All Chapters of I'm Back and Better Than Ever: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

The wind in Floren, Novara, was as gentle as ever, but I was no longer the same woman who could be fooled by gentleness. In my past life, I married Ethan Larsen, the head of the Larsen Family, a mafia clan. Everyone said he was the most devoted man in all of Novara, and I believed it without question.Throughout our 60-year marriage, he never once lost his temper with me. He showered me with tenderness and spoiled me so much that all the women in the city envied me.I thought that was love until I died on a dark street corner in Floren. That was when I finally realized he had deceived me all my life, using the gentlest means possible. I was never the one he loved.When I opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed through the blinds onto a familiar desk. The air was choked with chalk… and I saw the application form I had signed."Elara?"I jerked my head up and saw—that face! It belonged to George Moore, my mentor from 60 years ago.The way he looked at me was just as it had been

Chapter 2

I stood frozen, my back stiff as I forced myself to look composed, even though my heart had already crumbled into dust.Ethan spotted me almost instantly. He walked over briskly, his expression carrying a tenderness that was hard to ignore."Are you done, Ellie? Let's go to the bridal shop then," he said. That nickname, 'Ellie', had once carried warmth and familiarity for me. But now, it cut me like a knife.He reached out, trying to take my hand. But I subconsciously stepped back.The air between us hung awkwardly."I'm tired," I said, avoiding his gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to try on wedding dresses anymore."Ethan was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowed. He pressed his palm to my forehead. "Are you feeling sick? I'll take you to a doctor."I could feel his large hand tremble slightly against my skin.For a moment, I almost believed in him again—that he still cared about me. But loving someone and being used to caring for them were never the sam

Chapter 3

The lighting in the restaurant was soft and suggestive, reflecting off the glass like shattered gold. Through the glass, I could see Ethan. He was cutting up Serena's steak carefully, as if handling precious treasure.He sliced it into small pieces and placed them on her plate, then peeled some prawns for her until his fingertips turned red from the rising steam.It was such a tender sight, I almost forgot how to breathe. The corners of my lips curved upwards a little. But there was no warmth in that smile.Ethan had always been a clean freak and never ate food someone else had touched. Whenever we had fish or chicken wings, I would pick out the bones, piece by piece, for him.I thought that was love, but it turned out to be just a habit. Watching them, I felt my chest tighten with every breath. Even breathing became a difficult thing to do.I didn't step forward. Instead, I turned and quietly left.A gust of wind swept through the doorway, messing up my hair and carrying away th

Chapter 4

I didn't turn off my phone. The glare from the screen hurt my eyes in the dark.I had just found Serena's account. It was a newly registered account, barely a month old. Before today, every post had been taken in secret.Ethan's back, his side profile, his hands, his cuffs… Every angle was carefully framed, carrying the traces of a young girl's earnest devotion.Just like how I once was when I first fell for him. Under each photo, she'd written a little story.A poor girl, beaten down by fate, was sponsored by a young rich man—and in her gratitude, she fell in love with him."At my darkest moment, he appeared like an angel, paid off all my debts, and told me, 'Don't be afraid. I'm here.'"She turned their story into a fairytale, a love story between the prince and Cinderella. Pure, romantic, and worthy of blessings.The comments under each post stung more than the photos themselves."She loves him in such a humble way! I hope he can turn around and notice her.""This is what m

Chapter 5

During the three days Ethan spent with Serena, he suffered sleepless nights. Even with the woman he loved beside him, he couldn't stop thinking of me.Even when he walked through the airport, he seemed to catch the scent of my perfume. I had specially made it for him, a perfume with a soothing effect.Two years ago, I borrowed George's lab and spent three days and nights creating it. Its sweet gardenia note, tingled with a hint of lemon, brought a natural sense of calm and peace.George once told me the formula could be sold to a major company for a fortune. But I turned down that idea without hesitation. At that time, I told Ethan, "This is a gift I made for you. As long as I'm by your side, you will never suffer from headaches and insomnia anymore."And true to that, Ethan never had trouble sleeping during the days we were together.Perhaps he'd grown too used to my presence over the years. Being apart for just three days already made him start missing me.Hearing Ethan's wor

Chapter 6

After graduating from college, I would sometimes visit George's lab to conduct pharmaceutical experiments. But ever since my engagement to Ethan, I'd moved out of my dorm in Floren and into his villa. He never approved of my wish to continue my studies."You're the wife of the Larsen Family's heir, Elara. There's no need for you to learn all that. Just take good care of our home."And so, I withdrew from George's project and turned down a hard-earned opportunity to further my studies. I locked myself up in the cage that Ethan had built for me.When I didn't reply to his messages that night, a faint sense of unease crept over him. He lay in bed after washing up, but he couldn't fall asleep.When I was home back then, I would always sit quietly beside him. And during his busy periods, he wouldn't even notice my presence at all. That flutter of affection he once felt for me had faded into a calm routine through the days and years.So it was no surprise that he fell for someone as liv

Chapter 7

At 8:50 am, the doors to the banquet hall swung open. Ethan's lips curved into a smile as he took out the wedding ring he'd prepared long ago. He dropped to one knee, his voice filled with deep affection as he spoke his vow out loud."Will you marry me, Elara? I'll cherish and love you for the rest of my life!" he said.Applause erupted around the hall, and guests began cheering for me to say yes. But as soon as the person outside stepped in, everyone was stunned."Serena? What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay home?"This time, Ethan was genuinely furious. His expression darkened and turned grim. It was the first time he had ever snapped at Serena, causing her to freeze on the spot."I-I just wanted to take a look quietly… Just one look," she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes."I didn't mean to disturb your wedding. It's just… I thought I'd never have such a grand wedding in my life. "It made me feel envious, so I couldn't help sneaking in to see it. If it upse

Chapter 8

Ethan had no mind to comfort Serena right now. His head was filled with what George said."She flew to Verenza yesterday. So, the perfume I smelled at the airport yesterday… it was really hers?" Ethan murmured, his eyes blank and unfocused.Serena grabbed onto his arm, refusing to let go."Didn't you say I was the one you loved most? You said you only felt responsible toward Elara. Now that she's gone, you don't owe her anything anymore. So why won't you marry me?"She couldn't understand why Ethan, who once looked at her like she was his whole world, would look so lost after finding out I left."No one's standing in our way anymore!" she cried.Didn't he fall in love with Serena? Why did his heart ache so much when he heard I was gone?Ethan clutched his chest and slowly sank to his knees. At that moment, he realized he didn't like Serena as much as he thought.The guests sensed something was wrong and began finding excuses to leave the venue. In no time, the banquet hall was

Chapter 9

But Ethan replied to her in a solemn tone, "I'm being serious here. It wasn't until Elara left that I realized how much I owed her. "Back then, I wanted to make it up to her by being with her for the rest of her life. But she doesn't need it anymore. And all I have left besides my love are these assets."He lowered his head, deep in thought for a while before continuing, "I own thirty-six properties under my name, and all the money in my bank account—I'll give it all to Elara. "After that, we'll move to the cottage house. Don't worry, it may be old, but it's sturdy."Realizing Ethan was serious, Serena panicked. "Stop joking around. Aren't you the head of the Larsen Family? You are leading a whole clan, how could you just give your entire fortune to a woman?"Ethan answered calmly, "The Larsen Family's fortune isn't mine to dictate. Even if I run the Floren mafia syndicate, it doesn't stop me from giving my personal assets to Elara." Serena was truly close to tears this time

Chapter 10

When Marcus called to inform me about signing the transfer documents, I was in the university library, going through my lab research notes."You must be mistaken," I said, "I'm an orphan. There are no older relatives who'd leave me any inheritance."I refused the documents Marcus handed me and turned to leave for the lab. "It was Mr. Ethan Larsen's instructions. He's transferring all his personal assets to you. Every agreement here was signed by him personally," he said.I froze on the spot, my mind going blank."Why would he do that? I never wanted his fortune." I thought to myself.My leaving was supposed to give him and Serena what they wanted. I thought he'd marry her happily and forget about me completely.But instead, he sent Marcus all the way to Verenza just to give me all his fortune."Mr. Larsen wants you to forgive him. He said he's done things that hurt you. These assets are his way of making it up to you, and…" he hesitated, studying my expression before continuin

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP