My parents spent their entire lives blaming me for not answering my brother’s four emergency calls before he jumped off a building. Even my wife threw harsh words at me for a decade because of this. “Remember, you killed your brother. How can you live with yourself?” These accusations from those around me left me in a daze, and I ended up mixing reagents at work, causing an explosion. It was my wife who risked her own life to save me, but she suffered fatal injuries in the blast. Before she died, she tightly held my hand and said, “In my next life, I hope I never meet you again.” Only then did I realize that she had loved my brother for half her life. She had lied about being infertile to remain pure for him. Yet, those who didn’t know the truth accused me of being a “lonely star,” bringing misfortune to my wife and brother. In despair, I jumped to my death, only to wake up on the eve of my brother’s jump. This time, I just want to live for myself. “Please confirm your details, and if everything is correct, I’ll stamp it. Congratulations on becoming husband and wife.” The voice of the City Hall staff brought me back to reality. I turned and saw my wife, Nora Johnson, looking displeased beside me. I had been reborn on the day I registered my marriage with Nora, just one day before my brother’s death. Nora’s resentful words from my previous life still echoed in my mind. “If you hadn’t drugged me and ruined my purity, I would never have been forced to marry you. Someone like you should have died long ago!” The suffocating feeling of despair hit me again. I stood up abruptly and grabbed the household registration book from the staff. Ignoring his confused look, I turned to Nora. “There’s still time to change your mind. Isn’t Declan just outside waiting for you? Are you sure you want to marry me?” Nora was caught off guard by my actions, looking somewhat surprised at me. But she quickly regained her composure and laughed coldly, “What game are you playing now? Just get the paperwork done. I don’t have time for your childish games.” With that, Nora turned and headed towards the door. Watching her leave, I let out a faint bitter smile. In our past life, we had been childhood betrothed, and I always thought we were in love. It wasn’t until after our wedding, when she smashed our wedding photo and didn’t even glance at our marriage certificate, that I realized the ten years of sweetness I thought we had was a torturous ordeal for her. Seeing the tension between us, the staff hesitated and asked, “Sir, are you sure you want to proceed with this?” “No need.” I took the household registration book from him, intentionally lingering before walking out. Just as before, she didn’t even glance at the documents in my hand. When she reached out for her own household registration book, I grabbed her hand. The familiar warmth made my rebirth feel real. Pain and joy erupted in my mind. Nora looked at me strangely, “It’s just a marriage certificate. Is there a need to be so happy? You were just pretending to hesitate a moment ago.” I nodded, “I am very happy.” But not because we became husband and wife, but because I now had the right to choose again. Nora pulled her hand away coldly, preparing to get into the car when a staff member approached, holding a bundle of red strings, assuming we were newlyweds. “Congratulations on tying the knot. Here’s a red string for you. You can tie it on the Love Tree on the hill for good luck.” I suddenly recalled in my past life, I was eager to tie the red string with Nora, only to be met with her disdain. “Do you really believe in such nonsense? Don’t waste my time.” Back then, I thought she just didn’t want to climb, so I apologized sincerely. Now, I clutched the red string, intending to throw it away when Nora shut the car door and took a few steps towards the hill. Seeing I hadn’t followed, she frowned impatiently. “Aren’t you coming? What are you hesitating for?” I stood there, almost thinking I heard wrong. Nora returned to my side, directly taking the red string from my hand, “I’m telling you, this is the last time. I won’t play these childish games with you anymore.” I lowered my gaze, feeling a ripple in my long-stilled heart. Our ten-year marriage wasn’t entirely painful and dark. Before my brother’s incident, we were known as a harmonious couple by our colleagues. It was because of this that I continued to deceive myself, not noticing anything amiss. Nora would cook for me on my birthdays, even if her hands blistered from the heat, just to surprise me. And when I was sick, she would rush back from abroad, regardless of delaying million-dollar projects. Later, when the lab caught fire, trapping me inside, she risked her life to pull me out. In that explosion, I should have died. She shielded me, taking all the damage. Putting aside the harsh words, how could I let go of someone so good?
Seeing I hadn’t moved, Nora tugged on my arm. But before we could take two steps, Declan’s call came through. Seeing “Declan Darling” flashing on the screen, I squinted. Nora turned away, flustered, explaining casually, “It was a dare I lost, just a joke.” She then answered the call. Even though I couldn’t hear the other side, I could guess. Either his hand was hurt, or his car was hit. After all, that’s Declan’s usual trick. As expected, Nora ended the call, stuffing the red string back in my hand, “Declan was rear-ended on his way back. I’m going to check on him. You go home first.” I nodded, opening the car door for her, “Do you want me to take you there?” Seeing my unusual calm, she looked at me oddly. “Don’t you have anything else to say to me?” I shook my head, and she pursed her lips, letting out a cold laugh. “Right, Declan was going to help us celebrate, but because you delayed, he had to leave and got rear-ended. Nothing to complain about.” With that, she got in the car and drove off. Watching her car fade away, I tossed the red string, now soaked with sweat, into the trash. She always blamed me for blocking her path to happiness, not realizing Declan wasn’t her true love. Back then, Declan had amassed massive gambling debts, and I had emptied my savings to bail him out. To protect our parents from stress, we kept it a secret. Yet, Declan never cut ties with the casino dealer and even flirted with Nora during that time. Nora was a successful businesswoman with many assets. I knew Declan’s true intentions, so I often warned her against getting too close to him. But she misunderstood, thinking I was petty and didn’t even trust my own brother. So this time, I won’t meddle in their matters. Whether Nora pursues a passionate love or descends into darkness, it’s no longer my concern.
On my way home, I got a call from my parents. They sounded excited, saying they prepared a big meal and were waiting for me to bring Nora. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, and after a moment, I confessed that we didn’t register. My father’s voice turned somber, “What’s going on? You were so eager to get married, and now you don’t want to? Is it because Nora thinks the dowry isn’t enough?” My parents really liked Nora. When our family was struggling, the Johnson’s business was booming. Nora never forgot our childhood betrothal, which won my parents’ hearts. They swore they’d spare no expense for her as their daughter-in-law. I sighed, taking all the blame. “Dad, Mom, I just feel I’m not worthy of Nora right now. I want to wait a bit longer.” Hearing this, they didn’t press further, just sighed, “It’s our fault for mismanaging and going bankrupt. Son, we’re sorry.” After hanging up, I messaged my old college roommate. In my past life, I was focused on family, so when my roommate Ethan Johnson invited me to start a business, I refused. But what came of it? I lost my career, became a doormat, and lost Nora too. Ethan was thrilled with my affirmative response, eager to book me a flight to New York immediately. I had no objections, thinking that on my last day before leaving, I would settle everything with Nora. After the call, I noticed three missed calls from Declan on my phone. I ended the call and texted my old college roommate. In my past life, I was all about family, so when Ethan, my roommate, asked me to start a business with him, I flat out said no. And what was the outcome? I lost my career, got labeled as a freeloader, and completely lost Nora. After I gave Ethan the go-ahead, he was so thrilled he wanted to book my flight to New York right away. I had no objections, thinking I should resolve everything with Nora on my last day before leaving. After hanging up, I noticed three missed calls from Jasper on my phone. I frowned, my mind flashing back to the time before Jasper’s fall in my previous life. But I distinctly remember he called me four times then. A sense of dread crept over me, and just as I was about to return the call, Nora called. Her voice was angry on the line. “Jasper, what did you do? I knew you were up to no good. Now Jasper has been pushed to the edge because of you. Are you happy?” My mind went numb, and everything seemed to fade to black. It was the same in my previous life. Jasper fell from a building under mysterious circumstances, leaving only my name written in blood, with no other clues. I became the prime suspect. Even though the police questioned me for three days and nights, they found no evidence, yet everyone around insisted I was behind Jasper’s death. Cold sweat ran down my back, and I struggled to stay on my feet. Am I doomed to live under Jasper’s shadow again in this new life? I refuse! I immediately turned the car around and raced to the hospital. When I arrived outside the emergency room, the corridor was chaotic, with Nora surrounded by several intimidating men. The leader glared at her, “If you weren’t Jasper’s wife, why would you be so anxious the moment he got into trouble? Now that he’s in a bind, you must settle his debts with us, or I won’t let you go!” Nora frowned, clearly unaware of Jasper’s true nature and now utterly confused. “You’ve got the wrong person! If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.” But these thugs never feared the police; her words only emboldened them, and they began to push her around. Seeing Nora about to fall, I hurried forward to support her, giving a cold stare to the rowdy men. “I’m Jasper’s brother. If there’s anything, talk to me.” “Perfect, your brother owes us a million in gambling debts, pay it all now!” Nora was shocked, eyes wide open, “Are you insane for money? Do you think you can extort just anyone? Jasper, ignore them. I’ll call the police right now.” “This is ridiculous. Jasper doesn’t even gamble. How could he owe a million in gambling debts?” I said nothing, just looked at my bank card balance. Seeing my silence and counting the balance, Nora tugged at my arm, “Jasper, have you lost your mind? Do you have so much money you don’t know how to spend it? Do you even know these people—” Her words stopped abruptly as she seemed to suddenly realize. So you were the one who owed the gambling debt, and you framed Jasper, right? No wonder you’re so willing to pay it back!”
Listening to her accusation, I could only manage a bitter smile. The leader lost all patience and raised his hand to hit Nora, “Shut up, you b*tch!” I immediately stepped in front of Nora. The full force of the blow landed on my face, and I collapsed to the ground, fighting the dizziness to transfer the money. Once they had the money, the thugs left satisfied. At the same time, the red light in the emergency room went out, and the doctor came out with a sigh of relief, “The patient is out of danger but needs to be transferred to intensive care for two days of observation.” Nora didn’t spare me a glance, following Jasper into the ward. I was left to be helped by a passing nurse to bandage my wounds. I sat in the hospital corridor until dawn, deciding not to tell my parents about any of this. I still couldn’t understand why Jasper fell again this time, but at least he didn’t die this time. When daylight broke, and my phone reminded me I had a flight in four hours, I forced my numb legs to stand. I looked up to see Nora approaching. She was carrying freshly made chicken soup, and when she saw me, she instinctively hid the lunch box behind her. I knew it wasn’t for me. She bit her lip before speaking, her tone softer than usual, probably out of guilt, “Why are you still here? Go home and rest, I’ll stay here.” “Also, thanks for chasing those people away yesterday, but this matter can’t just be left alone. Once Jasper wakes up, I’ll find out who really owes the million in gambling debts.” In essence, she still refused to believe her White Knight was anything but perfect. I nodded silently, but my legs were too weak to stand. Seeing this, she helped support me. “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.” Looking at her downcast eyes, a sour feeling rose in my heart, and I fought back the overwhelming emotions to speak, “Nora, if you could choose again, would you still marry me without hesitation?” She responded almost without thinking, “What’s gotten into you? What nonsense are you talking about? We’ve been engaged for twenty years; who else would I marry?” I forced a smile, discreetly wiping away a tear from my eye. Just as I was about to push her hand away, a nurse hurriedly ran over, “The patient who fell last night is awake, call a doctor quickly!” Her eyes lit up with joy, and she didn’t spare me another glance. “Jasper, you head back, I’ll talk to you later.” Watching her rush to the ward, my emotions gradually calmed. Once her figure disappeared down the hall, I whispered to the empty corridor. “Goodbye, Nora.” “This time, I’m the one letting you go.”
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