Chapter 2

Dad gave me a little shove. "Selena, this is Daniel. Greet him properly."

I stepped forward and sincerely reached for his hand to shake it, even giving him a little bow. In my last life, he was the only one who was willing to help me. "Hi, Mr. Quigley."

He looked surprised and helped me up. "Hey, no need to be so formal."

I straightened and met his deep, gentle eyes, smiling at him before getting into the car. Seeing Daniel settled the restlessness in my heart. He was loyal and unbelievably capable. He'd helped Dad with the inheritance and could've taken a portion for himself in return, but he'd given Dad everything.

In my past life, he'd tried hard to stop Dad from burning through the money. Dad had taken it as Daniel trying to boss him around because he'd seen more of the world. Camila didn't like him either and kept fanning the flames.

But when Dad's finances started collapsing, it was Daniel who had stepped in and helped, keeping Dad going for a while longer.

During the drive, Dad wouldn't shut up. "Daniel, come invest with me. The more we put in, the more we make. I'm telling you, I'm gonna turn this around!"

Daniel handed him deftly. He didn't agree, but he also didn't outright refuse and set Dad off.

We pulled up to Cloudside Villa, which was halfway up a hill. It looked grand from the outside, but the garden and hot spring were in shambles from neglect.

"Where are the household staff?" I asked.

Dad's gaze turned shifty. Daniel answered for him. "Your dad said it's not necessary to have that many staff, so he let them all go."

I fell silent.

Dad bristled. "It's just temporary. Once I make the money back, I'll hire better ones! What's that look supposed to mean?"

"Blake, Selena's just concerned." Daniel smoothed things over and took us to pick out our rooms.

He arranged one for me that faced south and looked out on the garden. Dad was pleased, but I stopped them. "Mr. Quigley, I'd like a different room."

Dad was already wound up and exploded. "How dare you be so picky? What's wrong with this room? Go stay with your mother if you don't like it! You think you're suffering after choosing me, don't you?"

He yelled at the top of his lungs. It wasn't really about scolding me—he was just venting his own unease.

I waited for him to finish, then explained calmly, "This room is too big. I'm… afraid of the cold."

He looked even more confused. "Cold? It's facing south, and it overlooks the garden. I swear you just don't know how to enjoy the good things in life!"

I looked at him, feeling my throat constrict. I couldn't say the real reason.

In my past life, my room at James' villa also faced the garden. He'd often used rose stems to whip me. Even now, the sight of flowers made me nauseous.

"Any room is fine. Even a staff room," I said.

Dad's face turned blotchy with rage. "A staff room? What are you playing at? Are you trying to make Daniel think I'm abusing you?"

I sighed. "Then what do you want?"

"What do I want?" He got angrier and yanked me downstairs. "I want you to stop looking at me like I'm a fool! Like you've got all the answers!"

"I don't! Wait!" He threw me into the fountain. The filthy water flooded my mouth and nose; I hacked and gasped.

He stared down at me coldly. "Are you lucid now?"

"Blake!" Daniel rushed over.

Dad shot him a vicious glare. "I'm disciplining my own daughter, so stay out of this! She's going to learn some manners today!"

Daniel ignored him. He hauled me out and wrapped me in his trench coat while I shook uncontrollably. He said firmly, "Selena can have my room. I'm hardly ever here, anyway. As for that south-facing room, you can take it since you like the garden so much, Blake."

Dad started to protest, but Daniel gave him a cool, leveling look and carried me off. His room was dry and warm, with a view of a distant church.

Before he left, he rubbed my head. "Take a hot shower and rest. I promise no one will disturb you tonight."

That night, there were no icy laughs or the rotten scent of roses. I finally slept well.

…

When I woke up the next day, I made a plan to find work. I headed out for interviews.

Dad was still asleep, but Daniel had gotten up even earlier than I had. He was in the garden, pulling out the rose bushes.

"Mr. Quigley?" I was surprised. "You don't like roses, either?"

"They're fine, but you don't seem to like them. There's no reason to keep them," he said evenly.

I hadn't mentioned the roses last night. Could it be that he'd been reborn, too?

But he didn't act like he knew me when seeing me this time. Maybe I was overthinking it.

I pushed down the suspicion and hurried out. Dad was already neck-deep in gambling. I had to earn money—we couldn't live off the dwindling leftovers.

I passed the interview at the burger joint and was bussing trays when I heard a familiar voice. "Well, well. If it isn't my dear little sister."

Camila stood there in a designer dress, her hand covering her mouth in mock shock. "Oh, my God. Didn't you inherit a hundred million dollars? How did you end up working in a place like this?"

Everyone in the restaurant turned to stare.