displayed suicidal tendencies, but he had been rescued several times. 'Such a shame to die so young, at only eighteen,' Madelyn lamented. Madelyn plucked a jujube from the tree and tossed it through the broken window.

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

In a messy room, Ethan sat in his wheelchair with hair covering his eyes. He saw a craft knife amidst broken glass on the floor and heard a voice in his head saying, 'Why hesitate? One cut and the pain will be gone. It'd only sting for a moment. Your parents already divorced and remarried. They have their own children now. They've abandoned you. Go on, end it!' Ethan muttered to himself, 'Mom, Dad, if you didn't love each other, why did you marry? Why did you have me? You both have your own families now. What about me? What am I to you?' A determined look crossed Ethan's face. He tried to get up from the wheelchair, but his legs didn't support him, causing him to fall to the floor. His hand got cut by the glass shards, and blood spilled, staining the wooden floor. He reached for the craft knife in the midst of the mess and revealed the sharp blade by sliding the button upward. He thought that a quick cut across his wrist would set him free. As he placed the blade against his wrist, a jujube flew in through the window, landing right next to him. Then another jujube followed, each one bigger and redder than the previous, their color resembling the blood on the floor. Ethan squinted against the harsh sunlight pouring in through the window. The next moment, a jujube hit him squarely on the head. Pain flared. The fruit fell to the floor, rolling off into a dark corner of the room. Ethan had no words. Just then, a calm and pleasant voice floated in from outside. "These jujubes are from our tree. Enjoy them. Don't stay in there cooped up all day; it's unhealthy. If you ever want more, just let me know. If you're shy, toss something tasty from your house and we'll trade. Oh, I'm Madelyn. I'll come by and see you every day, okay?" Perhaps Madelyn's voice had been too loud; it stirred the household staff within the mansion. Someone quickly walked out. "Who's there? Who's talking in the yard?" Madelyn shrugged and quickly retracted her feet from the wall, hiding among the tree branches. If she could, she wished to alter his future. Perhaps it was because she knew what it felt like to be abandoned by everyone—helpless and desperate. As Madelyn's voice receded, Ethan's eyes, previously tight with distress, flickered. 'She'll come see me every day?' Her words sparked a glimmer of hope within him. The housekeeper looked around but found no one. Thinking it strange, she turned and left the yard. Up in the tree, bugs were bothering Madelyn. She filled two bags with jujubes, then climbed down and headed back to the mansion. As she came back, Rosario saw wood splinters on Madelyn's clothes and brushed them off. "Where were you running off to, all dirty? Go to your room and change clothes now. I'll wash them," Rosario said. "It's okay, Rosario. Try these sweet jujubes I picked," Madelyn replied calmly, offering them to her. Rosario saw the jujubes and shook her head. "You didn't care about the ones we picked earlier. Now you climbed up and picked them by yourself. Did you go up there alone?" Madelyn nodded. "Yep! I used the ladder.""Did you forgot the pain?" Rosario teased, poking Madelyn's forehead with her finger. "You shouldn't climb that tree anymore. If you get hurt again, I'll tell your father to cut it down." Madelyn knew Rosario wouldn't really do that. "Rosario, I'm not a child anymore. I'll be careful."

Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Madelyn washed her jujubes and put them on the coffee table. She turned on the TV, sat down and enjoyed her favorite treat. After finishing cleaning the kitchen, Rosario saw Madelyn on the couch in dirty clothes. She frowned and playfully scolded, "You little scamp! I just changed the couch cover today, and now it's dirty again. Go to your room, change your clothes, and then come back." Barefoot on the cool floor, Madelyn giggled and dodged Rosario's playful swat, hiding behind the couch. "Can I get changed later, Rosario? I'm so tired. I just want to lie down for a while.""Naughty girl, if Mr. Jardin sees you misbehaving, you'll get punished again. Go to your room," scolded Rosario. "Please, just let me finish this episode. It's only ten more minutes," Madelyn pleaded sweetly. "No way. You have exams coming up, and you're still watching TV. I'm turning it off. Go upstairs and study." At that moment, Zach's voice echoed from behind Madelyn. "Madelyn, Rosario has a weak heart. Stop making her angry all the time." Madelyn froze briefly, her eyebrows showing a slight frown. 'Why did Zach and Jadie come back so early? Without my meddling, Zach could have taken Jadie out to live as he wished. Then I could have lived happily by myself in this house.' Rosario asked, "Mr. Jardin, you're back so soon?" Zach put his keys on the table, nodding. "There's an emergency meeting at the office, so I came back to pick up some documents. I'll take Jadie over later. For now, she can stay here for a bit." Madelyn pretended to be engrossed in the television, ignoring their conversation. But to her surprise, Zach walked over to her and tousled her hair. "Spend less time watching TV, focus more on your studies. Exams are coming up. I'll check your progress when I come back tonight." Madelyn knew Zach was busy and didn't have much time for her. His attention was mostly on Jadie. "I finished my homework," Madelyn said casually. "If I need help, I'll ask Jadie. You should get back to work!" Listening to her indifferent voice, Zach's gaze narrowed when she said she'd ask Jadie for homework help. Even Jadie seemed surprised and stood frozen. Rosario also found Madelyn's behavior strange. Madelyn had never really liked Jadie, and she usually found ways to bully her. Now, she was saying she'd go to Jadie for help, which was unexpected. Rosario could not help but ask, "M-Madelyn... Are you okay?" Madelyn popped a jujube into her mouth and stared at the TV screen without really paying attention to it. "I'm fine! Jadie always got better grades than me, so I can learn from her." The TV show ended as she spoke. Zach's presence made Madelyn feel a bit suffocated. Putting her legs down from the elevated position, Madelyn said, "Okay, the show's over. I'll go to my room now, Brother." She knew Zach didn't like her being around, so leaving would give him more space. Zach glanced at her, attempting to read her face. Madelyn flicked her hair over her shoulder and hurried toward the stairway. Watching her leave, Zach frowned. He remembered how Madelyn used to get jealous whenever he spent time with Jadie, and she would try to harm her in any way she could. He wondered, 'Has she really moved on, or is she up to something? What does she want to do?'

Chapter 11 Chapter 11

Madelyn went to her room, took off her dirty clothes, and stood in front of her wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear. Through the thin wall, she could hear Zach's voice from outside. "I have urgent business at the company this time. If I finish early, I'll come back to you," Zach said. Jadie replied understandingly, "I'm okay, Zach. Go take care of your business. I'll wait for you here.""Okay. If you get tired, you can sleep in my room. I just changed the sheets and blankets.""Alright, I'll remember that." After Zach's footsteps faded away, Madelyn thought he had left. But suddenly, the door swung open, and she got startled. Madelyn blushed and held her dress close. Zach stood by the door, briefly looking at her before averting his gaze. Madelyn, who was eighteen, had a nice figure compared to other girls her age. Madelyn felt nervous. In her previous life, they had been married for years, shared countless intimate moments; there was no part of her that Zach had not seen. But for some reasons, in that very moment, her heart fluttered. It was as if she was exposed to Zach for the first time, and she couldn't help but wonder if he had caught a glimpse of her just now. Without turning around, she quickly slipped into her skirt and tried to regain composure. "Brother, do you need something?" Zach pulled out a card from his pocket and placed it on the table. "Here's a shopping card from our business partners. If you need anything, clothes, jewelry, you can use it. You and Jadie each have one.""Thanks, brother." Zach closed the door. He stood still for a moment. A primal urge stirred within him. After a few seconds, Zach walked away. He got into the car with the meeting documents and started the engine. When he thought about Madelyn's body, he held the steering wheel tighter for a moment, but then he quickly shook off the image. 'Madelyn? Only if I were out of my mind!' Zach suppressed the turmoil within him, pressed the accelerator, and sped away from the Jent residence. Meanwhile, Madelyn had finished her homework in her room and was getting ready to take a break when she opened her door and saw Jadie coming up the stairs. They looked at each other, feeling a bit awkward since they were not familiar with each other. Madelyn felt guilty about what happened to Jadie in her previous life, but now she just wanted to keep things polite and distant. She thought they could stay together for a while and then go their separate ways. Breaking the silence, Madelyn said, "Hi Jadie, you're..." Jadie smiled softly and interrupted, "I'm cleaning up Zach's room, getting rid of things he doesn't need." Madelyn nodded. "Okay, you carry on. I'll head downstairs for a drink." With that, she started going down the stairs. Her slippers were making a soft thud with each step. But just as she was about to step onto the third stair, Jadie's voice reached her. "Madelyn, I know you fancy Zach. But don't worry, I won't compete with you for him." Madelyn responded calmly without turning around, "I don't like Zach anymore. He's just my brother now. If you two want to be together, I'll be happy for you." She really meant it. Cecilia had managed to become Zach's lover and wife because she looked like Jadie. To set things right in this life, Madelyn wanted to help Zach and Jadie be together. As Madelyn made her way downstairs without wasting any time, she arrived in the kitchen and helped herself to a glass of water. While standing there, her eyes unintentionally fell upon a heap of discarded trash near the door. Among the items, she spotted the pink teddy bear she had given Zach as a birthday gift, which symbolized her presence in his life. She had assured Zach that the bear would always be there for him when she couldn't be. As she held the glass of water, her hand trembled slightly with mixed emotions. 'In my past life, it was Cecilia who discarded this bear. Now, it's Jadie. Maybe it's just fate," she mused.

Chapter 12 Chapter 12

One evening, a soft breeze came in through the open window and woke up Madelyn. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and noticed that it was already dark outside. Then, she heard quick footsteps and Jadie saying sorry over and over again in the hallway. Madelyn became fully awake and realized something had happened. Getting out of bed, she felt the cold floor beneath her bare feet as she walked to the door to see what was going on. She squinted in the dim light and was surprised to see Zach standing there. "Brother, you finished your work for the day?" Madelyn asked. Zach had come back home an hour before she fell asleep, and he had taken Jadie to the mall. But when he returned, he noticed that something was missing from his room – Madelyn's gift to him, a teddy bear. Jadie stood there, her eyes teary. "Madelyn..." Zach stood in front of Jadie with a serious look in his eyes, but there was also a touch of coldness. "Madelyn, I'm sorry. I accidentally broke the teddy bear you gave me. Jadie didn't know it was special and threw it away." Rosario also stepped forward. "It's partly my fault. I didn't tell Miss White about it." Everyone expected Madelyn to get angry and make a big scene. But instead, she just raised an eyebrow and smiled casually. "Oh, really? That's too bad. The bear was limited edition." Even though it wasn't Madelyn's fault, if Jadie cried and Madelyn didn't forgive her, people might think Madelyn was being mean. In her previous life, Madelyn didn't like how Jadie won Zach's heart and always cried about things. In this life, although Madelyn still felt the same way about Jadie, she just didn't care as much anymore. Zach stared at Madelyn. He was about to say something when Madelyn cut him off. "If you liked it so much, I'll get you another one for your birthday this year. That way, I won't have to fret over choosing a gift," she said. Jadie stepped up. "Madelyn, I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to." Madelyn blinked, sweeping her gaze over Jadie's face. "It's just a small thing, and it wasn't mine anyway. Even if it's lost, there's no need to apologize to me." To divert the topic from the bear, she asked, "Rosario, is dinner ready? I'm quite hungry.""It's been ready for a while. I was about to call you," Rosario replied. "I'll just get dressed and come down for dinner," Madelyn said, returning to her room. When she came back downstairs, she saw that their usual seats were empty. "Rosario, where are Zach and Jadie?" she asked. Rosario, bringing the last bowl of soup, said, "Mr. Jardin and Miss White left. They said they already ate, so they didn't stay. Oh, and Mr. Jardin left some dessert for you. He asked me to remind you. He cares for you, you know." Rosario tried to comfort Madelyn, and she could tell. Rosario served the strawberry mousse cake Zach had bought. At first, Madelyn thought it was just a trick to make her feel better. Seeing that Zach and Jadie had left and looking at the cake, Madelyn felt strangely calm. She realized she had finally moved on from her past. She tasted the mousse cake, finding it sweet but not too much – just like the one from her favorite place. "Rosario, stop fussing around. Sit and eat with me," she said. Rosario declined. "I already ate earlier, and besides, I'm just a servant." Madelyn pulled Rosario to sit next to her, putting on a pitiful face. "It's just us in this house. Please, have dinner with me. After all, there's no one else left aside from you." 'Zach and Jadie might never return to this house,' she thought. Rosario had no choice but to do what she was asked. She felt sorry for Madelyn, who didn't have any real friends and had to do everything by herself. She thought about how even Zach, who Madelyn had relied on, only seemed interested in Jadie. Madelyn had been resting at home to recover from her injuries for the past few days. Her wrist was healing well after the stitches were removed. She just had to make sure it stayed dry. Zach hadn't returned home yet, and Hayson, who was out of town, got delayed by a storm, so it would take some time for him to come back. After thinking about her life, Madelyn knew she had to make a change. In her previous life, she had focused only on Zach, and it caused her to do poorly in exams and go to a not-so-great university. But now, in her senior year, she decided to focus on her studies, aiming to go to a good university and create a better future for herself. Madelyn went to Ventrocloud High School, a private school known for its excellent teachers and facilities. The tuition fees were high. The students there were either from wealthy families or really bright students who earned scholarships for their academic achievements. The school rewarded these high achievers with full scholarships and generous stipends. The chauffeur dropped Madelyn off at the school gate and reminded her, "Miss. Jent, please call me after classes are over." Madelyn nodded. "Alright."

Chapter 13 Chapter 13

Madelyn was dressed in her high school uniform. The Ventrocloud High School uniform wasn't like the usual baggy uniforms in most schools. Instead, it was a sophisticated black ensemble that looked very authoritative. Even her shoes and backpack were different from the regular ones. They were made of exclusive material to stand out from the common ones. Just across the street from Ventrocloud High School was another school called Ventropolis High School. It was also highly respected. The students at Ventropolis were known for being very smart and were seen as the future leaders of the nation. On the other hand, the students at Ventrocloud often relied on their family's wealth and status. The two schools had different social statuses, and they had a long history of not getting along with each other. They didn't like each other and had a rivalry that had been going on for years. Among the many vehicles, Madelyn caught sight of Zach's Audi. The car halted in front of Ventropolis High School, and Zach and Jadie got out of it. 'Could it be that Jadie will enroll in Ventropolis High?' Madelyn wondered. Zach felt a gaze on him, so he turned around. He saw Madelyn standing there, looking cool and composed in her school uniform, with her ponytail swaying behind her. Madelyn was surprised when he turned around, but she still greeted him with a nod and a smile. Just then, Serena, a plump girl with glasses and pigtails, came running over with a stack of books. She called out, "Madelyn!" Serena and Madelyn were in the same class at Ventrocloud High School. Serena's father was the director of the Department of Education, and everyone knew about it. "Madelyn, you're finally back. Heard you were sick. Feeling better now?" Serena asked. "I'm much better," Madelyn replied. Serena noticed something different about Madelyn. "Hmm, you're not wearing makeup today, and you seem so calm. You used to be unfriendly. It's like you're a whole new person now." Madelyn used to put on makeup to get Zach's attention, but now she found it tiring, and she'd rather get more sleep in the mornings. "Do I need to snap at you?" Madelyn used to be moody and preferred being alone instead of hanging out with others. Her classmates found her strange and stayed away from her. Serena was the only one who tried to talk to her, but Madelyn often ignored her because she thought Serena was too timid. "I don't mean that," Serena said, waving her hands. "I actually like you the way you are. And you look really pretty without makeup." Madelyn wasn't very popular at school because her family had a dark history. The Jents were known for their involvement in crime in Ventropolis, even though they tried to keep it hidden after facing legal troubles. Madelyn's grandfather was a mafia boss who ended up behind bars. The Jent family wasn't the richest or most influential, but they were feared, and nobody in Ventropolis dared to cross them. Hayson Jent, in particular, was someone nobody would dare to provoke. The Jents' past tainted them all, and no one among them was considered innocent. Zach saw Madelyn entering the school and then checked the time on his wristwatch. He said to Jadie, "We still have time. I can walk you in." Jadie, wearing the blue-and-white uniform with her long hair tied back, asked, "Was that Madelyn just now? She goes to Ventrocloud High School?" Her bright eyes added to her charm, and she looked good in anything she wore. "Yeah, that was Madelyn. After school, if I finish work early, I'll text you and pick you up.""That's okay, Zach. I can take the bus home. The stop is right at the school gates, very convenient. I know you're busy. I don't want to trouble you.""Jadie, you're never a bother to me. You know that, right?" His voice was sincere. She was like family to him, and he would always be there to support and protect her. Jadie nodded with a smile. "I understand, Zach.""Let me take you to the principal's office to get your enrollment done.""Okay." Madelyn looked back and saw Zach and Jadie walking together. Zach was undeniably handsome, his face attracting a lot of attention. He was holding Jadie's bag and walked her into the school. 'He really cares about Jadie, taking time out of his busy schedule to be with her.' As they disappeared from sight, Madelyn looked away and continued heading to her classroom building. 'Now that Jadie isn't attending the same school as me, maybe I can change my fate.' "What are you looking at, Madelyn?" Serena asked, following Madelyn's gaze towards the crowd of students. She wondered, 'Is there something interesting there? Maybe she spotted a handsome guy?' "Nothing. Let's head back to class."

Chapter 14 Chapter 14

Madelyn was in Class Six at Ventrocloud High School, which was on the sixth floor. Students had a special elevator to use. The classes started at nine in the morning. When Madelyn arrived at her classroom, she saw some familiar faces, but she didn't know most of her classmates. The bell rang, signaling the start of class. Hurrying, she found her seat from memory. As she was about to put down her backpack, she noticed some students looking at her and whispering. "That's Forrest Arnold's seat. She's got some guts sitting there.""She was on sick leave for a few days. Did she go mad or something?" 'What? Forrest?' Madelyn looked at the clean desk in front of her, immediately standing up. 'How can this be Forrest's seat? I've always been in the second-to-last row. Am I not?' Forrest Arnold, her sworn enemy, was the school bully that no one dared to mess with. Madelyn rarely had any interaction with him. But when she did, it was always because Forrest had a bone to pick with her. No specific reason, just that he simply disliked her. Then, she saw Forrest entering the room with his friends, Timothy Johnson and Adrian Mitchell. He was wearing a messy school uniform with his tie loosely done. His cold, icy eyes made Madelyn feel uneasy, and she got goosebumps just from his stare. Catching Serena's pointed direction—second desk from the window in the first row—Madelyn finally realized that the seating had been rearranged during her leave. Wincing at her mistake, she quietly sat in her actual seat. Forrest, who was known for his violent temper, kicked his desk and sent it crashing into the corner. The loud noise startled everyone in the class. "Forry, you just got to school. Where are you off to now?" Adrian slapped Timothy's shoulder. "Where else? He just doesn't want to see her." Timothy approached Madelyn's desk, giving her chair a kick. "Madelyn, why couldn't you just stay home? Why'd you have to come and be an eyesore? Once I graduate, I'll be the first to investigate your family. Just wait, you'll end up spending the rest of your life in prison with your bumpkin dad." He adjusted his tie smugly after he spoke. Madelyn scrutinize Adrian and Timothy. Timothy acted so boldly around her because his father was the chief of the National Investigative Bureau, a man so incorruptible that even Hayson was helpless against him. Over the years, the Johnson family had been relentlessly pursuing Hayson, determined to bring him to justice. As for Adrian, he came from a renowned legal family. His father was a highly respected judge, and his mother was a well-known attorney. Faced with Timothy's taunt, Madelyn didn't show any fear. Instead, she nodded and said, "You're right, that's a great ambition! I also think my father is a terrible person, and I support you. Work hard to bring him down!" Timothy was caught off guard. He pointed at Madelyn angrily but was loss for word. Seeing that Forrest was about to leave the classroom, Adrian quickly grabbed the miffed Timothy and hurried to catch up with Forrest. These three students frequently skipped classes, and the teachers found it challenging to address the issue. Even when parents got involved, it rarely made a difference. As a result, the teachers turned a blind eye to those who did not attend classes, especially in this particular class, which was considered the worst among the six classes in the senior year. The six classes in the senior year were arranged according to academic results, ranging from top to poor performers, with thirty students in each class. Class One students were basically all elites. In her previous life, Madelyn didn't understand why Forrest was always so mean to her. From the beginning of the school year until now, she had tried not to bother anyone. If someone treated her badly for no reason, she used to get angry and respond in kind. She had a quick temper, just like Forrest. But now, she was different. She had changed and become a much calmer person. The first class of the day was math. Madelyn looked at her test paper, which only got eight out of a hundred and twenty points. 'Wow, I did really bad.' she thought. But when she reviewed the paper, she realized the problems weren't that hard. In fact, she could solve many of them easily. Madelyn took out a red pen and started correcting the mistakes on a piece of paper. As she glanced around, she noticed a messy desk with books scattered on it. She thought, 'I still have a chance to switch classes this semester. If I can get good grades on the final exam, maybe I can change to a different class.' She already had a university in mind when she thought of college entrance exams.

Chapter 15 Chapter 15

Each class at school lasted for 45 minutes. When the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, Madelyn walked to the back of the classroom. She quietly picked up Forrest's desk and put his scattered books neatly back into his drawer. Her classmates were surprised and whispered to each other in astonishment. "No way! Madelyn, who always acts high and mighty, is actually picking up books for Forrest? Has something happened to her?""I can't believe my eyes! Madelyn, who never talks to anyone, is now helping Forrest? Am I seeing things?" Someone discreetly took a photo of Madelyn's unexpected act of kindness and anonymously shared it on the school forum. Ignoring the buzz around her, Madelyn focused on tidying Forrest's desk. 'Sure, I'm kind. Way too kind to get bothered by his temper,' she muttered to herself. Meanwhile, in the grimy alley behind the school, Timothy and Adrian were chatting about their plans for the night. Adrian was on his phone when he noticed a hot discussion topic pop up. [Shocker of the Century! Madelyn actually...] Adrian clicked on the link once he saw Madelyn's name without finish reading it. A photo of Madelyn picking up books appeared. "Holy smokes! Look, Forry, check this out! Madelyn is picking up your books again!" Timothy couldn't believe it. "Seriously? Let me see that!" Forrest's eyebrows raised ever so slightly as he looked at the photo Adrian shoved his way. In the photo, Madelyn crouched on the floor with her skirt spread out. The camera captured her beautiful side view, with sunlight streaming in from the window. Her eyelashes looked soft like feathers as she gazed downward. Holding some books in one hand, she picked up another with her other hand. Madelyn's serene vibe in the photo surprised Forrest and his friends. ... Madelyn decided to skip the cafeteria at lunchtime. She preferred bringing her own lunch because she was picky about what she ate and didn't like the cafeteria food. Alone in the classroom, she enjoyed the caramelized pork that Rosario had made for her while trying to finish her test paper from the last exam. An hour later, the other students returned from their lunch break, and Madelyn was still struggling with the last math problem. The noise of their chattering and footsteps grew louder as they approached the classroom. They seemed surprised by something. "It's Forrest. He isn't coming back to settle the score with Madelyn, is he?""Probably. Let's go and watch. I've never liked that bitch. Can't believe she got accepted into this school.""People like her bring nothing but trouble. Her father almost ruined my dad's life over some land issue. The Jent family always plays dirty. I wish for their downfall!""You better watch your mouth. The Jents are powerful in Ventropolis, and crossing them is dangerous. Don't let anger get you into trouble." Madelyn's classmates would never talk about these things in front of Madelyn. And indeed, many of them had parents whose businesses had suffered because of the Jent family's shady dealings. Madelyn had just begun writing a formula for the major math problem when Forrest approached her. In the next instant, he swept his hand across the desk, scattering her books to the floor. She looked up into Forrest's angry face and asked calmly, "Can I help you?""Who gave you permission to touch my stuff? Looking for trouble?" He sneered as he glared at Madelyn. 'So, just because I picked up his books, he's treating me this way?' Madelyn had only done so because she had accidentally taken his seat and he had gotten upset. To make amends, she tidied up his things, thinking it would be a quiet way to apologize. However, she never expected such a hostile reaction from Forrest. A crowd of students from both her class and the neighboring class had gathered to watch what was happening. Madelyn turned back to her test paper, twirling her pen. She spoke, "You messed with my books too, so we're even. Plus, it's my cleaning duty today. If you don't like it, I won't touch your stuff next time." Frustrated, Forrest shoved his hands into his pockets and kicked Madelyn's desk. "What are you up to, Madelyn? Who are you trying to impress?" Madelyn looked puzzled by his questions and began picking up the books and packing them into her bag. "Impress? Nobody here seems worth it. Since my good deeds annoy you, I'll stay away from you. You can have the classroom to yourself; I'll go to the library. In three weeks, there'll be another class reshuffle after the final exams. I'll do my best to stay out of your sight." With that, Madelyn walked out of the classroom just as the bell rang for the next class. As she headed out through the back door, she ran into the English teacher coming in. "Madelyn Jent, where are you headed during class time?" Madelyn remained silent. "Whoa, Forry," Timothy said, "Madelyn doesn't seem to give a damn about you." Adrian chimed in, "It's really surprising. She's second from the bottom of the class, and she's thinking of changing classes? Why doesn't she just drop out?" Forrest's fist slammed onto Madelyn's desk with a loud crash. 'Hmph! She should count herself lucky that she left quickly, or I might have broken my rule of not beating a woman.'

Chapter 16 Chapter 16

Madelyn felt thankful that she had developed the love for learning in her past life. Now, at eighteen years old again, she felt confident about studying on her own at the library. She believed she could excel in her high school exams and get into a good university. Madelyn's strongest subjects were in liberal arts, but she struggled with science and math. Still, she had little time to focus on those subjects because she also had to manage cooking and piano classes. As she thought of her busy schedule, she appeared despondent as she sat by the floor-to-ceiling window in the library. She ran her fingers through her hair, feeling overwhelmed. However, she realized that dwelling on her problems wouldn't help, and she could better use her time to learn more vocabulary words. So, she pushed those thoughts aside and refocused on her studies. The library was usually quiet, with only a few students from Class One and Two visiting. During class hours, she had the entire library to herself, except for the librarian. Madelyn was content with this, as she had always enjoyed her own company. Just then, someone came out of the teacher's office and noticed Madelyn through the window on the second floor. The person quickly took a picture and posted it on the school forum. [Look! Madelyn's hiding from Forrest in the library.] In less than a minute, a response came: [Ha, good for Forrest! He managed to drive her away. Now we won't have to put up with her in class anymore.] Another chimed in: [Mark my words, she'll be back in two days.] Someone replied to this with [No chance.] [Why not?] [Because... Forrest just threw all of her desk and chair out to the classroom doorway. The janitor has already carted it off—probably to be sold as scrap.] There were even pictures of Madelyn's textbooks dumped in the trash bin, covered in vomit. Meanwhile, Madelyn had no idea about the discussion happening online about her. She had just finished her practice tests and was getting ready to leave. When she was exiting the library, a text popped up on her phone: [Don't come back right now.] Confused, she slowed her pace and texted back: [What's happened?] The reply came swiftly: [You should check the school forum.] Madelyn had a bad feeling about this. She seldom paid attention to school gossip, but this time she decided to check the school forum. To her dismay, the top threads showed photos of her desk, textbooks, and even her lunch box all thrown away in a trash bin or left in a corner. Her lunch box meant a lot to her, as it was a special gift from her friend Rosario, who had hand-sewn a bag for it. Madelyn knew she had to face the situation, so she headed straight to the classroom. After a moment, someone stood up when they saw Madelyn approaching in the distance. "Look, it's Madelyn. She's here.""I can't believe she has the nerve to come back," someone sneered. "This is going to be interesting. Let's see how she reacts," another said. "Yeah, who does she think she is, coming in like that?" added yet another. Forrest, who had been dozing off, got angry with the noises that disrupted his sleep and threw a book across the room. "Enough! If you keep talking, I'll kick you all out!" With that, everyone fell silent Madelyn walked in through the back door, and all eyes turned to see what would happen next. They expected to see Madelyn angry and embarrassed as she confront Forrest and got scolded. Surprisingly, Madelyn remained calm. Instead of going straight to Forrest, she walked calmly to the trash bin, picked up her lunch box, and brushed off the dirt. When she opened the lunchbox to check for any damage, a bloody rat fell out, causing her to scream. Her face turned pale with fright, and her body trembled. The whole class burst into laughter—the prank had worked. Some students laughed so hard that they pounded their desks. "I can't believe it, look at her!" Serena held a book but didn't dare to speak up, even though she was worried about Madelyn. She pretended to read and avoided making eye contact. Nobody dared to stand up to Forrest, not even the principal, who treated him like a VIP. Right then, the class teacher, Jasmine Manning, walked in holding a book. She looked at Madelyn curiously for a moment, then turned her attention back to the book. "Enough! Stop bullying your classmate. We're getting close to the final exams, so let's focus, okay? This class is falling behind. Madelyn, go back to your seat. Class is starting." Jasmine picked up her phone, pretending to check the time, and discreetly took a photo of the scene and sent it to Zach. Madelyn turned around and quietly watched Jasmine, who looked mature and professional. Seeing Jasmine again after her rebirth stirred up mixed emotions in Madelyn. Jasmine wasn't just her teacher; she was going to become her stepmother. Out of all Hayson's mistresses, she was the only one who managed to marry into the Jent family. What made it even more complicated was the relationship between Jasmine and Zach. It was only three years after Jasmine joined the Jent family that Hayson passed away, but the doctors couldn't figure out the cause of death. On the day of Hayson's funeral, Madelyn even saw Jasmine coming out of Zach's room. Madelyn frowned slightly at the thought. 'Zach Jardin is really capable. He can make any woman do what he wants.'

Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Jasmine, with her curly hair swaying and high heels clicking, confidently approached Madelyn. "What's wrong, Madelyn? Aren't you going to tell me what happened?" she asked, reaching out to Madelyn. Madelyn quickly moved away, her face showing a hint of a frown. Without saying a word, she picked up her lunchbox from the floor and turned to walk away. As she walked down the quiet hallway, her face seemed calm, but inside, she felt overwhelmed. She realized that people around her had hidden intentions. Zach had used her feelings for him, took advantage of her, and then abandoned her. Jasmine had pretended to be a caring stepmother, but she had secretly conspired with Zach to harm Hayson. Even Cecilia, who she once thought was her best friend, stole Zach from her. 'I can't trust anyone. Everything around me is a lie,' Madelyn realized. In another building, Madelyn opened a lunchbox and cleaned it carefully. The foul, rusty smell hit her nose. As the tap water was running, she felt a sharp pain from her injured wrist. However, Madelyn remained impassive. After she was done, some blood was seeping from her wound. It was a gruesome sight. As Madelyn was getting ready to leave, everything suddenly went black. Someone had covered her head with a dark plastic bag and pushed her against the wall forcefully. The pain was intense as she endured kicks and punches. Madelyn couldn't make out her attackers or their number. When they finally stopped, they dragged her into the restroom, taking the bag off her head. Madelyn felt she was about to lose consciousness. Laughter echoed in her ears as she heard several people mocking her. The wound on her wrist, which had opened during the struggle, left a horrifying trail of blood on the floor. With her last bit of strength, she called Zach. Beep. Beep. Beep Zach stopped and took out his phone. Upon seeing that it was Madelyn, his eyes narrowed slightly in irritation. He hit the mute button and tucked his phone back into his pocket. "Zach, who was that?" Jadie asked. "If you're busy, you can ignore me. I can manage alone." Jadie looked stunning today, wearing a beautiful light blue floral dress with her long hair flowing over her shoulders. "It's a sales call, nothing important." Zach dismissed her concern. He suspected Madelyn had lost her patience and was resorting to her usual tactics of bothering him. "Okay," Jadie replied with a sweet smile, offering one of the two ice creams she held in her hand. "Try this. I got it for you." Although Zach did not particularly care for sweets, he accepted the treat. Jadie took a bite of her own. The creamy ice cream melted instantly in her mouth. "Don't have ice cream often." Zach warned, a hint of concern creasing his forehead. "You don't want a stomachache." Jadie responded with a playful stick of her tongue. "Zach, I really appreciate you taking me to the movies. But are you sure it won't interfere with your work? You don't have to accompany me every day; I can manage on my own." She was surprised that Zach, despite being so busy, would wait for her outside school and even take her to the movies. Zach glanced at his watch, noting the time. "Work's been pretty relaxed lately, and nothing's more important than spending time with you. Let's go, the movie's about to start." Seeing the two movie tickets in Zach's hand, Jadie asked, "Zach, isn't Madelyn coming along?""Nah, Madelyn has some after-school activities. She won't be joining us," Zach replied. "Alright! Let's go then." Jadie smoothly linked her arm with Zach's. The film they watched was a romantic one with a sad ending. The male lead passed away, leaving the female lead all by herself. She decided to live out her life alone. Jadie seemed really affected by the movie's ending, still immersed in its emotions even after it was over. To cheer her up, Zach had a great idea – they would go on a shopping spree. They hit up several stores and bought loads of clothes, all the latest and trendiest styles, until their hands were full. They even had to send the rest of their purchases back home through the store's delivery service. By the time they had finished shopping, it was already eight o'clock in the evening. The night had set in, with the streets came alive with the glow of lamplights and bustling traffic. Jadie, excited from the fun they had, settled into the passenger seat and suggested, "Zach, we should go to the arcade next time!" Zach happily agreed with a soft laugh, saying, "Sure, whenever you want to go, I'll try my best to join you." As Zach leaned in to help Jadie fasten her seatbelt, he caught a whiff of her sweet scent, which was quite different from Madelyn's. This brought back memories of Madelyn's slender and alluring figure. Even though Jadie had grown up with Zach, she still felt a bit nervous whenever he got close to her. Her breath quickened, and her heart raced. Zach noticed her reaction, so he stepped back and checked his phone, only to find a bunch of missed calls from the Jent residence's landline. Since his phone was on silent, he hadn't noticed them before. Just as he was about to return the call, another one came in. Answering the call, he heard Rosario's anxious voice from the other end, "Mr. Jardin, is Madelyn with you?""No, she's not. What's going on?" Zach replied calmly. "Oh no, she's not with you? Where could she be?""What? Madelyn's missing?" Zach's expression turned serious in an instant.