Chapter 2

I couldn’t understand why she had reacted so strongly.

Wasn’t it normal to delete an ex’s contact after a breakup?

Besides, I have someone at home who’s notoriously jealous. If she found out I still had my ex-girlfriend’s info, she’d give me hell for it.

“Weren’t you the one who told me not to come looking for you ever again after we broke up?”

Regina’s expression froze at my words. She looked like she wanted to say something, but stayed silent in the end.

I added flatly, “And I don’t need your money either.”

Her face darkened further. After being turned down again and again, her tone went cold.

“Why are you still pretending? If you weren’t so pathetic right now, I wouldn’t even bother saying a word to you.”

Tyler comforted her gently. “Regina, you’re just too kind. A guy like this isn’t worth your time. Look at him, all pathetic and hopeless. A complete loser!”

His tone dripped with disdain, as if he’d forgotten that ten years ago, he was even worse.

In our last life, Regina’s family had opposed her relationship with Tyler for good reason. He was nothing more than a delinquent, constantly in trouble with the law.

The first time I met Regina in college, she had just bailed Tyler out of the county jail and was being pressured by her family to break up with him.

During her lowest days, I stayed by her side and helped her through it.

Since she loved photography, I used the money I’d originally set aside for starting a business to buy her professional equipment worth tens of thousands.

Through the heat of summer and the freezing winter, I carried that heavy gear as I trailed behind her, just to see her smile from the heart.

Who would’ve thought that Regina would be the one to confess to me first?

I knew about her past with Tyler, having seen her occasionally staring at old photos, lost in thought.

So when she confessed, I asked her seriously, “Have you really moved on from Tyler?”

Back then, she held me tightly and said firmly, “That’s all in the past. I finally see who truly cares about me. Daniel, I love you. Let’s be together.”

We dated for seven years. Even her best friend was surprised.

“She loved Tyler so much, I didn’t think you two would last.”

However, no one knew how many times Regina had refused my proposals in private.

“Daniel, I don’t believe in marriage. Can’t we just stay like this forever?”

It wasn’t until her parents pressured her endlessly that she finally agreed.

Then, during our honeymoon, news came that Tyler had been in a car accident.

Regina leaped into the sea from the cruise, leaving behind only a note.

Every word on that note was about Tyler, not a single line for me.

At the very end, written in blood, she wrote, “Tyler, all I ever wanted was to be your bride. I’m coming to you now.”

That was the moment my love for her turned completely to ashes.

So, when I was reborn and Regina wanted to break up, I didn’t stop her.

After all, I knew there was no changing it.

I thought deleting all her contact info and watching her reunite with Tyler would mean we’d never cross paths again.

Yet, here she was, in front of me tonight.

I was ready to leave, but Tyler refused to let it go. He insisted on humiliating me in front of everyone.

“To get close to Regina, you really went all out, didn’t you? Look at you, dressed like that. I bet you don’t even have a real job.

“Tell you what, I can introduce you to a position here at the hotel. Learn how to serve people, and you could make five figures a month.”

Someone nearby jumped in, eager to flatter him.

“This is a luxury hotel in Rivendell’s prime district! Working here would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. Shouldn’t you be grateful?”

I found myself surrounded, unable to leave. With no other choice, I said calmly, “Thanks, but I already have a job.

“I’m a photographer.”

The moment I said the word, Regina’s eyes snapped toward me. Something complicated flickered in her gaze, her lips moving as if to speak.

However, she turned her head away and said coldly, “Photography? How much money can that make? A hobby doesn’t put food on the table. Look, since we all know each other, I can help arrange a proper job for you.”

I froze. In that instant, I realized she had completely misunderstood me.