Chapter 1

In our Antarctic research team, there was this running joke – the 'Perpetually Single' hall of fame. My name was etched onto it year after year.

That was because for eight years of marriage, my wife never once shared a bed with me, and yet, I stubbornly refused to divorce her.

She hated me, called me a coward and a monster, claiming I’d selfishly ruined her beloved childhood sweetheart’s life.

I hated her blindness, her utter inability to see. I swore I’d entangle myself with her for life, ensuring that even in death, her tombstone would only bear my name.

But then the glacier collapsed. She pushed me away, buried alive by the ice and snow. "Asher, if there's a next life," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper, "please… I'm begging you… don't ever love me again."

By the time they rescued her, she had already suffocated.

Not long after, I died during a new expedition.

When I opened my eyes again, I chose to voluntarily give up the engagement. "This research mission? I'll go."

"Wasn't your engagement to Valentina something you fought tooth and nail for? Are you really willing to give it up and go to Antarctica in Damian's place?"

My mother, Dean Eleanor Thorne, scrutinized me with an icy stare.

Everyone at the institute knew that Damian and I were brothers only in name – no blood, and certainly no affection.

To abandon Valentina and suffer for Damian beneath the Antarctic ice? Impossible!

"Seven more days, and you'll finally be Valentina's husband. And now you want to give up?"

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

"Haven't you always said that because I was born three minutes before Damian, an older brother should always give way to his younger brother?"

Ever since I returned to the Thorne family, my mother’s biggest worry wasn't about my suffering while I was adrift, but whether Damian would be upset by a 'stranger' suddenly appearing in our home.

In my previous life, if I hadn't reminded her of my father's dying wish, she would have immediately arranged for me to take Damian’s spot.

Seeing my insistence, Mom sighed in relief. She submitted my name to the Antarctic research team and notified the Valentine family about the change in the arranged engagement.

As I stepped out of the Dean's office, Valentina walked right into me.

Last time, she’d volunteered to go in Damian’s place. When Mom shut her down, she went on a hunger strike.

I used every trick in the book to get her to eat.

I even had the institute’s doctors give her IV drips, practically binding her to complete the wedding.

Now, I walked past her, my gaze fixed straight ahead, but Valentina grabbed me.

"The Antarctic mission is critical, an urgent directive from high command," I said coldly.

Valentina clenched her fists. "You know it's a death trap! There must be another way!"

I chuckled.

Every nation was scrambling to find a way to genetically advance humanity. If we didn't act, our country would fall behind!

One of us, either Damian or I, had to shoulder the responsibility of venturing deep into the Antarctic storm zone, even if it was a one-way ticket.

"The higher-ups have instructed the Dean to lead by example, sending her own flesh and blood to Antarctica. No one can stop it."

She fixed her eyes on me.

"Then why isn't it you?"

Hearing her unthinking question, my pupils dilated slightly, instantly pulling back the urge to tell her the truth.

"Think whatever you want."

"Perhaps the outcome you desired has already been achieved."

I ignored her gaze and walked away.

I had intended to tell Valentina about the name change on the list, but I decided against it.

Let it be my own selfishness; I didn’t want to see her calm, indifferent face when she learned I was the one going to my death.

In my previous life, at the moment the glacier collapsed, Valentina pushed me onto the only life raft, getting buried alive by the heavy ice and snow herself.

I thought if I just kept giving, I could eventually warm her heart.

She gave her life to save me, on the same glacier that claimed Damian’s life, asking me in her dying breath not to love her in the next life.

So be it. This time, my trip to Antarctica would be my way of repaying her for saving my life.