Chapter 2

The next morning, Carter surprisingly sat down for breakfast at home.

He was wearing a brand-new navy dress shirt with subtle cuff detailing—obviously designer.

I took a quick glance and kept my mouth shut.

In the past, I would have asked who bought it, how much it cost, and why he’d never worn it before. Now, all I could think was that the shirt was completely wasted on his face.

He pulled out a chair, took a sip of his coffee, and casually asked, "How are the wedding plans coming along?"

"Almost done," I answered, keeping my eyes on my bowl.

"Who did you invite as your bridesmaid?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Zoey."

Zoey was my partner back when we sold goods at street markets. She had moved out of state, but we stayed in touch.

In my previous life, I had invited her. She flew across the country just to watch me get publicly humiliated at the altar.

Carter frowned. "Just her? Serena offered to step in as a bridesmaid for you. You two could get to know each other."

A cold sneer ran through my mind.

Serena as my bridesmaid? Standing beside me just to make me look like a frumpy background prop?

"No need. Zoey is enough," I said flatly.

Carter shot me an irritated look, but let it drop.

He set his mug down, grabbed his car keys, and paused at the doorway. "We're holding an executive meeting at the office today. Don't bother coming."

I looked up. "Why shouldn't I come?"

"You wouldn't understand half of what's being discussed anyway. Just stay home." He pulled the door open and left.

I sat alone at the dining table, finishing my breakfast.

That company was built by both of us.

Year one: we hawked inventory at flea markets; he handled the pitches, and I balanced the books.

Year two: we opened an online storefront; he sourced the products, and I packed every single shipping box.

Year three: we rented a warehouse; he managed logistics, and I handled customer support around the clock.

Year four: we officially incorporated; he took the CEO title, and I held half the equity.

From year five until now: he stepped into the spotlight, and I faded into the background.

He claimed the company had grown too large and needed professional executives, telling me to rest at home.

I believed him.

And after five years of "resting," nobody at the company even recognized me.

New hires thought I was part of the cleaning crew whenever I showed up in worn clothes, carrying homemade lunch containers for him.

In my previous life, he stood before the whole staff and called me a delusional ex-employee obsessively stalking him.

Everyone looked at me like I was a madwoman.

In this life, I wasn't going to hand him that weapon.

I unlocked my phone and texted Julian: [Is the agreement ready?]

[It’s ready. Three o’clock this afternoon. Come by the office.]

I also called our business bank to schedule an account audit.

While we both held equity, Carter had sole administrative control over the company accounts.

All I received each month was a five-hundred-dollar "allowance" transferred to my personal checking account.

I refused to believe our company was only generating that much.

Before I died in my previous life, rumors spread that he was planning a lavish destination wedding in Switzerland with Serena, budgeted at half a million dollars.

Where did that half a million come from?