From then on, Daniel blamed me for her death.
To avenge Isabella, he drugged me, killed our first child, destroyed my father’s company, and drove him to suicide.
For ten years, we were bound in pure hatred, tormenting each other day and night.
I thought Daniel loathed me.
Yet in the moment of life and death, his instinct was to save me.
So this time, I would grant his wish.
I would give him back to his beloved Isabella—
and cut all ties.
As I left my father’s office, I ran into Daniel.
My fingers clenched unconsciously.
He caught sight of the photo in my hand and frowned.
“Emma Scott, did you tell your father you wanted to marry me again? Can’t you stop being so annoying?”
We had grown up together. Both our fathers wanted me to marry into the Carter family. But Daniel always resisted the idea.
This time, he wouldn’t have to.
Because I was no longer marrying him.
“You said you wanted to go skiing, right? I bought us tickets overseas. In a couple of days, I’ll go with you.”
Had it not been for the tragedy of our past lives, I might have been thrilled by his rare invitation, unable to sleep from joy.
In my past life, Daniel was injured while skiing and missed Isabella’s last birthday. He resented me until his dying breath.
I shook my head.
“No. If your father is upset, just tell him it was my idea not to go.”
Daniel froze, surprised at my refusal. Then he sneered.
“So you’ve learned to play hard-to-get? Whatever tricks you’ve picked up, I’ll never fall for you.”
Seeing me bow my head in silence, he frowned again.
“Upset just because I scolded you? If you want to ski, just say it. I’ll pick you up in two days.”
He was always like this—dangling false hope just when I resolved to stop loving him.
I gave a bitter smile and raised my head calmly.
“Daniel, I don’t want to go.”
This time, I wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.
His face darkened.
“Emma Scott, you say no now, but later you’ll run to my father complaining about me.”
So that was the reason for his rare compromises—fear of my “complaints.”
Before I could respond, Isabella suddenly appeared.
She looked startled, then clung timidly behind Daniel.
“Miss Scott, I didn’t mean to intrude. Don’t be angry. Daniel left his tie at my house last night. I just came to return it.”
Her fingers wound the tie around and around, her smile taunting as she glanced at me.
“Daniel, explain to Miss Scott quickly. Don’t let her misunderstand.”