My step-brother, Brandon, and I got engaged at the same time. He was set to marry Aurora, the piano virtuoso, while my stepmom, Eleanor, decided I’d marry Brianna, a rebellious dropout. But in our first life together, after the weddings, Aurora was framed and ended up in a vegetative state. Brandon cheated, and when it was exposed, he faced a massive online backlash. Brianna, on the other hand, became an influencer, raking in millions annually. Brandon, consumed by jealousy, grabbed me and jumped from a skyscraper. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the eve of our engagements. This time, Brandon switched our fiancées. He smirked, “Enjoy marrying the vegetable.” How rich. Marrying someone in a coma was a way better deal than being stuck with a wife into drinking, gambling, and all kinds of drama. Watching Brandon beg Eleanor not to make him marry Aurora, I knew right then—he’d been reborn too, just like me. In our past life, he was forced into a business marriage with the Aurora family. Aurora was a true piano virtuoso, the ultimate dream girl for many in the industry. “Richard Caleb, I’m telling you, your mom’s gone, and nobody in this house gives a crap about you.” “You don’t deserve better than some trashy dropout!” Reborn, and he still had that same rotten attitude. “I’ve taken so much from you—must eat you up inside, huh?” “So I’ll be ‘generous’ and let you have the arranged marriage instead!” Eleanor grilled him about why he’d waste pity on someone as worthless as me. I stood back, quiet, watching the whole mess play out. “Brandon, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Brandon whispered something into Eleanor’s ear, and her expression softened slightly. “Are you sure about this?” “I heard the Brians girl has a sketchy past. What if she causes problems once she’s in the family?” Eleanor looked genuinely worried, hesitant to agree to Brandon’s demand so easily. “No way, Mom!” “No way,” my ass. Brianna had gotten into all kinds of fights at school before dropping out, then got mixed up with drugs and gambling. Even her nouveau riche dad was bad news. “You’ve always spoiled me best—you wouldn’t say no to this little thing, right?” Brandon whined and latched onto Eleanor. She finally gave in, but not without taking a shot at me. “That’s only because Brandon didn’t want her. Otherwise, you wouldn’t stand a chance!” I didn’t care what they thought. Because I really didn’t deserve someone as brilliant as that piano prodigy. As for that dropout girl… What a train wreck of a family—let’s see how Brandon handles that marriage! Same as last time around, Brandon and I were both set up in arranged marriages. The only difference? He got the genius, and I got what everyone thought was the disaster. They were the ones who tore our family apart, but somehow I was the one who felt like an outsider. Brandon started his marriage all happy, but right after the wedding, Aurora left for an overseas performance. But Aurora got into a car crash on the way to the airport. It was attempted murder, and she ended up vegetative. Brandon threw fits, demanding to divorce Aurora. Eleanor felt sorry for him, but my dad Richard saw things differently. Sons in this family are assets—meant to secure advantages. Even with Aurora out of commission, the Aurora family hadn’t fallen. Richard favored Brandon way more than me, but he wouldn’t let him back out and risk losing the Aurora family’s business connections and company shares. Brandon couldn’t handle being alone and ended up cheating. The Calebs and Auroras were big names in business—his scandal made headlines everywhere. The scandal buried Brandon in online hate, while at the same time, my wife Brianna blew up. Brianna went from being the school outcast to a viral social media star overnight, all because of her looks. Brandon couldn’t wrap his head around it. He was drowning in online attacks. When he heard about Brianna’s success, he suddenly said he wanted to see me. I didn’t get what more he could want. Living in a mansion, driving sports cars, no responsibilities—what wasn’t to like? Since we were still family, I went to see him. But I never saw the murder coming. He thought he deserved a better life than me, and he couldn’t stand it. He hugged me, slammed us against the floor-to-ceiling window, and we both fell to our deaths. That’s why, after he was reborn, he immediately picked Brianna. Well, good for him. This lucky break? All mine!
In early June, Brandon and I got married back-to-back. Last time around, Brandon and Eleanor had deliberately scheduled our weddings on the same day to overshadow me. But this time, things were different. The Aurora family’s reputation wasn’t something they could just trample on. They showed up to my wedding with sour faces, clearly reluctant but not daring to skip it. The reception was packed. It was the first big social event I’d been to since Mom died. Dad had always thought I shouldn’t be in the public eye much after Mom passed. But right after Mom’s funeral, Eleanor and Brandon moved into the Caleb house. “Nervous?” I turned to Aurora standing beside me. We were the only ones outside the ballroom, waiting quietly to walk into our marriage. Aurora was stunning—even more beautiful than the piano prodigy I’d seen in videos. Today she wore a custom white wedding dress, her long hair up in an elegant twist that showed off her slender neck. “I…” Before I could even find the words, Aurora linked her arm through mine. The ballroom doors swung open. I felt a jolt of panic, but the warmth of her hand steadied me. After a long, exhausting day, I collapsed onto the king-sized bed in our bridal suite, letting my body finally relax. “Tired?” “Want to come out for something to eat?” “Not hungry.” Immediately, my traitorous stomach growled loudly, giving me away. “Just a little bit?” Her voice was so soft. And after not eating all day, I was definitely craving something. I ended up sitting across from her at the dining table, eating the meal my new wife had cooked. Who knew those hands—made for playing piano—could cook too? I never would’ve guessed. “I’m sorry.” Halfway through the meal, she suddenly apologized. I wasn’t surprised. News of her upcoming France concert was all over social media. “I’m leaving tomorrow. It’s so last-minute, and I know it might make you look bad.” She explained quietly. “It’s fine—you do what you need to.” After saying it, I realized that sounded too cold, so I added, “This food is amazing, by the way.” Aurora’s apologetic expression broke into a smile. “Thank you!” That night, Aurora naturally stayed in the guest room. I tossed and turned in bed, replaying last life’s events in my head. Thinking about Aurora’s terrible accident and then her gentle, thoughtful ways, I found myself wanting to stop her from dying. I could’ve just ignored it, but Mom always said good deeds come back around. And Aurora was definitely one of the good ones. Someone this good didn’t deserve to die. I jumped out of bed and ran to the guest room door, knocking hard. “What is it?” “Aurora—” “Aurora—” I panted, out of breath from getting up so fast. “Do you want to come in?” Seeing me in my pajamas, her eyes filled with concern. “No!” I looked down at myself and quickly shook my head. “Be careful tomorrow!” “Check the car your assistant prepared—thoroughly.” Aurora looked confused, which made sense. No one would believe such a random warning. But if Aurora didn’t believe me, it could cost her life! I grabbed her shoulders, dead serious, practically begging. “Don’t get in that car. Whatever you do, don’t get in that car!” Seeing how worked up I was, Aurora reluctantly agreed. Back in my room, I checked the mirror and realized I looked like a mess. The next morning, I woke up to find breakfast on the table. It was cold, so Aurora must have left hours ago. I unlocked my phone to find a bunch of texts from her. “Breakfast’s on the table—eat it.” “Cold food’s bad for your stomach. Microwave’s on the cream cabinet in the kitchen.” After seven, she sent a few more updates. “Car had issues. Called the police—waiting for them to sort it out.” “Safely on the plane! No need to worry :)” I must have seemed crazy yesterday. She probably explained everything to keep me from panicking. Her earlier messages were polite, almost formal. I meant to reply with a simple “Okay,” but that felt too short. I thought about a thumbs-up emoji instead. Of course, my finger slipped and I sent an “I love you” emoji by mistake. Before I could unsend it, her reply popped up: “Okay, okay :)” I wanted to die right then and there.
Aurora was overseas, but I wasn’t idle. Back in college, my friend and I started a fashion studio that was finally taking off. I grabbed my design sketches from home and Ubered to the office. “Well, well, look who it is—Caleb!” “Told you I had an eye for talent back then!” Maya, the studio owner, was an upperclassman I met in college who discovered me at a design competition. She said I was born for this and took me under her wing. We became friends over time and started this fashion design studio together. “Maya, cut it out!” “If you hadn’t pulled me out of that slump back then, I’d still be stuck going nowhere!” It wasn’t that the Calebs couldn’t support me—they just didn’t want to. Like Brandon said, nobody in the Caleb family gave a damn about me. Luckily, I had a passion for design and some talent—more than enough to make it on my own. Last life, Maya and I ran this same studio. But Brianna and her dad thought I was slumming it, acting like marrying her meant I should wait on them hand and foot. Not “waste” family money on some tiny studio. To put me in my place, the Brianses shut our studio down. We ran out of funding and collapsed completely, leaving Maya drowning in debt. Thankfully, Grandma Evelyn never had those hang-ups. Aurora’s parents were always overseas, and even Grandma Evelyn hadn’t seen much of them lately—except at the wedding. When I visited the old estate, I brought a suit I’d designed and tailored myself. Grandma Evelyn loved it, gushing about my good taste. When she found out I’d made it by hand, she loved it even more. “Caleb, marrying our Aurora must feel like a sacrifice for you.” Grandma Evelyn patted my hand, sighing softly. “What are you talking about, Grandma? I’m the lucky one here.” Grandma Evelyn frowned, tapping my hand lightly. “Nonsense! I’m thrilled to have you as my grandson-in-law!” “Handsome and kind-hearted. Aurora’s the one always running around—she doesn’t pay you enough attention.” She was busy, sure, but she didn’t neglect me. Every day, she texted me—simple hellos and meal reminders. For work, I was doing market research at a designer clothing store. Running into Brandon was the last thing I expected. “Caleb, doesn’t Aurora find this embarrassing?” I stared, confused, still holding the suit I’d designed. “Instead of being a proper son-in-law, you’re slumming it as a sales clerk!” At home, Brandon always had custom clothes made for every season. Seeing him shopping for clothes was a shock. He must’ve mistaken me for staff—my studio uniform looked a lot like the store’s. I swapped my surprised look for a polite smile. “Does spending Daddy’s money make you feel like a big man?” “Why do you always stick your nose where it doesn’t belong?” I wasn’t his mom, and I sure as hell wasn’t gonna coddle him. “Caleb! Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?!” Brandon glared at me like he wanted to tear me apart. Then his expression shifted, and a smug grin spread across his face. “Caleb, don’t get too comfortable. Soon you’ll be a pathetic loser with a comatose wife!” I wasn’t scared. I just hauled off and slapped him. “Who the hell do you think you are, wishing that on Aurora?” The noise drew everyone in the store, and they all turned to stare. The people who shopped here were rich and well-connected. Brandon didn’t dare make a scene, so he scurried off like a whipped dog. Playing these games—did he really think I was some kind of saint? “Caleb, Brianna’s not just hot—she’s got abs! You regret it now, don’t you?” A Snapchat notification popped up from Brandon. I’ll admit it—Brianna was good-looking, and her body was definitely something. But some people are all flash and no substance. Her basic morals… I wasn’t about to warn him about Brianna’s future mess. I was betting he’d crash and burn all on his own. He couldn’t blame me—he chose this, didn’t he? I locked my phone without replying.
For the next while, I ignored Brandon’s bragging and threats. When I wasn’t at the studio, I visited Grandma Evelyn at the old estate or stayed home. Grandma Evelyn said she’d taught Aurora piano herself—back in the day, she’d been a famous pianist too. When Mom was alive, I’d been pretty good at cello. Piano? I only knew the basics. I asked Grandma Evelyn to teach me, partly because I was curious—wanted to understand something Aurora loved. And partly to keep Grandma company. Old folks tend to get nostalgic, right? Last life, I’d married Brianna. Her family had all these old-fashioned ideas, but they never taught me anything useful. Just manipulation, petty schemes, and backwards stuff like “men should wait on women hand and foot.” Grandma Evelyn was thrilled I asked. She held my hand and talked for ages. “It’s so nice to see such thoughtfulness in a young man!” Grandma Evelyn taught me carefully. After a few weeks, I could play some of Aurora’s songs. “That was lovely. Aurora would be so happy to hear you play.” Grandma Evelyn smiled warmly and handed me a sheet music book with Aurora’s name on it. “Caleb, how are things going with you and Aurora lately?” Aurora wasn’t even in the country. How were things supposed to “go”? “Grandma, we’re good. Getting along great.” I gave a neutral, polite answer, but Grandma Evelyn still looked hopeful. “Oh really?” She sighed deeply, disappointment written all over her face. Was Grandma Evelyn hoping for great-grandkids? That seemed impossible. “Also, I…” “I really like Aurora.” Grandma Evelyn’s face lit up with a big smile. “Of course! Aurora told me to take good care of you—make sure you’re happy being part of our family.” “I knew it! My granddaughter has a soft spot for her sweet son-in-law!” Really? She was amazing. Grandma too. “Thank you, Grandma. I’m happier here than I ever was at home.” Lying in bed later, I checked the studio group chat. Aurora had texted me too. “Everything’s sorted. Don’t worry, I’m okay!” She forwarded a news article with the headline: “Famous Pianist Attacked.” These tabloids love stirring up drama—making up crazy stories just for clicks. They twist details to get people to read their garbage. “Got it.” “Come home soon.” I hit send, then immediately cringed. Too forward? But there was no taking it back. I just closed the chat, figuring, *I already embarrassed myself with that emoji—what’s one more dumb message?* “Okay, I’ll be home.” I stared at those words, re-reading them for ages. The attack on Aurora made headlines. Even the cops she called got swarmed by paparazzi. Brandon saw the news and came by pretending to offer condolences. I didn’t want to deal with him, so I hid at the studio. He showed up a few times but kept getting turned away. He called, but I ignored it—used work as an excuse. But he was as persistent as ever, sending me this long message. Mostly snarky comments and backhanded insults, with some random praise for Brianna thrown in. I didn’t care. Dude was just a sad clown. Maya found out, flipped him off, and went, “Unbelievable!” “He’s such a creep!” “Your brother’s just here to stir up drama, right? Always with the shady comments!” She looked at my chat with Brandon, fuming. I just smiled and brushed it off. Brandon would learn soon enough how much it sucked to be wrong. Couldn’t wait.
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