All Chapters of Reborn Beyond Their Remorse: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

A scalding drop of wax splattered onto the back of my hand, causing me to yelp in pain.My parents turned their heads, their eyes brimming with undisguised disgust."Why are you so clumsy all the time?" barked my dad.I remained silent, but inside, I was bubbling with excitement.That was because I had been reborn, flung back to my birthday.In Doreraford, everyone had heard about Andrea Jordan, the delicate darling of the city.Few were aware she had an older sister.From a young age, she had been sickly, which garnered our parents' boundless love and attention, leaving me to fade into her radiant shadow.We were seated in the opulent private room of an upscale restaurant.My dad, Brent Jordan, waved off the waiter and jerked his chin toward me. "She can handle it."My mom, Fiona Jordan, offered a rehearsed smile. "We don't need outsiders at our family dinner."The waiter shot me a puzzled, pitying look before slipping out.I calmly rose from my seat, refilling their cups

Chapter 2

Jolted back to the present, I fixed my gaze on Andrea. "Sorry, can't make it. I've got a business trip lined up right after this."Her hand shot out to clutch mine, and she pleaded, "Come on. This is our one special day together every year. Are you really going to skip it?"Andrea was away at art school most of the time, and our 'sisterly' moments were rare, making her plea even more manipulative.Brent's face darkened with disapproval. "Andrea is bending over backward here, and you're gonna play hardball?"Fiona pulled Andrea into a protective embrace, sparing me not even a glance. "Only Andrea would bother to include you. What kind of dead-end job drags you away on a birthday?"My career wasn't flashy. I ran an online clothing boutique.In the early days, I'd rise before dawn to source inventory, often standing at my stall until dusk without a single sale.Then I'd ridden the e-commerce boom, scaling up into a thriving business that lifted our family out of hardship.Andrea b

Chapter 3

I had just arrived home when my phone buzzed.It was my best friend, Joyce Roy, her voice tentative on the line. "Claudia, about that guy I mentioned last time... you up to meeting him?"She paused, then confessed, "Honestly, I already showed him your picture, and he's totally smitten. I get that you and Steven are engaged, but let's be real. Anyone can see he's not treating you right.""Sure, why not? Set it up," I replied without hesitation.Joyce paused, then squealed with delight. "Hallelujah, you've finally seen the light! Wait for my good news."Just then, a pair of arms encircled me from behind, pulling me close."What's the big excitement about?" a familiar voice murmured.I knew it was Steven without turning, but I wriggled free from his hold, stepping away."Nothing important." I shrugged.The chill in my voice caught him off guard.He tried to probe further, but his phone pinged with a notification from Andrea's social media.In the post, she posed cozily between

Chapter 4

Steven's accusing finger hung suspended in mid-air.Coming to his senses, he let out a derisive snort. "Forget the birthday gift. You don't deserve it. I'll pass it to Andrea as an apology on your behalf."Little did he know that I was aware he'd never gotten me anything. This was just a convenient excuse. To him, I was a fool he could string along.He bolted out, his face etched with urgency.Moments later, my phone chimed with a message from Joyce.[Date set for three days from now.]...I arrived fashionably late to Andrea's art exhibition.From across the room, I spotted her linked arm-in-arm with Steven, posing for the press like Hollywood royalty.When a reporter asked about their relationship, Andrea blushed coyly. Steven just gazed at her, his expression dripping with fondness.The reporter nodded knowingly, jotting notes.Nearby, my parents observed the scene, their faces glowing with pride.As I drew nearer, Fiona's voice carried over the hum of the crowd. "Don't

Chapter 5

Steven snatched the certificate, stunned. "What is this?"He skimmed through it and scoffed, "You forged this just to rile me up?"I yanked it back. "Don't flatter yourself. You're not worth the effort."This conversation was all too familiar.Whenever it came down to me or Andrea, he sided with her without question.I'd endured a lifetime of being overlooked and unloved, and I was done playing second fiddle.Brent's complexion darkened to a stormy hue. "You're just jealous that Andrea's outshining you in every way."I nodded nonchalantly. "If that's what you want to believe, sure."As I made to leave, Steven clamped down on my wrist. "This is Andrea's spotlight moment, and you owe her an apology. Where do you think you're going?"Andrea's voice wafted over, fragile and quivering, a tear glistening on her lash. "Claudia, I get that you resent me, but this exhibition is my debut. It means the world. I'd love for all my family to share in it."I brushed off her theatrics. "I di

Chapter 6

From that day forward, I ignored every call from Steven and my parents, immersing myself in wedding preparations.In a jewelry boutique, the sales associate watched with envy as Levi meticulously slipped ring after ring onto my finger, his patience endless."You hit the jackpot, Madam," she said. "Your husband spoils you rotten."Levi's eyes crinkled with delight, overflowing with unspoken love that made my pulse quicken.This incredible man was my lawfully wedded husband. For a fleeting moment, it all felt surreal, like a beautiful dream I might wake up from.Just days earlier, Joyce had arranged our blind date.The instant I laid eyes on him, recognition hit me like a bolt. "You've got to be kidding me!"My date turned out to be Levi Wheeler, the dynamic new CEO of Apex Group.As their top-performing vendor the previous year, I'd crossed paths with him at the annual gala.He'd been revamping the firm with bold strokes, and his innovative brand line meshed seamlessly with my

Chapter 7

As I packed boxes for our new home, my phone rang."Ms. Jordan, this is about your booked wedding photoshoot. We need to lock in dates.""Actually, scratch that. Cancel the whole thing."The coordinator was stunned, but I ended the call without any explanation.In my past life, I'd orchestrated every aspect of my wedding alone, from venues to vows.Steven had dodged commitments with flimsy alibis, leaving me to shoulder it all.Now Levi darted around, coordinating details with infectious energy. The contrast hit home.True love shone in actions, not empty words.A notification pinged with Andrea's latest social media update, interrupting my thoughts.The image captured her nestled intimately with my parents. Steven hovered nearby like a devoted guardian, and they exuded familial bliss.Behind them loomed the sleek outline of a cruise ship.[Nothing beats a complete family vibe.]Joyce's snarky comment appeared below. [You and Steven sure look like the picture-perfect fam.]

Chapter 8

I'd assumed clarity had been achieved, but during my wedding gown fitting, a gaunt reflection materialized in the mirror.Steven shuffled forward, his lips quivering. "Tell me this is a joke. Why are you in a wedding dress? We never officially split. How can you just marry someone else?"I pivoted gracefully, a sardonic smile playing on my lips. "Please, spare me the waterwork. You're the Oscar-worthy performer here."I looked outside the window and found my parents hovering.I added, "You and Andrea are a match made in heaven."He panicked, reaching for my hand. "Did you misunderstand something? Andrea means nothing to me romantically. It's always been you."I sidestepped him as Fiona entered, her expression pleading. "This is enough, Claudia. Marriage isn't child's play. If you've rushed into a license, just annul it. Steven won't mind."Steven bobbed his head vigorously, but I erupted in laughter. "Do you hear how absurd you sound? Isn't Andrea too delicate for IVF? Or is the

Chapter 9

My wedding day arrived, and no one from my family graced the occasion.Word reached me that Brent's stroke had left him partially paralyzed. Fiona juggled his care, her days blurred by exhaustion and tears. Andrea cited her packed exhibition schedule as an excuse for her absence, never once checking in.My life with Levi unfolded in serene bliss.Then, one day, headlines broke.[Rising Star Andrea Jordan Busted for Plagiarism][Prodigy Painter Exposed as Copycat]Her acclaimed artworks were blatant rip-offs from an obscure artist who'd finally mustered the courage to expose her.The comments section detonated with insider revelations.[Andrea has been swiping concepts since her college days.][That's how she snagged all those scholarships.][And don't get me started on her flings with the professors.]Digging ensued, unearthing more skeletons.During her studies abroad, Andrea had vanished into online gambling dens, squandering scholarships on debts that spiraled out of con

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