Chapter 3

I wanted to drive myself home, but then I remembered that Damian Knight was the one who had carried my bag.

Reluctantly, I had no choice but to catch up with the three of them.

As I passed a cluster of trees, I heard Damian Knight’s irritated voice.

“Elena, baby, how much longer are we going to keep pretending? I can’t take it anymore. Amara’s been acting so wild lately, who knows what kind of disease she’s hiding.”

“Amara’s such a fool, she can’t even tell the difference between real valuables and fakes. No wonder some old man could trick her into bed with a few words. A person like that doesn’t deserve to be the future lady of the Black family. Elena, the real family heirloom ring should only be for you.”

Elena Rivers looked at the two men with an innocent, almost pitiable expression.

“Amara has done many bad things, but she has been kind to me. How could I just ignore her? If you don’t do what I say, I’ll never talk to you again!”

At the sound of her ultimatum, both of the high and mighty men immediately became apologetic, bowing to her with humility.

It was as if they were willing to trample on me just to elevate her.

Years of shared friendship couldn’t match the few manipulative words of Elena Rivers.

I fought back the tears, turning away.

Under the endless night sky, I walked home with exhaustion weighing heavily on my shoulders.

By the time I reached home, my previously twisted ankle had swollen to an alarming size.

Grandma was heartbroken when she saw me. She immediately helped me sit down and gently examined the bruise, pressing a cold compress against it with careful hands.

Not wanting her to worry any more than she already was, I told her I’d been accepted into university.

My Amara, you’re really doing great! I’m old now, and it’s only you who can carry the Luciano family's future.”

I nodded through my tears.

“It’s been so many years, and finally, the Luciano family has some good news. Grandma’s going to throw you a big celebration banquet!”

Her smile, warm and full of pride, reminded me so much of the day she sent me off to my wedding in my past life.

Back then, she believed I had found a good man, and her heart was full of joy.

But it was that joy that was shattered when Marcus Black abandoned me at the altar, causing Grandma to die from the shock on the day of my wedding.

Now that I was reborn, I swore I would not let history repeat itself.

With Grandma no longer able to manage large social affairs, the responsibility of hosting the celebration banquet fell to me.

I made sure it was executed with precision—grand enough to showcase the Luciano family’s influence, wealth, and standing in our world.

When the two childhood friends heard about it, they both rushed to offer their help.

They even brought a limited-edition pastry from a renowned patisserie—something I had loved when I was younger—offering it as an apology.

“Amara,” Marcus said cautiously, “have you been upset these past few days… because of what happened?”

“We didn’t mean to blame you. We’re just worried you’ll go down the wrong path. After all, for people like us, our reputation is everything.”

I didn’t forgive them, but I allowed them to stay and help.

They owed me too much in my past life.

No amount of resentment could undo the harm they caused.

All I wanted this time around was for us to never cross paths again.