I Came Back to Life and Traded up My Fiancé

I walked out of Don Guerra's private greenhouse and ran right into Aurelio Guerra and his right-hand men.

They saw me, exchanged a look, then peeled off. One of them couldn't resist getting in one last jab.

"Wanda, are you stalking Mr. Guerra again? You've been neglecting your family's business for some guy. Aren't you worried your mother would be turning over in her grave, seeing you stoop this low?"

Aurelio's gaze swept over me. He was impatient. "What are you doing here again? Hoping Don Guerra leans on me for you? Planning to trot out that century-old marriage pact between our families again?

"You Santoros really need a new trick besides holding me to the long-standing ties between our families. Save it. Everyone's talking about you pursuing me, and it's killing my reputation.

"I'll be taking a hard look at this marriage arrangement. Begging won't get you anywhere."

His gaze oozed arrogance.

Just like in my last life, everything I felt for him only came across as desperate clinginess.

I let out a slow breath. "What's that got to do with you? Don Guerra asked me to come in and discuss business. Next week, he's hosting a perfume sampling for me."

Aurelio's men went still. "Don Guerra is personally hosting a perfume sampling for you?"

They had a reason to be stunned. Don Guerra hadn't touched day-to-day family business in years. If he was showing up in person, it meant more than a simple sampling session.

Don Guerra had promised that when I turned 22, he'd let me pick someone from the Guerras to honor the marriage pact. Whoever I chose would have access to the Guerra family fortune and a real shot at becoming the next Don.

After the initial shock, they pasted on fawning smiles and started congratulating Aurelio.

"Congrats, Mr. Guerra. Don't forget us when you make it big."

"With Don Guerra's blessing, Mr. Guerra has the wind at his back now."

Aurelio gave me a smug tilt of the chin. His tone was patronizing. "I suppose congratulations are in order for you, too, Wanda. Looks like the dream you've been chasing is finally coming true. You must be thrilled, right?"

He stepped in, and a calculating smirk tugged at his lips. "To prevent trouble later, I need to set a few ground rules now. You agree that, after we're married, you won't interfere with my personal life.

"You mind your life, I'll mind mine. And you won't go near any family business again. Do that, and I'll consider this marriage arrangement."

My chest tightened. I hadn't expected him to ask for something so outrageous. I took a longer look at him.

Had he been reborn, too?

Just then, a weak voice sounded behind me. "Wanda."

My stepsister, Maeve Santoro, approached in a white dress. She seemed unsteady on her feet, and a handkerchief was pressed to her mouth as she tried to steady her breathing.

Aurelio turned immediately and went to her. "Aren't you allergic to pollen? What are you doing here?"

Maeve lowered her eyes, looking hurt. "Lio, Dad sent me to get Wanda. He's worried she'll be heartbroken if she can't marry you."

Aurelio steadied her. Concern flickered across his face, then he shot me a reproachful look. "You're so delicate that you needed Mae to come get you? Can't you see she isn't feeling well?"

He walked away with Maeve on his arm.

Before he left, he looked back and warned, "Wanda, keep this up, and I'll cancel the marriage arrangement."

I smirked. I was the one who wanted out.