You're Not Hurting Me This Time

When I saw the familiar list of names, I suddenly came to my senses.

The memory of drowning still clung to me when I heard Dad's voice. "Victoria, today you'll choose one of these nine men to be your fiance."

That was when it hit me that I had been given a second chance at life. Looking at the list, I crossed out Harry Hunt's name without hesitation.

Dad stared at me in shock. "Are you sure? You've been following Harry around since you were a child. Why strike his name off? Hold up. I'll have them prepare a new list."

"No, Dad," I cut him off, shaking my head firmly. "It wasn't a mistake. I'm not choosing Harry. I'm choosing Jeffrey."

In my mind, I could still see Jeffrey Reed's devastated expression after my death, his voice hoarse from screaming my name.

Seeing how determined I was, Dad said nothing more and nodded in agreement. He told me to keep it hush for now. In three days, he would make the announcement himself at my engagement party.

I left Dad's study room and walked into the villa's grand hall, where I came face-to-face with Harry. At his side was Ember Burke. The moment she saw me, she shrank back and hid behind him like I was a monster.

Harry pulled her close and whispered, "Don't be afraid, Ember. I won't let anyone hurt you."

He turned and glared at me with pure hostility. "Victoria, although Ember's a scholarship student sponsored by your family, that doesn't give you the right to bully her."

I froze. This was not how things had played out before.

Ember lifted her red, swollen hand onto his arm and said carefully, "Harry, please don't blame Ms. Webb. I was born humble, so washing her clothes by hand isn't a big deal."

I blinked in disbelief. I did not ask Ember to wash my clothes. That was when I realized she had been pulling the same act again, pretending to be the victim to gain sympathy.

Before I could defend myself, Harry snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. "Victoria, even if you chose me as your fiance, I would never love a woman as cruel as you!"

After saying that, he turned to Ember and gently caressed her hand, pity clouding his eyes. "Ember, you're not lowly at all. You're worth more than people with hearts full of malice."

He cast me a look of cold disdain. And just like that, the sharp ache returned. In this life, just as in the last, Harry never believed me.