Chapter 2 Switching Husbands

Eliana strode into the living room without slowing down.

Just as she expected, everything had already been arranged before she even arrived. The Ward family and the Shaw family had both sent people over the moment she stepped out of prison, just like in her previous life.

In her mind, she had already pieced everything together. The moment Iris returned to this point in time, she moved first and switched the marriage arrangements. So that was the game now.

A quiet laugh almost escaped Eliana.

In her previous life, they pushed her toward Jeremy, Iris' original fiancé.

That man hid his cruelty well. Behind his polished manners, he was ruthless. He used her, took what she created, and claimed it as his own. He hurt her when no one was watching, yet in public, he treated her like she was everything to him. People envied her, believing she had married well.

Later, after he rose to the top and became the richest man, much of it built on her work, he even built her a grand estate. To everyone else, she looked like she was living a perfect life. But none of it was real.

After entering the Shaw family, Iris gained nothing at all. Only once she was already married did she learn the truth about her husband. A car accident had left him disabled. He kept his distance from women, remained cold in temperament, and never once touched her. Before even half a year had passed, he was killed, and his life ended abruptly. Not long after that, the Shaw family's massive business empire began to crumble.

In the end, Iris was cast out of the household. High society branded her as a bringer of misfortune, and no one was willing to marry her after that. By the time Eliana reached the end of her own life, Iris had already died on the streets.

A faint smirk curved on Eliana's lips. So Iris believed that switching husbands would also switch their destinies. She didn't understand what she was walking into. All Iris ever noticed was the life Eliana appeared to have. She never saw the cruelty Jeremy hid beneath that polished image. If Iris wanted that man so badly, she could have him. This time, Eliana was determined to take back everything that belonged to her.

Her gaze swept over both families gathered in front of her, and a trace of mockery showed on her face. "So everything's already been decided. Then why act like my opinion matters?"

John shifted slightly, caught off guard, before forcing a smile. "You should understand. After everything that happened, arranging this marriage with the Shaw family wasn't easy. Your mother, Iris, and I all did our part to make it happen. Now that it's settled, you'll have their support behind you, and we won't have to worry anymore."

A cold laugh slipped from Eliana.

Representatives from both the Ward and Shaw families exchanged looks. Their expressions differed, but none of them spoke. One by one, they stepped forward and handed over the lists detailing the wedding gifts.

Jeremy had come in person.

His figure stood tall, his posture refined. The tailored gray suit he wore only added to his polished image, the very picture of a gentleman.

Only Eliana knew the truth. Behind that calm and elegant appearance, something far darker waited.

"I've come today to ask for Miss Iris Shaw's hand," he said, his voice low and steady. Even so, his eyes drifted for a brief moment toward Eliana.

That single glance made her chest tighten. In that instant, it felt as if everything might repeat itself. The image flashed through her mind. He would walk toward her, that same twisted smile on his face, speaking in that sickeningly soft tone. "Ellie, you're misbehaving again. You smiled at other men three times today."

Those memories weighed heavier than anything she had endured behind bars.

Fear gripped her so suddenly that she nearly stood up and ran. Her fingers curled tightly around the armrest, trembling as she forced herself to stay in place.

She told herself it wasn't the same, repeating again and again that she wasn't his wife, as if the words alone could steady her. She reminded herself that she was no longer trapped in that estate.

Before long, Jeremy looked away. To him, Eliana was nothing more than a weak woman with a prison record. Even if she was the real daughter of the Marshall family, she had no value in his eyes.

"Jeremy," Iris called out as she stepped forward, her tone soft. She slipped her arm through his, holding on to him.

As she stood beside him, admiration filled her gaze. Looking at him now, she felt certain she had been wrong before. A man like him was destined to be great. In her previous life, he had ended up with Eliana, and that had been a waste.

A voice cut in from the side, saying, "Mr. Marshall, I'm the butler of the Shaw family. I've come to seal the marriage arrangement with wedding gifts on their behalf."

The speaker was a middle-aged man, dressed neatly, with six men in black standing behind him.

A smug look spread across Iris' face. Just like before, the Shaw family hadn't even bothered to show up themselves. They had only sent servants. To her, that spoke volumes.

Holding onto Jeremy's arm, she leaned into him with a soft smile, and then glanced at Eliana. "Eliana, come over here. The Shaw family sent people too."

As Eliana walked closer, Iris reached out and caught her arm, her expression shifting as if she were worried.

"Are you alright?" she asked. "You don't look well. Is it because you've been in prison for so long that you're not used to being home anymore?"

A flicker of satisfaction passed through her eyes.

She understood the Shaw family better than anyone. They held their status high and kept their distance from others. Even when she had entered that family before, bringing wealth with her, they had never truly accepted her. With just a little push, she was certain Eliana's life there would turn out even worse.