Chapter 1

"What did you just say? Say that again!"

My father, Derek Clarke, sprang from his leather armchair, staring at me in utter disbelief.

Clarke Corp's capital chain had snapped, and on top of that, the company was embroiled in a massive financial fraud scandal.

Now that the scandal had broken, someone had to take the fall. Otherwise, the whole family would end up behind bars.

That someone was either going to be Rebecca Clarke or me.

My voice was calm yet unyielding. "Dad, I'm turning myself in. I'll do the time."

Rebecca was my half-sister, and my husband Joe Turner's first love.

In my past life, Dad had chosen to sacrifice Rebecca instead.

She had endured endless abuse in prison and died of severe depression in less than a year.

Because of that, Joe had hated me for the rest of his life.

He had loathed me for being the older sister who stood by and watched her frail younger sister take the blame for the whole family.

Throughout our ten years of marriage, he'd treated me with nothing but cold indifference and contempt.

It wasn't until I developed ALS—when my body had turned rigid and even swallowing became a struggle—that he finally showed a fleeting shred of pity.

And after I died, he had actually shot himself at my grave.

If Joe couldn't bear to live without me, why did he treat me like trash when I was alive?

Reborn into this second life, I was simply exhausted. I didn't want to play this toxic game anymore.

"Layla, do you have any idea how serious these charges are? You're looking at ten years minimum! Have you lost your mind?" Dad knitted his brows tightly.

The way he looked at me was complex.

I knew exactly what was running through his mind.

I had been spoiled rotten since childhood and couldn't endure hardship, while Rebecca was sweet and fragile, making her the one he favored.

Still, he felt guilty about how he had treated my late mother, Laurel Bridges, so sending me to prison weighed heavily on his conscience.

But if I didn't go, Rebecca would have to.

"I know," I said, meeting his eyes head-on. "I'm ready to accept the consequences. I just need your approval."

Dad fell silent for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh. "Are you… really sure about this?"

"I'm sure."

With that, I turned and left the study.

Next, I needed to head over to the Turner residence.

My engagement to Joe had been arranged by his grandfather, Aaron Turner. Now that I was heading to prison, the engagement naturally had to be called off.

I had to explain it to them in person.

The moment I stepped into the Turner residence, intense shouting echoed from the living room.

"On your knees!" Aaron slammed his cane hard against the floor.

Joe stood right in the center, his back rigid. "Grandpa, I'm not marrying Layla. It's Rebecca I love."

Aaron trembled with rage. "You idiot! Rebecca's about to go to prison for her family! There's nothing you can do! Layla is your fiancée!"

In my past life, it was the exact same scene.

To be with Rebecca, Joe was willing to forfeit his right to inherit the Turner empire just to break off our engagement.

Back then, I had loved him more than life itself. I rushed in front of Joe to plead for him, even threatening to take my own life, just to save our engagement.

Yet that forced marriage ended up becoming a prison sentence for both of us.

When Joe caught sight of me, a flash of utter disgust crossed his eyes.

"Layla, perfect timing," he said, his voice as cold as ice. "I've only ever seen you as a sister. Why do you insist on clinging to me? Even if I can't marry Rebecca, I will never marry you."

Every single word cut right to the bone.

I took a deep breath to push down the dull ache in my chest.

Ignoring him completely, I walked straight up to Aaron. "Mr. Turner Senior, I came here today to talk about calling off the engagement."