Phoenix Mode, Activated: Burn Me Once, Watch Me Rise

"Not marrying Brett?" Gretchen exclaimed, clearly stunned, before letting out a heavy sigh. "The wedding date is set, and the invitations are already out. How can you suddenly decide this?"

Seeking comfort like a hurt child, Chelsey pressed her face into Gretchen's embrace. "I just don't want to be separated from you," she muttered.

With slow, comforting strokes, Gretchen ran her hand through Chelsey's hair, and her voice softened. "My precious girl, you have loved Brett since you were young. Wasn't it always your wish to marry him and build a family together? Why has everything changed so suddenly?"

Those words sent a sharp ache through Chelsey's chest.

Reality resurfaced the moment Gretchen spoke.

Her parents had watched Brett grow up, and he won their trust and affection through his outstanding abilities.

After she and Brett got engaged six months ago, her father, Jorge Holden, had even handed company projects to Brett without a second thought.

Chelsey could not bring herself to tell Gretchen that Brett's heart had never held a place for her.

In her previous life, their marriage had been nothing more than a carefully maintained illusion of love and harmony.

She had not even been allowed the joy of becoming a mother. Despite sacrificing her health again and again, she never managed to gain even the smallest trace of his genuine affection.

Over time, even the Holden family's company had been quietly taken over by him, eventually turning into the foundation that supported his rise and the creation of his own business empire.

As those memories surfaced, a sharp ache pierced Chelsey's heart.

"Mrs. Holden, Miss Morley has returned, and Mr. Haynes is with her," a servant called out from outside the room.

Assuming Brett had come to talk about the wedding or to check on Chelsey after the incident, Gretchen gently patted her hand. "Don't let your thoughts spiral. Go wash your face and change into something presentable. You shouldn't keep them waiting."

A deep frown formed on Chelsey's face. So Lydia had only just returned. That made sense. After all, Brett's first love, the woman he had longed for over seven years, was finally back in his life. Of course, he would not send her away so quickly.

Lydia happened to be the daughter of Justine Morley, Gretchen's closest friend.

Half a year earlier, Lydia had returned from overseas to attend Chelsey and Brett's engagement celebration and had lived with the Holden family ever since, claiming she wanted to pursue her career locally.

Out of respect for her long-standing friendship with Justine, Gretchen had treated Lydia with exceptional warmth and care.

During those six months, Gretchen made sure that whatever Chelsey possessed, Lydia received the same treatment, never allowing any hint of neglect.

In the life before this one, Lydia's death in the fire had devastated Gretchen. She collapsed from grief and endlessly blamed herself for failing to take proper care of her best friend's daughter. Guilt swallowed her whole, leaving her world in ruins.

Later on, after her parents had passed away, Chelsey uncovered a hidden truth while organizing their remaining assets—over the years, Jorge had quietly moved large sums of money overseas.

The figures were astonishing. Every transfer led to a single account held in Justine's name.

Tragically, by the time Chelsey discovered this, both Lydia and Jorge were already gone. Because of that, she never had the chance to learn the full truth before her own life came to an end.

With this second chance at life, Chelsey resolved to find the right moment to warn Gretchen that Jorge might have been involved with another woman for years.

Instead of heading downstairs right away, Chelsey stayed where she was.

Because her ankle still throbbed faintly, she asked a servant to wheel her to the railing along the second-floor corridor so she could look down from above.

Standing at the center of the living room was Brett, his tailored suit making him appear imposing and distant.

In a low, controlled voice, he spoke plainly. "Mr. Holden, Mrs. Holden, I brought Lydia back today, but that is not the only reason I am here. I need to make something clear. The wedding between Chelsey and me must be called off. Over the years, I have only regarded Chelsey as a friend, not someone I love romantically. The person I truly love is Lydia. I sincerely hope you will accept our relationship."