My husband blamed me for standing in the way of his big future. He wanted a divorce. But on our way to the courthouse to finalize it, we got into a car crash. When I opened my eyes again, we were both back in time, to the year his childhood sweetheart invited him to start a business abroad. This time, he didn’t hesitate. He went overseas with her. I didn’t try to stop him. I just kept my job packing packages. Seven years later, he was a new business mogul, swimming in fame and fortune. And I was still packing packages. When we met again, he had his arm wrapped around his childhood sweetheart’s waist, mocking me, covered in dust and scrapes. “Seven years, and you’re still a pathetic mess, like you’ve been living on the streets!” I just walked past him, ignoring his words. It was at the business finance center’s speaking event. Marcus was back in the country. After seven years, he’d transformed into the CEO of a listed company, a man of fame and fortune, absolutely dominating the scene. As I walked into the conference center, all sorts of big-shot CEOs were swarming around him, eager to shake his hand. Many of them were our old classmates from the university entrepreneurship base. “Marcus, you sly dog, you’re the biggest success story in our class!” “Yeah, seriously! Just a few years, and you’re a CEO! Back in college, I always knew you were destined for greatness, and look at you now! Your grades were stellar, and you were always so driven. I knew you were something special from the start!” “I even heard you invested five million into our old university. That’s insane! I should’ve gone into business with you!” “Marcus isn’t just capable, he’s also dashingly handsome. And I heard your current girlfriend is a gorgeous heiress, spill the beans! How did you two get together? Give us some tips!” Marcus lowered his head and gave a slight smile. “It was just fate.” Then I heard them mention me. “How did things end with you and Scarlett? I remember you two were inseparable in college, so in love.” Marcus’s expression stiffened for a second, then he chuckled lightly. “Our values just didn’t align.” Seeing he didn’t want to talk about it, they didn’t push him. Their attention shifted to his gorgeous heiress. “Are we finally going to meet your stunning girlfriend today?” A shallow smile played on Marcus’s lips. “She’s here too, just went to the restroom. Should be out soon.” Just then, his gorgeous heiress, Celeste, strutted over in her stilettos and settled in beside him. A few classmates gasped like they’d never seen a gorgeous woman before. After a quick cleanup of the mud and scrapes on my arms, I straightened up and walked in with my head held high. One classmate recognized me first. “Holy crap, Scarlett! Speak of the devil!” “Scarlett, our class queen, came to the business lecture too!” “Come on, class queen, come chat with us!” “What happened to you? You’re covered in dirt, and your arms are all messed up. Did you fall somewhere?” I politely gave a few generic replies. Then I turned and met Marcus’s eyes. He frowned, sizing me up from head to toe, his eyes practically screaming ‘disgust’. He was wearing a custom-tailored black suit, his hair styled perfectly—it looked freshly done—like a refined prince. Celeste, sitting next to him, was draped in an expensive mink fur coat, clinging to his arm, nestling into his shoulder, like a delicate, sleeping beauty. They looked like a picture-perfect power couple. Then there was me. My white dress was stained dark with mud, and my arms were covered in bruises. But I didn’t care. I nodded a greeting to them and found a random seat. The lecture still had a little while before it started. I quickly texted my assistant to bring me a change of clothes. Then I buried my head in my phone, listening to their gossip. “I’ve been waiting for this business lecture for ages!” “Tell me about it! This is Liam and his powerhouse wife’s exclusive business secrets! Who wouldn’t want to hear that?!” “I heard Liam and his wife only started their business after they got married. They built their empire from scratch, and in less than three years, they’d amassed a fortune worth hundreds of millions.” “And I also heard Liam loves his wife so much, he even handed over the chairman position to her!” “That’s right. Liam doesn’t let anyone mention his wife online; he keeps her fiercely protected. And his wife is super low-key; she rarely appears in public. No one has even seen her until now! Today, we’re lucky enough to witness this business elite goddess.” “I’m so jealous! They truly are a legendary couple in business! I want to marry a man like Liam!” “And I want to marry an elite goddess like his wife!” My assistant brought the clothes. As I was about to head to the restroom to change, I ran into Marcus on the way. He was leaning against the doorframe, by the entrance. It seemed like he was deliberately waiting for me. But I had no desire to interact with him, so I just ignored him and walked past. To my surprise, he spoke first, calling out to me. “You’re not still packing packages, are you? Seven years, and you’re still a pathetic mess, like you’ve been living on the streets. You haven’t even bought a car, still taking taxis!” “You’re a grown woman, stumbling like a clumsy fool on the street. Aren’t you embarrassed?!” I turned around and, facing that familiar yet strange face, replied firmly: “That’s my business, and it has nothing to do with you.” Marcus clicked his tongue, his face flushing with irritation. “Scarlett, your mouth is still as stubborn as ever! No ambition!” “I know, you must be absolutely kicking yourself now!” I said, “Regret? What do I have to regret?” Hearing my counter-question, he scoffed, a sneer on his face: “Still playing tough, huh? I knew it, you’re nothing without me!” “But I’m not some heartless brute. Given our seven years of marriage, if you just swallow your pride a little, maybe I can offer you a prestigious, high-flying job.” “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t need it.” With that, I turned and walked away. He was still yelling behind me, his voice echoing. “Scarlett, don’t be ungrateful! When that day comes, and you regret it, don’t come crawling to me!” “You want to act all high and mighty? Let’s see how long you can keep that up!”
Beg him? Why would I beg him?! Listening to his arrogant tone. It brought back memories of our first life. In our first life, Marcus and I got married right after graduation. After marriage, we started our own business. Soon, we had a small package delivery studio. My daily task was to pack packages. I thought life was pretty good. But in the end, it all fell apart because of human nature. Just before we got married, Celeste had invited Marcus to start a business with her overseas. I didn’t want to go abroad, so he refused. Later, Celeste returned to the country, not only with vast wealth but also as the CEO of a listed company. Marcus felt like he’d missed out on a fortune. His eyes turned red with envy. After a few days of feeling down, he sought out Celeste. This time, she was still willing to take him abroad to develop his career. Marcus was ecstatic. He came back demanding we sell the package delivery studio we’d spent years building. But I wouldn’t let him, and I firmly refused to go abroad with him. He flew into a rage, smashing the entire studio, howling like a mad dog. “Why won’t you go?! This is such a golden opportunity to make money, why aren’t you valuing it?!” I clutched the package box in my hands tighter. “We’ve been working and researching here for years. Victory is just ahead! As long as we keep at it, we’ll make something great!” “Besides, we haven’t failed! The studio expands every year, our quality of life gets better every year. Why can’t you just stick with it?!” After hearing my words, he exploded in anger. “Stick with it? This pathetic little operation, you want me to stick with *this*?!” “Every single classmate and friend who graduated with us is now a CEO rolling in cash, with thousands of employees working for them. I feel like a nobody standing next to them!” I said, “Why would you think that? Who gives a damn about what you’re doing? Everyone’s got their own lives to live. No one’s obsessing over you!” He wouldn’t listen, continuing to argue: “It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t refused to go abroad back then, I’d be a multi-millionaire CEO by now!” “Why would I be stuck managing this pathetic little workshop?!” My eyes widened in shock, unable to believe he could say such a thing, blaming his perceived failure on me. “You blame me? I never stopped you back then! How can you blame me? These past few years, besides packing all the packages every day, I’ve been doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of our three-year-old. I’ve become a total wreck! Marcus, what have I ever done to wrong you?!” He seemed even angrier than me. “What else can you do besides pack packages?!” “Are you willing to live like this for the rest of your life?!” “Scarlett, I’m asking you one last time. Are you coming with me or not?!” “If you don’t, then we’re getting a divorce!” I stood frozen in place. For a moment, I felt ridiculous. Seven years of hard work, and the result was a divorce. “What’s wrong with this? Our life is already better than many families. We already have a seven-figure sum in savings. What more do you want?!” Hearing my words, Marcus’s expression was defiant, with a hint of ruthlessness. “What good is a seven-figure sum?! My classmates, their villas are worth seven figures, their sports cars are worth seven figures! Tell me, what can we even do with that?!” “Marcus, opportunities aren’t just abroad. As long as you have determination and capability, opportunities are everywhere. Our little venture isn’t a lost cause…” He violently kicked over the shelving unit, his face turning ashen as he cut me off. “Enough!” “If you won’t go, I will!” “I shouldn’t have married you in the first place. You ruined my big future!” “A stagnant woman like you, Scarlett, you’ll never achieve anything substantial! You deserve to be a miserable, worn-out housewife forever! I’d be embarrassed to be seen with you!” “Just look at Celeste, she’s capable, beautiful, and knows how to make money!” “You’re not even a fraction of what she is!” Hearing those words, tears streamed down my face. I had to take care of our kid, do housework, and help out at the studio every day. I was constantly busy, turning myself into a worn-out wreck, and he started to resent me. “So that’s how pathetic I am in your eyes.” “You know she likes you, and you’re still going with her?” He knew Celeste liked him. Even before we got married, Celeste had pursued him for three years, but he never agreed, ultimately choosing me. Marcus looked arrogant. “Why wouldn’t I go?! Love means nothing when money’s on the table!” “Let’s just part ways peacefully! A stagnant woman like you, content with mediocrity, you’ll just pack packages for the rest of your life. You’ll never have your day in the sun!” “You have no ambition, but don’t you dare stand in my way!” Seven years of marriage. I thought he was a man who only had eyes for me, a loyal and unwavering man. Turns out I was wrong. But just as we were on our way to the courthouse, a large truck suddenly crashed into us. Our car immediately caught fire, accompanied by the ringing explosion. When I opened my eyes again, we had both been reborn. This time, he didn’t hesitate and went abroad with Celeste. And I, like in my first life, opened a small package delivery studio. Only this time, I didn’t have to take care of a child, or do laundry, cook, or mop floors. I could devote myself fully to my work, fulfilling the dream I hadn’t completed in my previous life. Marcus said I had no ambition. Funny! My ambition was no weaker than his.
I had just changed clothes when my husband called. “Sweetheart, my assistant told me you were hit by an old lady’s tricycle and fell into the mud when you got out of the car. Are you hurt? I’ll pick you up to go to the hospital after I’m done with work, okay?” His worried and urgent voice came through the phone. It instantly warmed my heart. I replied to him in a sweet, soft voice: “I’m fine, just a little scratch, no big deal.” “Even a little scratch isn’t okay. You have to go to the hospital after the lecture.” “Okay, okay! Whatever you say.” “Good girl. I’ll be there soon. See you later!” I hung up the phone, a sweet smile still on my face. It wasn’t until I reached the entrance of the conference center that Celeste called out to me. “Scarlett, where did you go? Come over and chat with us.” She quickly got up and pulled me to a seat by the wall. Then she blocked the exit seat with her body. She asked me, “Scarlett, where have you been working these past two years?” Her voice was light and airy, but her eyes were full of mockery. It was obvious she wanted to embarrass me. But I had nothing to hide. I told her honestly, “Packing packages.” The few female classmates around were mostly Celeste’s acquaintances. Hearing my answer, their eyes filled with disdain. “Weren’t you packing packages seven years ago? How are you still packing packages now?” I said, “That’s all I know how to do.” The room immediately burst into laughter. Their laughter was a bit wild, as if packing packages was some shameful job. I didn’t bother stooping to their level. But Celeste was like a leech, clinging to me. “Scarlett, us women, we need to be independent and ambitious, dare to realize our own value. Look, our peers are driving luxury cars, living in mansions, and their monthly income is what you make in several years. And you, you’re still taking a tricycle with old ladies!” “See, aren’t you embarrassing for us women?!” “This lecture is so grand, they let any random cat or dog in here, it’s really lively!” She clearly disliked me, finding subtle ways to mock me. It was all because back in college, she chased Marcus for three years. But Marcus only had eyes for me and never gave her a second glance. From then on, Celeste hated me. Now that she finally saw me, of course she had to get her revenge. The people around me also smirked mockingly. “I heard that Liam, the big boss, met his wife through packing packages. Maybe Scarlett will meet her Liam too.” “Exactly, Scarlett, you can do it too!” “If you can’t achieve success on your own, then just marry a good man and live a life of ease and comfort.”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297273”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply