Chapter 1

My Abusive Husband's Mad Obsession

For seven years, I was trapped in my marriage to Alex Thorne, confined within a gilded cage.

He remained cold, letting other women waltz right into our home, flaunting their presence and humiliating me.

He even forced me to be a silent observer.

His friends, they were all used to it. Some even tried to push their luck, to bully me right in front of him.

His cruelty, the constant emotional torment, it all became too much.

I was driven to the brink, suffered a miscarriage, and eventually, I died while pregnant.

Later, Alex Thorne found a witch.

He deliberately burned himself alive, wide awake, to trade his life for mine, to bring me back.

And I did come back. I was reborn.

But now, all I want is to never see Alex Thorne again.

Alex Thorne, the man who, since childhood, had only ever been kind to me, hated my guts.

It was because on our wedding day, his first love, Brooke Miller, had been heartbroken, flown overseas, and then gotten into a car crash, dying tragically on the streets.

My grief had consumed me, plunging my consciousness into darkness.

When I finally opened my eyes again…

The colorful lights before me swayed.

It was our engagement party from all those years ago!

"Evie Reed, what kind of stunt are you pulling now?"

Alex Thorne's impatient accusation rang in my ears.

When he looked at me, he always subconsciously frowned.

After so many beatings, my body reacted to his presence with an immediate, phantom ache, a ghost of the pain he'd inflicted.

I knew I shouldn't be afraid.

But I couldn't control it.

The tearing pain made me unsteady, and I nearly swayed right into him.

Seeing his impatient expression,

I instinctively stiffened, pulling myself away from him, terrified that any contact would only bring more punishment.

In my previous life, the relentless emotional abuse, his cold indifference as everyone else trampled all over me, the constant wear and tear on my spirit, and the brutal beatings whenever I dared to disobey – it all left deep, festering scars.

So, whenever Alex Thorne showed that cold expression, a chill would creep through my entire body, and I'd tremble uncontrollably.

I'd be plunged into an uncontrollable, endless fear.

The emcee was about to announce the happy news of our two families' engagement.

I took a deep breath, quickly snatched the microphone from the emcee's hand:

"I apologize, due to a personal issue, today's engagement ceremony is canceled. If you wish to stay for dinner, please do. Otherwise, you may collect your gifts and leave."

Suppressing the tremor in my voice, I bowed slightly.

"I apologize for any inconvenience. The fault for today's events lies solely with me, and Mr. Thorne is not to blame."

In the distance, the invited media were furiously snapping pictures, their camera flashes exploding like fireworks.

I slowly lowered my eyes, my racing heart finally settling.

Alex and I had grown up together, a match made through a business alliance.

After college, I chose to become an actress.

He, meanwhile, inherited his family's empire.

In everyone's eyes, we were a match made in heaven, the perfect couple.

But now, my public rejection of the marriage had shamed the Thorne family and created a massive news scandal.

Alex Thorne's face was a stormy mess, his fists clenching so hard I could hear his knuckles crack.

"Evie Reed, you... don't you dare regret this."

He cursed under his breath, then turned and strode away.

His malice froze me in place. I didn't dare, didn't even want to look back at him.

Alex Thorne, I wish you and the first love you cherished so dearly a lifetime of happiness.

Lucky for me, I got a second chance.

I will never again be a sacrifice to secure your position.

In this life, I won't abandon my career for you.

We will never cross paths again.