Chapter 1

Grandpa gave me this long, worried look. "Demi, isn't that guy your worst nightmare? You sure about marrying him? Once it's official, there's no undo button."

This wasn't just family drama. Grandpa was a big shot in archaeology, and whoever I married? Their family would land a fat partnership with ours.

Cue Jace's mom, full panic mode. "Demi, even if Jace forgot you, weren't you head over heels for him? Just give it time—marry him, and maybe it'll all come back."

Grandma practically gagged. "Spare me. Last time around, that Stafford witch trashed Demi's jewelry, and Demi didn't even snap.

"So what did Jace do? Tossed her out into a rainstorm—in her nightgown. She stood there freezing for hours.

"It was Leroy who showed up, umbrella in hand, booked her a hotel. Sure, the boy's got a mouth, but he's got heart."

Yeah, that hit me right in the chest.

I had no clue why Grandma kept dropping lines about "past lives" and "last time," like we were trapped in some weird time loop. But every word hit me like déjà vu gone wrong—heavy, suffocating, too real.

And let's be honest: Ava Stafford was always Jace's number one. I was just the sequel nobody asked for.

"I've made my choice, Grandpa. I want Leroy."

He slid the photos away and ruffled my hair. "Alright. Your call. I'll announce the engagement in two days."

Grandma exhaled like she'd been holding her breath for a century. "Finally. No cursed past, no dead weight—this time, Demi's actually got a shot at being happy."

While Grandpa and the others got deep into legacy talk, I slipped into fresh clothes and stepped out for some air.

Did not expect to find three tall, annoyingly good-looking guys waiting outside.

Yep—childhood friends. Also known as fiancé contenders.

Jace was there. Leroy, of course, was MIA.

Skyler strolled up first, grinning. "So, Demi... word is your grandpa's picking your future hubby from the four of us. Spill. Who's the lucky guy?"

Roland cut in with a smirk. "Do we even need to ask? It's gotta be Jace. Everyone knows Demi's been obsessed with him since forever—treated him like he was made of gold."

Jace looked at me, cool as ever. "I don't remember the last three years. All I know is, Ava was my girlfriend. But I get that you and I were a thing during that time. I don't love you now, but if the engagement's official, I'll go through with it. My dad would want that."

Grandma practically hissed. "In Demi's last life, this snake pretended to forget everything just to mess around with Ava while draining Demi dry. Took our money, drove her into depression, wrecked her health, and yeah—she died.

"Jace, you scumbag. Beat it!"

I stared at Jace's blank face. If it weren't for Grandma, I might've fallen for it—again.

I really did love him once. Thought he loved me too.