Chapter 1

At midnight, Richard Reynold stepped through the door, bringing with him a chill from the night air.

I had just awoken after suffering from the agony of death of my previous life.

When I looked at Richard, my eyes were filled with fear and hatred.

He paused slightly, a flicker of surprise flashing through his eyes. Then, it quickly morphed into disdain.

Without sparing a glance at the table full of cold, untouched dishes, he loomed over me, his expression dark and menacing.

"Take your anger out on me! Ellie isn't malicious. She's not like you, always scheming! What's wrong with her loving music? Why must you target her?"

His accusation hit me so suddenly I didn't even know how to respond at first.

It took a while for the memories to come flooding back.

At this time in my previous life, Elise Brie had also returned to Jiora in tears.

She accused me of using my family's power to force her out of school, just so I could marry Richard.

But the truth was, while she was studying abroad, she skipped classes repeatedly to attend parties and cozy up to powerful people.

She even fell asleep during a major performance.

That was why the school advised her to withdraw.

Elise had only made up that story because she was afraid Richard would find out the truth, especially since she came from a poor background and all her expenses abroad were paid for by his family.

And between me and her, Richard would always choose to believe her.

The thought made me sneer as I retorted, "With the power of the Sanders family, crushing her would be effortless. Why would I bother going to such lengths?"

It was the first time I had ever talked back to him, and Richard's expression grew even darker.

He turned to leave, but out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the pregnancy report on the table.

My heart skipped a beat: I had forgotten to put it away!

"Well, well… now it makes sense…"

Richard picked up the report, and a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips.

"Trying a new trick to force me into marriage? Ruth Sanders, do you really think having a child would tie me down?"

Something seemed to amuse him. A cold, sinister gleam flashed in his eyes as he spoke slowly and clearly.

"I can't stand the sight of you. What makes you think I'd care about your child?"

Even though I'd already seen how heartless he could be, his words still cut at my heart like a sharp blade.

The image of my beloved son dying before my eyes in my previous life suddenly flashed through my mind like a nightmare.

I snatched the pregnancy report from his hand and tore it to shreds without hesitation.

"If you don't want this child, I'll get rid of it. From now on, there's nothing between us."

I turned to leave with a cold expression, but Richard stepped in front of me, blocking my way.