Chapter 2

"The engagement with Scarlett, wasn't that something you begged for? Are you really willing to give it up, and take Brandon's place in Antarctica?"

My mother, the Director of the Research Institute, fixed me with a cold, probing gaze.

Everyone in the facility knew: Brandon and I weren't blood brothers, and certainly not by choice.

There was no affection, no bond between us. Give up Scarlett, take Brandon's place suffering under the Antarctic glaciers? Impossible!

"You're just seven days away from finally becoming Scarlett's husband. And now you want to forfeit?"

I parted my tightly pressed lips, cutting off my mother's probing questions.

"Didn't you always say I was born three minutes before Brandon, and that as the older brother, I should always step aside for him?"

Ever since I returned to this family, my mother's biggest concern wasn't whether I'd suffered while I was away.

No, her fear was that Brandon would be upset by the arrival of an 'outsider' in *his* home. In my past life, if I hadn't reminded her of my father's dying wish, she would've undoubtedly thrown me into that mission in Brandon's place without a second thought.

Seeing my insistence, my mother sighed in relief. She submitted my name to the Antarctic research team and sent notice to the Vance family of the change in their long-standing engagement.

The moment I stepped out of the Director’s office, Scarlett walked directly into me.

In my past life, she had volunteered to go in Brandon’s stead. When my mother refused, Scarlett went on a hunger strike.

I used every method imaginable to coax her into eating. I even had the institute doctors administer IV drips, practically dragging her to complete the wedding.

Now, I walked past her, my gaze unwavering, but Scarlett grabbed my arm.

I spoke in a cold voice, "The Antarctic expedition is urgent. It's an order from the higher-ups."

Scarlett clenched her fists. "You know that's a death sentence! There must be another way!"

I chuckled dryly.

Nations worldwide are racing to find ways to unlock breakthroughs in human genetics. If we don't act now, our country will fall drastically behind in the global scientific race!

One of us, Brandon or I, had to shoulder the responsibility of venturing deep into the Antarctic storm zone, even if it was a suicide mission.

"The higher-ups demanded the Director lead by example, sending her own flesh and blood to Antarctica. No one could stand in the way."

She stared at me intently.

"Then why isn't *he* going?"

Her thoughtless question made my pupils dilate almost imperceptibly. I instantly swallowed the urge to tell her the truth.

"Think what you like."

"Maybe the outcome you wished for has finally arrived."

I ignored her gaze and walked away.

I had intended to tell Scarlett about the change in names, but then thought better of it.

Consider it my selfish desire. I couldn't bear to see her face remain utterly indifferent when she realized *I* was the one being sent to my death.

In my past life, at the moment the glacier collapsed, Scarlett pushed me onto the only life raft, burying herself alive beneath the heavy ice and snow.

I thought that if I kept giving, kept sacrificing, her heart would eventually warm to me.

She gave her life to save mine, and on the very same glacier that had claimed Brandon's life, she pleaded with me not to love her in the next.

So be it. This time, as I head to Antarctica, consider it me repaying the life debt I owe her.