Chapter 2

Noah was my childhood friend.

He was also a very talented actor.

Unfortunately… a “accident” left him with severe burns all over his body, requiring long-term hospitalization.

On this day in my previous life, I carried a bouquet of flowers to the hospital.

After celebrating Noah’s birthday at the hospital, I emerged to find Julian sitting in his car, a cigarette burning down to its filter between his fingers, completely oblivious. I didn’t want to explain anything, didn’t even want to see him.

“Clara.”

Julian spotted me, stubbed out his cigarette, and got out of the car, his voice filled with sorrow.

“…It’s my birthday today.”

I stopped, turning back to look at him coldly. “So what?”

Julian’s dark eyes stared at me, silent.

I said, “It’s Noah’s birthday too. You did whatever it took to marry me, ruined his face, and destroyed his future. What more do you want from me?”

Julian opened his mouth, but only managed to say, “That was just an accident…”

“If you hadn’t invited him that day, he wouldn’t be lying in a hospital now. How can I believe that was an accident?”

Julian fell silent. Finally, he told me, “I’m sorry.”

From that day on, my relationship with Julian plummeted.

A long and agonizing cold war began.

Later, I learned that what even Julian believed was an “accident” was nothing more than a scheme by certain people to drive a wedge between us.