Chapter 2

“Marriage between families is a serious matter. Even if Mr. Gregory already has someone he cares for, he’s still willing to sacrifice his happiness to marry you.

“Please, stop putting on this attitude and accept it.”

His tone sounded polite, but the disdain in his words echoed Connor’s.

I had no interest in wasting my breath. Keeping my face expressionless, I refused to take the box.

As the standoff dragged on, the fortune teller finished his reading. Stroking his beard, he announced, “Miss Starks and Mr. Liam are a match made in heaven. Their union will bring prosperity to both families.”

The hall erupted in an uproar. The butler was so startled that he dropped the box.

My mother clutched my hand, panic written across her face.

“Liam is famous for being cold and ruthless, and he’s the head of the Gregory family. How could he possibly agree to marry you? You’ve loved Connor since you were a child. Don’t worry, Mommy will make sure you marry him.”

I shook my head firmly.

“No. Connor and I are finished. I’m willing to marry Liam.”

Just then, Connor and Rachel arrived, late as always. The butler hurried to explain what had happened.

The more Connor listened, the darker his expression grew. He even forgot to steady Rachel and stormed up to the stage, fists clenched, his composure hanging by a thread.

“That’s impossible! Helen was supposed to marry me. There must be some mistake!”

Rachel immediately clung to his arm, her gesture dripping with intimacy. While soothing him, she couldn’t resist sneering at me.

“Don’t worry. What does it matter if she’s desperate to marry? Mr. Gregory would never take a woman like her seriously. No matter how many chances she gets, she’ll always be nothing but a pathetic simp.”

Her words made my chest tighten.

So, Rachel had been reborn as well.

Connor’s expression gradually eased.

“She’s right. Helen, my uncle is a workaholic. Not even beauty queens catch his eye. If you cling to him, you’ll only embarrass yourself. Apologize now, and I’ll forgive your arrogance. We can still hold the wedding.”

I scoffed inwardly, turned my back on them, and walked out before the party even ended.

What I didn’t know was that, halfway across the globe, inside a Rolls-Royce, a man was watching the livestream of the banquet.

As the farce played out on the screen, a rare flicker of amusement crossed his otherwise stern features.

…

After venting my frustration at the party, doubt still lingered in me.

Even though the prophecy had changed, Liam was the head of the Gregory family. If he refused, no one could force him.

Besides, he had been abroad for the past three years, expanding the family’s markets, and hadn’t returned home once.

In my previous life, my only encounter with Liam had been at one of my fashion design exhibitions.

We had happened to be in the same city. Connor had vanished the moment his plane landed, leaving me stranded. It was Liam who helped me arrange the exhibits, set up the venue, and even introduced me to VIPs.

Though only three years older than Connor, Liam carried himself with the calm authority of a seasoned businessman.

To me, he was never the cold-hearted figure others claimed him to be. He felt more like a distant older brother—cool on the surface, yet steady and reliable inside.

A few days later, I received an invitation to the Gregory mansion. It stated that Liam had flown back specifically to discuss the marriage.

This would be my first meeting with him since my rebirth. I immediately threw myself into preparations, agonizing over what dress and jewelry to wear.

But when I searched through my wardrobe, I realized my favorite dress—the one I had designed myself—was missing.

That was when I remembered I had left it at Connor’s house. Deciding it was time to end things cleanly, I gathered up his belongings at mine and headed over.

The moment I stepped inside, Rachel’s laugh drifted from the bedroom.

“Connor, you’re the best. This dress is just perfect on me. But… isn’t this my sister’s favorite? Won’t she be upset if she sees me wearing it?”

Connor dismissed her second question without a thought.

“You make it look even more elegant. This dress was meant for you.”

When I entered, the sight before me was Rachel draped in my dress, flinging herself into Connor’s arms.