Chapter 1

The stab to my chest still felt fresh, like the knife had just been yanked out.

I jolted awake, soaked in cold sweat. Out in the living room, Theo was fixing his tie, slipping into that pricey custom suit I'd just bought him.

"Honey, I've got to work late at the university tonight. I can't make it to dinner."

Those words hit like déjà vu. Valentine's Day. Again. I'd been reborn.

His voice was soft, sweet—like he actually cared.

I looked at his lying face and felt nothing but disgust.

Last time, I fell for the act. Hard.

I married him, even when my parents warned me not to.

He told me I was his one and only, said he wanted a future with just us. I believed him and even had my uterus removed—with him holding my hand.

Then came Valentine's Day. He said he was working late. Liar. He was with Cecilia—his pregnant mistress.

Cecilia was the PhD student he helped land funding for. The one who joined us for dinner like it was nothing. She always greeted me so sweetly. I even told her she was a lovely girl.

Yeah. I basically invited a snake into my house.

At the ER that day, they both showed up covered in red marks. Theo still had lipstick smeared across his mouth.

He kept pushing me. "She's pregnant. You're a doctor. What are you waiting for? Save her!"

Cecilia's luteal rupture? Totally from rough intercourse.

Even with my heart in pieces, I powered through, spending ten hours in surgery just to keep that baby alive.

The next day, Cecilia went full public—real name, ID, the whole thing—blaming me for the miscarriage with a 360-slide PowerPoint.

Theo filed for divorce on the spot. The internet dragged me. I got doxed, harassed, the works.

Priscilla stormed into the hospital, screaming that I was a barren hen who murdered her precious grandchild.

In the chaos, someone drove a knife straight into my heart. I died on the spot.

Less than ten days later, Theo married Cecilia. Their kid was born not long after. His family cashed out my life insurance and climbed Brighton City's social ladder like royalty.

All that was left? My parents, crying in front of my photo every single day.

I floated above it all, helpless, just watching it happen. Every day, I kept asking—why?

He was the one who wanted a childfree life. He cheated. So why did he get the happy ending?

But if the universe is giving me a second shot, then this time? I'm not going out like before.

The Madoffs, Theo, and that two-faced tramp Cecilia? I'm making sure they lose everything.

***

With that thought, I grabbed one of the micro-cams I usually used for patient cases and walked over to Theo. I gave him a hug, clipped it onto the strap of his briefcase.

"I've got a shift at the hospital too," I said.

He gave me that fake-concerned look. "Sorry we can't spend Valentine's together. I'll make it up to you."

He kissed my forehead and walked out.

I didn't waste a second, ordered more cams, and hid them all over the house. Every corner covered.

Once everything was locked and loaded, I finally headed to the hospital.

Everything at the hospital was exactly how I remembered.

I pulled out my phone and checked the camera feeds.

There they were—on our bed, under our wedding photo—going at it like they owned the place.

Cecilia's belly had a small bump. She looked up at him, all smug. "Prof. Madoff, who's tighter—me or your wife?"

Theo grabbed her waist, wedding ring still on. "Obviously you. She's old. Her skin's loose. Being with her's like chilling with one of my bros. Total turn-off."

The trash talk kept coming. Each line was worse than the last.

I already knew they were trash, but seeing Theo like that—so wild, so shameless—sent a chill straight through me.

They went at it like horny animals, totally oblivious.

Then suddenly, Cecilia clutched her belly and screamed.

I shut off the phone, pulled on my surgical gown, and calmly waited for the circus to roll in.