Chapter 1

I picked up my suitcase and quietly walked to stand behind Dad.

My sister, Camila Walker, clung to Mom even tighter and turned on the charm, saying, "Mom, you always say Selena's the considerate one. Now, you see who really loves you, right? She went straight to Dad without even looking at you."

Mom looked at me in disappointment. "Selena…"

I looked away indifferently. I'd hardly ever been close to Dad before this day, but I now slipped my hand into his and held it tight.

Mom grew angry when she saw that I wouldn't even look at her. "Are you really that shallow and materialistic? Fine, then. I wasted years raising you for nothing!"

She tugged Camila toward the door. As they passed me, Camila mouthed to me, "You're such a good girl. I'll toss you a piece of bread when you're so poor you're forced to eat trash."

I laughed to myself. Oh, Camila. Even after getting another chance at life, she was still so dumb.

In our last life, we must have died on the same day to have come back together like this. She'd been chased down by loan sharks and had killed herself in despair. Meanwhile, I had been killed by Mom's betrayal.

Before marriage, Mom had already sensed something off about my stepfather, James Grimm. However, she'd lied to herself and everyone else, saying that he just got a little kinky in bed.

But after they'd gotten married, James had thoroughly torn off his mask. In public, Mom had been the picture of a happy wife, and I had been a lucky little heiress.

Behind closed doors, we had both been his playthings.

I'd tried to escape seven times. Each time, we were caught before getting far because I'd brought Mom with me. The last time, I'd finally gotten out of the estate on my own. But that was also the time that had led to my death.

Mom had been seated in the passenger seat beside James, still keeping the delicate, timid act going as she'd pointed in the direction I'd fled.

I'd been hit and killed right in front of Daniel Quigley, a friend of Dad's who'd come to pick me up.

Thinking of it now, I bit down hard to keep the hatred from showing.

This life was just beginning, and Dad had just gotten his inheritance. I had to stop him from gambling before he burned through everything again. Last time, he'd even lost the money set aside for taxes.

I was working through a plan so intensely that I didn't answer when Dad called my name. At my silence, he snapped irritably, "Your mother hasn't gone far. If you regret this, I'll call a car right now and send you to her!"

I jolted out of my thoughts and quickly shook my head. "I don't regret it, Dad. I'm staying because I truly want to."

He still didn't believe me. "Would you still stay if I hadn't inherited a hundred million dollars?"

I met his eyes calmly. "Dad, I'd still choose you, even if you had nothing."

He exhaled, moved despite himself. He pulled me into a hug. "You're a good kid…"

"But first…" I tilted my chin up. I wasn't going to dance around this. "Have you started gambling, Dad? Be honest with me."

Whatever softness had touched Dad's face froze and turned into impatience. "Gambling? Don't make it sound so horrible! It's called investing. Everybody does it!"

My heart sank. I took a deep breath and tried to reason with him first. "Listen to me, Dad. A hundred million dollars sounds like a lot, but it's nowhere near enough to splurge for a lifetime. We need to start managing the money now."

He waved me off like it was nothing. "I only spend small amounts, and you don't even know how much a hundred million is! I went to the bank the other day—it filled an entire vault!

"Look, stop being such a downer. I'll take you on a trip in a couple of days. How about we go skiing? Or do you want a beach trip?" He gestured excitedly, like a child.

I felt dizzy with anger. Now, I understood why he had burned through the money so quickly in our last life. He and Camila both loved the high life, but neither of them knew how to earn it.

By the time they realized their mistakes, it was already too late.

I shouted at him, "If you can't control yourself, give me the money! I'll handle it!"

Dad didn't like having his parade rained on. He slowly lowered his arms and gave me a long, measuring look. "I knew it, Selena. You only stayed for the money."

He tossed my suitcase at me and strode ahead. "You don't have the right to boss me around; mind your own business. And don't embarrass me when we get to Cloudside Villa."

I dragged my suitcase and hurried after him. "Cloudside Villa? What's that?"

He talked as he walked. "Besides cash, the inheritance included a few properties. I've listed all but Cloudside Villa for sale, including this one. I'm putting together 50 million dollars for one big all-in. This time, I'll hit the jackpot!"

"50 million dollars?" I stared at him, shocked. "Dad, that's insane. You cannot invest that!"

"Shut up! My instincts are the best. Who are you to call me insane?" He whipped around and roared at me. "When we get to Cloudside Villa, try to act like you've got some sense. My friend, Daniel Quigley, will be there. He's not nearly as easygoing as I am. If you're rude and embarrass me, I won't let it slide."

I was so angry I started crying; I wiped my eyes with my sleeve as I walked. In the garage, I flung my suitcase into the backseat of an idling car.

Dad glared at me and was about to chew me out again when the passenger door opened. A man in a black trench coat stepped out. He was tall and stood with his back straight. His presence was commanding.

"Easy there, Selena," he said.

I looked up at his aristocratic face, taking in his features. My eyes widened slightly, and they stung a little. So, this was what Daniel looked like before we'd dragged him down.