3

"Knock, knock, knock."

The room's door was pushed open, and a middle-aged woman wearing an emerald green skirt entered. She briskly lifted the covers and said, "Don't sleep anymore; avoiding the problem won't solve it."

Aileen stared at the woman in amazement. After a nap, aunt Carmen seemed to have grown younger.

The middle-aged woman glanced at the girl lost in thought on the bed and spoke earnestly, "No matter how troubled you are, don't harm your health. Your aunt me think that that man surnamed Johnson isn't hard to get along with."

Then the middle-aged woman opened the curtains, and the dazzling sunlight poured in.

"Besides, although he's eight years older than you, he's young and promising, gentle, and steady. I think he's reliable."

Aileen's pupils dilated, observing her aunt who was earnestly trying to persuade her. The words felt strangely familiar.

As if to confirm her suspicion, Carmen continued relentlessly, "You shouldn't keep thinking about that Williams family boy anymore. After your parents passed away, did he ever come looking for you?"

Aileen opened her mouth in surprise. Wasn't this the same scene as nine years ago when she agreed to marry Geoffrey, and Carmen comforted her, who was hiding in her room and refusing to show herself?

Carmen snorted dismissively, "I heard he's dating someone new, a talented girl majoring in broadcasting at New York. Look at yourself now, lost in despair. Is he worth it?"

Her aunt's lines matched her memories exactly!

Did she... get reborn?!

In that moment, whenever she saw Cary, whom she had admired since childhood, together with the one who injured her right hand, Angie, she felt overwhelming hatred and impulsively agreed to marry Geoffrey out of spite.

The memories of her past life replayed in Aileen's mind like a movie, nearly stopping her heart.

She had really been reborn.

Before turning eighteen, she was one of the most prominent merchant heiresses in New York, showered with love and affection by her parents.

Later, her father trusted the wrong people and incurred huge debts, leading to his imprisonment. After her mother learned that her father had committed suicide in prison, she hastily sent Aileen abroad, only to follow her father into the afterlife.

Her amber eyes struggled as she realized that if God was giving her another chance, she wouldn't live as timidly and meekly as in her previous life.

"Carmen, I'll marry him." She would marry him and no longer live as timid and weak as she did in her past life. This time, she would live earnestly.

Aileen and Geoffrey's wedding was simple, held in a church. The officiant was the priest, and the witnesses were Mr. Dirk and her aunt, Carmen.

When the black car stopped at her house, Bert escorted her downstairs. Aileen deftly lifted her wedding dress and tried to remain calm as she walked gracefully towards the car.

Seeing the man getting out of the car, Aileen's face paled as if she were pinned in place, just staring at the man approaching her.

He wore a black tailcoat, was tall, and emitted an aura that warned people not to approach him. With a strong, distinct profile, his handsome face had gold-rimmed glasses, and his deep blue eyes casually gazed at her, inscrutable.

He seemed to notice her change in mood. He squinted his slender eyes, his lips curled as he assessed her from head to toe, dangerous and bewitching. Aileen averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes, feeling like that gaze would burn her.

The scene shocked her greatly.

Seeing Geoffrey, who was alive and present, Aileen still felt a bit nervous. Familiar yet unfamiliar, he seemed to look through her when he gazed at her, making her breath a little unsteady.

In the past, her mind was filled with thoughts of the warm and gentle Cary, enamored by his youthful charm. Now, as she looked at the mature man before her, she found him equally attractive. Sighing, feelings of apology and regret surged within her, and Aileen quickly wiped away her tears.

In this life, she would try to understand him.

"Let's go," he extended a large hand, his tone icy.

She was quite stubborn back then, refusing to take the oath in front of everyone. Wasn't that a slap in Geoffrey's face?

No wonder he treated her so coldly afterward.

Aileen looked at the tightly closed door, unsure if he would leave her alone in an empty room tonight, just like in her previous life.

Time passed little by little, and just when she was about to dismiss the thought of Geoffrey returning, the door opened. The man, who had originally been dressed in a black tuxedo, now wore a meticulously fitted black silk pajama, accentuating his gloomy demeanor.

As he approached her, Aileen couldn't help but swallow nervously, feeling disdainful of her own timidity. She had already died twice, yet she was still so timid.

"You... already finished bathing so quickly?" She broke the silence.

Geoffrey stood tall and muscular, his imposing presence filling the entire room, emanating a sense of oppression. For a long time, she thought he was going to ignore her.

"Yes," he replied languidly, as if granting a favor.

"Did you have dinner today?"

"Yes."

"I haven't eaten enough." Aileen felt so embarrassed that she curled up her toes. In her previous life, they hadn't spent this night together, and they rarely talked, so she didn't know what to say.

Geoffrey's sharp eyes glanced at his bride on the bed. "There's food in the kitchen."

Ignoring the awkwardness that filled the air, Geoffrey sat down on the bed and felt the mattress sink. Aileen became somewhat wary, "Are you going to sleep?"

"Otherwise, what else should we do?" His voice was low, devoid of any emotion.

"Then... let's sleep." Aileen stiffened her body and obediently lay down next to Geoffrey, almost wishing she could melt into the corner of the wall.

"Um, I haven't washed up yet. You go ahead and sleep." She hurriedly removed her makeup and ran toward the bathroom, nervous to the point of almost forgetting that she was still wearing her wedding dress!