Chapter 1

After finalizing my new engagement arrangement with my parents, I attended the party with everyone else.

On the way there, Samuel's friends were all making fun of me.

"How can you agree to let them stay in the same room, Catherine? Aren't you afraid that your fiance's going to run off with another woman?"

"Everyone in our circle knows that Catherine pursued Samuel for ten years. He's got her wrapped around his finger. Once, she even personally delivered a jacket to him despite running a high fever. Even if she's unhappy about his decision, I don't think there's anything she can do about it."

Samuel Sutton, the man in question, was busy shelling nuts for Summer Wright. Upon hearing that statement, a hint of annoyance flickered across his face.

"Catherine desperately wants to marry me. She had our families arrange the engagement without even asking for my consent. Now, everyone in our circle knows our families are about to become in-laws," he said.

He added, "I'm only going to spend one night with Summer. If you get in my way or snitch on me, I'll make you pay."

His contemptuous glare made my chest tighten. After a brief moment, I replied calmly, "I'm not going to get in your way. After all, you're not the man I'm marrying."

Upon hearing this, everyone around me burst into laughter.

"You can't just say something like that out of jealousy, Catherine. If Samuel takes your word seriously, you'll end up heartbroken."

"Come on, Samuel. Do something to cheer her up. Otherwise, she's going to come up with even more ways to get your attention."

Samuel frowned at me. "You were the one who shamelessly begged for this arranged marriage. Why are you trying to play hard-to-get now?"

He continued, "You've been chasing after me for a decade. Everyone knows that you're obsessed with me. Who else would you marry if you're not marrying me?"

He was right. In my previous life, I pursued him romantically for years.

Samuel was a son of the Sutton family. Despite knowing that he would never get caught in the rain, I still brought him an umbrella whenever it started to pour.

I knew that he had plenty of people around to take care of him. But whenever he fell sick, I still stayed by his side and nursed him back to health.

He always thought my actions were meaningless, but I was more than happy to do those things for him.

"My love for you makes everything feel worthwhile," I used to say.

In our previous life, Samuel became much gentler and a lot more loving toward me after our wedding. When I caught a cold, he'd even set aside his work and stay by my side to take care of me.

Initially, I thought my devotion had finally won him over. Hence, I foolishly let myself get carried away by what turned out to be an illusion.

One day, while I was on my way to deliver documents to him, Summer video-called me.

In the call, Summer was kissing a man passionately. To my dismay, the man she was kissing was none other than Samuel, my husband.

As I was overwhelmed by grief and heartbreak, my car collided head-on with an oncoming truck, and I died on the spot.

Before my death, I finally understood something. Regardless of how hard I tried, some things were never going to work out.

I wasn't the one Samuel's heart belonged to. So this time, I changed my fiance.

Soon, I would become someone else's bride.

At that moment, Summer gently tugged on Samuel's sleeve. Then she said softly, "Don't be so harsh, Sam. Kate is just trying to get your attention. Why don't you humor her a little and cheer her up?"

Samuel's gaze softened as he turned to look at her.

"I'm not going to humor her," he declared. "I'm only marrying her to satisfy my parents. She's not worth my time."

Subsequently, he turned toward me and continued, "I know you're thrilled that you finally get to marry me. I won't hold your past behavior against you, but…"

He leaned in close to my ear and growled, "Consider this a warning. Summer is the woman I love the most. I'm not just spending one night with her. I'm planning to stay with her even after we get married. When that time comes, you'll cover for me and make sure my parents never give me trouble over it."