Chapter 1

In Josh Tate's past life, he had to mourn four people on the same day each year—his parents, his childhood best friend Janice Holt, and her father. Their blood was on his hands, every single one of them. Regret would not change anything now. When his rebirth brought him back to that cursed night, he was hit with a realization. Tragedy would not happen again this time. In an era when having ten thousand dollars was considered rich, he would build a billion-dollar empire and give his family the life they deserved! The only problem was that Janice was about to be forced into marrying some village thug. And she was carrying Josh's baby. What should he do? He didn't want to be the reason for another life being lost. A second chance at life… Josh heard quiet sobs and turned to find Janice wrapped in blankets, crying. His heart skipped a beat. It was really her! Earlier that night, he had gotten her drunk, and they had ended up in bed together. Truth be told, he had been a bit pushy. But Janice, sweet-natured as she was, had feelings for Josh, who was a few months younger and was like a little brother to her. So, she had not resisted too hard. Then, the door was kicked open. When Josh saw Rowan Holt standing there with a sickle in hand and a furious look on his face, he knew everything was about to go to hell. Seeing the state his daughter was in, Rowan's face twisted with rage as he lunged with the sickle. "I'll fucking kill you, you piece of shit!" he roared as he swung to kill. "Rowan, calm down! Let's talk this out!" Afraid that someone might die, Oliver Tate quickly stopped him. Blind with fury, Rowan slapped Oliver across the face. "Get the fuck out of my way! Look at your stupid son. I swear I'll kill him tonight!" In his previous life, Josh had let his pride take over when he saw his father get hit and kneel. He had then fought back against Rowan. That fight turned fatal when the sickle caught Rowan's throat in the chaos. He died on the spot. Josh did time for manslaughter. When he finally got out, he learned that Janice, who was pregnant with his child, had drowned herself in the lake. It was to escape all the ruthless gossip and insults from everyone in the village. Meanwhile, his parents were unable to face anyone in the village anymore, so they ended it all by downing pesticides. Four people had died just because of one fight. Every time the memories surfaced, Josh would be overwhelmed with guilt. He felt even more regretful when he thought about how good Janice had been to him, yet he had destroyed her whole family. But now that he was thrown back to this moment, pride was the last thing on his mind. He dropped to his knees without hesitation. "Mr. Holt, it's all my fault. I'm so sorry for what I did to Janice, to you and Mrs. Holt! I'll take responsibility for this!" "Take responsibility? What the hell can you do? Are you going to magically ace college? Or do you have millions stashed away somewhere? Come here and let me stab you—if you survive, we're even! Oliver, let go of me! I swear I'll kill you too if you don't!" Josh's mother, Ava Hudson, came bursting in from outside. She fell to her knees before Rowan, her voice breaking. "Rowan, please. Josh was wrong. I'm begging you. Give him one chance! We'll be at your beck and call for life, anything you want. Just please spare him!" Watching his parents kneeling and begging for him, Josh's guilt intensified. He slapped himself hard twice, then rushed to Rowan and snatched the sickle. Rowan was filled with shock and anger. "What the hell are you doing?" Without a word, Josh slashed his own arm open. Blood poured from the deep cut. Oliver and Ava watched in horror as their hearts broke. But after what their son had done, they couldn't say a word. Janice looked up through tear-filled eyes. Seeing Josh hurt himself, her heart clenched. Before she could stop herself, she spoke, "Dad, don't blame Josh. He didn't force me…" "Don't blame him? Am I the one to blame then? Are you saying I busted my ass raising someone who would jump into some guy's bed like a whore?" Rowan hit the roof. He lunged to drag Janice out of bed even though she was naked. Josh quickly blocked him. Without hesitation, Rowan started slapping him again and again while cursing with each hit. Josh didn't dodge or fight back. Only when Rowan's kick sent him stumbling backward did he steady himself against the bed and slowly stand. His mouth tasted full of blood, and his face was burning. But he knew this pain was nothing compared to what Janice and her father were feeling. "Mr. Holt, I swear on my life I'll be good to Janice. I'll get into a top college, and I'll make millions. I'll treat you like my own father. If I fail, I might as well be struck dead by lightning!" "I'd be dumb to trust your bullshit!" Outside, voices were gathering. Some people were even trying to get in. Josh quickly turned to Ava and said, "Mom, lock the door! Don't let them in!" Ava scrambled up from the floor to secure the door. "Get back! There's nothing to see here! Everyone leave! Go on, get out!" "What is there to hide? I raised a whore for a daughter. If she's not ashamed, why should I be? Come in! Everyone, come see!" Rowan screamed hysterically. As he shouted, tears started streaming down his face. Despite being a proud man who was over six feet tall, Rowan was crying like a child. His wife had died in childbirth, and he had worked himself to the bone being both mother and father to raise Janice. And Janice had made him proud. Not only was she smart and beautiful, she was top of her class. According to her teachers, she was destined to be their village's first female college student! Matchmakers had worn down his doorstep with offers! She was Rowan's pride and joy. He looked down on all the local village boys. After all, his daughter would go to college and marry someone from the city! Who could have guessed Josh would ruin everything? Janice knew she had made a terrible mistake. Still wrapped in the blanket, she knelt before her father. She sobbed and said, "Dad, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." "Janice, it's not your fault. I'm the one to blame. I'm sorry," Josh said. He turned back to Rowan and continued, "Mr. Holt, killing me now won't fix anything. The college entrance exam is in 20 days. I promise you two things. First, Janice and I will both rank in the top three nationally. Second, I'll earn 500 dollars before the exam to show my respect to you. "If I fail either promise, you won't even need to lift a finger—I'll cut my own throat. But if I succeed, let me marry Janice. I swear I'll never marry another woman!" Janice's heart stirred at his words. Most of what he said sounded impossible, like a fairy tale. But that last promise touched something in her heart. Despite everything, Josh was willing to marry her even if there was still some bitterness there. "Josh! What are you saying?" Oliver shouted anxiously. It was not that he didn't want Janice as a daughter-in-law. But Josh was at the bottom of his class. The teachers said he would be lucky to even graduate high school. Now he was talking about ranking in the top three nationally? And with Janice? It was practically impossible!