Chapter 1

Oscar Miller was Shirley Bishop's personal bodyguard, but when she got attacked on her birthday, he shielded her foster sister, Myra Bishop, with his own body.

Shirley got cut three times—once across her face, once on her arm, and a third that stabbed her lower abdomen, leaving her unable to have children ever again.

But even after all that, she still wanted to marry him.

Later, Oscar did marry her—but he never touched her, not even once, all the way until his death.

At his funeral, the insurance company showed up.

"Mr. Miller purchased a large insurance policy before his death. The beneficiary is Ms. Myra Bishop."

Shirley's eyes went red with shock. "What?"

The agent explained, "When Mr. Miller bought the policy, he said that Ms. Myra had no one in the world to care for her. He wanted to make sure she'd be taken care of if something happened to him."

That was when Shirley realized that after all these years, Oscar had never gotten over Myra.

Shirley couldn't remember much from that funeral. But when she got home, she opened the door to Oscar's secret study and found the walls plastered with Myra's photos.

In the corners, dolls made in her image were lined up, each more lifelike than the last.

So, these were what he had used to relieve himself when he abstained from sleeping with her.

And buried in a corner, Shirley found his bank statements. Every single transfer over the years was to Myra.

Then there were the letters—piles of love letters he had written her over time, stacked so high that they were shocking.

Looking at it all, Shirley remembered the words he whispered before dying.

"If there's another life, don't choose me. The person I've always wanted to marry is Ms. Myra."

-

"Shirley, have you decided who you want?"

Daniel Bishop's familiar voice sounded from above. Shirley lifted her head in surprise.

"The four boys you grew up with are now capable young men, and it's time for you to get married. Tell me who you choose."

Looking at her father's still-young face and her own reflection in the mirror, Shirley realized she had been reborn. She was back on the day she had to announce which one would become her future husband.

The Bishops were the most powerful family in Anteford, but they had only one daughter, Shirley. To make sure she would have a suitable husband in the future, Daniel had chosen the boys from four other powerful families—the Tuckers, Fosters, Millers, and Watsons—to grow up alongside her.

These four boys had grown up with her as her personal bodyguards. They weren't just strong—they were smart and handsome, too.

Oscar was her top choice. He was calm and stunningly good-looking; he was always straight-backed when he walked and steady when speaking, and he rarely looked her in the eyes.

His physique alone made him stand out, with his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a presence that drew attention.

On her 18th birthday, he wore a white suit and played the piano for her. She'd fallen for him right then. From that day on, she always requested that he protect her wherever she went.

But today, when Daniel asked if she had chosen her future husband, she stayed silent.

"What's wrong? You've always preferred Oscar. Why are you taking so long today?" Daniel gently stroked her hair. "Just pick him. The Millers aren't the best among the four families, but as long as he agrees that your first child takes our last name, I'll approve the marriage."

Child?

Shirley bitterly smiled. In her last life, Oscar hadn't even touched her—not a single time. He had only ever loved Myra.

"No, I'm chosing someone else."

Daniel's shock was clear. "Someone else? You don't have feelings for Oscar?"

"No, not anymore. And frankly, never again."

The boys' parents had already gathered in the hall, waiting. When Shirley entered, Oscar immediately pulled her aside.

"I know you've chosen me today," he said, "but my heart already belongs to someone else. I hope you'll reconsider."

Shirley had heard this before in her previous life. Back then, she had been too confident, believing she could win his heart, so she had gone ahead anyway.

This time, she wouldn't.

"It's not your place to interfere with who I choose. If you really don't want to marry me, take your parents and leave now. Never show your face here again."

Hearing how firm her tone was, Oscar froze.

She had never spoken to him like this before. Usually, she'd brush against him or tease him with words. But today, it was different.

"If you have nothing to say, I'll head inside. I hope you'll be happy with my choice this time."

Seeing him stay silent, Shirley walked into the living room without looking back.