I was the only daughter of the city’s wealthiest man, and the price of that immense wealth? Ninety-nine kidnappings since I was a child. To ensure someone would inherit the family empire and keep me safe, my father arranged five fiancés for me. I chose the seemingly gentle and refined Julian Hayes. I naively believed we’d be a loving couple after we married. But on our wedding night, he dismissed all my bodyguards. The 100th time I was kidnapped, I was tied to the rooftop. The kidnappers taunted me while calling Julian. I whimpered, begging him for help, but all I got was his impatient voice. “You’ve been kidnapped so many times already; you never actually die. Why make such a big deal out of it? Scarlett needs protection. What’s wrong with letting her use your bodyguards?” After the call was hung up, the kidnappers shaved my head and severed my hands. Overnight, they finally grew tired of me, kicking me off the rooftop. As I fell, I saw Jaxson Thorne speeding towards me on a Ducati. He rode that black Ducati, rushing like a madman, reaching out to catch me. But it was too late. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I chose my fiancé. My father laid out five photos, asking who I’d pick. I bypassed Julian, pointing directly at the wild, captivating smile in the corner. My father frowned, telling me: “Jaxson Thorne fell to his death rock-climbing on Eagle Peak last week.”
“Chloe? Chloe!” A voice yanked me back to reality. I jolted my eyes open. Before me was my father’s study. Five photos were still spread across the rich mahogany desk. I froze for two seconds, then looked down at my hands. All ten fingers were intact, no blood, no wounds. I… I’d been reborn? “What are you zoning out for?” My father, Arthur Sterling, frowned, tapping the table. “Pick one. Let him inherit the family business and keep you safe.” I looked up, my gaze falling on the photos. Five photos, five promising young men, all carefully selected by my father as potential fiancés. The one in the very middle was Julian Hayes. He wore a custom-tailored Armani suit, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, smiling with that refined charm – truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. In my previous life, I was fooled by that facade. I chose him, only to die on our wedding night. This time, I skipped past him, pointing without hesitation to the photo in the furthest corner. The man in the picture had tanned skin, sharp eyes, and a rebellious smirk. He exuded an untamed aura. Jaxson Thorne. My father paused. “Chloe? Haven’t you always liked Julian? Why Jaxson now?” “Dad, I choose him.” I clenched my fists, my nails almost digging into my palms. The memories of Julian’s betrayal in my past life and the searing anguish in Jaxson’s final glance churned in my heart. My father looked serious. “Jaxson’s too wild. He’s always hanging out in clubs and climbing gyms, and he runs a tattoo studio—hardly a serious career. How could he ever be suitable for you?” “I only want him.” My father sighed, picking up his phone and dialing. “Check Jaxson Thorne’s current status.” On the other end, Ms. Davies stammered, “Mr. Sterling, Mr. Thorne… he fell to his death during a rock-climbing competition on Eagle Peak last week.” My father put down the phone, sighing heavily. “Chloe, pick someone else. Jaxson Thorne… he’s gone.”
“Gone?” I stared at my father, disbelief warring with certainty. “No way. He can’t be dead.” My father frowned. “Ms. Davies confirmed the news. There was an accident during the Eagle Peak climbing competition last week. Search and rescue found his gear, but the person…” “I’m going to Eagle Peak.” I cut him off directly. “Don’t be ridiculous!” My father slammed his hand on the desk, standing up. “What’s there to see in a dead man? It’s been raining constantly on Eagle Peak lately; the mountain paths are treacherous. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is…” “He’s not dead.” With that, I turned and left. By four in the afternoon, I was at Eagle Peak. A light rain was still falling. I stood at the base of the mountain, gazing up at the cloud-shrouded peaks, worried. The rain had turned the mountain path into a slippery, muddy mess. My new Louboutin heels sank into the mud the moment I stepped on it. “Miss Sterling, let’s go back.” The driver, holding an umbrella, tried to persuade me. “It’s too dangerous to go up the mountain in this weather.” “No, I have to go up.” I shook off his hand and bent down to take off my heels. The icy mud instantly covered my feet, and tiny sharp stones dug painfully into my soles. “You all wait at the bottom.” “But…” “That’s an order.” I started walking up the mountain barefoot. Rainwater streamed down my hair. The rough surface of the rocks chafed and burned the soles of my feet. Every step was like walking on knife-blades, but compared to the pain of betrayal and humiliation in my past life, this was nothing. I didn’t know how long I’d been walking. The fog on the mountainside seemed to grow heavier. I leaned against the slippery rock face and suddenly saw a faint glow emanating from a crevice ahead. It was a hidden cave. I scrambled forward, using my hands and feet, pulling away the vines that concealed the entrance. The cave wasn’t deep. A camping lamp glowed in the corner, and beneath its light, a person sat. A dark outdoor jacket, neat short hair. He suddenly looked up at the sound. It was Jaxson Thorne. A living, breathing Jaxson Thorne. “Jaxson Thorne!” Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. “Oh, thank goodness! You’re not dead…” “Chloe? What are you doing here?” Jaxson Thorne froze when he saw me. I rushed over and hugged him tightly. His skin was warm. Though he was covered in dirt and rain, it was unmistakably the warmth of a living person. “You’re okay… I’m so glad…” I was so choked up I couldn’t form a complete sentence. Jaxson Thorne quickly held me, looking utterly bewildered. “How did you get like this?” He then looked down at my bloody feet, his expression instantly changing. Without a word, he carried me to a dry rock and pulled out a first-aid kit from his backpack. “Why did you come up the mountain without shoes?” He knelt on one knee, gently wiping the wounds on my soles with a disinfectant swab. My tears fell like rain. I choked out, “They all said you were dead… but I didn’t believe it, so I came to find you.” Jaxson Thorne paused, looking up at me. “And you came all the way up here barefoot to confirm it?” I nodded. He sighed softly. “You idiot. I’m investigating an internal mole in the company, and my current identity is inconvenient. That’s why I deliberately faked an accident. This whole thing is too dangerous; you shouldn’t have come.” “But you can’t just fake your death! Don’t you know I was terrified!” He looked at me, utterly confused. I continued, “Jaxson Thorne, I don’t care what you’re doing, but you have to be back in the city in a month. You absolutely must return before the wedding.” Jaxson Thorne froze. He slowly lowered my foot, a faint smile on his lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there for your wedding, right on time.” He misunderstood. I was about to explain when a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air from outside the cave. Jaxson Thorne’s face changed. “They found us! You need to get down the mountain, now!” “Wait!” I grabbed his jacket sleeve. “You still don’t understand, I’m going to…” “Boss!” Before I could finish, a head poked into the cave entrance. “Those guys are searching this way!” Jaxson Thorne pushed me deep into the cave. “Hide, don’t make a sound.” He turned to leave, then looked back and added, “Take the small path down the back of the mountain, and don’t look back.” “Jaxson Thorne!” I called to him. “You absolutely have to be back on time!” He was already rushing towards the entrance. At my words, he paused but didn’t turn back, merely raising a hand to wave. “Got it.”
After returning from Eagle Peak, I immediately sent Jaxson Thorne the wedding hotel address. He replied instantly: [Received. I’ll definitely be on time for your wedding. Julian Hayes must be thrilled, right?] I stared at that message for a long time. He still thought I was marrying Julian. “Miss Sterling, Mr. Hayes is here.” Riley, my assistant, whispered from outside the door. I put away my phone, composed my expression, and calmly said, “Let him in.” Julian Hayes pushed open the door, his widowed sister-in-law, Scarlett Bell, trailing behind him. “Chloe.” Julian smiled. “Scarlett hasn’t been well lately, and I was hoping she could stay at the CBD apartment to recover. It’s close to the hospital, so it’d be convenient if anything happened.” “No.” I blurted it out without even thinking. Julian frowned. “That apartment is empty anyway. Can’t you just…” “I said no.” I cut him off directly. “That’s my property. It’s my choice who lives there.” Scarlett’s tears flowed instantly. She looked at Julian, aggrieved. “Julian, it’s fine… I guess I’m just unlucky. A jinxed woman like me doesn’t deserve to stay in Chloe’s apartment…” I scoffed. “Good self-awareness. It’s important to know your place.” “Chloe Sterling!” Julian’s voice was stern. “Scarlett is my sister-in-law, and she’ll be your family too. Can’t you be a little more generous?” I couldn’t help but let out a snicker. “Julian Hayes, have you forgotten? You’re the one who needs something from me now, aren’t you?” His face instantly turned ugly. “Don’t make it difficult for Chloe. I’ll just leave!” With that, Scarlett covered her face and ran out. Julian glared at me fiercely, then turned and followed her. I watched their retreating backs, a self-deprecating smile on my face. In my past life, I really must have been completely out of my mind to have trusted that scumbag. Three days later, the Dior boutique called to inform me my wedding dress had arrived. I purposely arrived two hours early, hoping to surprise Jaxson Thorne. When I pushed open the VIP room door, I froze. A strong, cheap perfume scent assaulted me. Scarlett Bell was twirling in front of the mirror, wearing *my* haute couture wedding gown. Julian Hayes sat on the sofa, gazing at her with a doting expression. I smirked coldly. “Take it off.” “Chloe… I…” Scarlett flinched, startled. She tripped on the hem of the gown, stumbling forward. Julian rushed to catch her in one swift motion. “Chloe Sterling!” He glared at me. “Scarlett hasn’t been well. The doctor said she might… she might not make it until our wedding day. She just wanted to experience what it’s like to wear a wedding dress. Can’t you be less petty?” I walked up to Scarlett, saying each word distinctly. “I’ll say this one last time. Take. It. Off.” The sales associates quickly helped Scarlett remove the dress. At that moment, Scarlett suddenly knelt on the floor and bowed her head to me. “Chloe, I’m so sorry! I’m despicable, I don’t deserve to wear such beautiful clothes!” Julian tenderly helped her up, then turned and roared at me, “Chloe Sterling, are you happy now?” I ignored them, turning to the sales associate. “Remember to disinfect this dress ten times. I hate dirty things.” Scarlett ran out, covering her face. Julian shot me a furious glare, then slammed the door shut as he left. Riley, my assistant, rushed in, breathless. “Miss Sterling, guess what? Scarlett Bell was hit by a car right after she left the store! I heard her leg is broken!” I picked up a glass of champagne and took a sip. “Serves her right. Karma.” “Oh, and by the way.” I put down the champagne, my voice flat. “Inform the wedding planner to change the groom’s name to Jaxson Thorne.” My assistant’s eyes widened in shock. “Miss Sterling, are you saying… you’re not marrying Julian Hayes anymore?” “Exactly!” I smiled faintly. “The man I’m marrying is Jaxson Thorne.” She paused for two seconds, then cheered. “That’s fantastic! That Julian Hayes and Scarlett Bell were always together; it was disgusting to watch!” I smiled, pinching her cheek. “For something as important as marriage, how could I possibly choose the wrong person?” Yes, this time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake.
After Scarlett was hospitalized, Julian Hayes stopped bothering me. I’d been working overtime for two consecutive days at the company, and tonight I was still there until nine. I yawned as I stepped out of the elevator. As soon as I reached the underground parking garage, hurried footsteps sounded behind me. Just as I turned, a sack was roughly pulled over my head. A familiar terror instantly swept through me. Memories of being kidnapped in my past life surged like a tidal wave. “Let me go! I’ll give you whatever you want!” I struggled desperately, but I was violently shoved into a car. The car was eerily silent. The scent of leather seats mixed with a familiar cologne. It was the one Julian Hayes always used. My heart sank instantly. I suppressed my trembling. “What do you want?” Silence stretched for a few seconds, followed by a deliberately lowered voice. “You don’t need to know that much.” The car screeched to a halt. He grabbed my arm, brutally dragging me out of the car. “Remember this lesson.” The metallic whoosh cut through the air, and the next second, searing pain exploded in my lower back. “Ah!” A golf club slammed heavily into my lumbar spine. The agony made my vision blur.
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