Chapter 1

In my past life, I thought Julian was being sweet and thoughtful when he booked that medical checkup package, claiming he was worried about my pre-wedding stress.

I only had mild dizziness and fatigue, but he insisted that wedding prep was taking a toll and that I needed a full screening.

Then the lab report came back: "Suspected carrier of a rare genetic blood disorder." The doctor solemnly advised us to hold off on having kids.

I fell for it completely. The wedding was postponed, and I spiraled into a deep depression.

Julian took care of me hand and foot. My stepsister, Chloe, even moved in to "keep me company."

It wasn't until I overheard a hushed conversation outside my door that the brutal truth hit me: the medical report had been forged from the start.

Their real goal was to have Chloe step in as my "selfless caregiver," eventually usurping my position and taking over the massive fortune my father had left behind.

Devastated, I stormed in to confront them. But they dragged me down to the basement, locked the heavy iron door, and left me to starve to death in that damp, rotting dark.

When I opened my eyes again, I was right back to the day of that checkup. Julian was standing before me, handing me that exact piece of paper with a look of pure tenderness.

I sat in the clinic's VIP lounge, the crisp lab report resting on the glass coffee table before me.

Julian sat right beside me, clasping my hands tightly. Concern was etched across his handsome face.

"Vivienne, hey, look at me. Don't be scared. It's just a suspected carrier gene. It doesn't mean you'll get sick."

"Medicine is advanced these days. We'll take it one step at a time, okay?"

His voice was dripping with gentle warmth—a sickening contrast to the icy, venomous tone I remembered before I died.

I lowered my eyes. My long eyelashes hid the churning hatred burning inside me.

"Yeah. I understand."

My voice was soft, laced with just the right amount of trembling vulnerability.

Julian pulled me into his arms, softly stroking my back. He let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm so glad you're taking it this well, Vivienne."

"Come on, let's head home. I made your favorite chicken soup."

I nodded obediently and let him lead me up by the hand.

At the reception desk, he stepped away to settle the billing. I deliberately lagged behind.

I spotted a duplicate copy of the printed report sitting on the counter. The second the receptionist turned her back, my hand shot out.

In my previous life, Julian had snatched the report away before I could even read the cover page properly.

Looking back, he was terrified I’d look too closely.

I swiftly swiped the document and tucked it deep into my purse. My fingertips tingled with an icy resolve.

Whether it proved useful or not, this evidence couldn't stay exclusively in his hands.

On the drive back, Julian kept his eyes on the road while speaking in that sickeningly sweet, worried tone.

"Vivienne, given your condition, I don't feel comfortable leaving you home alone."

"I already spoke to Chloe. I told her to pack a bag and move into our guest room for a while. It'll do your mood some good to have your sister around."

He didn't even pretend to ask for my opinion. He just stated it as a done deal.

I leaned back against the car window, my face pale, my voice faint.

"Sure. But won't that be too much trouble for her? Doesn't she have classes?"

"Nothing is more important than your health," Julian said firmly, the picture of a devoted fiancé.

I closed my eyes and didn't utter another word.

Behind my shut lids, my mind was racing.

Julian. Chloe. Go ahead and start your little show.

This time, I won't be the naive fool you play like a fiddle.

The car soon pulled into the villa's driveway. Julian chivalrously opened the door for me, carefully supporting my arm the entire way inside.

The moment the front door clicked open, Chloe was already waiting in the living room.

She was dressed in a pristine white dress. The instant she saw me, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Vivienne!" She rushed over, wrapping her hands around my arm with exaggerated concern.

"Julian told me everything. How are you holding up? Are you in pain?"

The cloying, sweet perfume radiating off her instantly dragged me back to the stench of mildew and decay in that cellar.

I swallowed the fierce urge to shove her away and forced a fragile, sickly smile.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

Julian chimed in smoothly. "Chloe, go set your things in the guest room and unpack. Vivienne needs rest, and she needs you close by."

Chloe nodded right away, a flicker of triumphant excitement flashing in her eyes.

"Of course, Julian! I'm on it. Vivienne, take a seat and relax!"

Watching her eager, scampering figure, a cold smirk touched the corners of my lips.

While Julian headed into the kitchen to warm up the soup, I pulled out my phone and shot a quick message to Logan, my childhood friend and trusted corporate attorney.

*Look up the owner and shareholders of the Westside Health Center. See if they've had any recent malpractice complaints or scandals tied to their medical licenses.*

Once the message went through, I wiped the chat log clean and slid the phone back into my purse.

Julian emerged with a steaming bowl, tenderly urging me to take a sip.

I looked up at him, my expression dazed and frightened.

"Julian... why me? Why is this happening? I'm so scared."

Julian set the bowl down immediately, pulling me into a tight embrace, pouring endless sympathy into his words.

"Don't be afraid. You have me. I will stand by you forever."

Burying my head against his chest, I listened to the deceitful rhythm of his heartbeat. My soul remained dead cold.

Oh yes, you'll stand by me "forever."

Right until you bleed every last cent out of me, before throwing me away like trash.

In this life, let's see who ends up burying whom.