Chapter 1

"Damien Meyer, you're the one."

An aged yet powerful voice pulled me back from the endless darkness.

Before me was Thornton Estate's indoor training facility. The one speaking was none other than the family patriarch, Elliot Thornton.

That was when I realized—I had been reborn.

Around me, dozens of elite operatives stood in the same black training uniform. We'd been sent by major security companies across the country, each one a top contender for the job.

I stood there, caught in my thoughts, and didn't move when I was supposed to.

The hall grew tense as everyone turned to stare, their faces full of curiosity and confusion.

"Wait!" A clear, urgent female voice sliced through the stillness in the training hall.

The training hall doors flew open, and Isabella Thornton rushed in, slightly out of breath. Her gaze swept past everyone and settled on me. Panic and something darker, almost like fear, flickered in her eyes.

"Grandpa, I don't want him." She pointed at me, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I'm choosing Jasper as my personal bodyguard."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

I saw the urgency in her eyes and suddenly smiled. So… she had returned too.

In my past life, Elliot had glanced at me and made his choice. Isabella had stood silently by, accepting it without a word. She treated me like her sharpest weapon. For five years, I was her shadow, shielding her from every threat, seen and unseen.

I thought those five years of loyalty, of standing by her side, would've warmed her heart. But in the face of life and death, she chose my pretty-boy younger brother, Jasper Meyer, without a second thought.

My thoughts returned, and I no longer hesitated. I stepped forward and gave Elliot a slight nod. "Mr. Thornton Senior, this works out. Since Ms. Thornton has already chosen the person she trusts most, I'm confident Jasper can take on the responsibility."

I paused, letting my words carry across the training facility. "Starting today, I'm officially leaving Sentinel Security Group. I won't be signing a contract with the Thornton family."

The moment the words left my mouth, the entire training facility went silent.

Isabella's flustered expression froze, replaced by sheer disbelief. She probably expected me to act as I did in my past life, following her blindly, no matter what she did.

Too bad that version of Damien was long gone.

"Nonsense!" Elliot's cane slammed against the floor with a heavy thud. "Isabella, do you even know what you're doing?"

He was furious. He pointed at me, then turned to Isabella. "Damien is the best we have! When he pulled that oil tycoon out of a deadly ambush unscathed, the kid you picked was still sniveling in training camp!

"His skills and instincts are worth more than any amount of money! And you're letting him walk for some smooth-talking brat?"

His words were ruthless. Jasper, standing behind Isabella, went pale.

"Grandpa…" she said, trying to argue.

But Jasper was quick to interrupt, tugging at her sleeve. His voice was fragile, almost breaking. "Bella, forget it. I should go. Mr. Thornton Senior is right. I… I really can't compare to Damien. Only he can truly keep you safe. For you, it's fine. Really, I don't mind."

As he spoke, he casually wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, revealing a fresh, unhealed cut on his wrist.

"What happened to your hand?" Isabella immediately focused on it, grabbing his wrist. Worry and concern flooded her eyes.

"Who did this? Tell me!"

Jasper quickly pulled his hand back and hid it behind him. His eyes flicked toward me before he swiftly looked down again.

Isabella's rage flared. She spun toward me, her voice sharp and accusing. "Damien! How could you be so cruel? Grow up! Stop playing these cheap, petty tricks. Are you serious? How childish can you get?"