Chapter 1

I was reborn.

I returned to three weeks after my mother's death, the starting point of my tragedy.

In the conference room of the Costa estate, my father—the man who abandoned my mother and me soon after I was born—sat at the head of the table, arranging my "marriage alliance."

"Viola, we brought you back to protect you. It was also your mother's dying wish for you to have security," Father said. "Since Ella is also of marriageable age, I've seized this opportunity to find two suitable candidates to discuss your engagements."

My mother's dying wish? All I remember is her agonizing struggle at the end, lips turning purple, body convulsing uncontrollably, her eyes filled with utter despair.

And where was he then?

Two men sat opposite me. Leon Rossi, heir to the Rossi family, which controlled the arms trade, longtime allies of the Costa family. Cassian Moranti, young master of the declining Moranti family, once a rival clan, now seeking to bind the families through marriage to maintain peace.

Anyone with sense knew which man to choose. But in my previous life, no one told me their true standings. They simply exploited my naivety to steer me towards the latter.

"Father is right," Ella chimed in, looking at me. "Sister, you choose first. I can concede anything to you."

The exact same words.

In my past life, because Ella had confided in me beforehand about her deep love for Leon and her hope that I wouldn't come between them, I naively chose Cassian. I thought it was a selfless act, but it only earned me chains in a dungeon.

I still remember Cassian slipping the ring on my finger during the wedding, his gaze tender. "Viola, I promise to love and protect you until my last breath."

I believed it then. I thought I'd married into a good family, that I could finally be happy, and that Mother could rest in peace.

But not long after the wedding, he began incessantly questioning me about the family.

"Who are your father's arms suppliers?"

"Have you seen the Costa family ledgers?"

"Do you know what happens in those secret meetings?"

I knew nothing. Father never told me anything. I was just the marginalized illegitimate daughter.

His eyes grew cold, his words sparse. He started staying away for long periods.

That night, we finally erupted into a fight.

"What do you actually know? Your father has already named Ella as the Costa family heir!" He grabbed my shoulders, fury in his eyes. "Your father married you to me, surely not without offering something!"

"I truly don't know!" I cried. "He never told me anything!"

"You useless thing!" he roared, ripping off his wedding ring and hurling it to the floor. "I thought marrying a Costa daughter would gain me something, but you know nothing!"

Then he locked me in the dungeon.

—

"Viola?" Father's voice pulled me back to the present. "What are you thinking? Make your choice."

Looking at the familiar scene before me, flames of vengeance ignited within.

This time, I would not repeat my mistakes.

I noticed Ella's gaze drifting towards Leon, her desire unmistakable.

I stood up, positioning myself between them.

"I choose Leon Rossi."

Silence descended upon the conference room the moment my words fell.

Ella's smile shattered instantly. "Viola... you... you know Leon and I are in love..."

"In love?" I asked calmly. "If you truly loved each other, why this charade of letting me choose first?"

Father stood abruptly, his face darkening. "Do you know what you're saying? Leon is the Rossi heir. Do you think you can handle the rules of such a powerful family?"

"If you had already decided, why pretend to give me a choice?"

Ella quickly interjected, "Father is only worried that you, having just returned to this life, might struggle to adapt. He's thinking of you. Besides, Cassian has taken a liking to you, hasn't he?"

All eyes turned to Cassian.

He stood, addressing my father. "I offer a fifty-million-dollar arms deal in exchange for marrying Miss Ella."

Then he looked at me, a familiar disdain flashing in his eyes. "As for this... innocent young lady, let's just be friends."

My heart nearly stopped.

This was completely different. He was supposed to choose me!

In my past life, he was thrilled to ally himself with a Costa daughter.

Back then, he thought I had value, so he married me. When he discovered I was a discard, he abandoned me. This time, he directly chose Ella.

Could it be... he was also reborn?

"Fifty million dollars?" Father's eyes gleamed.

Leon let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Costa, with all due respect, I have no interest in this young lady either. I'd rather marry a streetwalker than this country bumpkin."

"Leon!" Ella pretended to be outraged on my behalf.

I saw through them all. Father, forever prioritizing family interests. Leon, humiliating me without restraint. Cassian, who would absolutely not choose me again. And Ella, willing to sacrifice her sister to secure her own position.

But I would not let any of them have their way.