Seven Floors Down, Seven Years Back

I was reborn to the day when Mom and Dad brought me back to the Jagger residence.

Their eyes were swollen from crying as they told me, through their tears, how much they had missed me and how guilty they felt for all the lost years.

It had been a decade since we'd been apart, and they'd never stopped thinking about me.

In my previous life, I was so moved by their words that I broke down in tears and threw myself into their arms, foolishly thinking I'd finally found a place where I belonged.

I thought I'd finally found someone who truly loved me!

Yet seven years later, I tore at my wedding dress in despair and threw myself from the Jagger residence, foolishly hoping that such a drastic move would make them finally care about me.

But the truth was, no one ever loved me.

Now, I felt nothing as if I were made of stone.

"Sweetheart, I've prepared so many gifts for you! They're all in the living room. Take whatever you want!" Mom said.

I didn't answer, so she took my hand and led me there.

Dad followed closely, smiling as he called Magnus Gilmore—the man I was promised to—and urged him to hurry back.

Magnus' response was curt. "I'm busy."

Dad's face clouded over.

Mom, clearly uneasy, explained, "Magnus has a lot on his plate. We've entrusted him with running the company. So you'll only see him on weekends."

I used to believe it before, but after being reborn, my heart remained indifferent, and I merely played along.

As I walked into the expansive living room, my eyes immediately fell on a series of carefully chosen gifts, each one wrapped so elegantly it almost seemed too good to open.

"These are all surprises for you, Cora! Pick whichever one you like!" Dad said with a grin.

My gaze settled on the biggest gift in the far corner. It was a huge, white plush bear, wearing a pink bow.

In my past life, I was drawn to it instantly. I believed Mom and Dad genuinely loved me, so I chose the bear without a second thought. But then, they seemed uneasy.

After a quick exchange of glances, they said, "Cora, that bear is actually Rosa's birthday gift. But she's thoughtful and said you could have her favorite one. Still, why not take a look at the others?"

I blinked, moved by their words. "Rosa wants me to have it? She's so kind."

I was still drawn to the plush bear and couldn't resist wanting it.

Mom and Dad exchanged another look as if there was something they weren't saying, but they held their tongues.

Overcome by excitement, I rushed over and grabbed the bear, pulling it into my arms.

Just then, Rosa Jagger walked in, carrying her schoolbag.

We were both 15, but she carried herself with a maturity that made me seem so naïve by comparison. When she saw me holding her plush bear, she pursed her lips and put on a strained smile.

"I heard you were back, Cora, so I hurried home from school. You can have that gift if you like it," Rosa said, biting her lip as she turned away.

Mom and Dad caught every change in her expression.

Mom quickly approached me. "Why not check out the other gifts, Cora? This one might not be the best for you."