Chapter 1

Genevieve's POV

The first thing I did after opening my eyes was drop to my knees.

The marble floor was cold against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the chill in my heart from my past life.

"Mom, Dad," I choked out, my voice trembling but my eyes resolute. "If I must fulfill the marriage alliance with the Sterling family, I will do it. But I have one condition."

My parents exchanged confused glances. "Evie? What's wrong? You've always wanted to marry Julian. You've loved him since you were children."

I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to scream. Loved him? Yes, I had loved Julian Sterling. And that love had cost me everything—my dignity, my happiness, and ultimately, the life of my precious daughter.

The image of my baby girl falling from that rooftop flashed through my mind, overlapping with Julian’s cold, indifferent face as he chose to save the nanny's son instead of his own flesh and blood.

Never again.

I looked up at my parents, tears welling in my eyes. "I know. But I also know that if I marry Julian, I will die of misery. Mom, Dad, I have never asked you for anything. But I am begging you now."

I gritted my teeth. "I want to marry Sebastian Sterling."

My parents froze.

"Sebastian?" My father gasped. "Julian's uncle? The head of the Sterling family?"

"Yes," I said firmly. "If I am to be a Sterling, I want to be the wife of the most powerful man in that family. Not the boy who treats me like dirt."

My father hesitated. "Evie... Sebastian is cold. He is ruthless in business and has never shown interest in women. He might reject you."

"I am prepared for that," I said, bowing my head until it touched the floor. "Please. Just try."

...

An hour later, I stood outside a noisy, dimly lit bar.

My parents had gone to the Sterling manor to propose the new arrangement. While I waited for my fate to be decided, Julian had summoned me here.

In my past life, I would have rushed over, eager to please him. Now, I only came to end things.

I pushed open the door to the private VIP room.

Splash!

Ice-cold water drenched me from head to toe before I could even step inside.

My expensive dress clung to my skin, and water dripped from my hair into my eyes.

Laughter erupted from the room.

"Look at that!" one of Julian's friends jeered. "The Thorne heiress, ladies and gentlemen! Always running like a dog whenever Julian whistles."

"Serves her right," another voice sneered. "Doesn't she have any shame?"

I wiped the water from my face and looked up.

Julian sat on the leather sofa in the center of the room, swirling a glass of whiskey. He looked at me with open disdain.

"You really can't wait to marry me, can you, Evie?" he scoffed. "I heard your parents went to my house today. The whole city knows you're desperate. Are you happy now?"

I stared at him, feeling nothing but a cold void where my heart used to be.

"You misunderstand, Julian," I said calmly, my voice steady despite the shivering cold. "The marriage alliance is a deal between our families. It has nothing to do with you."

Julian frowned, setting his glass down. "Nothing to do with me? Don't play dumb. Who else in the Sterling family could you possibly marry? Me?"

Before I could answer, the door creaked open again.

Mia Brooks, the daughter of Julian’s nanny, stood there. Her eyes were red, and she looked like a fragile, wilting flower.

"Mr. Julian..." she sobbed softly. "I heard... I heard you're getting married. I came to congratulate you. I hope... I hope you and Miss Thorne will be very happy."

With that, she covered her face and ran out of the room, her weeping echoing in the hallway.

Julian’s face changed instantly. The arrogance vanished, replaced by panic.

"Mia! Wait!"

He shoved past me, knocking me hard against the corner of a table.

"Ah!" I gasped as pain shot through my forehead. I felt a warm trickle of blood run down my temple.

But Julian didn't even look back. He chased after Mia, leaving his "fiancée" bleeding and humiliated in front of his laughing friends.

I touched the wound on my head, watching his retreating back.

It was exactly the same as before. He would always choose her. He would always hurt me for her.

"Pathetic," someone muttered. "She's bleeding and he still left for the nanny's daughter."

"Just give up, Evie. He'll never want you."

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out with trembling hands. It was a text from my father.

[Evie! He agreed! Sebastian agreed! The wedding is in two weeks!]

Three exclamation marks. My usually stoic father was clearly shocked.

A wave of relief washed over me, so strong it nearly buckled my knees.

Sebastian Sterling. The man everyone feared. The man who supposedly had no heart. He had said yes.

I put my phone away and looked up at the room full of people mocking me.

I didn't wipe the blood from my forehead. I didn't cry. Instead, I smiled. A cold, terrifying smile.

"You're right," I said to Julian's friends, my voice cutting through their laughter. "Julian doesn't want me. And I certainly don't want him."

I turned to leave, pausing at the door to look back at them one last time.

"Do me a favor," I said clearly. "Tell Julian that I am getting married in two weeks. But he is not the groom."

"I'm marrying his uncle."