Chapter 1

Everyone in Gleaston knew how hopelessly in love Ariana Torrey was with Brian Lodge. She loved him to the extent of abandoning all of her pride and principles.

On the day they were supposed to get married, Brian left Ariana behind and drove their bridal car to the airport to pick up Evelyn Granger, the person he truly loved, with just a word from the latter.

The wedding Ariana had hoped for after waiting for at least three years turned into a nightmare that would scar her forever.

Ariana was abducted by Brian's enemy on the day of their wedding. These men tormented Ariana for three whole days to humiliate Brian.

In the end, Ariana was stripped naked and tied onto a pole on the deck. The abductors live streamed what they did to Ariana live since they thought this was the perfect way to get back at Brian.

Ariana shuddered as the sea breeze swept through her.

She had cried and begged the abductors to let her go. Her pride was constantly trampled over by these men.

Meanwhile, Brian was completely unaffected as he and Evelyn got their marriage certificate that day.

"Brian Lodge, pay us a ransom of five million dollars, and we'll release your fiancée! Otherwise, we'll throw her into the ocean to feed the sharks!"

One of the abductors gave Brian the ultimatum while speaking in a scornful tone.

Yet, the response to his demand was a mere scoff. "What does it have to do with me whether a defiled woman like her dies or not?"

Ariana froze when she heard what Brian said.

"A defiled woman?" she repeated inwardly.

Ariana never imagined she would one day hear Brian say something like that. All these years, she had not once engaged in any physical relations with anyone because everyone knew how Brian was germaphobic.

For the past three years, Ariana had been docile and obedient whenever she was with Brian. She was even willing to give up her own life if Brian had asked her to.

Ariana thought Brian would at the very least feel sorry for her. Yet, she never expected that… that was how Brian saw her.

After Brian hung up, the abductor was so infuriated that he immediately ordered his men to toss Ariana into the ocean.

Suddenly, Ariana felt like she had made a complete fool of herself.

The entire city knew that she was just a replacement for Evelyn. Ariana had forsaken the identity she took pride in and willingly became a substitute for someone else just so she could marry Brian.

Despite how others gossiped about her, Ariana took great care of Brian's grandmother, Belinda Mackle, and centered her life around Brian.

She spent three years doing that. This time, Ariana thought that she had finally managed to get Brian to open up to her. Yet, she never expected that… all of her efforts were for naught.

Ariana closed her eyes in despair. She cried tears of regret and resentment.

If she had the chance to do this all over again, Ariana would stay as far away as possible from Brian and never try to approach him.

…

"No way! She really jumped into the water? That's nuts!"

"Did she really have to stoop so low to please him? So what if it was Mr. Lodge's ring? She actually went into the pool to pick it up?"

"Everyone knows how desperate Ariana Torrey is to get Mr. Lodge's attention. Diving into the pool is nothing. I'm sure she won't say no even if Mr. Lodge tells her to strip herself and dance here right in front of everyone."

…

A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd.

Ariana felt like she was about to suffocate, and it made her feel light-headed. She could also hear the sounds of men laughing derisively with excitement.

"Cough cough…"

Shortly afterward, Ariana managed somehow to push her face above the surface of the water.

When she saw the sight before her, Ariana was momentarily stunned since she could not understand what was going on.

Those standing next to the pool were all guests who were amused by what Ariana was doing. On the other hand, Ariana's gown was completely soaked.

All of this felt very familiar to Ariana. This was Ariana and Brian's engagement party that was held three years ago!

"Could it be… Have I been reborn?" she pondered.

Ariana was instantly reminded of her previous life where Brian assumed she had coaxed Belinda into holding the engagement party as soon as possible since she wanted to marry into the Lodge family.

So, Brian decided to humiliate Ariana during the engagement party.

Ariana could still vividly remember how Brian had tossed his engagement ring into the pool and snickered. "I'll marry you if you manage to retrieve that ring."

Ariana thought Brian actually meant those words. She jumped into the pool even though she could not swim. Ariana had almost drowned herself back then.

Eventually, she retrieved the ring and climbed out of the pool in a drenched, miserable state. Yet, Ariana once again suffered great humiliation because of Brian at the party.

Brian was extremely worried because Evelyn had committed self-harm. He left halfway through the party without showing Ariana any hint of respect or consideration, making her a laughingstock in Gleaston.

Ariana looked down at the ring she gripped tightly in her hand. She could not help but smile wryly.

"Ariana Torrey, was that what you really wanted?" she pondered.

All eyes were on her when Ariana climbed out of the pool.

"You've managed to find the ring even though the pool is so deep. You should hurry and show it to Mr. Lodge right away."

"That's right. Without it, Mr. Lodge might even call off the engagement."

…

The sound of mocking laughter had yet to cease at that point. It was because all these people thought that Ariana was a complete fool.

Despite these people's mockery and ridicule, Ariana simply took off the engagement ring on her finger expressionlessly and tossed it into the pool, along with Brian's ring.

The laughter died down instantly following a soft plop into the water.