All Chapters of After the Second Sunrise: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I had spent my whole life living in the shadow of my sister, Juliana, the woman everyone in the mafia's heir circle adored and protected. She had no idea that I had been reborn. Just like in my previous life, she smiled sweetly and gently, insisting that I pick my fiancé first, pretending to be thoughtful and gracious. However, this time, I refused. In my previous life, I naïvely believed she meant well. I married the man she recommended, Chester Kane, an heir who was said to have been paralyzed after an ambush. I gave up my right to inherit the family, becoming his caretaker, his crutch, the medicine he used to fight loneliness. However, no matter how much warmth I gave him, his heart remained frozen. The truth only came out during my sister's pregnancy celebration. When an assassin from a rival family raised his gun toward her belly, the man who had not stood in years suddenly rose to his feet. He shoved me toward the muzzle of the gun. All seven bullets tore into my womb. As

As we headed to the casino, Chester sighed."I know. You were reborn, too."I laughed, but there was no humor in it."Reborn or not, what difference does it make? Are you going to start playing favorites now?""I'm sorry," he murmured, almost inaudible.I just shook my head, at a loss for words. "Chester, is that all you've got after all this time?"Out of nowhere, he pulled me close and kissed me senselessly."Tania," he whispered, his forehead resting gently against mine, his voice a solemn vow, "I promise, this is the last time you'll have to go through anything like this."We're just hitting the casino, dropping some cash to get your sister out of trouble. You'll be okay."And after that, I'll make you my wife. I'll spend every day making it up to you."I tried to smile, but my voice came out raspy."Chester, just one last question for you. Don't you see she's just playing us for attention?"Chester paused, his eyes darting away from mine. "I... I don't know."Not know

In a fit of rage, Chester hurled his phone at Juliana's feet, the screen shattering on impact.The transaction records, however, were clear in Juliana's eyes: the payoffs she had sent to the gamblers.Juliana's face went ghostly white, rooted to the spot in terror."Couldn't you see your sister's life was at stake?" Chester's fury was on the verge of eclipsing his sanity, his eyes piercing Juliana with a chilling ferocity.Juliana burst into tears, her sobs heavy as they splashed onto his hand."It's not like that..."Seth's brow furrowed as he wrapped Juliana in a protective hug. "Chester, back off! Why are you attacking Juliana? She's done nothing wrong!"Chester scoffed, his fist bloodied, "Nothing wrong? Juliana, with 1.5 billion dollars in your bank, why didn't you settle the gambling debts? This whole mess is just a sick game you've been playing, right?"Juliana's eyes flickered with fear. "I... I don't know what you're talking about. That money... It's from investments,

On my birthday, the financial headlines blared with the news of Larson Group's utter ruin.Eric surprised me with 999 roses, renewing his declaration of love. I said yes, wrapped in the sweetness of the moment.However, then, the jarring ring of my phone cut through the air. The caller ID flashed the name of the defense attorney for Larson Group's remnants.I picked up the phone without much thought, figuring it was Chester trying to battle me for the last three New Cordova ports owned by Larson Group.Those smuggling routes were enough to make any crime family jealous."Ms. Larson, this isn't about a fight," the lawyer said carefully, "Mr. Kane wants you to know he's giving up all claims to the Larson inheritance, including the lifetime use of those ports. He's handing them over to you, no strings attached."I paused, my finger lingering on the table. "What's the catch?""Just one meeting, even if it's only a minute."We agreed to meet at the old restaurant we used to love. Ch