Chapter 1

"I'm sorry, Marshall," my mother Olivia Bourn said, her voice trembling, "but we have no choice. We can't afford to offend the Davidsons."

She pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye, pretending to be heartbroken. Watching her fake tears made my stomach twist.

Everyone in Jezelworth knew who Abby Davidson was—she was practically the queen of the city. Half a year ago, an accident left her legs injured. Since then, she had become even colder and crueler, like a living devil.

And the man she wanted to marry was none other than Wallace Bourn, the heir of the Bourns.

But now, instead of Wallace, I was being pushed forward to take his place.

I was the Bourns' adopted son, the "fake heir", so I was offered as a sacrifice.

Wallace stood nearby, unable to hide the smug smile tugging at his lips.

A lawyer's voice cut through the silence. "Mr. Marshall, once you sign this agreement, you'll officially become Ms. Davidson's husband. As compensation, the Bourns will pay you a generous sum."

I lifted my head and looked at the three faces in front of me. I had seen this exact scene before.

In my last life, I had clenched my fists and asked them why, tears burning in my eyes. All I got in return was Olivia's sharp, icy reply.

"You should be grateful, you useless boy! Marrying Ms. Davidson is the best thing that'll ever happen to you. Don't you dare act like you're too good for it!"

After that, they drugged me and sent me to Abby's mansion, where she treated me like dirt.

Later, I learned the truth. Abby had wanted to marry Wallace because she suspected the Bourns were behind the accident that had injured her and killed her parents.

She planned to marry the son of her enemy to torture him slowly and lure out the true culprit.

But the Bourns couldn't bear to sacrifice their real son. So they sent me, the imposter, instead.

Abby's plan fell apart, and all the rage and contempt she had bottled up exploded right at me.

In that vast, luxurious hall, she lifted my chin with her cane, her eyes so cold that I could hardly breathe.

"Did Olivia send you here to insult me?" she spat. "Tell her—the game has just begun."

I died in the second winter after marrying Abby. I had lost my mind by then, and one snowy night, I ran out of the mansion and got hit by a car.

My soul hovered above the ground as I watched Abby stand beside my body for a long, long time. There was no satisfaction on her face, only a deep, heavy sadness.

Meanwhile, the Bourns thrived with the wealth they had stolen from my father.

That burning hatred was what brought me back. I was reborn on the day they forced me to sign that cursed agreement.

"Fine," I said, my voice steady. "I'll sign."

I picked up the pen and signed my name, Marshall Bourn. My handwriting was calm and firm.

The three of them froze, staring at me in disbelief. They probably thought I would argue, or maybe break down in tears.

Olivia blinked in surprise before her expression shifted into cold satisfaction. The fake smile on my stepfather, Conrad Bourn, grew wider.

Only Wallace looked unsettled, his smugness fading into wariness and suspicion.

After signing, I stood up and turned toward him.

"As we agreed, you'll go back to the countryside and keep watch over my father's grave for three years. Don't forget."

"What kind of trick are you playing?" he asked, stepping back.

I smiled lightly. "You've always wondered why my so-called poor father managed to leave me that old villa, haven't you?"

Wallace's pupils shrank. That had always eaten away at him.

My real father, Will Hampton, had been a legend in business until his untimely death. Olivia stole everything he left behind and told everyone he'd been a broke scholar, while I was just a penniless kid from the countryside.

Only that old villa was still in my name.

She thought it was worthless. But later, when the land got marked for redevelopment, she regretted it deeply.

Pretending to be secretive, I leaned close to Wallace's ear and whispered, "The truth is, my dad wasn't just anyone. He was the CEO of Hampton Corporation. And the safe buried under his grave? It's filled with bearer bonds he hid for emergencies. They're worth a fortune!"