Chapter 1: Rebirth and Divorce
When I opened my eyes, the sharp pain from hitting the ground radiated through my body. But the familiar sight of the dining room and a prepared dinner stunned me. Had I not died? It took considerable effort to still my trembling before checking my phone. I’d been reborn. Today was my 26th birthday. Jeremiah Cornell and Elsa Brown were still just casually dating; he hadn't yet destroyed her family, and I hadn't suffered a miscarriage or been hospitalized. "Jeremiah, let's get a divorce," I texted, the clock striking midnight. Jeremiah, who'd promised to celebrate my birthday, was nowhere to be found. The top news story read, "Cornell Group CEO Fights for Beauty in Bar," the woman in his arms my adopted sister, Elsa.
Jeremiah and I were childhood sweethearts, engaged after a long courtship. I never expected him to fall for Elsa after a single dance at our wedding. My older brother, Jack, blinded by his love for Elsa, sided with her against me. She was the source of his conflicts with Jeremiah. Ultimately, he lost everything, spiraling into debt and a vegetative state. In my past life, I'd stormed into the bar, confronting Jeremiah and slapping Elsa. He'd called me unreasonable, both he and Jack demanding an apology, which I refused. This escalated the situation and damaged my relationship with Jeremiah. Starting this new life, I refused to repeat those mistakes. I didn't want a man who didn't love me.
I moved my stiff body and discarded the dinner I'd spent the afternoon preparing. After a shower, I fell asleep. I awoke to wandering hands on my body. Dazed, I opened my eyes to find a shirtless Jeremiah pressing down on me, his expression heated. Seeing I was awake, he leaned in to kiss me. Memories of his past actions flooded my mind, filling me with disgust. I instinctively turned my head. This was the first time I'd ever avoided intimacy with him. Jeremiah frowned, grabbed my chin, and forced me to face him. Noticing my strange demeanor, he asked casually, "What's wrong? Who pissed you off?"
He'd promised to celebrate my birthday but hadn't shown up. He'd made headlines with Elsa instead, and now had the audacity to ask why I was upset. I believed he knew, but simply didn't care. The man who once went to great lengths to make me smile was gone. I calmed myself, pushed him away, and sat up. "I want a divorce," I said seriously. I wasn't sure if he'd seen my text. Jeremiah was stunned, then frowned. "Is this because I didn't make it back for your birthday?"
Before I could answer, he sighed. "Elsa was harassed at the bar. I saved her; it took time. But I'm here now, aren't I? Don't overthink it." I scoffed. "Overthink? You made headlines for a bar fight with her at 8:00 pm. It's nearly dawn. And it's not the first time. You two were in the tabloids just days ago!" Instead of guilt, Jeremiah frowned impatiently. "You know the paparazzi make up stories. Elsa's your sister; how could I be involved with her? Stop being petty and suspicious."
"That was when she had an appendicitis attack after overworking herself. She couldn't walk because of the pain, so I carried her to the hospital. I didn't expect anyone to take photos."