Chapter 1
The Sterling family had two adopted daughters-in-law.
One was me. The other was Vanessa Moore.
On Julian Sterling’s twenty-fifth birthday, Vanessa died in a car accident. And I became his wife.
After the wedding, we treated each other with mutual respect and affection.
I gave everything I had-to him and to the Sterling family.
I thought that was how the rest of my life would go: peaceful, content, quietly happy.
But I never expected that, in our old age, Julian would suddenly demand to have Vanessa’s ashes moved into the Sterling family mausoleum-to replace the spot that had been reserved for me.
I was furious.
I cried. I screamed. I even cursed him out.
But he remained unmoved.
To make me give up, he coldly admitted he’d already updated his will.
Once he died, I would be left with nothing.
When I found out that even our three sons-and every grandchild-had taken his side, I was so enraged I coughed up
blood and died right there in front of him.
But when I opened my eyes again, I was back at the day the Sterlings were choosing a bride.
Julian’s father stood at the head of the hall, his expression solemn.
“Julian, you’re not young anymore. It’s time to make a decision.”
“Tell us-who do you want to marry?”
His mother smiled gently. “My guess is he’ll pick Noelle. He’s been clinging to her since he was a boy.”
In looks and intelligence, I far outshone Vanessa.
Everyone in the Sterling family knew I had always been the chosen one.
But this time, Julian looked at me with eyes full of cold contempt and deep-seated hatred.
And in that moment, I understood-he had been reborn too.
If he still yearned for Vanessa so desperately… Then I’d gladly step aside.
I stood up and spoke calmly.
“Mr. Sterling. I know I’m not particularly talented or attractive. I’m not worthy of Julian.”
“So, I withdraw.”
Julian visibly froze.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but it was quickly buried under that same icy coldness.
He didn’t say a word-just turned around and strode out of the hall.
I knew exactly where he was going. At this point in time, Vanessa hadn’t had her accident yet.
There was still time.
I stood there, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
So much for decades of marriage in my past life.
Turns out it was nothing more than an illusion.
“Noelle, what did you just say?”
Mr. Sterling’s voice rang out from the head of the room.
I looked up and met his gaze.
This man, who had once treated me like his own daughter, now stared down at me in complete confusion.
I took a deep breath, my voice so steady it didn’t even sound like my own.
“Since Julian has already made his choice, I won’t force anything.”
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling exchanged glances.
But after seeing how determined their son had been just moments ago, they didn’t know what to say to comfort me.
I returned quietly to my room to pack.
The next day, I opened my phone to find my feed flooded with Julian and Vanessa’s engagement announcement.
In the photo, Vanessa nestled sweetly in Julian’s arms, her smile as radiant as spring sunlight.
Julian held her tightly, his gaze filled with tenderness and affection.
Expressionless, I swiped the notifications away.
By noon, noise erupted downstairs.
I stood by the window and watched as Julian swaggered into the house with Vanessa on his arm, the two of them acting like the king and queen of the world.
Moments later, shouting erupted from the direction of the study.
Julian’s voice was sharp and shrill. “Dad! I already told you-I picked Vanessa!”
“So why the hell is Noelle still the lead designer?!”
