Chapter 2

Turns out, when your heart hurts to the limit, you will laugh.

It felt like a hand was crushing my heart. I couldn’t understand—was being with me really that painful?

In my last life, David made me guard his grave for decades. In this life, he couldn’t endure even a moment?

I almost replied, I didn’t choose you.

But the words reached my lips, and I swallowed them back down.

I kept loyalty with him for tens of years in my last life—why should I let him have it easy this time?

At the very least, he should suffer through this month.

So, I clenched my fist.

“Father has already decided. As for whom I chose… I’ll be engaged at Christmas. When the time comes, you’ll know the answer.”

I turned to leave—and collided with something at the corner.

When I looked down, Emma was sitting on the floor, eyes brimming with tears as she apologized over and over.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you. Please don’t hit me.”

Before I could even react, David stepped in front of her, shielding her. Anger flashed in his eyes—something I’d never seen before.

“Rae, Emma didn’t do it on purpose. Why are you being so aggressive?”

“When did I ever hit her?” I shook with rage.

In my last life it was always like this—every time we met, she acted like the victim, like I was some bully abusing my status.

But when had I ever bullied her?

David didn’t listen to any explanation. He yanked me aside.

I wasn’t braced; I toppled backward, the back of my head slamming hard against the steps.

Through the overwhelming pain, all I heard was chaos.

“Rae!”

Strange—through the blur, I saw Nate’s face twisted with panic. In his eyes was something I’d never seen before… affection?

I must’ve hit my head too hard…

“Who brought me back?”

My voice came out hoarse.

An Omega came in with medicine and said softly, “Young Master Johnson carried you here.”

I froze. “Nate?”

I remembered what I’d seen before I passed out, unease crawling up my spine.

“He… did he say anything? Was he worried?”

The Omega frowned.

“Young Master Johnson said your engagement has nothing to do with him. He’s going out to have fun for a few days. When the engagement day comes, he’ll bring you a gift.”

All my gloom vanished. I almost laughed out loud.

My fiancé is him—what gift is he talking about?

Riding that strange burst of energy, I dug out the small box in my study. Inside was everything connected to David.

The dagger he used at the werewolf training camp. Cufflinks he didn’t want. Even a pen he didn’t want.

A whole box of my once-humble love.

I carried the box to David’s house.

The Omega at David’s place knew me well and let me in.

But as I neared the door, I heard Emma’s voice.

“David, you’re being so good to me… Rae will be mad if she knows.”

A moment later, David’s voice came through.

“These past few days I’ve been deliberately cold to her. I want her to back off.”

“But Rae likes you so much. How could she give up? This is about you becoming Alpha…”

“Even if she chooses me, I’ll find a way out.

Emma—ever since I saw your dance at the bonfire party, I fell for you. In this life, I’ll only marry you.”

I went completely still.

Wasn’t that dance… mine?

David had mistaken me for Emma?

In my last life, I thought he gave me up because of his fated mate—that he ran away with Emma.

But in the end, he couldn’t even tell whom he truly fell for.

If so, he deserved to spend his life drowning in regret.

I closed my eyes slowly, turned, and walked away.