All Chapters of Second Life, Better Wife: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

After both families confirmed the engagement, I stepped out of the room.The Whitmore sisters were waiting outside, exchanging knowing looks as they nudged Raina Whitmore toward me."Rowan, you've had a thing for Raina since you were kids. Happy now that you finally get to marry her?" one of them teased."Come on, you're the heir to the Hart family. Do you really have to make yourself look this desperate?" another mocked.Raina folded her arms and looked at me with disdain. "Our parents may have arranged the engagement, but don't assume I'm on board. If your family can't give me what I want, I won't say yes."Her tone was cold, dripping with contempt. She always put her interests first, just as she had in my previous life.I held her gaze and kept my voice even. "Raina, the Whitmores don't have only one daughter."The color drained from her face. Her sisters exchanged meaningful glances behind her. Our grandfathers had fought together in the army. My grandfather once saved her

Chapter 2

Kieran was eventually disciplined by the university for plagiarism. I never found out what he told Raina, but she decided I'd framed him.In my previous life, nothing I said could change her mind. This time, I didn't bother playing nice."Oh, come off it! That study-abroad spot was mine. With his grades, he wouldn't qualify even if you curved the whole class for him."Raina snapped, screaming at me in fury, "Rowan, how dare you insult Kieran? He may not have money, but at least he's not a fake like you! If you speak about him like that again, I don't care what our parents arranged, I won't marry you!"With that, she grabbed Kieran's hand and stormed off.I laughed under my breath. Raina, I never planned to marry you this time....The next day was my birthday, and my parents threw a large party.Wilson Whitmore arrived with his daughters and his sister, Elara Whitmore. Raina, however, never showed. Only when the party was winding down and guests were preparing to leave did

Chapter 3

Elara was four years older than Raina. She'd been frail since childhood—so thin that even a stiff breeze seemed like it could knock her over.She and I hadn't crossed paths much. But I remembered how her life had ended in my previous life. Not long after I married Raina, Elara died alone in a convalescent home.This time, since I'd decided to marry her, I intended to keep her alive and well.Elara glanced at me, disappointment flickering in her eyes.I gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll know when the time comes," I said, then turned and left.Having already decided to marry Elara, I needed to prepare a proper gift before the engagement. I spent the next three days focused entirely on it.Meanwhile, Raina didn't show up once in those three days.Kieran, on the other hand, updated his social feed every couple of hours. His latest post showed Raina in an apron, cooking steaks in the kitchen.I was just about to put my phone away when Kieran's message popped up."Rowan, you have

Chapter 4

Raina looked like she'd been struck by lightning, frozen where she stood. Her voice shot up, sharp enough to cut the air. "Dad, what do you mean?"Her sisters hurried in, confusion written across their faces."What's going on?""Are you saying the one marrying Rowan is Elara?""No way! Everyone knows Rowan is head over heels for Raina. How could he suddenly get engaged to Elara?"When no one responded, panic filled Raina's eyes. She turned desperately toward our parents. "Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Hart, say something!"She'd completely crossed the line.Wilson's face darkened as he forced down his anger. "Raina, your mom and I can still see straight. We know very well who Rowan's fiancee is!"My parents nodded in agreement."Elara is the fiancee Rowan chose," my dad said firmly.Raina's hands clenched at her sides until her nails dug into her palms. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at me, her voice trembling. "Rowan, how could you choose Elara? This has to be a mistake, ri

Chapter 5

"Once you're back on your feet and with Rowan by your side, the Whitmore family will only grow stronger," Wilson said. "May your life be free of pain and full of joy."The ring Wilson slid onto Elara's finger wasn't just jewelry—it was the symbol of the Whitmore heir.From that moment on, our futures were bound together.Today was only the announcement. The actual engagement party would take place a week later.I threw myself into the planning, insisting on handling everything personally.Elara watched me rushing about, worry clouding her eyes. "You hired a planner. You don't have to push yourself."Her voice was always so gentle, pulling me back to the memory of our last meeting in my previous life.Back then, I was still trapped in the illusion of happiness Raina had woven around me.At a family dinner, Elara sat quietly in the corner, her eyes fixed on me as Raina and I talked and laughed. She never once looked away.I'd thought she was acting strange—rude, even. Who stared

Chapter 6

"Love each other?" Wilson let out a disbelieving laugh, then turned to me. "Rowan, tell me, did you two love each other?"I'd already told Raina's parents about what was going on between her and Kieran. Everything she said now only made her look worse.I gave a cold laugh. "Mr. Whitmore, when I was a kid, I used to chase after Raina, but that wasn't love. It was just a childish affection. The one Raina truly loves is Kieran."My eyes swept over the crowd until they landed on Kieran. "Kieran, come here!" I called.His face stiffened awkwardly. He hesitated for a moment under all those eyes, then forced himself to walk over."Rowan, I do like Raina, but she's always loved you!" he said firmly, as if trying to convince everyone. I was a little taken aback. Given his usual swagger, I'd expected him to brag, not act humble. He seemed like a different person today.Raina tilted her chin, putting on a show of devotion. "See? Kieran even knows how I feel about you. Don't be mad at me

Chapter 7

My fingertips went numb, a chill running down my spine.I lurched out of bed, grabbed my keys, and rushed to the car. I barely remembered the drive. I just floored the accelerator, racing to the hospital like a madman.The private hospital had already prepared for tomorrow's crucial surgery. Every doctor was on standby. But why had Elara suddenly changed her mind?On the way there, I kept seeing her dying alone in that convalescent home from my previous life. Cold sweat broke across my forehead, quickly soaking the back of my shirt.I reached the hospital in just 20 minutes.Wilson's face was etched with grief when he saw me. He patted my shoulder and rasped, "I can't talk her around. You're the only one who might."Then, he slipped out of the room and closed the door.I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and moved to Elara's bedside. "Why won't you have the surgery?"Her eyes were clouded with conflicting emotions. After a long silence, she murmured, "Does it... really matte

Chapter 8

Elara had said she wanted to see me the moment she woke up, so I stayed by the operating room doors.But before she came out, Kieran showed up."Rowan, you did all this just to spite Raina, didn't you? You're really putting on a show. Too bad she's not buying it. Once that sickly woman actually marries you, I can't wait to see how you make Raina come back to you!"His expression twisted with smug satisfaction, as if winning Raina's love were the greatest honor in the world.I gave a dismissive laugh, not even bothering to glance his way.But trouble never came alone. Raina, whom I hadn't seen in a long while, showed up as well."Raina!" Kieran called out, his eyes lighting up with delight. "You haven't come to see me in so long. I miss you. How'd you know I was at the hospital today?"He rushed toward her, but she shoved him away. "Who said I'm here for you? I'm here for Rowan!"She hurried straight to me and, as if presenting a prize, pulled out a custom watch. "Rowan, maybe E

Chapter 9

Raina pleaded, "Rowan, I know I was wrong. I won't see Kieran again. Please forgive me, okay?"I pulled my hand back and looked at her as if she were a stranger. "Who you're with isn't my business. I'm your aunt's fiance. Once Elara recovers, we're getting married. Raina, show some respect and stop bothering me."Without hesitation, I called security. Moments later, the guards arrived and escorted both Raina and Kieran away. From the doorway, Raina's voice rang out, ragged with fury. "I'll make you change your mind! Rowan, just you wait!"I closed my eyes, letting her voice fade away, and waited by the operating room doors.Three hours later, the light above the operating room finally went out.A doctor in a white coat emerged, exhausted but smiling with relief. "The surgery was a success. She'll remain in the ICU for a few days. Once she's stable, we'll transfer her to a general ward."At his words, the tight knot in my chest finally loosened. Only then did a surge of fear w

Chapter 10

Raina snapped, "You can't marry Elara!"I raised an eyebrow, a mocking laugh slipping from my lips. "And who exactly are you to say that?""Your wife!" Raina shot back. "In our previous life, we were happy! We had a perfect family! Everyone envied us! We were the couple people couldn't stop talking about!"She'd finally said it out loud—the secret that she had come back in time too.I burst out laughing, as if I'd just heard the biggest joke of my life."A perfect family? You mean the one where my wife cut off my medical bills so I'd die in a hospital bed, all so she could be with her secretary?"The color drained from her face. She swayed, her voice trembling. "You... You came back, too? That's why you chose Elara this time!"She broke into hysterical laughter. "I should've realized sooner! It doesn't matter! If we could do this once, we can do it again! Next time, I'll make sure you never choose Elara!"Spinning on her heel, she ran out of the Whitmore residence, her laughter

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