Chapter 1

Tags: Rebirth, Revenge, Silent Retaliation, Marrying the Ex's Older Brother, Career Comeback, Power Couple

In my past life, I gave up my career for him, took the fall for his crimes, and went to prison in his place.

My mother died of sheer heartbreak right outside the courtroom.

Meanwhile, he wrapped his arms around his secretary, stripped my name from the company, and took everything.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day he brought his secretary home for the very first time.

This time, I didn't cry. I didn't scream. I just smiled and poured her a cup of tea.

Three months later, he fell to his knees before me, begging for mercy.

"Chloe, I was wrong! That secretary is a lying snake!"

"In my last life, she stole all my assets and fled the country!"

"I swear, I'll never hurt you again in this lifetime."

I let out a cold laugh, linked my arm through his older brother’s, and said,

"Sorry, Ethan. You have to call me your sister-in-law now."

When the front door lock clicked, I was kneeling on the balcony, gently wiping down the leaves of my monstera plant.

Digging my fingernails into my palms, I slowly stood up.

Ethan Hayes walked in, his arm draped around Valerie Reed's waist.

His hand rested firmly against her hip, and Valerie tilted her head, giggling.

"Chloe?"

Ethan saw me, but he didn't pull his hand away. "You're home today?"

"Yeah, it's the weekend."

I smiled, walked over, and took his suit jacket.

"Have you eaten? I saved some dinner for you."

Valerie tilted her head, looking at me with faux admiration. "Chloe, you're so domestic. Unlike me, I can't even boil water."

"You're too modest, Valerie."

I turned toward the kitchen. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll dish it out."

At the table, Valerie 'accidentally' tipped her soup bowl, spilling it all over my white dress.

"Oh no!"

Valerie gasped, covering her mouth.

"I'm so sorry! My hand slipped... Chloe, you're not mad at me, right?"

In my previous life, she had pulled the exact same trick. Back then, I lost my temper, only to be ruthlessly shouted down by Ethan.

This time, I didn't say a word.

"Look at you!"

Ethan snapped, glaring at me with raw irritation.

"Why are you wearing a white dress around the house anyway? You knew we had a guest over. Can't you be a little more mindful?"

Valerie looked down, a tiny smirk darting across her lips.

"It's my fault,"

I said mildly. "It's just a dress. I can wash it."

I turned and walked back into the kitchen.

"Chloe?"

Valerie's voice drifted in from the doorway. "Do you need a hand?"

"No, I'm good."

I turned around with a warm smile, pulled a clean porcelain cup from the cabinet, and brewed a fresh pot of hot tea.

Carrying the cup out, I handed it to her with both hands.

"You work so hard, Valerie."

My eyes crinkled into a gentle crescent. "Feel free to drop by more often. I'll make sure you're well fed."

Valerie seemed caught off guard. "You're too kind."

"It's the least I can do."

"You're Ethan's most trusted right hand. Taking care of you is my job."

Ethan leaned back on the sofa, finally breaking into a satisfied grin.

"See? I told you she knows her place."

"Ethan is right."

I nodded. I picked up the stained white dress from the coffee table, folded it neatly, and dropped it straight into the trash can.

"People who don't know their place always get what's coming to them. Right?"

Valerie's hand froze as she lifted the teacup.

"Are you implying something, Chloe?"

Ethan frowned instantly.

I chuckled softly. "Valerie deals with so much at work every day. Having to overanalyze every little sentence must be exhausting."

Valerie's eyes welled with instant tears. "Does Chloe secretly hate me?"

Ethan glared at me. "Chloe! I literally just praised you, and you're already back to being petty?"

"Valerie is innocent. Drop the passive-aggressive act!"

I looked at his scowling face, let out a tiny laugh, and put on an impeccably docile attitude.

"Understood. Won't happen again."

"That's more like it!"

Valerie shot me a covert, triumphant look.

I looked away, turning my back on them.

In my past life, they destroyed both me and my mother. In this life, I won't spare a single one of them.