Chapter 1 Rebirth

The day the hospital gave me a critical condition notice was also the day my ex-wife and her prince charming held their wedding. When we got married, she couldn't wait to hide our relationship from the world. But when it came to marrying her prince charming, she wanted the entire universe to know. I clung to the last bit of strength and called her a few times. I hope she would at least come to claim my body. However, she ignored my every call, and even blocked my number. Pain, as sharp as knives, tore through me. I laughed bitterly. "Three years of marriage, and this is all I'm worth to you…" By noon, her grand wedding with her prince charming had gone on as planned, and it was a celebration fit for the ages. Meanwhile, I died alone in the emergency room, the beeping of medical instruments fading into silence around me. … In the chaos of nothingness, I suddenly heard the voice of my cousin, Jackson Lambert. "Owen! Owen, wake up!" My eyes shot open, the suffocating pain still lingering in my body. I turned my head and saw Jackson standing by the bed, looking annoyed. "Owen, if you're feeling even a little better, you should head home. Today's your wedding anniversary with Eve! I even bought all the ingredients for you. Hurry home and bake her a cake. You know how much she loves sweets—it'll make her day." Watching Jackson happily plot out the perfect celebration, I hesitated, then picked up my phone. The year was 2024. I had been reborn! It was no wonder everything felt so familiar. On this day in my previous life, Jackson and I were shopping for supplies to celebrate my first wedding anniversary with my wife, Yvette Jenning. However, I collapsed in the mall from a severe stomach ache and was rushed to the hospital. The hospital staff called Yvette, but she never came. Back then, I brushed it off, understanding that she was busy with her company as it had just gone public. After I got discharged, I went home, made a cake, and waited with a smile. But she never showed, not even after midnight. I took a deep breath, and my gaze hardened. I refused to grovel this time. I would leave her quickly and wish her and her prince charming a lifetime of happiness. Still, I decided to head home. I didn't do it for Yvette, but because I hated hospitals. In my past life, I died of stomach cancer. The endless rounds of chemo and radiation had drained me of everything, leaving me to rot in a hospital bed. Now, even the sterile smell of a hospital made me nauseous. Jackson was oblivious to the storm brewing in my mind, and he kept rattling off Yvette's favorite cake flavors. He acted as if he knew her better than I did. I listened quietly, not saying a word. Suddenly, a strikingly handsome doctor walked toward us. He was talking to a patient dressed in hospital clothes. He had an aloof expression, but his voice carried a calm warmth. My eyes widened, and I froze, staring at him. It was him—Yvette's prince charming that she had yearned for many years. Randall Caldwell. In my past life, I had only seen him in photos. But in person, he looked even more extraordinary. He had an air of approachable elegance, like an unattainable treasure. It was no wonder Yvette had been obsessed with him for years and was willing to stop at nothing to make him hers. As Yvette's husband, Randall would get everything he should receive, and even beyond that. He would be without the slightest neglect. If there was anything he couldn't get, it would be the position of being Yvette's lawful wedded husband. I always believed that as long as we stayed married, Yvette would eventually turn her attention to me. I truly loved Yvette. For her, I gave up my career to become a househusband. I centered my life around her and helped her with anything she needed. There was even a time when I put a knife to my neck to stop her from leaving, hoping to force her to stay. Her response? A look of utter disdain. "Owen Yates, if you really die, I promise I'll throw you a spectacular funeral." She sneered, then slipped on her designer heels and walked out of our home without looking back. I collapsed on the floor, unable to hold back my tears. In my despair, I picked up the knife again. However, instead of slashing my neck, I slit my wrists. That way, it would take longer for me to die. I held onto a sliver of hope. What if she hadn't gone far and would be back soon? What if seeing me hurt made her feel guilty enough to finally care about me? If she came back, I would forgive everything she did before and dedicate the rest of my life to making her happy. After a while, I passed out from blood loss. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Elated, I asked the nurse if it was my wife who had brought me here. The nurse shook her head. It was the housekeeper who had called for help. Yvette hadn't even come home. The same day, the doctors diagnosed me with late-stage stomach cancer. Not long after, I died a miserable death in the hospital. … "Owen! Why are you spacing out? Hurry up! Eve's going to get off work soon!" Jackson's voice snapped me out of my painful memories. I blinked, realizing that Randall had already walked away, leaving only Jackson looking at me with frustration. "Jackson, are you really trying to help me?" I asked calmly. He froze for a moment, then puffed out his chest. "Of course!" I couldn't help but laugh bitterly inside as I looked at his slightly immature face. Help me? If he truly cared about me as his older cousin, he wouldn't have pushed me to bake a cake when I wasn't feeling well. He knew perfectly well that no cake would ever catch Yvette's attention. Jackson also had feelings for Yvette. No matter how badly she treated me, Yvette was still CEO of a publicly listed company and a famous female entrepreneur featured in the rankings of the richest people in the world. She was also a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Why wouldn't Jackson want to take my place? I was nothing more than a convenient excuse for him to talk to Yvette. I knew this in my past life, but for the sake of our family ties, I chose to ignore it. This time, I didn't care about maintaining appearances or tolerating anyone. I was done playing nice! I yanked my arm out of Jackson's grip, a cold and indifferent look on my face. "She's not coming home tonight, and I'm not baking any cake. Don't bother helping me. Just go do whatever you need to do." Jackson stared at me in shock and disbelief. "What's gotten into you, Owen? Why are you suddenly so angry?" My father used to tell me that those who are older should always give way to those who are younger. Because of that, I had always been patient with Jackson. I even cleaned up his messes countless times. But now, as I looked at him, I smirked. "Angry? My stomach hurts, and you're here nagging me to bake a cake. Anyone who didn't know better might think you're the one desperate to celebrate my wedding anniversary." Jackson paled instantly, and a flicker of guilt flashed in his eyes. Still, he remained stubborn and said, "Why would you say something so harsh? I just wanted to have a slice of your cake, that's all. But if you're not feeling well, I'll leave. No need to overthink it." With that, he turned on his heel with a dark expression and left. I didn't bother responding. To me, he was nothing more than a clown, incapable of doing me any real harm. I dragged my weak body back to the empty luxurious villa, and I was hit with a familiar sense of loneliness. In our first year of marriage, I hadn't hired any housekeepers because I wanted to enjoy the intimacy of just the two of us. Unexpectedly, Yvette was rarely home, and I was alone in the massive house most of the time. Naturally, there was now no one around to cook for me. I pushed myself to make a simple bowl of chicken soup. As I ate, the warmth finally eased the ache in my stomach. In my previous life, I couldn't stomach anything once my illness took hold. Now, even a simple bowl of chicken soup carried a rich aroma. I sighed deeply. "Just being healthy feels like such a blessing." Women only slowed me down. Since the heavens had given me a second chance, I would make the most of it. I wasn't about to repeat my mistakes. After finishing my meal, I stood up to clean the dishes. But suddenly, the crisp sound of high heels against the floor echoed clearly through the empty villa. Then came the unmistakable scent of Yvette's signature, bold perfume. I turned, stunned to see her cold, elegant face staring back at me. Yvette? In my previous life, she hadn't come home that night. So why was she here suddenly?