Chapter 1 Done being a fool

The only sounds Emily Charles can hear are the loud, deafening sounds of sirens, screams, and traffic. Everything else seems blurring to her and the only thing she could grab on to was her popped stomach. The air reeked of blood and gasoline.

In the background of the crash, a newscaster's voice rang loudly despite the noise, standing on the other side of the road, speaking with veins popping on his neck.

“ Breaking news from Rich Country Flash News, a flat accident occurred on Milky highway 223. A drunk truck driver crashed into a cab in front, causing it to turn over. The extent of injuries is not yet known, but witnesses say a pregnant woman about to give birth was inside”

Barely conscious, Emily manages to grab her set phone and dials a familiar number.

Just as the call was about to drop, someone picked it up.

A familiar girlish voice responds, “Hello Emily, Victor is in the bathroom and can't come to the phone. What's the matter? Is it urgent?”

At that moment, Emily's heart sank.

It is Susan Callum, of course that bitch!

Always Susan, the beloved adoptive sister of Victor Callum had grown up with, the one who made him neglect her, block her number even on her due date.

With her eyes closed, Emily felt a warm stream beneath her, signaling the life inside her fading. Despite her agony, she begged,

“Help me…Highway 223… save my child and I…” her words were hard to speak, but she tried her best to make Susan hear her well.

The sudden accident had knocked down the barriers on both sides, completely blocking the highway. Cars can't go forward and backward, and the rescue vehicles were trapped outside to get to the incident ground.

The process of deploying a helicopter was too complicated. However, Emily knew that the Callum family had a private chopper. If Victor could send it right away, there was still a chance for hope, a chance she could make it out alive.

“I'm sorry Emily, but Victor is busy with my birthday preparations and can't address this right now. Why don't you wait until tomorrow?” said the voice, sounding naive yet harsh.

Then the line went dead without her responding back.

Emily fell to the ground, the smell of gasoline urging her to escape before the explosion could take place.

But she fell into a sudden acceptance of her fate. In her late moments, she thought about her 24 years, half spent loving a man who didn't love her back.

From the spoiled heiress of the Charles family, she became disgraced and publicly embarrassed by the one man she loved. She had gambled everything of the Charles family property, yet failed to gain even a shed of Victor genius love. She was exhausted and had lost the will to love him again.

This life had taught her about poor judgment and she had promised herself not to make the same mistakes in another life.

“Mrs. Callum, are you really going to wear this pinkish couture to the Mrs. Waylen birthday party? Even though Mr Callum…” Evelyn, the house servant paused, then, gently continued,

“This short dress seems too casual. Maybe try something else?”

After her suggestion, she waited patiently for the woman to react in the mirror.

Having worked for the Callum family for so many years, Evelyn understood Emily's deep love for Victor. To win his approval, Emily carefully matches her lifestyle to his preferences. Emily looked at the familiar reflection staring back at her, her heart suddenly racing.

Wasn't she supposed to be dead? Wasn't the birthday party of Mrs. Waylen four years ago? Could it be that…she had been reborn?

“Mrs. Callum?” Evelyn's pressing voice snapped Emily back to reality.

“Mr Callum will be here to pick you up in an hour. You should get ready! How about this white dress? It seems more elegant”

Emily's eyes sparkled, and a subtle smile appeared on her lips.

This party was organized by the most influential and ancient family in Lunvaria, the Waylen family. On the surface, it seemed like a mere high elite party, but in truth, it was a way families of different ranks had to showcase themselves to the Waylen family.

The Waylen placed a high value on family unity, which was why Victor needed to bring her along. Previously, she had been jealous of Susan for capturing all of Victor's attention. To win him over, she mimicked Susan in every way.

Her careful efforts to please him only made him resent her more.

At the party, Victor had taken her emerald necklace without her permission to please Susan, allowing the latter to fluently use it at the event.

When Emily attempted to take back the necklace, Victor accused her of being jealous, turning her into a mockery foul among the elites.

Given another shot at life, she vowed to recover all that was hers!

Reflecting on her past life, Emily stated calmly “I plan to wear the made to order beige dress. It will complement my emerald necklace beautifully”

After years of imitating Susan, she almost lost sight of her true identity as the dignified lady of the Charles family, brought up with rigid discipline.

It had been foolish of her to vie with the adoptive daughter of a merely affluent family. But this time around, not anymore.

Evelyn, who was taken aback by her lady request said worriedly “But Mr Callum doesn't usually favor such formal outfits, and the emerald necklace, a gift from your grandmother, is not even worn at your wedding ceremony, talk less of a party. Isn't it a bit too grand for an auction?”

“I will fetch the necklace. You sort out the dress” Emily commanded as she rose, disregarding Evelyn's worries. She knew the woman cares about her but she was done trying to please a fool.

“And clear all the dresses in the wardrobe, we are replacing them with new ones” she stated, working her hands on a set of long brownish wardrobe where she kept her jewelry.

Evelyn looked on in astonishment as Emily headed toward the inner room, and paused briefly, but then carried out the orders.

Instead of waiting for Victor to pick her up, Emily took a Lamborghini from the garage and drove directly to the event ground.

The party was hosted at a private estate by the waters.

Under the setting sun, Emily looked stunning in her custom made beige dress. The tailored fit showcased her elegant figures, and her sleek, modern hairstyle paired with refined makeup enhanced her allure. As she handed her car keys to the valet, her phone rang. The caller ID displayed Victor's name, over and over again.

Emily scoffed and upon answering, an angry blasted from the other end, “who gave you the right to take the emerald necklace?”