Chapter 1
On the way home for the New Year, my husband Ethan Chill and I got into an accident.
When I opened my eyes again, we had returned to the time before we even started dating.
In our past life, we were married for seven years. We treated each other politely, like old acquaintances rather than lovers — and in all that time, he never once agreed to have a child with me. Only later did I find out that Ethan could never let go of his Luna—the fated mate of the werewolf clan.
After reincarnating, I decided to set him free.
We silently deleted each other's contacts, kept our distance, and chose different lives.
Seven years later, Ethan became one of the most powerful leaders in the werewolf clan—a Wolf King. At a class reunion, he and his Luna, Lyra Winslow, announced their engagement.
My nose caught his scent before I saw him. When he noticed I was still single, he couldn't help but tease, "Sophie, I know in both lives I was your favorite man, but you didn't have to wait around for me."
I ignored him and held my son's hand.
Ethan's face turned pale. His eyes glowed red with rage. "Didn't you say you'd love me for a lifetime? That you'd only have children for me?"
We saw each other again at that reunion.
I had just finished several surgeries and was too tired to dress up, so I went straight into the banquet hall.
Ethan stood in the crowd with his arm around Lyra, soaking up compliments.
"Ethan, you're amazing. You were only in New York a few years and already became the most promising leader of the werewolf clan! You're the pride of our old school!"
"Right? I heard Wall Street elites even pay to have dinner with him, and just his consultation fees are nearly six figures! That's more than what we make in a whole year!"
"Ethan, I'm trying to learn more about werewolf alphas. Can you guide me?"
Someone asked curiously, "Ethan, are you and Lyra getting engaged?"
Ethan looked at Lyra gently, eyes glowing with complex emotion. "Yes, we're getting engaged on December 20."
Everyone around offered their congratulations.
An old classmate asked, "Ethan, are you still in touch with Sophie? Back in the day, you two defied all werewolf taboos. I heard you first transformed under the full moon for her!"
At the mention of my name, Ethan's smile froze. His eyes became unfocused.
Lyra smiled gracefully and answered for him, "Oh, you! Ethan and I are getting married. Puppy love doesn't last, nor does teenage passion. He's long since moved on from Sophie."
Everyone laughed and praised the two of them for being such a perfect match.
But I knew the truth. That first night was ours. When he confessed, he said, "Sophie, look into my eyes. I like you. Eyes don't lie."
I believed him. But in our past life, he still lied. Turns out, no matter how sharp a werewolf's senses are, they can't outmatch a deceitful heart.
I entered the banquet hall calmly, not wanting to stir anything up, but still couldn't stop thinking.
Ethan was a werewolf heir, bound by fate to Luna. I was just a chapter in his past.
A sharp-eyed classmate noticed me and called out, "Sophie! You're finally here!"
"Why did you come in casual clothes? Couldn't you change into something formal?"
"Don't tell me you just got off work? Where are you working now? One of our classmates is a big shot and could help get you an easier job!"
People started murmuring about my appearance, some with open disdain.
I didn't care. I smiled and stayed composed.
From the moment I entered, Ethan's gaze never left me. His alpha scent was overpowering.
I greeted politely, "Long time no see."
Ethan looked slightly stunned, his eyes darkening before he sneered, "Sophie, all these years and you're still the same. No ambition."
Lyra wrapped her arm around Ethan's and shot me a cold glance, declaring her territory. In a syrupy tone, she said, "Ethan, don't be mean to an old classmate. Sophie's had it tough. Let's not embarrass her."
She looked me over with a smirk. "What kind of outfit is that? You're not young anymore. Women should dress up. Otherwise, how can you expect to attract a man? Want to borrow some makeup?"
As soon as she finished, the others laughed.
Lyra was draped in designer clothes, her makeup flawless. I, on the other hand, had just come from surgery, hadn't slept in 24 hours, and wore a plain tracksuit. There was no comparison.
"No need, thanks," I replied simply, sitting down to eat. I hadn't eaten since the surgeries.
Suddenly, Ethan walked over and placed a check for $100,000 on the table in front of me. "This is for old times' sake. Use it to get a better job, buy some decent clothes, and learn to love yourself. The past is over. Let it go."
I looked up and asked, "Why are you so persistent?"
Pain flickered in his eyes. "You always said you wanted to have my child. Why didn't we get that chance?"
I gently pushed the check back. "I don't need money from a stranger. Thank you."
Ethan frowned. "Am I a stranger to you? What do you mean?"
I said, "I can buy my own clothes. Whatever job I have now, I think it's respectable. Keep the money for someone who needs it."
He fell silent, clutching the check.
Lyra stepped in, still smiling sweetly, though fire flashed in her eyes. "If you won't take the money, maybe you'd accept something more practical. I just opened a nail salon. You could apprentice there. The pay isn't high, but you can learn a skill. Later, you could open your own place."
I calmly ate and replied, "Thank you, but I'm happy with my current job. No plans to change."
A classmate chimed in, "Sophie, how can you be so ungrateful? Ethan and Lyra are offering you a job, and you just say no?"
"Exactly! What pride? You came to this reunion to network, right?"
Lyra smiled demurely. "Don't say that. Maybe Sophie really likes her current job."
She turned to me. "Sophie, this offer is out of kindness for an old classmate. Don't you want to at least try?"
I gave a cold smile. "No, thank you."
Her eyes stayed gentle, but the contempt was unmistakable.
Ethan held the check tightly, his gaze cold. "Just as I thought, a hopeless mess. Even trying to help you is useless. You'll never find happiness."
Then the male classmates swarmed over with drinks and insults.
"Sophie, look at you. So pathetic. Have a drink and I'll transfer you $1,000. If you're pitiful enough, I'll add more!"
Their eyes gleamed with lechery, and the crowd laughed. No one helped.
