Chapter 6

“Kels…”

A frantic voice belonging to a man was heard.

Before Kelsey knew it, a disheveled man stumbled toward her.

It was Cooper.

Covered in bloodstains and tattered clothes, he appeared roughened up and distressed.

Despite his shoddy appearance, he retained his good looks and forlorn nature.

Kelsey had to admit that even at his worst, Cooper had the package to sweep women off their feet.

She was once attracted by his rough-hewn appeal.

Kelsey sympathized with him, drew close to him, and tried to help him.

Cooper, in turn, manipulated, hurt, and even killed her.

She would not make the same mistakes again.

Kelsey could not shake off the resentment as she stared at the man before her.

“What are you doing here?” She asked with a frown.

Cooper narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on the hickeys along her neck.

He clenched his fists. “You have been through a lot for me, Kels.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself. I did it of my free will.”

It was a blow to Cooper, and his expression showed.

He asked in disbelief, “What did you say?”

Kelsey looked impatient. “What did I say? Can’t you understand the words coming out of my mouth? I said I slept with Tyler on my own volition. My actions last night have nothing to do with you.”

In her last life, Kelsey agreed to a night with Tyler to save Cooper.

However, she was reborn.

She had seen Cooper for who he really was now.

Cooper would never be the reason she threw herself at Tyler anymore.

Kelsey was happy and willing to be intimate with Tyler.

Her wish for this life was to be Tyler’s woman and steer clear of Cooper.

Hiding his surprise, Cooper sighed dejectedly.

“I know you don’t mean what you said. Your feelings just got the better of you.”

Kelsey was lost for words.

She was honest, not at all sulking.

Cooper abruptly pulled her into his arms.

“Don’t worry, Kels. I won’t turn my back on you after all that you have done for me.”

Kelsey put up a struggle in his embrace.

“Do I have to spell it out for you, Cooper? Let me go!”

Cooper held her tight and vowed in her ear, “I won’t let go of you again. I want to marry you.”

Kelsey was swayed by his words in the previous life, thinking he did not mind her sleeping with Tyler. She took it that Cooper was grateful for her saving him.

Later, Kelsey realized that it was an act all along.

Cooper married her to use her against Tyler.

As if she would marry him.

Kelsey’s hair stood.

“Don’t blame me for taking drastic measures if you don’t release me,” she warned while lifting her knee to kick where it hurt the most.

Alas, the door to her attic room opened from the outside.

Charlie led Tyler upstairs to her room with a smile.

Josephine and Megan followed behind them with strange looks.

Everybody was shocked to catch Kelsey and Cooper in a lingering embrace.

Charlie turned ashen.

Tyler scowled as the air around him grew heavy.

He darted a chilling look at Kelsey, his bloodshot eyes simmering with malice as the weight of her lie settled in.

It did not take Kelsey long to give him another surprise.

Back at the hotel, she expressed her desire to marry him.

Yet, she turned around and threw herself at Cooper.

Any lingering hope Tyler harbored that Kelsey had been genuine was now gone.

Tyler smirked sarcastically.

Kelsey had played him the fool all along, and Tyler had no idea.

He balled his fists, his knuckles white.

Tyler took one look at Kelsey before walking away.

“Wait, Tyler. Just hold it right there. We can talk it out.”

Charlie glared at Kelsey and went after Tyler.

Josephine and Megan stood at the door, getting the best seats for the drama.

Megan relished Kelsey’s unfortunate situation. “ I didn’t know you were having a little something with Cooper. We shouldn’t have interrupted you, Kelsey.”

Kelsey snapped an indifferent look at her.

Even though Megan expressed regret for barging into her room, the delight on her face told a different story.

It was clearly a well-calculated plan for Tyler to show up in her room and catch Cooper embracing her.

In her previous life, Tyler walked in on Kelsey saying yes to Cooper’s proposal in her attic room, which led him to get over her, though disappointment lingered.

When Kelsey got out of the car, Tyler told her that he would pick her up the following night, so she did not expect to see him that night itself.

Tyler somehow was at the Youngs’ residence and bumped into Cooper getting all over her.

Given her past indifference toward Tyler and unwavering devotion to Cooper, Tyler likely misconstrued the situation.

He must think that she had lied to him again.

Tyler stormed out in a fit.

Kelsey could not let him leave with a misunderstanding hanging over their heads.

She kicked Cooper away and warned menacingly, “Stay away from me! I don’t want to marry you!”

Kelsey was not a fool.

She would not marry Cooper, only to be manipulated and betrayed like before.

God had given her a second chance at life.

She would rather spend the rest of her life with a man who loved her.

Cooper could die for all she cared.

To think Cooper tried to sweet-talk her into doing his bidding.

Fat chance that was happening.

“Wait up, Tyler!”

Desperate, Kelsey rushed out of the attic and hurried down the steps.

The villa was empty. Tyler was long gone.

Kelsey stepped out of the house and saw his car speeding off.

Her heart sank.

Her eyes were filled with frustration and disappointment.

She was too late.

Kelsey did not manage to catch up to him.

“Kelsey!” Charlie’s angry voice rang in her ear.

Kelsey cocked her head back to find her father livid, his hand itching to strike her.

“I’ll explain to Tyler tomorrow,” she promised.

Charlie was startled that Kelsey volunteered to clear things with Tyler instead of insisting on being with Cooper.

His anger subsided.

“Are you seriously going to do that?” He was skeptical.

Charlie knew how much Kelsey detested the prospect of marriage with Tyler before.

He was aware that Cooper had Kelsey’s heart.

Kelsey understood that it was a matter Charlie did not take lightly.

Struck by a thought, she said, “I don’t really want to go…”