The evening sun shone on the villa that was located halfway up the mountain. Through the huge French windows, the sunlight shone on the face of the woman in the house. A gentle breeze blew past, causing the wind chimes to tinkle.
Seemingly disturbed by the sound of the wind chimes, the woman on the bed frowned. Her eyelashes fluttered twice before she finally opened her eyes slowly, revealing a pair of glass-like eyes. However, there was a look of confusion in her gem-like orbs.
Everything felt like a dream.
Her eyes gleamed and she beamed upon such thought. Maybe, just maybe, what happened in that hospital was all a dream!
With this in mind, Ashley dashed to the familiar door when she glanced at the mirror she just walked past through.
Seemingly frozen, she looked at the mirror once more and gasped.
The person in the mirror looked very disheveled… and young! Her hair was a mess and her makeup was smudged. The bright red lips were a huge shock to Ashley.
“What… in the world is happening?”
She remembered this time of her life!
It was when Scottie was still in kindergarten! He was four years old and she was twenty-four years old. What made her remember this year because this was the time when she decided to toss away her responsibility as a mother and focused herself on chasing her husband.
Whenever she heard about Jaxon meeting with an investor in a bar, she would go there and spy on him. At that time, Ashley had no time to worry about a kid when her husband alone was already a handful. Whenever she saw how her husband would smile at the waitress, she would confront the lady and make sure that she would know about his wife.
Thinking about it now, Ashley could only spit at herself.
Shaking her head, she traced her reflection of herself in the mirror. “Did God take pity on me?”
A lone tear escaped from her right eye. The thought of having her son back alone was something she could rejoice for her whole life.
Clasping her hands together, she closed her eyes and uttered a prayer. “God, if this is not a dream before you take my selfish ass to hell, then let me redeem myself and be the best mother to my son. That is only my desire in this world. I have no more intention of holding onto people. Thank you. I promise I will cherish this second chance of life. I will be Scottie’s best mother. Just You wait.”
With this new resolve, Diana took a shower. While wearing her bathrobe, she opened her walk-in closet. All of the clothes that welcomed her were old-fashioned ones. This was not her usual style, but upon hearing about Jaxon’s penchant for women who used clothes like his grandmother, Ashley foolishly changed her entire wardrobe.
“What a fool you have been, Ashley.” She wanted to pat her old self before slapping her foolish past self. “That man deliberately told me. All her ex-girlfriends did not use this kind of thing. My past self is only blindly in love with Jaxon Elijah.”
Shaking her head, Ashley opened the box which contained her favorite clothes that she deliberately hid before. She did not want to throw this so she hid it here. Who would have known she would be able to use it in her second life?
An elegant cream-colored dress that fell just below her knees and showed her arms and a part of her back was what she had chosen. She wore her favorite white doll shoes.
After dressing up, Ashley walked to her vanity mirror and sat. A look of disdain was reflected in her eyes as she scanned the bottles of perfumed. In reality, Ashley loved the smell of nature and flowers. But before her were the bottles of perfume with heavy scents that she ‘also’ heard that Jaxon liked to a woman.
Deciding not to wear any perfume and just rely on her rose flower gel, Ashley dropped all her dislikes to the bin while the clothes were on her bed.
Looking at herself on the mirror, Ashley sighed once more. “Look at you, Ashley. You are young, but you are wasting your youth chasing on a cruel man who will never love you even if you jump from a building in front of him.”
Her long hair, which she usually braided this time around, was let down to cascade freely. With her wavy brown hair, after drying it, it was naturally bouncy.
Settling with a simple cherry pink lipstick, Diana smiled at herself in the mirror.
“Farewell, Ashley Elijah. From now on, I will reclaim Ashley Connor’s aspiration and beloved son. You may rest in peace now, my poor past self. Starting today, I will no longer chase Jaxon Elijah.”
There was a raw determination beneath her youthful face.
It was at this moment that her phone rang. When she answered it, she was immediately bombarded with Dylan’s shrilling voice.
Despite that, tears swelled in her eyes once more.
‘I miss this.’ Ashley thought to herself.
On the other end of the phone, her manager, Dylan, was still talking non-stop, as if he had been suppressed too much in the past. Now, he finally had a chance to vent.
“Do you still want to be an actress?”
“Isn’t this your dream?”
“Getting married and publicly charging at your husband’s mistresses are not enough, now you want to ditch this contract?”
“What do you take me for?”
“Hey! Did you hear me!”
“Come over tomorrow. We’ll settle this then.” Ashley hung up the phone, and the world finally quieted down.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Dylan froze. It was true that the voice on the other end of the line was Ashley, but why did he feel that something was wrong? Shouldn’t Ashley be cursing at him for disturbing her stalking frenzy with her husband? Why did she become so calm, and what was with that commanding tone?
“What time is it?”
Picking up her phone, she walked to the first floor where she found servants preparing a meal in the kitchen. When they heard her, they came out instantly. “Miss, dinner is almost ready.”
Ashley slightly raised her brows. She was used to this treatment. Everyone in the prestigious Elijah Family how desperate she was to be Jaxon’s wife, thus, they never called her ‘Madam’. If it hurt her before to the point that she would lash out at the employees, now, she merely shrugged it off.
“Go and arrange a car. I’m going out.”
“Miss, where are you going?” Nanny Doris, who had been waiting on her for a long time, was thoroughly disgusted by Ashley’s words. She had just returned home after drinking so much last night, and now she was going out again after waking up. She did not like the way Ashley acted.
“I said, send a car.” Ashley slightly emphasized her words, which attracted Nanny Doris’s attention. Nanny Doris raised her head and was stunned when she saw Ashley.
The woman in front of her had worn a light cream silk dress, with her long wavy hair hanging loosely on her shoulders. The face that was always mistaken to be a face of a middle-aged woman was gone, making her look intelligent and refreshing like the lush mountains after the rain. And what made Nanny Doris most afraid to look straight at her was that pair of imposing eyes.
“Okay, I will have them arrange it now.” Before her brain could react, she had already subconsciously voiced her obedience.
The black car stopped in front of the door and the chauffeur opened the door for Ashley. “Miss, where are you going?”
“Woodhill Kindergarten.”
“Yes, Miss.” The chauffeur was not used to hearing her go to places other than his boss’ company.
‘What’s wrong with her today?’ He could only wonder at the back of his mind.
Ashley leaned against the leather seat while the car drove at a steady speed. Her train of thought was on Scottie.At this point in her life, it was embarrassing to say, but she had never taken her son to kindergarten. Thinking about it, the remorse she was feeling continued to pile up. Indeed, loving Jaxon Elijah was poison.She could not imagine her beloved son growing up without having both of his parents’ attention just because his daddy was always busy and his mommy was always chasing his father.A pathetic smile was reflected on the window’s reflection.“Miss, we’re here.” Ashley only pulled herself out of her thoughts when the chauffeur reminded her.“Wait here.”With that, Ashley pushed open the door and got out of the car. When she left the villa, she had put on a long jacket over her skirt. However, it was still a little chilly on the evening of spring. She could not help but roll down her sleeves.The Woodhill Kindergarten was the most prestigious kindergarten in the city.
“Mommy, I’m done washing my hands.”Upon hearing the little dumpling’s voice and seeing the careful look in his eyes, Ashley smiled gently and pacified him. “Then come and eat with me, Scottie.”“Okay!” Scottie was overjoyed. His fair little hand carefully grabbed Ashley’s hand and sat beside her.“Have some meat and some vegetables.”Ashley could not remember when was the last time she had served a meal to her son’s plate. For her, she was truly an undeserving mother to Scottie. That was why, she would devote her life today avoiding her past mistakes.Scottie buried his head in his bowl, his chubby cheeks bulging like a little hamster as he ate the food Ashley had given him.Under the light, Ashley, who was helping herself with the food, looked exceedingly gentle and quiet. She had an aura that made people calm down. If not for her appearance, everyone would have thought that she was somebody else.Looking at the harmonious atmosphere between the two of them, the servants felt emotio
Soon after they settled down to rest, the night turned into its peaceful slumber. The moonlight shone on the mother and son who were sleeping in each other’s arms, enshrouding the pair in a layer of bright radiance.The next morning, before Ashley woke up, she felt a ball of warmth in her arms. When she opened her eyes, she saw Scottie staring at her with his big eyes that reflected her figure. His long eyelashes fluttered.Having been attacked by his cuteness so early in the morning, a wide smile appeared on Ashley’s face. “What’s wrong? Why are you awake so early?”“So what happened yesterday wasn’t a dream. Mommy, will you be like yesterday in the future?” Scottie clung tightly to Ashley’s shoulders as if wanting to confirm that everything was real.Seeing the combination of trepidation and yearning on Scottie’s face, Ashley’s heart tightened. This reminded her of how poorly she treated her son.Clearing her throat to clear the clog in it, she said. “Of course, Scottie. I’ll be lik
The man standing at the door was dressed in an exquisite suit that perfectly accentuated his figure. He had a face that looked like it had been sculpted, with eyebrows that were straight and his nose bridge high. There was a deep look in his eyes and he exuded the aura of someone who had a high status.Jaxon Elijah was the most outstanding person in power in the Elijah family in recent years. Young and promising, he was known for being decisive in his actions. Because his parents had passed away in a plane accident when he was young, he had been living with his grandfather, who was the previous head of the Elijah family.Years ago, the Old CEO had stepped down and handed over the huge conglomerate to Jaxon Elijah. Jaxon Elijah had lived up to expectations and successfully brought the Elijah family to its most prominent period. Although the Elijah family had always kept a low profile, no one dared to offend the Elijah family, especially families with power and wealth.Logically speakin
The next day, Ashley brought Scottie out for breakfast before taking him to school. As she watched him get into the school bus, she was reluctant to part with him.Last night, she had agreed to divorce Jaxon in three months. The Elijah family would definitely not give her custody of the child. However, she was the child’s mother. As long as Scottie wanted to see her or be with her, Jaxon could do nothing.She took out her phone and saw the messages from Bright Red+. She had not been out for the past two days and her friends had sent her a lot of messages.Ashley searched for ‘Heynes’ in the search bar at the top. As expected, the face of an elite young man who was dressed in professional attire appeared.Ashley had a special status, so it was unavoidable that she needed to contact the Elijah family. However, Jaxon had no interest in dealing with her, so Harold Heynes was mainly responsible for contacting Ashley.Ashley opened up the chat and typed something.Special Assistant Harold H
With a pile of snacks, she returned to the villa. The moment Nanny Doris saw the things in her hand, her expression twisted once again. It was unacceptable that Ashley was carrying all of this junk food. Ashley had eaten her fill in the afternoon, so she placed the snacks on the table and went upstairs to take a shower and a nap. The villa was located in the suburbs of the city. It would take one to three hours to get there. By the time Jaxon arrived, Ashley had already woken up from her afternoon nap. She asked Nanny Doris to heat the snacks she had brought back. Having the shake from Domin*s that she had iced in the fridge, Ashley felt so relaxed and young. She could not even remember the last time she had this leisurely time. As expected, marrying and loving Jaxon Elijah was a one-way ticket to hell. It was at this moment that an uninvited guest at the door shattered Ashley’s leisure time. The man was still wearing that well-tailored custom-made suit, which accentuated his col
Ashley was wide awake the entire time that Jaxon and her son were sitting beside her as they watched the talking pig on the television. For the first time after her two lifetimes, Ashely felt incredulous about how this was the only time that the three of them sat as a family while watching a cartoon. A daily occurrence in a normal family was something akin to impossible for a family like Ashley, Jaxon, and Scottie. And this seemingly impossible event was happening right now, making Ashley tense all of a sudden. Like Ashley’s tense form, Jaxon acted as if he was entranced with the talking pig on the screen. Unmoving, Jaxon’s back was straight as he crossed his legs and arms. Scottie was the only one acting normal between the three of them. His little chubby legs dangled the sofa as he leaned to his mother’s side and his father’s side. His cute little cheeks were like buns and his eyes were twinkling happily. The odd tranquility was shattered by the ringing tone of Jaxon’s phone. On
The dazzling light focused on the stage, the buzzing of the people around the stage like a working bee each with a clear purpose, and the towering cameras attached to a wide range of variety equipment seemed so far away from the lone figure of a woman who was exuding indifference and nobility.The crew members, even the assistants of the famous celebrities invited by the production for this grand audition, could not help but glance—once or twice—in the direction of the woman.There was a hint of alienation from the woman’s willow brows but it did not affect her beauty nor did it make her pretty face offensive at all. Despite the subtle atmosphere which seemed to exclude the woman from the hustle and bustle of the crowd, she did not seem an outcast at all! In fact, it gave the illusion as if she was the queen who could not be bothered by the buzzing of the mere mortals around her.The woman was no other than Ashley Connor—the famous joke of the entertainment industry who was currently
Ever since their first fight, life had not gotten any easier for Talia. If anything, it had become even harder.Lucas, once patient and composed, had grown irritable and restless. He hated being weak, hated relying on her, and the frustration bled into everything he did. He snapped more often, his words sharper than he likely intended, but the damage was done each time. And Talia—Talia, who had already carried so much weight on her shoulders—chose to step back instead of fueling the fire.Not for herself, but for Tasha.Their daughter, still too young to understand the depth of their struggles, had always been a bright spark in their darkest days. Talia refused to let that spark fade.So when Lucas’s voice took on that cold edge, when his temper flared over something as small as her adjusting his pillow or offering to help him sit up, Talia swallowed her own frustration and let it go. She bit back the pain, the hurt, and the urge to lash back. She stepped away before Tasha could see,
The days had turned into months, and Talia had settled into a relentless routine.Between taking care of Lucas, working at the library, and making sure Tasha had everything she needed, there was never enough time. But today—today was different. Today, something miraculous had happened.Lucas had woken up.After months of watching him waste away in his coma, after months of feeding him, cleaning him, speaking to him without response—he had opened his eyes. He had whispered her name in a voice so weak and fragile that it had nearly broken her. But he was awake. He was alive.“W-Wife…” He whispered.Talia froze in shock for a split second before she cried out in surprise and happiness. “Lucas?!”And for the first time in what felt like forever, Talia saw hope.She had spent the day by his side, holding his hand, talking to him, helping him sip water from a straw. His body was weak, too weak to even sit up on his own, but he was there. He was present. It was more than she could have ever
The days blurred into an endless cycle of exhaustion.Talia barely slept anymore.Between tending to Tasha at the hospital, checking on Lucas at home, and working at the library to keep them afloat, there was no time to rest. Every hour of her day was spoken for, every moment accounted for. It was a delicate balance, one that she couldn’t afford to lose, but the weight of it pressed down on her like a vice.Her body was slowly giving out.Tasha’s fever had finally broken, but she was still weak. The doctors wanted to keep her in the hospital for a few more days to monitor her condition. Lucas, on the other hand, had taken a turn for the worse. His body was growing frailer by the day, and without proper medical intervention, she feared the inevitable. She knew he needed professional care, but there was no money for that. Every cent she had went into keeping a roof over their heads and putting food—what little she could afford—on the table.She had no one to turn to. No allies. No suppo
The apartment was small—too small for three people, especially when one of them needed around-the-clock care. Talia stared at the single bed pushed against the wall, where Lucas lay unmoving, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, unaware of the world around him. In the other corner, her daughter, Tasha, sat cross-legged on the floor, coloring with the few crayons she had managed to bring from their old home.Talia let out a slow breath, exhaustion pressing against her shoulders like an invisible weight. She had lived many lives, died twice, and yet, nothing could have prepared her for this.Her old lives had been filled with power, darkness, and control. She had never known the taste of struggle, not like this. It was absurd, really. Once, she had commanded armies of men, had resources at her fingertips, had struck fear into the hearts of people with nothing but her name. And now, she was in a rundown apartment with peeling wallpaper and a rickety heater that barely worked.
Five months had passed since Ashley and Jaxon decided to give their family a true second chance.Now, seated in the plush back seat of their luxury SUV, Ashley’s fingers traced over the financial reports on her tablet screen. The elegant logo of Rosemary Jewelry and Rosemary Real Estate gleamed in the corner, a reminder of the empire she had built with her own hands. At the time, these companies were meant to be her insurance, a safeguard in case she had to walk away from Jaxon and start anew. But now, things had changed. She had chosen to stay. To build not just a business empire, but a family.The numbers on the reports reflected her hard work.Rosemary Jewelry, a brand that had once been a small passion project, was now a name whispered among high society. Celebrities, heiresses, and tycoons adorned themselves with her pieces, and international boutiques clamored for exclusive contracts. On the other hand, Rosemary Real Estate was a rising force, acquiring prime properties and maki
The steam clung to Ashley’s skin as she stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. A plush towel was wrapped securely around her body, but she hardly paid attention to the fabric covering her as she reached for the hairdryer on the vanity. The sound of movement near the closet made her pause.She turned her head—and then froze.Jaxon stood with his back to her, his broad shoulders flexing as he ran a towel through his damp hair. The dim lighting of their bedroom accentuated every ridge and valley of his toned muscles, the chiseled perfection of his body honed through years of discipline and training. But it wasn’t just the raw masculinity of his physique that stole Ashley’s breath—it was the dark, intricate ink stretching across his back.Her name was there.Ashley Elijah.Just beneath it, an elegant script detailed a date—one that sent an icy shiver down her spine. The date of her death in her past life.Her breath hitched in her throat, her pulse thrumm
Jaxon Elijah sat in his office, his fingers pressed against his temples as he listened to Harold recount the details of Henry Deneuve’s confrontation with Ashley. The more Harold spoke, the more Jaxon’s fury burned like an unrelenting inferno. His jaw clenched, his breathing steady yet deep—a dangerous calm before the inevitable storm.Henry Deneuve had dared to threaten his wife? To speak to Ashley as if she were some scheming outsider rather than the woman who had suffered and endured to reclaim her rightful place? Jaxon would not tolerate it. Not now. Not ever."Prepare the package," Jaxon finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion but carrying an unshakable weight. "Everything we've collected on Henry over the years. I want him to see every dark secret, every skeleton buried in his past."Harold nodded without hesitation. He knew his boss well enough to recognize that this was not a moment for questioning. This was a moment of execution. The Elijah Consortium did not deal in empty
Ashley stood before the towering glass doors of an exclusive luxury boutique, her heart thudding in her chest. It was a strange sensation—one part excitement, one part apprehension. She had never done this before, never had the chance to bond with a mother over something as trivial yet meaningful as shopping. The mother she had known, the one who had raised her until she passed away, was a distant memory, blurred and bittersweet. And Camilla Connor, the woman who played the role of stepmother, had only ever used the idea of motherhood as a tool to manipulate and belittle her. But now, standing beside Uriel Deneuve, her real mother, Ashley was finally about to experience something she never had before.Uriel, graceful and poised, exuded the quiet confidence of someone who had spent her life in wealth and power yet carried an air of warmth that Ashley hadn’t expected. She reached out, gently squeezing Ashley’s hand. “Are you ready, ma chérie?” she asked in a soft voice, her foreign acce
Ashley stood in front of the grand estate, her heart pounding against her ribcage. The Deneuve estate was nothing short of magnificent, with its towering gates, sprawling gardens, and a mansion that exuded centuries of prestige and power. She had been through countless battles in life—both emotional and physical—but standing here, waiting to meet the people who had given her life, felt like the hardest thing she had ever faced.Jaxon stood beside her, his presence a solid wall of support. He hadn't said much on the way here, knowing that no words could ease the storm brewing inside her. Instead, he simply held her hand, giving her strength in his silence. Ashley squeezed his hand briefly, grateful that despite everything, he was here.The gates opened slowly, revealing a long driveway lined with aged oak trees. A butler approached them with practiced grace, bowing slightly. "Madam Ashley, Master Jaxon, welcome. Mr. and Mrs. Deneuve are waiting for you inside."Ashley took a deep breat