Chapter 1

I used to be Silverwood’s most coveted IT-girl, the dazzling heiress to the multi-million dollar Vance empire.

But a single DNA test stripped it all away, and I was thrown out to a run-down house in a dusty country town.

Out there, my only companion was my frail, sick Grandma Hazel. We had only each other to lean on.

Yet, the boy I had chased for a decade—my childhood sweetheart—refused to let me go. He humiliated me again and again, all to please the real heiress.

They stood by and watched as my heart failed, leaving me to gasp for air and die in the cold.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back. It was three years later, the exact day I was destined to cross paths with Ethan Sterling again.

"Who are you trying to fool with that pathetic look? You only spent three years in that trashy town."

"You stole eighteen years of Olivia’s life. This is just the price you have to pay."

If this were my past life, I would have spun on my heel and walked away, giving the man in front of me zero chance to insult me. But in this life, I didn't care anymore.

Because all I wanted was to save up enough money to pay for Grandma Hazel’s medical bills.

The guy standing in front of me was Julian Vance. He used to be my brother, but now, he was Olivia’s brother.

Julian was your typical trust-fund brat—drinking, gambling, and sleeping around. He checked every single box.

Back when I was still the Vance heiress, I tried so hard to fix him. I constantly stopped him from ruining his life at casinos and shady clubs.

I used to think he’d appreciate my care. Instead, he had secretly hated me for over a decade.

And now, just to humiliate me, the moment he found out I was working as a waitress at The Onyx, he dragged me straight into their private VIP room.

"Look who I ran into, guys!"

Julian threw the door open and shouted, instantly drawing everyone's eyes to me. Including Ethan Sterling’s.

The crowd in the room looked at me with mocking amusement.

"Well, well, isn't this our former Princess Sera? How did you end up working as a cheap waitress? Or did you finally realize you’re not good enough for Ethan anymore, so you snuck into his club to get his attention?"

Laughter erupted across the room.

"Shut up, guys. Ethan is already married to my sister Olivia now," Julian sneered, looking at me like I was the most disgusting thing on earth. "Sera is nothing compared to Olivia."

Everyone in the room waited to watch me break.

Three years ago, I was so bright and proud. Now, I was covered in dirt.

In my past life, my pride couldn't take this. I had spun around and walked out.

But that single move had enraged Ethan. With one word from him, I was blacklisted from every decent job in Silverwood.

Even Grandma Hazel was kicked out of the hospital, leaving her to die in agony back in that small town.

In this life, my pride meant absolutely nothing to me.

"I was young and stupid back then, Mr. Sterling. I’m sorry I offended you. Please, just let me earn a living."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised. He probably thought I was here to stalk him, since The Onyx was one of his properties.

But the truth was, in my past life, I had no idea he owned this place. I only came here because the tips were good.

As I bowed my head and apologized to Ethan in front of everyone, he suddenly grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the room.

Ethan was the man I loved most in the world. I had been crazily obsessed with him for ten years.

Back then, all of Silverwood knew I was trailing behind him like a lost puppy, completely unable to live without him.

But Ethan despised me. Yet, I was too blind to see it, clinging to him even when his eyes held nothing but disgust.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Ethan’s voice was ice-cold.

I looked up at him, my voice steady and serious. "I need money. My grandma is extremely sick, and I need to pay for her surgery. Please, Mr. Sterling, just let me work here."

"I promise I will never bother you again. I won't interfere with your life with Olivia. I just want a chance to keep my grandma alive."

I practically begged him. With Grandma's condition, this high-end club was my only shot at making enough cash fast.

Ethan seemed thrown off by my answer. But in the end, he didn't kick me out.

Before he left, he threw a cold warning over his shoulder. "You better behave yourself. If you try to hurt Olivia again, no one will save you."