Chapter 1

My ex-boyfriend returned to the country.

Once penniless, I had ruthlessly abandoned him. Now he came back in glory.

He wanted to see how miserable I was, to witness my regret and pain.

He didn't know I had died three years ago.

Because of him.

1

Julian Fuller stood on the stage with his fiancée, holding a press conference.

He announced with confidence that he would launch investments in Jaxperton.

A crowd of reporters gathered in front, camera flashes flickering endlessly.

I saw Julian standing at the center, fielding interviews.

In a charcoal-gray suit, tall and lean, he carried an air of refined indifference.

My soul floated in the air, barely recognizing the man who once trailed behind me, a scrawny follower.

A hoarse voice suddenly broke through from the edge of the crowd. "Mr. Fuller, it's Krista Walton. Do you remember me?"

It was my sister Krista, not yet thirty, but looking worn and frail, like an elderly woman drained of life.

I realized then that I had been dead for three years.

Julian had returned, but I was gone forever.

Krista's voice drew attention from the crowd.

Julian seemed to hear her, glancing sideways with no expression on his face.

Bodyguards cleared a path, and he continued walking out without pausing.

Krista grew desperate, pushing forward with all her strength, reaching out to touch Julian's arm.

Security blocked her immediately, but she hurried to explain. "I'm a friend of Mr. Fuller's."

The bodyguard glanced at Julian, then let Krista go.

She frantically smoothed her disheveled hair, trying to look less pitiful, forcing a smile. "Mr. Fuller, I'm Corinne's sister."

Julian gave her a brief look, his eyes devoid of warmth, and spoke flatly. "Corinne? Sorry, I don't know any Corinne."

2

Even after being dead for years, those words still stung my heart.

From his demeanor, it seemed he had truly forgotten me.

Or perhaps he hadn't forgotten but chose not to remember our tangled past, leaving only hatred for me.

Krista froze, unsure of what to do.

Mocking voices rose around her.

"She really thought she knew Mr. Fuller. As if he'd know a beggar."

"If she had some looks, maybe throwing herself at him would make sense. But her? Really?"

"She looks forty or fifty. Shameless."

Krista lowered her head in shame, biting her lip, her hands trembling.

In my memories, Krista was the eldest daughter of the Walton family, a sharp and commanding businesswoman. When our father was alive, he entrusted most of the family business to her.

High-ranking officials and business tycoons once bowed to her.

But after our parents' sudden death, relatives fought over the family fortune, colluding with outsiders to force the Walton company into bankruptcy. Her only sister died three years ago, leaving behind a nephew with leukemia.

Relentless blows had worn away Krista's pride.

As Julian prepared to leave in his car, Krista snapped back to reality and chased after him.

She barely took a few steps before bodyguards grabbed her, tossing her to the ground like trash.

Ignoring the pain, Krista crawled forward, blood seeping from her arms. "Please, for Corinne's sake, for the help the Walton family once gave you, I beg you to help me!"

She was out of options. If she couldn't pay the hospital fees, they would stop her nephew's treatment.

Our parents were gone, I was gone, and that boy was her only family left.

Watching Krista in such a pitiful state tore at my heart, but I was powerless, just a soul.

Reporters turned their cameras on Krista, sensing a juicy story.

Julian stood silently watching. After a long pause, he walked over slowly.

Krista struggled to crawl to him, grabbing his pant leg as she looked up. "Mr. Fuller, just lend me fifty thousand dollars. I swear I'll..."

Julian looked down at her face, then pulled out money from his pocket and threw it at her.

His voice dripped with anger. "A loan? Is two thousand enough? Is everyone in the Walton family dead? Why is it you begging me? Why isn't Corinne here? If you're serious, tell Corinne to come beg me herself!"

3

Julian turned and got into his car, leaving.

Krista's face twisted in pain, tears welling in her eyes.

Under everyone's gaze, she picked up the scattered bills one by one.

Her back hunched, making her frail figure look even thinner.

I couldn't bear to watch and turned away.

When I broke up with Julian, Krista was abroad on business.

She didn't know how ugly our breakup was. She thought our once-close bond would make Julian help out of old affection.

But I knew he wouldn't help. He likely returned to see how wretched his vain ex-girlfriend had become.

I gave a bitter smile, floating behind the crowd.

Julian didn't know.

The Corinne he hated had died three years ago.

4

"Kneeling and groveling for just two thousand. How cheap!" The reporters mocked.

Krista stood awkwardly, lost in a daze.

Her phone rang suddenly.

It was the hospital. If she didn't pay the fees by tomorrow, they would stop Kody Walton's medication.

Krista slumped to the ground, her chest heaving as she listened to the call.

She gritted her teeth, got up, and hailed a taxi to follow Julian.

The car stopped at Julian's house, and Krista scrambled out.

As she approached, the security guard coldly shut the iron gate.

In the northern winter, the wind howled outside, the temperature below freezing.

I saw Krista standing alone at the gate, frost forming on her eyebrows.

Night fell before Julian finally stepped out.

He looked at the frail, gaunt Krista and spoke coldly. "The Walton family has fallen, but isn't there still the Thomas family? Don't you elite families love your perfectly matched marriages? Why come begging to an outsider like me? Go ask Kenneth Thomas."

Kenneth Thomas was my ex-husband.

Five years ago, I left Julian and married Kenneth.

At least, that's what Julian believed.

5

Julian didn't give Krista a chance to speak, ordering the security to drive her away.

I followed Julian upstairs and saw his father on the second floor.

After years apart, Gordon Fuller looked much healthier.

His hair, once graying, had darkened again.

I felt a small comfort knowing this kind, warm elder was doing well.

Growing up, my parents were too busy with work to spend time with me.

It was only after meeting Julian that I felt the warmth of family.

Gordon treated me kindly, often recalling my past generosity toward them.

He would bake me homemade pastries and take Julian and me to the amusement park.

In my heart, Gordon was like a father, warm and caring.

I overheard him sigh as he spoke to Julian. "All you think about is work. How much money is enough? When are you going to bring Corinne back?"

He thought Julian and I still shared the deep bond of our childhood.

He didn't know we were separated by life and death, never to meet again.

6

Julian and I were inseparable as children.

It was a snowy winter day.

A young beggar knocked me over on the street.

That little beggar, like a wild pup, had startlingly bright eyes and a fierce edge.

He clutched a small bundle, hiding food he stole from a shop.

The shop clerk chased after him. "Stop! Put it down, thief!"

Julian was caught and beaten.

At the time, Gordon's business had failed, leaving him and Julian homeless, wandering the streets.

With Gordon suffering from lung disease, young Julian had no choice but to steal food to survive.

Looking at the beaten boy and those bright eyes, I felt a pang of pity.

I stepped in, stopped the clerk, and paid for the food.

It was a small act of kindness, one I barely thought about.

But Julian latched onto me because of it.

He stayed by my side every day, like a loyal guard dog.

Back then, I spent all my time with Julian. We went to school together, did homework at his place.

Gordon would prepare hot meals for us, chuckling as he watched me tease Julian.

Though usually, I was the one being playful while Julian smiled at me.

Julian was mature for his age, serious and reserved, never one for sweet or flirty words.

But he always packed breakfast for me in his bag.

When we went camping, he carried me to the hospital alone when I had a fever.

He secretly worked three or four jobs just to buy me a birthday gift.

We both believed we would spend our lives together.

Then my parents died unexpectedly. The company, leaderless, was carved up by greedy relatives.

Julian stayed by my side, and Gordon treated me even kinder.

Under a sky of fireworks, Julian confessed his feelings, his eyes full of my reflection.

He asked if I would be with him.

I smiled shyly, glancing at a ring in a shop window, playfully scolding him. "A confession this casual? If you can buy that ring and ask me, I'll say yes."

I laughed and ran off, unaware how much trouble that little ring would cause.

To buy it, Julian got injured fighting in an underground boxing match, angering the local gang leader's brother, who then threatened him.

Desperate, I turned to Kenneth Thomas for help.

Kenneth, true to his business-family roots, treated even love like a transaction.

He smiled and told me, "Corinne, our families are in business. If you want me to protect Julian, what can you offer in return?"

When I didn't answer, he casually added, "Like, say, marrying me."

He knew I had no choice.

I remembered that night until the day I died.

Kenneth deliberately called Julian to a private room and announced our engagement in front of everyone.

He wanted to humiliate Julian.

And to prove to me how foolish I was for choosing Julian over him.

Julian stood before the crowd, pale and frail. My heart ached, but I could only mock him to drive him away.

I wanted him gone quickly. "Julian, you didn't think I was serious about you, did you? I'm a Walton. Even if my family's fallen, I'd never choose you. Kenneth and I are the perfect match."

Julian stood before me, his thin frame trembling, his bright eyes fixed on me like a puppy about to be abandoned.

He begged me to stay, pleading for more time.

He had earned two thousand dollars.

He bought a ring, the cheapest one.

He would plan our future.

That ring in his hand was plain, but to me, it was the most beautiful one I'd ever seen.

My heart shattered.

But I put on a scornful face and humiliated him in front of everyone. "Look at this necklace I'm wearing. Eight million dollars. Kenneth's engagement gift. Have you ever seen that much money in your life?"

I didn't know how I could say such cruel things. "Keep your two thousand dollars for a doghouse. Stop acting pitiful and hanging around me like a stray. Get lost. You're an eyesore."

Julian's face turned ghostly white, terrifyingly so.

Stubbornly, he placed the ring in my hand. "Corinne, please, give me a chance. Just a little more time, and I'll make something of myself!"

He pleaded, "You said a ring makes a confession official. I brought one. It's cheap, but when I succeed, I'll buy you a better one. Come back to me, please?"

Seeing his heartbroken face, I couldn't speak from the pain.

Kenneth mocked from the side. "Two thousand dollars? Did you buy a copper ring to scam Corinne? Stop daydreaming!"

The crowd laughed at Julian.

Humiliated, he stood pale and stubborn, refusing to leave.

I knew he was waiting for my answer.

But I also knew he was in danger, and I had to protect him, no matter the cost.

My throat burned with pain.

I threw the ring away and said to his face, "Julian, we're from different worlds. I'm getting married. We're done. Do you hear me?"

His face crumbled into despair.

He gave up and left, defeated.

I leaned against Kenneth, smiling, tears streaming down my face.

Let it be, Julian.

Let it be.

Hate me and live well.

7

Julian's sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

He snapped at his father, "Dad, don't mention that kind of person."

He refused to even say my name now.

A bitter ache filled my heart. I must have played my part in that breakup scene too well.

Gordon scolded Julian, "How can you talk about Corinne like that? There might be more to what happened back then."

Julian, irritated, shot back, "What more could there be? People like her bring bad luck just mentioning them."

Angered by Julian's words, Gordon sat up, raising his voice. "What kind of talk is that? Corinne and Kenneth grew up together. If she was so vain, why didn't she choose him sooner? There's got to be more to it. You think I don't know? Corinne divorced Kenneth three years ago. Why haven't you gone to find her?"

Julian stood unmoved.

Gordon grew more anxious, pleading with him. "You're too stubborn. I don't believe you've let her go."

I held my breath, almost instinctively, wanting to hear Julian's response.

After a long pause, Julian took a deep breath and said coldly to his father, "Take care of yourself and stop worrying."

Gordon grabbed Julian's arm. "Then why did you come back three years ago? Wasn't it to find her?"

Julian froze, took a deep breath, and walked out the door.

Had Julian come back for me three years ago?

Being a ghost for so long had blurred my memories.

I died the day after my divorce from Kenneth.

Soon after marrying Kenneth, I found out I was pregnant with Julian's child.

Kenneth didn't seem to care. He said he didn't mind who the father was and promised to care for us.

And he did.

He came home every day to hold Kody.

He arranged for a nanny to make me nourishing soups.

He shared funny stories with me.

But I couldn't stop worrying about Julian.

I developed severe depression.

I couldn't sleep through the night.

I would look at baby Kody and suddenly cry.

I would call out Julian's name while looking at Kenneth's face.

One day, Kenneth couldn't take it anymore.

He stopped coming home regularly, getting tangled up with other women.

I heard one of them was his favorite.

Two years into the marriage, Kenneth asked for a divorce. "Corinne, I thought I loved you, but after marriage, I realized how boring you are. I'm tired of you. Go find Julian if you want."

The day after the divorce, I eagerly texted Julian.

His replies were cold, but he agreed to meet me at a hotel.

Just reading his texts made my numb, hardened heart race.

I drove to the hotel, full of hope and reckless courage.

What was he like now? Was he doing well? Did he still hate me?

If he did, it didn't matter. I had been too cruel back then.

On the way, I rehearsed countless things to say.

I wanted to tell him I was sorry for two years ago.

I wanted to say we had a son, Kody, whom he hadn't met.

I wanted to say I was divorced and ask if we could start over.

What happened next?

I wasn't sure.

My memory cut off there.

I remembered seeing something at the hotel entrance.

Then, overwhelmed, I tried to drive away.

After that, a car accident. Death.

Julian was inside the hotel, just a wall away.

Hearing someone died in a crash, he glanced outside briefly, unaware it was me.

8

Julian went into his study.

I watched him pull out his phone and stare at a number-my number.

He frowned, hesitating, but didn't call.

In the dry, cold northern winter, Krista stood outside until midnight, limping away.

Worried, I followed her.

Krista curled up on her bed, crying.

After a long time, she sat up, wiped her tears, and opened a jewelry box she held tightly.

Inside was a gold locket our parents gave us at birth.

Krista and I each had one.

Hers was long gone, pawned for Kody's medical bills.

Or rather, all the family's jewelry was sold except for my locket.

I watched Krista hold the locket, crying. "I'm useless, Corinne. I couldn't borrow the money."

She rubbed her face against the locket, as if it could bring her closer to me. "Don't worry, I'm only pawning it temporarily. As soon as I have money, I'll buy it back."

Clutching the only thing left of me, Krista broke down, sobbing. "My sister, my Corinne is gone!"

Watching her cry on the bed, I felt my heart break.

After the Walton family fell, Krista held it together alone.

She kept my room spotless.

She swallowed her pride, begging for help from friends and relatives.

She meticulously planned Kody's treatment.

As if, by holding on, the Walton family wouldn't collapse, and I'd come back.

But tonight, she was about to sell my last possession.

The seemingly unbreakable Krista finally crumbled.

She knew.

The Walton family was gone.

Corinne was truly dead.

9

My locket fetched a few thousand dollars, enough for Kody's hospital stay for another ten days.

Krista rushed around the hospital paying fees and ran into Kenneth.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes full of suspicion and disgust.

Even though the police found nothing, she firmly believed my car accident the day after the divorce was tied to Kenneth.

Kenneth, in a trench coat, looked exhausted and haggard.

I had thought he'd be living it up after the divorce, not looking like this.

After my death, Kenneth hung my photo in his bedroom and kept my room untouched, off-limits to everyone.

I didn't know why he seemed so heartbroken when he was the one who said he was tired of me.

Still, Kenneth spent years searching for doctors for Kody, pouring his heart into the boy, even selling company shares.

For that, I was grateful.

He came to the hospital to give Krista money.

But she tore the check to pieces.

She pushed him out, yelling, "What are you doing here? I don't want your money! You killed Corinne, and you dare show up? Get out!"

Seeing Krista scream until she was hoarse, Kenneth spread his hands helplessly. "I just wanted to see Kody. No matter what, I'm his father."

"Who said you're his father? He's a Walton now, nothing to do with you! Don't think you can escape what happened back then. I won't let you off, and neither will Corinne!"

Kenneth had arrived with an air of indifference.

But when Krista mentioned my name, he coughed awkwardly, his eyes seeming to glisten with tears.

Or maybe I misread it.

For a moment, Kenneth looked dazed, then smirked at Krista. "Corinne? Why would she blame me? She married me because she loved me."

"You're lying! I'll beat you to death, you murderer!"

Krista, furious, clutched her chest, gasping for breath.

I spun in circles, frantic, wishing I could materialize and kick Kenneth out for his nonsense.

As they grappled, a tall figure burst in, pulling them apart.

It was Julian.

He had someone escort Krista to rest.

Seeing Julian, Kenneth raised an eyebrow, taunting, "The fool's back in the country?"

Julian didn't respond, staring at Kenneth coldly.

Kenneth pointed to Kody's room. "Here to see the kid?"

He thought Julian knew everything-that Kody was our child and, with me gone, Julian had come for him.

But Julian didn't understand, sneering back, "What kid?"

Kenneth paused, then smirked provocatively. "Mine and Corinne's kid."

"You and Corinne have a kid..." Julian frowned, then laughed mockingly. "Don't flatter yourself. I came back to get married-to Kallie Anderson, the heiress of the richest group here. You and Corinne are welcome to the wedding. Sorry, I forgot the invitation. I'm here for my dad's checkup, but I'll have one sent."

Kenneth stared at Julian in disbelief. "You really don't know? Corinne died three years ago."