Chapter 1: A Choice That Changed Everything

The grand Chapman Estate stood proudly atop a gentle hill, its white marble walls glowing beneath the afternoon sun. Every servant moved with quiet efficiency as preparations for tomorrow's celebration continued inside the mansion. To everyone else, it looked like an ordinary birthday gathering for a family friend. Only a handful of people knew the real purpose behind the invitation.

As Beatrice Layton stepped through the mansion's towering entrance, familiar memories rushed back with painful clarity. Every hallway, every painting, every polished floor reminded her of a life she had already lived—and a life she had already lost.

She had died believing love could conquer betrayal.

Instead, it had become the very reason for her destruction.

Taking a slow breath, she forced herself to remain calm.

"This life will be different," she silently promised herself.

"I won't make the same mistake twice."

Only a few hours earlier, Mr. Chapman Senior had personally invited her into his private study. The elderly businessman had always treated her like his own granddaughter, honoring the promise he had made decades ago to Beatrice's late grandfather, the decorated war hero who had once saved his life.

"Tomorrow is your twentieth birthday," the old man had reminded her warmly.

"I've waited many years for this day."

He had explained once again that she would soon choose one of the Chapman grandsons to become her husband. The decision would determine not only her future but also the future leadership of the Chapman family.

Beatrice remembered how, in her previous life, she hadn't hesitated for even a second.

She had proudly chosen George Chapman.

Back then, she believed love was enough.

She had ignored every warning.

Ignored every cold glance.

Ignored every sign that George never truly loved her.

Their marriage had given him control over the Chapman fortune, but instead of gratitude, he repaid her with betrayal.

He had secretly fallen in love with her younger sister, Isabella.

When their affair was discovered, Beatrice became the perfect target for George's hatred.

He believed she had exposed them.

No matter how much she tried to explain, he never listened.

Eventually, he pushed her so far into despair that she lost herself completely.

By the time she realized someone had replaced her medicine with poison, it was already too late.

She died carrying their unborn child.

Alone.

Broken.

Forgotten.

The memory still made her chest tighten.

A servant's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Layton? Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Beatrice answered with a faint smile.

"I'm fine."

She stepped out of the study and into the long corridor.

Before she had taken more than a few steps, laughter echoed from the opposite end.

George Chapman appeared with several of his cousins.

Just like before.

It happened exactly as she remembered.

The moment the group noticed her, the teasing began.

"Look who's here again," one cousin laughed.

"George's biggest admirer never misses a chance."

"Your grandfather was a legendary soldier," another added mockingly.

"Imagine how disappointed he'd be watching you chase after George every single day."

The others burst into laughter.

Beatrice simply looked at them without saying a word.

In her previous life, those jokes had embarrassed her.

She had desperately tried to defend herself.

Now...

They meant absolutely nothing.

George slowly stepped forward.

His handsome face remained as cold as ever.

"Why are you here?" he asked bluntly.

"Did you ask Grandpa to pressure me again?"

"You've already used your grandfather's favor enough."

"Don't think I'll agree to marry you just because everyone expects it."

His voice carried the same arrogance she remembered.

Beatrice studied him quietly.

Even after everything that had happened in her previous life...

He still looked exactly the same.

Confident.

Proud.

Completely convinced the world revolved around him.

"Mr. Chapman Senior invited me," she replied calmly.

"Tomorrow is my birthday."

"He's hosting a celebration."

George's cousins exchanged surprised looks.

"Grandpa is personally organizing it?"

"That never happens."

"Doesn't that mean..."

Their expressions immediately changed.

Everyone understood what the birthday truly represented.

Whoever Beatrice chose tomorrow would eventually inherit the majority of Mr. Chapman Senior's private estate.

Naturally, they all assumed George had already won.

"Congratulations, George," one cousin laughed.

"Looks like becoming family head is only a matter of time."

George folded his arms confidently.

"I suppose it is."

Then he looked directly at Beatrice.

"You've chased me for years."

"Congratulations."

"Looks like you'll finally get your wish."

His sarcastic smile reminded her of the countless nights she had cried after their marriage.

But then...

George leaned closer.

His next words caught her completely off guard.

"If we're getting married," he whispered quietly, "we'll live separate lives."

"You stay out of my business."

"I won't interfere with yours."

"Agree to that... and maybe I'll accept this marriage."

Beatrice stared at him.

Her heartbeat suddenly quickened.

Those weren't words the George from her original past should have spoken.

They sounded...

Too familiar.

Too specific.

Almost as though he remembered another lifetime.

"Impossible..." she thought.

"Has he... been reborn too?"

Before she could ask anything, another voice interrupted them.

"Beatrice?"

She turned around.

Standing only a few steps away was Isabella Layton.

Her younger sister looked delicate as always, wearing a fashionable short dress while pretending to hide behind an innocent smile.

"Father asked me to come with you," Isabella said softly.

"He didn't want you traveling alone."

She coughed lightly.

Almost instantly, George hurried toward her.

"You're still sick," he said with concern.

"You shouldn't have come."

"I'm alright," Isabella answered gently.

Watching the scene unfold, Beatrice almost laughed.

Nothing had changed.

Even before any engagement...

George's attention had always belonged to Isabella.

He simply hadn't realized it yet.

George turned back toward Beatrice, his expression hardening once more.

"Look at Bella," he snapped.

"She's ill, yet she still came because of you."

"Stop making everyone revolve around your life."

Without waiting for an answer, he gently supported Isabella as they walked away together.

Just before disappearing around the corner, George looked back one final time.

"Remember this," he warned.

"If you keep acting like this... I may refuse tomorrow."

Beatrice watched them leave until they disappeared completely.

Then...

She smiled.

Not sadly.

Not painfully.

But with complete relief.

"Don't worry, George," she whispered to herself.

"This time..."

"I'm not choosing you."

Far away inside another wing of the mansion, an elderly man quietly looked through several family photographs.

Tomorrow's decision would change the future of the Chapman family forever.

None of them realized that destiny had already begun rewriting itself.