Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Ethan Shaw had died. Before the funeral, his wife, Stella Walker, packed his belongings and found a thick photo album. On the cover, it said, [My True Love.] She opened it. The photos inside were not of her. They were Rachel Chester, the girl Ethan had adopted years ago. Stella had always believed that Ethan saw Rachel only as his adopted daughter. However, every picture is filled with deep romantic love—Rachel was smiling, sleeping, crying. Under a photo of Rachel in a wedding dress, Ethan had written a line. [I would rather make do with it if I can't marry the one I love.] After reading the secrets her husband had kept for so many years, Stella's face turned pale. After 20 years of marriage, Stella was just nothing but an unwanted alternative. The funeral began soon after. People tried to comfort her. "I'm sorry for your loss. Just take the inheritance and live well.""Yes, even though there are some problems with the medicine produced by Ethan's company and he must pay a large sum, he still has enough money. You won't need to worry about your life." Just as they finished speaking, a lawyer stood up. "Mr. Shaw decided to leave all his money and property to Ms. Rachel Chester before he passed away." The room went silent. Then, someone burst in. "Who's going to pay for our medical expenses then?" The families of the medicine accident victims stormed in. "She's that bastard, Ethan Shaw's wife! If we can't get our compensation, kill her to repay! An eye for an eye!" They rushed at her. A sharp knife stabbed into Stella's chest. She fell. Before she died, she saw Ethan's cold face in the funeral photo. She slowly closed her eyes. 'I would never marry you if I could ever live again—' When Stella opened her eyes again, she was in a messy bed sheet. Before she could react, she heard a cold voice, "I've called our parents. The wedding will happen in five days. Are you happy now?" Stella looked up and saw Ethan. He was not the fifty-something man who had died. He looked like he did in his early thirties—young and full of life. She realized she had gone back to the days before she married Ethan. Their families had arranged the marriage when they were kids… but Ethan never liked her. He kept delaying the wedding, and she became Harbouria's laughingstock. One day, Ethan got drunk. Stella ran into him by accident, and they ended up sleeping together. Ethan always believed she had planned it. He hated her even more. Still, he took responsibility and married her. After marriage, Ethan treated her coldly. Still, Stella gave him everything. She gave Ethan all the Walkers' assets when he needed money. She quit her job and stayed home because Ethan did not like her to leave the house. She even walked silently in their house because Ethan wanted quiet. She lived like that for over 10 years, but she barely got a few rare smiles in return. Stella once thought he was just not good at showing emotion. At last, she knew—he had given all his love to someone else. Memories crawled over her heart, biting her piece by piece. She forced herself to calm down and looked at the man in front of her. "You don't need to take responsibility," she said calmly. "Let's cancel the engagement." She would not waste her life on a man who never loved her this time. Ethan only gave a cold laugh. "Are you playing hard to get again?" Stella froze. She remembered how much she had loved him back then. She had threatened to cancel the engagement many times, but his parents always talked her out of it. So Ethan never believed she would leave. "I mean it—" Stella tried to explain, but Ethan turned and walked away. He never listened to her, which was typical of him. Stella let out a quiet breath. It was fine. If she wanted to break off the engagement, she only needed to talk to his family. For the time being, she had something more important to do. She made a call. "Professor, can I still apply for the Artemis Project at the space base?" The professor sounded surprised and happy. "Of course you can! You were their top pick. But as I told you, this is a top-secret project. "You won't be able to return nor contact anyone for ten years once you enter the Northwest Research Base. Are you sure?" Stella studied aerospace in college and ranked at the top. Her graduate work focused on critical national technology. After her graduation, the space base offered her a spot. It was her dream. In her past life, she gave it up to marry Ethan. She would definitely pursue her dream this time. "I am sure." The professor was thrilled. "Great! The project starts soon. You will leave in five days. Say your best wishes to your family right away."

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Stella had no family to say goodbye to. Her parents died when she was 15. Ever since then, she had been on her own. She called Ethan's parents and told them she wanted to call off the engagement. After hanging up, she headed to the auction house. Stella's mother had been a famous ceramic artist. Since her mother passed away, Stella had been collecting her mother's pieces as keepsakes. There was one piece named 'Love'. Her mother made it while pregnant with her. Stella had been searching for it for years. She was lucky. Just before leaving for the Northwest Research Base, the piece came up for auction. However, when she arrived, she saw Ethan and Rachel there too. The moment Ethan saw her, his tone turned cold. "Stella, have you made enough of a scene?""What?" She blinked, entirely confused. His face showed even more impatience. "You called my parents to break off the engagement. Was it because the wedding felt too rushed? Fine. I increased the wedding budget tenfold. Are you happy now?" Stella finally understood—they still did not believe she was serious about ending things. "You misunderstood. I really wanted—" Before she could finish, Ethan cut her off again, "Enough is enough, Stella." Looking at the cold expression on his face, Stella no longer wanted to explain herself. The wedding was in five days. Once he saw no bride at the altar, he would understand she meant it. The auction started. Ethan leaned closer to Rachel and said gently, "Your birthday is around the corner. Tell me what you like, and I will buy it for you." Rachel clutched the hem of her sleeve and shook her head. "Uncle Ethan, raising me was already a huge favor. Everything here is too expensive. I don't deserve anything—""Don't mention it." Ethan frowned. "You deserve the best in the world." 12 years ago, Rachel's father had died saving Ethan. Since then, Ethan had taken her in. She had been 10. He was 21. The little girl had grown into a beautiful young woman. Watching Ethan gaze at Rachel with soft eyes, Stella suddenly realized how blind she had been in her past life. She never realized how much he loved Rachel. The host's voice rang out, "Next up is a well-known porcelain piece: Love!" A snow-white sculpture was carried onto the stage—a mother elephant wrapping her trunk around her baby. Rachel suddenly looked up. Ethan noticed right away. "You like this one?" Rachel blushed and replied, "Yes... it reminds me of my mom." At that moment, Stella raised her number. "1 million dollars." She offered double the market price. She had to get her mother's final piece. Just then, Ethan followed suit and offered his bid price. "2 million dollars." Stella glared at him sharply. Ethan stayed calm and said, "Rachel likes it." Anger flashed in Stella's eyes. "That is my mother's last piece!" Ethan froze and finally noticed the artist's name. His hand lowered on instinct. Rachel's voice broke in, soft and trembling, "It's okay, Uncle Ethan. I never deserved something so nice anyway…" Her eyes turned red. Ethan's chest tightened. Without a second thought, he turned to the staff. "I'll outbid anyone for it."

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

No matter how high someone else bid, Ethan would raise his bid by 100 thousand dollars. He did not care about the cost; he had to bid the piece. Stella's face turned pale entirely. "Ethan," she said, voice trembling. "Do you really have to do this? I never asked you for anything—not once in all these years. But just this once... I am begging you. Please let me have my mother's final piece." Her mother had mentioned this porcelain sculpture many times. It was the one she had always wanted Stella to find. Ethan calmly replied, "Sorry. Rachel rarely wants anything." Stella slowly lowered her bidding paddle. Her parents had left her a large inheritance, but her cash on hand could not compete with Ethan's. In the end, Ethan won the piece and gave it to Rachel. "Thank you, Uncle Ethan! I love it so much!" Rachel smiled as she took the sculpture—then suddenly lost her grip. Crash! The porcelain hit the floor and shattered. Stella's eyes turned red. She gathered the pieces and took them home, gently trying to piece them back together. She had only managed to form a rough shape when a maid walked over. "Ms. Walker, Ms. Chester is outside. She knelt at the gate asking to apologize. She refuses to get up unless you forgive her." Stella did not even look up. "Tell her I won't be seeing her." A while later, rain poured down from the sky. Ethan stormed into the Walker Villa, face dark with fury. "Stella, you've gone too far!" The ice-cold man had hot anger burning in his eyes. "Rachel has been kneeling outside in the rain for an hour! Is it that hard for you to forgive her?" Stella's hands paused over the broken pieces. "She chose to kneel," her voice was calm. "She destroyed my mother's work. Why should I be the one to comfort her?""You—!" Ethan was shaking with rage when his assistant suddenly ran in. "Mr. Shaw! Bad news—Ms. Chester fainted!""What?" Ethan's expression changed completely. His anger exploded as he saw Stella still piecing the porcelain back together calmly. He swiped the nearly restored sculpture off the table. Crash! "You're heartless, Stella!" He threw the words over his shoulder and rushed out the door, straight into the rain to carry Rachel into his arms. Stella stared at the shattered pieces on the floor; they were beyond repair this time. Her long-held tears finally fell. She had chased after him, hoping he would look her way. Alas, all she got was a tragic death in her past life and coldness in this timeline. Stella wiped her tears and knelt down, picking up the shards one by one. She made up her mind to cut all ties and stop loving Ethan. Stella packed everything Ethan had ever given her and mailed it back. He never picked any of the gifts himself. It was Ethan's parents who forced him to give them, and his assistant always handled the details. All except for one—an heirloom pendant from the Shaws. It was too valuable. Stella planned to return that to him in person. As she reached Rachel's hospital ward, she heard her voice through the door. "Uncle Ethan, don't be so kind to me. I'm scared I'll get used to it. And then when you get married, I won't know how to let go." Stella saw through the glass how tenderly Ethan looked at Rachel. He raised his hand, almost as if he could not help wanting to hold Rachel—but he stopped himself. He gently placed his hand on Rachel's head instead. His gaze was full of restraint. "Don't be silly," he said softly. "Even if I get married, I'll always treat you well." Rachel's eyes lit up—then dimmed just as quickly. "As my uncle?" she murmured. "Once you have your own children, what will I be?""There won't be any," Ethan spoke without hesitation. "I won't have children with Stella." Rachel froze. "Why?" she asked. Ethan looked at her, eyes filled with complex emotion. "After the wedding, I'll have Stella take long-term birth control pills every day. So we'll never have children. "Rachel, I will always be your uncle. You'll inherit everything I have one day. "So please, don't worry."

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

"Uncle Ethan..." Rachel's eyes turned red as she threw herself into Ethan's arms. In contrast, Stella stood frozen outside the ward. Her face turned pale. She suddenly remembered Ethan had told her he had vitamins specially made for her in her previous life. She was touched that Ethan truly cared for her, and she took those pills every day without fail. They had been married for years but never had children. They went for a checkup, and the problem was found with her hormones. To get pregnant, she began taking ovulation shots. Her stomach was bruised all over. Her body grew bloated from the hormones. Still, she never conceived. Her doctor had gently asked if there might be something in her diet or supplements interfering with the treatment. Stella had considered many possibilities, but never once did she question the vitamins Ethan gave her. That was, of course, until this moment. She stumbled back a step, heart crumbling. 'How could you be so cruel, Ethan?' She thought to herself. Meanwhile, one of Ethan's bodyguards walked by and saw her standing there, surprised. "Ms. Walker?" he asked. Stella shoved the pendant into his hands. "Give this to Ethan." Without another word, she turned and walked away. It was Stella's birthday. Since she would be leaving soon, she decided—for once—to throw a grand party for her friends, despite usually hating crowds. She did not expect Ethan to show up—with Rachel. "Your gift." Ethan tossed a box to her casually. It was a diamond ring. Just like last time. How laughable. A ring most people used to propose—he gave it to her as a birthday present. He made it clear that this marriage was a charity. She had been clueless in her previous life. She had cried back then, thinking it meant something. This time, she handed it back without hesitation. "Did you not receive what I had the bodyguard return to you?" If he had seen the heirloom pendant, he should have understood that she had no intention of marrying him. Ethan frowned. "I didn't. I told you before—I don't need anything. You don't need to give me anything." Stella paused in surprise. He had assumed it was a gift and did not even bother opening it. She remembered in her past life, after Ethan died, when she sorted through his belongings. In the dusty basement storage room, she had found dozens of unopened boxes. Those were all the gifts she had given him: The necklace she spent a week carving for his 25th birthday; the blessed cross she got for Ethan when he fell ill at 33; and the handmade essential oil she blended herself after learning about his migraines at 40… So many heartfelt, painstaking gifts—left to rot, untouched. Meanwhile, Rachel's paper stars, cheap ties, even a handwritten note—were kept in a safe. Stella smiled bitterly. She said nothing more and turned to greet her guests. Halfway through the party, Rachel suddenly slumped into Ethan's arms. "Uncle Ethan, my head feels so dizzy..." Ethan's face changed instantly. "Did you catch something? Eaten something bad? I'll take you to the hospital." He picked her up without asking and left the venue. Stella frowned. She was the host. If anything happened to Rachel, she would be held responsible. Not wanting trouble, she followed. However, when she reached Ethan's car, she froze. From inside, she heard Rachel's breathy voice. "Uncle Ethan... I feel so hot... down there... it's so uncomfortable..."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Stella's hand froze just as she was about to knock on the car window. Even she could tell something was off, let alone Ethan who was in the car. Ethan spoke, panicked, "You've been drugged, Rachel. I'm taking you to the hospital right now!" Rachel clung to him, sobbing. "It's too late... I feel so awful... Please... Please, just give it to me... I only want you..." Her soft, tearful voice curled like smoke into Ethan's ear, striking at the most sensitive part of his nerves. Ethan had been holding himself back with every ounce of self-control. Hearing her beg, the last bit of restraint shattered. He lost himself. Stella stood motionless as the car began to rock violently in front of her. She heard the girl's sobs twist into gasps, then cries for mercy, and finally soft, broken whimpers. Ethan did not stop. Stella's lips curved upward in a bitter, powerless smile. In her past life, she had been married to Ethan for 20 years. She could count the number of times they made out. Even that once-a-month routine was only a gift after she begged him a million times. She used to believe Ethan had no interest in such things. However, listening to what was happening now inside the car, she finally understood that he had no interest in her. Stella turned away. Maybe this was for the best. This lifetime, everyone got exactly what they wanted. Stella returned to the banquet hall. Two hours later, the event neared its end, and as the host, she needed to give a closing speech. She went upstairs to the dressing room, drank a glass of juice, and began touching up her makeup. Suddenly, she felt a strange heat pooling in her lower abdomen. A wave of discomfort surged through her. She tried to call for help, but before she could open her mouth, a cold voice came from the doorway— "How does it feel, Stella? "Not so pleasant to be the one drugged, huh?"

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Stella's head snapped up, noticing Ethan was standing in the doorway. She had no idea when he arrived. Her heart dropped. "Did you drug my orange juice?" Her voice trembled with anger. "What the hell are you trying to do?" Ethan gave a cold laugh and walked over, gripping her chin roughly. "I should be the one asking you that—why did you drug Rachel? "You decided to humiliate her in public just because she broke your mother's piece by accident? "She's just a kid! How could you be so vicious?" Stella stared at him in shock. "What are you talking about? I never drugged Rachel!" Ethan shoved her away. "Stop lying! The only thing she drank today was that glass of water you gave her. Who else could it have been?" It hit Stella then—what it meant to be completely unloved. Ethan never questioned everything Rachel said, yet he sentenced Stella on the spot. "Unbelievable," she laughed bitterly. She struggled to grab her phone and call an ambulance, but Ethan stopped her. "What are you doing?!" she yelled. Ethan looked down at her, voice ice-cold as he said, "That drug is strong. An ambulance won't help. Your only way out is to beg me." Stella froze. "For what?""To help you relieve the effects, of course," sneered Ethan. "But I don't come cheap. Get on your knees and apologize to Rachel if you need help." Stella stared at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend how ridiculous Ethan's request was. Ethan kept leaning closer, pinning her in place. "Stop acting, Stella. Isn't this what you've always wanted?" His voice dropped to a low hiss. "You used the same tricks to force me into marrying you. Now I'm just asking you to pay for your sins." Stella snapped. She shoved him away, grabbed a pair of scissors, and stared him down with a deadly calm. "You want me to kneel and apologize to Rachel? Keep dreaming." With that, she drove the scissors straight into her own thigh.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Ethan's expression finally changed. "Stella? What the hell are you doing?!" Stella ignored him and stabbed her thigh repeatedly. Her white evening gown turned crimson in seconds. Ethan stood frozen. Stella would rather hurt herself than let him lay a hand on her? That thought hit him hard. An indescribable feeling rose in his chest. "Stella!" he roared, grabbing her wrist. The scissors clattered to the floor. Pain shot through her body, but oddly, her dazed mind began to clear. Just then, applause erupted from downstairs. The guests were waiting for the birthday girl to speak. Stella wrenched free from Ethan's grip and walked out, clutching the banister as she made her way down the stairs. Gasps filled the room the moment she appeared in her blood-soaked dress. However, Stella looked calm. She held her chin high, the crimson blooming across her dress like wild roses clinging to a cliffside. She raised her glass and smiled at the crowd. "Happy twenty-ninth to me," she said. "May my future be bright." With that, she collapsed. Screams followed. Ethan rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground. … Stella was unconscious for a full day and night before she finally woke. She was discharged and returned home, quietly packing her bags to leave. Ethan showed up before she could barely zip her suitcase—with Rachel beside him. "I looked into the drugging," Ethan said stiffly. "It was a mistake. It wasn't your doing." Stella barely reacted. Meanwhile, Rachel began to cry. "Aunt Stella, it was all my fault. I said things I shouldn't have. I made Uncle Ethan think it was you. I'm sorry." She stepped forward with a soft smile, holding out a wedding gown. "To make it up to you, I designed this wedding dress just for you and Uncle Ethan. It's also my birthday gift to you." Stella finally looked up. Her eyes locked onto the dress. The memory from her past life surged up again. She chuckled coldly. "You designed it without checking the size, did you? I can't fit into that." Back in her previous life, before their wedding, Rachel had presented her 'handmade' wedding gown to Stella as a gift. Without discussion, Ethan returned Stella's meticulously custom-made gown and forced her to wear Rachel's instead. Rachel's gown had been so tight that Stella could barely squeeze into it. Yet, all Ethan said was to let Stella lose some weight to fit it. Stella had not dared eat or drink for two days. She even fainted at the altar. She would not make the same mistake again. Rachel paled. "I-I'm sorry," she said in a panic. "I've imagined myself as the bride—" Ethan's head snapped up. His eyes darkened, unreadable. Rachel's hand flew up to her mouth. She looked like she had just realized what she said. The air froze with awkward tension until Stella smirked. "Well then," she said, her voice cold. "Why don't you wear it?"

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Rachel froze. Ethan's expression darkened instantly. "Stella, what the hell are you saying? I'm her uncle!" Stella smirked. There it was. Only the guilty react this fast. "Or someone else will do," she said lightly. "I'm not wearing it anyway." Ethan frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?""I've been very clear." Stella looked up, her voice steady and cold. "I'm not marrying you; I won't be showing up to the wedding tomorrow.""You're just playing hard to get—" He started to snap back, but when he met her frosty stare, his words caught in his throat. His eyes dropped to her thigh, bandaged tight from last night's self-inflicted wounds. The memory rushed back, of how she had stabbed herself just to avoid physical contact. Irritation crept inside Ethan's chest. "The wedding is tomorrow. Stop acting out over a little jealousy." Ethan had thought Stella was just sulking because he had been distant lately. Once the tantrum passed, she would be thrilled to marry him again. "As for the dress—" Ethan's eyes drifted toward the gown. Stella braced herself, expecting him to force her—like last time—to squeeze into Rachel's dress no matter what. "Wear the one you originally picked, if you like it," said Ethan. Rachel's head snapped up as she said, "Uncle—" Ethan patted her gently on the head and tried to comfort her, "It's okay. You can design something else next time." Rachel's face went pale, but she nodded obediently. Ethan led her out. Not long after, Rachel came back. She stood before Stella. Gone was her 'sweet' side, her voice sharp and cold. "You saw us in the car, didn't you?" Gone was the timid girl, her expression hardening with hostility. Stella did not answer. She asked instead, "Did you drug yourself?" Rachel did not deny it. "Of course. Uncle Ethan has always loved me. I just gave him the push he needed." In her previous life, she had never known whether Ethan's love for Rachel was one-sided or mutual. At last, Stella finally knew. She smiled faintly and responded, "I wish you two all the best." She meant it, but Rachel instantly exploded. "Cut the fake blessings, Stella! You've indeed improved. You used to be nothing but a desperate little lapdog. Now you're good at pretending to be dignified. "You really think stabbing yourself changed anything? That Uncle Ethan will suddenly see you in a different light? "Keep dreaming. Let me show you just who he really cares." Before Stella could react, Rachel lunged forward, covered with a cloth soaked in something acrid over her mouth and nose. The stench hit her like a wall. Stella tried to fight back, but her leg was injured. She had no strength. The maids had all left, thinking the two were having a private talk. Stella lost consciousness. … She woke up to unbearable heat. She opened her eyes and saw flames everywhere. Rachel lay beside her. "You set my house on fire?! Are you out of your mind?!" Stella gasped. Rachel let out a cold laugh. "Do you think Uncle Ethan cares about you? Let me show you exactly how much he loves me." Immediately, Ethan's frantic voice echoed from outside the room. "Rachel! Rachel, where are you?!" Rachel's expression changed immediately; the venom in her vanished. She blinked, tears welling up as she cried out pitifully, "I'm here! Help me!" Ethan burst into the room. He stopped when he saw Stella on the floor—but Rachel let out a scream as a piece of burning wood fell nearby, pulling his focus instantly. "Rachel!" He rushed to her and scooped her into his arms. As he passed Stella, he paused for a second. "I'll be back to get you after I take Rachel out." Just like that, he left.

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

Stella sneered and forced herself to move, crawling despite her injured leg, with everything she had. She no longer trusted a word Ethan said; she had to save herself. When she finally made it downstairs, the flames had devoured most of the first floor. Ethan was clearing a path to the exit. When he saw Stella, his expression changed. "I told you to wait for me!" Of course, this was not the time to argue. He turned to help Rachel out when she suddenly screamed. "Watch out!" A burning beam snapped and came crashing down. The first one fell straight toward Stella. "Stella!" Ethan's expression twisted, and he rushed toward her. However, in the next second— Crack! Another beam dropped right above Rachel. At the very last moment, Ethan shielded Rachel with his body. The flaming wood slammed into his back. He let out a muffled grunt. At the same time, the other beam struck Stella across her shoulder and back. Blinding pain exploded through her. As her vision blurred, she saw firefighters finally breaking through the flames. Ethan was still holding Rachel tightly, his whole body bent to protect her. Stella laughed, even as the pain threatened to swallow her. Ethan made the same choice in this life. … Stella woke up in a hospital bed. Ethan sat nearby, his wounds already bandaged. He stiffened when he saw her eyes open. "I spoke to the doctor. Our injuries aren't serious. The wounds are treated. It won't affect the wedding today." Stella could hardly believe that Ethan still thought she wanted to marry him. She silently got up and out of bed. "I'm getting out of here." This day was the launch of the Artemis Project. She could not miss it. Ethan, on the other hand, misunderstood. He thought she was in a hurry to get to the wedding. Relieved, he quietly exhaled. He quickly buried the feeling and masked it behind a stoic expression. "I'll head to the venue first. Come once you're ready." As soon as Ethan left, Stella called for her driver. "To the wedding venue, Ms. Walker?" Stella answered without hesitation, "No. Take me to the airport." She grabbed her luggage and headed to meet the professor. While she was waiting at the airport, her phone exploded with messages from Ethan. [Where are you? Why aren't you at the wedding venue?] [Start your makeup or it'll be too late! Do you still want to get married or not?!] [This is your last warning. Show up in ten minutes!] Ethan called… but Stella did not even look at the phone. She turned off her phone, pulled out the SIM card, and tossed it into the trash. Then, she boarded the plane. 'Goodbye, Ethan. From now on, I will live only for myself,' she thought to herself.