Chapter 2

“Ana, have you heard? Your father is arranging for Juliette to marry that idiot, Tristan!”

“Watch your mouth, Andrew. Tristan is your uncle,” Anastasia said coldly.

“Help me convince your father to call off the engagement!”

Andrew grabbed Anastasia’s arm tightly—not merely holding it, but squeezing hard enough to make it hurt.

Anastasia remembered this moment vividly from her previous life.

She also knew exactly what Juliette was going to say next.

“Enough, Andrew. Don’t act like this,” Juliette cut in, gently placing a hand over Andrew’s.

Her touch looked almost flirtatious rather than an attempt to loosen his grip.

“Anastasia would never be able to convince Daddy to call off this arrangement. She doesn’t even want me back,” she said, resting her forehead against Andrew’s shoulder and pretending to sob.

Anastasia gave a cold, mocking smile before yanking her arm free, forcing Andrew’s grip to release.

“You should feel lucky that Judith chose you to marry Tristan,” Anastasia said calmly.

“Lucky?! You call marrying an idiot lucky?! Then why don’t you marry him yourself?!” Andrew snapped angrily.

“Andrew, have you forgotten? We’re already engaged,” Anastasia reminded him.

Andrew let out a derisive chuckle.

“It’s only an engagement! I can call it off whenever I want!” he threatened.

In her previous life, Anastasia had been terrified whenever she heard those words.

Back then, she had loved Andrew so deeply that she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. She had even sworn to do whatever it took to make sure he still married her.

But in this new life, Anastasia would not make the same foolish mistake.

She would simply pretend to play along with their game.

“Please, don’t, Andrew… You know how much I love you,” Anastasia pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

She glanced at Juliette and caught the satisfied curve of the woman’s lips. Juliette clearly believed she had won this round.

“Then go see your father and ask him to call off this arrangement! If Juliette still has to marry Tristan, then our engagement is over!” Andrew threatened.

Anastasia merely nodded meekly, putting on a helpless, almost foolish expression.

But she didn’t actually go far.

She only moved a few steps away and hid behind the wall, waiting to hear what Juliette would say to Andrew.

“What if Daddy still makes me marry Tristan?” Juliette whined softly.

“Your uncle… he’s cruel, Andrew. He’s a monster.” Juliette began sobbing again. “Even though I haven’t lived here for the past three years, I’ve still kept up with what’s been happening because I care about all of you. And I’ve heard the rumors about Tristan’s lovers…”

Her voice trembled.

“Andrew, I don’t want to become his next victim! What if I end up disabled or dead at his hands, just like those other women?”

Anastasia leaned her back against the wall, listening to every word.

Tristan was indeed known as a cold and ruthless businessman. But when it came to romance, his reputation had been tainted by horrifying rumors about the women he had supposedly mistreated.

How many women had fallen victim to those rumors?

Ten?

And if Juliette became his wife, she would be the eleventh.

Juliette’s fears would indeed come true in the future.

But if Anastasia carried out her plan to take Juliette’s place, would she be able to prevent that tragedy—or would she end up suffering the same fate and meeting a gruesome death?

No.

Anastasia’s resolve hardened.

I already know what happens in the future, and I’ll make sure that tragedy never happens again!

“That won’t happen. Trust me. Anastasia will do anything to stop your marriage to Tristan. She won’t want to lose me. She loves me that much,” Andrew boasted smugly.

Behind the wall, Anastasia smiled coldly.

Yes. In my previous life, I was too blind and foolish. I gave you everything—my love and my fortune.

But now? Never again, Andrew.

I’m not only going to save myself and the baby you killed. I’m also going to reclaim the fortune my mother left behind.

Anastasia turned around and strode confidently toward her father’s study before knocking on the door.

“Come in!” her father called from inside.

Anastasia slowly pushed the door open and stood upright before her father.

“Dad, I want you to call off Juliette and Andrew’s wedding plans.”[]