Chapter 1

Staring at the message on my phone, identical to the one from my previous life, I realized I had been reborn. Back to the second year of my relationship with Brad Halter.

Gone were the days of being penniless and Brad's obsessive pursuit. I was once again his darling, the number one stand-in who could count money until my hands cramped, all thanks to my pretty face.

Stand-in for whom? Of course, for Linda Clark, the country’s top socialite who flew to Estaland years ago, choosing her dreams over love.

My phone buzzed with another message:

"Are you free now? How about we meet right away?"

Tsk. Just as impatient as in my previous life.

The girl on the other end was Anne Larson, Brad's second stand-in kept on the side.

At first, I didn't believe Anne's story, until she produced intimate photos of Brad and Linda, along with a limited edition black card...

I had one too. But with one small difference - mine was labeled "1," hers "2."

I'd call it Brad's exclusive lover's card set. I guess I was on the payroll too.

Just like in my previous life, I went to the meeting spot. Anne was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, sipping coffee.

Skipping the pleasantries, she got straight to the point.

"Miss Harper, Brad has a girlfriend."

"I was shocked to discover I was Brad's affair, being someone else's ideal replacement. I never saw that coming."

"One stand-in wasn't enough, he had to have two," Anne said with a bitter smile.

I didn't miss the glint in her eyes.

In my past life, anger at the betrayal had clouded my judgment, and Anne's prodding had worked.

Wasn't this just an attempt to build rapport and evoke sympathy?

This time... I sipped my coffee quietly, waiting for her next move.

Seeing no reaction from me, she continued, "I heard you initially didn't want to be with him, but Brad forced you to stay."

"You don't know how terrible Brad really is, do you?"

"When are you planning to break up with Brad?"

Finally, her true motive came out.

In her eyes, there was a hint of hope and expectation that she desperately tried to hide.

In my past life, blinded by anger, I spilled every detail about my relationship with Brad to Anne, treating her like a fellow victim.

We put our heads together, railing against Brad's despicable behavior.

After expressing my utter disgust for Brad, she even volunteered to help me strategize how to leave him.

Little did I know that when I was later cornered and chased down by Brad, she would still be standing by his side, pristine and poised.

That's when it hit me.

Her goal from the start was to replace me as the number one stand-in!

She wanted to be the only one by Brad's side.

Being Brad's stand-in came with great perks, yet she was so greedy that she couldn't even tolerate my position!

She was too close-minded.

Didn't she know that it's better when everyone's happy?

This time, I won't let Anne find an opportunity to steal my position as the number one stand-in!

I was about to speak when my phone suddenly vibrated, Brad's name flashing on the screen.

Under Anne's prying eyes, I answered the call with the most affected gesture I could muster in this lifetime.

"Wait for me at home tonight."

Before I could even say "Hello," his deep voice came through. As soon as he finished speaking, the call ended.