Elara Hayes found herself back at 27, reborn. She had two children, a son and a daughter, and was married to Dominic Thorne, the global billionaire. The man who consistently topped the Forbes list, was hailed by *Time* magazine as “the world’s most desirable bachelor,” and whom even the British monarchy reportedly wished to marry off their princess to. Everyone said she was incredibly lucky. Yet, the first thing she did was take a divorce agreement to his first love. She slid the papers across the table to Cassandra Sterling, her voice calm. “I want a divorce. Dominic is yours. The children are yours too.” Cassandra stared at her, stunned, unable to believe that the woman who’d occupied the “Mrs. Thorne” title for six years would suddenly give it up so willingly. Elara simply added, a faint weariness in her tone, “Since they both prefer you, I’ll grant your wishes. Just get Dominic to sign, and once the mandatory waiting period is over, I’ll leave.” This time, she refused to repeat her past mistakes. She refused to remain the invisible Mrs. Thorne, overlooked by everyone. Cassandra’s fingers unconsciously traced the rim of her coffee cup, her brow furrowed. “Elara, what game are you playing?” Elara watched the shifting expressions on Cassandra’s face, repeating calmly, “No game. I’m just fed up.” “Elara, do you have any idea how many women out there would kill for your position?” “I do.” Elara met her gaze. “Which is why I’m giving it to you.” A crack finally appeared in Cassandra’s composure. She stared at the agreement for a long time, then finally picked it up. “Alright. Since you’re so generous, I won’t refuse.” “But remember, what I get my hands on, I never let go of.” “Don’t worry,” Elara offered a small smile. “I won’t regret it. Not ever.” After all, in her previous life, she’d already tasted the bitterness of a solitary existence. Cassandra rose and moved to another table in the coffee shop. With an elegant flick of her wrist, she pulled out her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen. When the call connected, her voice instantly softened. “Dominic, I’m at the Blue Mountain Café. Can you come pick me up?” Elara sat nearby, a bitter smile playing on her lips. Once upon a time, when she called Dominic, his assistant answered nine out of ten times. Now, in less than twenty minutes, the man who was perpetually “in a meeting” appeared at the café entrance. Through the glass, Elara watched Dominic stride into the café, his broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuated by his custom-tailored black suit. Six-year-old Leo and four-year-old Mia instantly rushed to Cassandra, showering her with hugs and kisses. “Auntie Cassie!” Mia chirped sweetly, rubbing her little face against Cassandra’s arm. Dominic placed a cake box on the table, his long fingers gently pushing it toward her. “Your favorite matcha. I specifically asked the chef to go easy on the sugar.” Cassandra’s eyes lit up. “You always remember.” Elara sat in the corner, her fingers unconsciously digging into her palm. Six years of marriage, and Dominic didn’t even know her favorite flavor. Last life, when she was hospitalized and craved strawberry cake, he had his assistant buy a random one. It turned out to be mango, which she was allergic to. “What do you want for dinner tonight?” Dominic’s voice was deep. “French, or Italian?” Cassandra smiled, taking the divorce agreement from her bag. “Before that, there’s a document I’d like you to see.” She opened the agreement to the signature page. “I’ve set my sights on a villa, but I’m a bit short on liquid funds. Could you…?” Dominic took the pen, signing without even glancing at the contents. “Between us, why be so formal?” “Auntie Cassie, are you buying a new house?” Leo asked, looking up. “Dad, why don’t you buy one next door? Mia and I want to move in with Auntie Cassie. We don’t want to stay with Mom every day.” Dominic’s brow furrowed slightly, but seeing the children’s expectant faces, he relented. “Alright, I’ll buy one.” “No need for such trouble,” Cassandra quickly said. “I’ll just leave three rooms for Leo and Mia… and you. You can come and stay whenever you like.” The children cheered with delight. Mia even hugged Cassandra’s neck and gave her a kiss. “Auntie Cassie is the best! A thousand times better than Mom!” Elara’s heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, a dull ache that made it almost impossible to breathe. She saw the slight upward curve of Dominic’s lips—a gentle smile he had never once given her. Unable to watch any longer, she grabbed her bag and walked out. The moment she stepped outside, memories of her previous life flooded back. In her past life, she and Dominic had an arranged business marriage. She bore him a son and a daughter, lived to 62, but was never truly happy. All because Dominic’s heart had always belonged to his childhood sweetheart, Cassandra Sterling. After their breakup years ago, Cassandra went abroad. Dominic drowned his sorrows for a few days, but being too proud to beg her to stay, he soon agreed to his family’s arranged marriage. Dominic had been her teenage dream, as noble as a god. Every socialite in the city dreamed of marrying the head of the Thorne family. So, when she learned of their impending marriage, she was overjoyed. But after the wedding, despite pouring her entire heart into loving him, all she received was Dominic’s perpetual distance and coldness. It wasn’t until Cassandra returned home. He never mentioned divorce to Elara, yet his gaze never left Cassandra. Even worse, both children grew fond of Cassandra and gradually distanced themselves from her. In her later years, Elara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dominic, under the guise of “quiet recuperation,” abandoned her alone in the old mansion. On her birthday, she shakily dialed her husband and children, only to learn they were with Cassandra on vacation in the Maldives. She tried to make herself a special birthday meal, but her confused memory made her forget to turn off the stove… As the flames consumed her, the last thing Elara remembered was Dominic’s icy gaze when he placed the wedding ring on her finger. She closed her eyes in agony, her sole wish being that if there was a next life, she would never again sacrifice her entire existence for him. It was late when Elara returned to the mansion. Instead of resting, she immediately began to clear out her belongings. Dominic’s suits and shirts, the children’s toys, family photos… one by one, everything was tossed into cardboard boxes. “What are you doing?” Dominic’s voice suddenly echoed behind her. Elara turned to see him standing at the doorway, holding the children’s hands, his brow deeply furrowed. “Mommy, why are you throwing away our stuff!” Mia ran over, her little face red with anger at seeing her teddy bear in a box. Leo also glared at her furiously. “We just went to play with Auntie Cassie for a bit. Do you have to be so upset?” Dominic looked at her, his gaze as cold as ever. “The children like being with Cassandra. Do you really have such a tantrum over something so trivial?” “I’m not upset,” Elara said calmly. “Liar!” Mia shrieked. “You’re just jealous of Auntie Cassie! That’s why you threw away my teddy bear. You’re a bad mommy!” “When I grow up, I’m moving in with Auntie Cassie,” Leo said, pulling his sister’s hand, his voice venomous. “I’ll never come back to see you!” Dominic didn’t stop the children’s shouting. He merely frowned slightly, his deep eyes briefly sweeping over Elara. His gaze was like that of someone looking at an unreasonable stranger. “Enough.” His thin lips parted, his deep voice carrying an inherent air of nobility. His long fingers absently adjusted his cuff links. “I have a video conference for the board. Throw whatever you want, just don’t make a scene.” The moment the door closed, Elara’s tears finally fell. Her heart felt torn to shreds, every breath tasting of blood. She wiped away her tears, looked at the mess around her, and suddenly laughed. Don’t worry, she wouldn’t bother him. Not for the rest of her life. From the moment the divorce agreement was signed, Elara stopped managing the household. She no longer woke up at five in the morning to prepare nutritious breakfasts for the children. She no longer waited up for Dominic to return from his late-night engagements to make him a hangover remedy. All the chores she once considered her duty were now left to the housekeepers. At first, no one noticed anything amiss. Until Leo was late for school and reprimanded by his teacher, Mia couldn’t find her homework, and Dominic’s pocket watch stopped ticking. The housekeepers fumbled around, yet could never meet the standards of the lady of the house. Unwashed dishes piled up in the kitchen, children’s toys lay scattered in the living room, and the ironed shirts were never quite smooth enough. The once meticulously organized home gradually descended into chaos. When Dominic pushed open the bedroom door, Elara was leaning by the window, reading. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled patterns on her. “How long are you going to keep this up?” He stood at the doorway, his voice low. Elara closed her book, looking up at him. “I’m not ‘keeping anything up.’” “Then why aren’t you managing the household anymore?” He took a few steps closer, the subtle, expensive scent of his cologne filling the air. “Are you still upset about what happened last time?” “I’m not upset.” She placed the book aside. “I just don’t want to anymore.” Dominic narrowed his eyes, his long fingers lightly tapping the tabletop. “Reason.” “I’m tired,” she said calmly. “We have housekeepers. I don’t need to do it.” She remembered her previous life, waking before dawn every day. Dominic’s coffee had to be exactly 185°F, his sandwiches toasted golden and crispy. The children’s clothes had to be hand-washed, even their socks ironed flat. But what had it all been for? For Dominic’s tenderness towards Cassandra, for the children’s closeness to “Auntie Cassie,” for her lonely death on her sixty-second birthday. “Elara.” His voice turned cold. “If you’re having a tantrum, just say so. Don’t act like a three-year-old.” She tugged at the corner of her lips. “I’m not having a tantrum. I just want to rest.” Before the words fully left her mouth, the door was suddenly flung open. Leo and Mia burst in, their small faces etched with fury. “Mommy’s too lazy!” Mia shrieked. “We want Auntie Cassie to take care of us!” Leo echoed, “Auntie Cassie is gentler than you, more diligent than you, a million times better than you!” Dominic’s gaze remained fixed on Elara’s face, as if waiting for her to concede. But she simply took a deep breath and said softly, “If you think she’s so great, then invite her to stay. I have no objections.” The air instantly froze. Dominic’s face darkened completely. “Are you sure?” Elara took another deep breath. “Absolutely.” “Dad, let’s go!” Mia eagerly tugged on Dominic’s sleeve. “I want Auntie Cassie to come over right now!” “With Auntie Cassie, we don’t need you anymore!” Leo made a face at Elara. “Go away! Leave this house!” Dominic gave Elara one last look. Seeing her still unmoved, he turned and strode out with the children. Elara stood rooted to the spot, listening to the sound of the car engine fading into the distance, and gently closed her eyes. Soon, she would grant their wish. To leave them completely, to leave this home. The day Cassandra moved in, she immediately directed the housekeepers to redecorate the living room. “This sofa set is too somber,” she said, her slender fingers lightly brushing the leather. She turned to Dominic with a soft smile. “Dominic, how about we get a cream-colored one?” Dominic didn’t bat an eye, simply instructing Mrs. Gable, “Do as Ms. Sterling says.” Elara stood at the top of the stairs, watching the workers carry out the sofa she had carefully chosen just six months prior. Leo and Mia trailed behind Cassandra like two excited puppies, pointing and exclaiming, “Auntie Cassie, this cushion needs to go too! Mommy’s was so ugly!” Cassandra gently stroked their heads. “Alright, we’ll change everything.” Elara’s fingers tightened slightly, but then quickly relaxed. Those cushions were ones she had painstakingly sewn stitch by stitch during her pregnancy, stuffed with hypoallergenic down because the children had sensitive skin when they were little. Now, they were unceremoniously tossed into the trash. Over the next few days, the house grew increasingly unfamiliar. At the dining table, Cassandra sat in Elara’s usual spot, gently serving the children. Dominic would occasionally pour her a cup of coffee himself, his long fingers gently pushing it toward her, his eyes holding a softness Elara had never received. In the evenings, the living room lights would dim, and the four of them would crowd onto the sofa to watch movies. Mia would be curled in Cassandra’s lap, Leo leaning against Dominic’s shoulder, their laughter echoing through the room. When Elara walked past, they wouldn’t even glance at her, as if she were invisible. Even more absurd, Dominic, Leo, and Mia had once been meticulously particular about their quality of life. But now? She watched Cassandra casually toss his multi-million dollar Patek Philippe watch face down on the coffee table, and he just indulgently let her; she watched the children happily wear their school uniforms, thrown into the washing machine by Cassandra, with yesterday’s sauce still clinging to the collars; she watched Cassandra pour takeout onto plates and claim she cooked it, and no one ever called her out. Even more ridiculously, they doted on Cassandra as if she were a princess. “Cassandra, don’t bother with these chores.” Dominic stopped Cassandra as she reached for the tea set, his long fingers gently pressing on her wrist. “Your hands are meant for playing the piano.” “Auntie Cassie, I’ll get your bag!” Leo eagerly took Cassandra’s limited-edition handbag, an obsequious look on his face Elara had never seen directed at herself. “Ms. Sterling simply needs to rest,” Mrs. Gable respectfully offered a pair of Italian handmade slippers. “Leave everything else to us.” How ironic. She had been a housekeeper in this home for six years, and they hadn’t noticed. But Cassandra, upon arrival, became the center of their world, a princess adored by all. The housekeepers, too, whispered amongst themselves. “Mr. Thorne is so good to Ms. Sterling. I’ve never seen him treat the Mrs. like this.” “The children are so attached to her. I think, this house will have a new mistress sooner or later!” Elara was already heartbroken and indifferent, managing nothing, simply packing her own belongings in silence. Until that afternoon, her phone suddenly vibrated wildly. “Mrs. Hayes! The young master and young lady had an allergic reaction at school! The ambulance just took them to the hospital!” When Elara arrived at the hospital, both children had already been rushed into the emergency room. Dominic stood in the hallway, his suit jacket casually draped over his arm, his tie loose around his neck, his eyes burning with cold fury. “Elara.” His voice was low, filled with suppressed anger. “What exactly have you been doing?” Elara froze. “What?” “They’re allergic to mango, didn’t you know?” Dominic stepped closer, his tall figure looming over her. “Why did you let them drink mango juice?” “It wasn’t me!” Elara met his gaze. “I never buy mangoes for the house.” Ever since the children were first hospitalized for mango allergy, she had been extremely careful, repeatedly cautioning everyone not to give them mangoes, even personally reviewing the school cafeteria menu. How could she possibly make such a basic mistake? “Not you?” Dominic sneered. “Then who? The housekeepers? Or did they try to kill themselves?” Elara opened her mouth, about to speak, when a nurse pushed open the door. “The children are awake.” Inside the ward, Leo and Mia lay pale on their hospital beds. Seeing them enter, their eyes flickered. “What happened?” Dominic asked in a low voice. The two children exchanged a glance, then suddenly pointed at Elara. “It was Mommy! She bought snacks with mango in them!” Elara froze, looking at them in disbelief. “What are you saying?” “It was Mommy!” Mia cried, her voice choked with tears. “She knew we were allergic, but she still deliberately fed it to us!” Leo nodded emphatically. “She’s so mean!” Elara’s fingers gripped the doorframe tightly, her knuckles white. “Leo, Mia, do you know what you’re saying? You’d better tell the truth right now!” “Enough!” Dominic abruptly stood up, grabbing her wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he was about to crush her bones. “Elara, is this how you mother? Not only harming them, but forcing them to lie?” “I didn’t…” Elara’s voice trembled slightly. “Are you trying to say they’re framing you?” He scoffed. “How old are they? If they can’t even take responsibility for that, do you deserve to be a mother?” The two children suddenly burst into tears. Dominic immediately released her and turned to comfort them. But they cried even harder, their small faces turning red. “Daddy…” Mia whimpered. “We feel so bad…” “What can I do to make you feel better?” Dominic asked softly, gently wiping away her tears. Leo, his eyes red, looked at Elara. “She’s allergic to mangoes too. Make her drink mango juice! Make her suffer too!” A chill spread through Elara’s heart. She looked at Dominic, the coldness in his eyes making her shiver. “Alright.” He straightened up, snapped his fingers, and two bodyguards immediately entered the room. “Hold her down.” Before Elara could react, she was pinned to a chair. A bodyguard pinched her chin, forcing her mouth open. A liter of mango juice was poured down her throat. The sweet, cloying liquid choked her, and she coughed violently, her throat burning. Red rashes appeared on her skin at a visible pace, her face began to swell, and breathing became increasingly difficult. She clawed desperately at her neck, her vision blurring, as she looked towards Dominic. He stood there, watching with cold indifference, showing no intention of stopping them. The children had stopped crying, excitedly clapping their hands. “Serves her right! She deserves to suffer too!” Before darkness fully enveloped her, the last thing Elara saw was Dominic’s icy gaze. … Elara woke up in a hospital bed, an unknown amount of time later. Her throat burned, and her face was still covered in allergic rashes.
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