Chapter 1

"Ms. Schuman, are you done signing the document?" Minerva Schuman blinked, disoriented, as she looked around the city hall lobby. It wasn't until the staff member repeated the question that she finally snapped out of it. She had been reborn. Not just to any day, but to the very moment she and Benedict Robertson were registering for their marriage certificate. She still remembered how thrilled she had been in her previous life, waking early and practically dragging him to join the line, her joy barely contained. Now, as her fingers brushed over the application form, her expression held no trace of that joy. The Robertson family was the most powerful in Jinovia, known for their rigid expectations and complex etiquette. As the heir, Benedict needed a wife who would be his greatest asset—gentle, devoted, and willing to center her entire life around him and his family. So, in her past life, Minerva did exactly that. She gave up everything—her career, her independence, and even her identity. She quit her job, raised their children, cared for their elders, and sacrificed herself to the role of the perfect wife. By her 50s, she was exhausted, ill, and confined to bed. That was when she found the letter. It was addressed not to her but to her younger sister, Rowena. "You're a free-spirited bird, meant to soar in the sky. I love you too much to cage you. Your sister looks a bit like you, and when I see her, I can almost pretend it's you beside me. She takes care of the children, manages the household, and handles everything. You, my love, only need to be happy, brilliant, and free." Only then did Minerva realize—Benedict had never loved her. He had always loved Rowena, and he had married Minerva for one reason only. The truth shattered her. When her son, Nigel, learned what had happened, he didn't offer comfort. Instead, he appeared delighted. "Mom, if Dad loves Aunt Rowena, then just divorce him already. You've never been a match for her. She's a diplomat, and you've just been managing the house. She suits Dad way more. You've done all the hard work. If Aunt Rowena marries in, she won't have to lift a finger. She and Dad can finally be happy together. Just let go, okay?" Minerve died of rage right then and there. Now, here she was again, returned to the day her life had started down that path. One had to love oneself first. This time, she wasn't going to make the same mistake again. She was just about to speak when Benedict's phone began to ring. It was a call from Rowena. The moment he saw the name, his cold expression softened. Without a word, he stepped aside to take the call. Minerva did not know what was said on the other end, but Benedict returned a minute later. "Minerva, Rowena twisted her ankle. As her brother-in-law, I should check on her. Just sign the papers and head home on your own." With that, he turned and walked off, not even waiting for her response. Seeing him leave, his assistant, Peter Walton, hurried after him. "Mr. Robertson, the meeting at the company is about to start. The contract is worth over a hundred billion—" "Cancel it." Benedict stepped on the gas, and his car disappeared into traffic in an instant. As his figure vanished, all Minerva felt was a deep, bitter ache. In her past life, her heart and eyes were only for Benedict, but she never realized that his had always been full of Rowena. His affection had been so obvious. How had she not seen it? She had wasted her entire life. From behind the counter, the staff member tapped on the glass window. "Ms. Schuman, are you still signing this?" Minerva curled her lips into a smile, though it wasn't quite genuine. "Yes." She picked up the pen and, stroke by stroke, signed a name on the application form—Rowena Schuman. Then, calmly, she took out Rowena's birth certificate from the folder where her parents kept all the family's important documents and handed it over. If Benedict loved her that much, then Minerva would give him exactly what he wanted. Walking out of city hall, Minerva glanced down at the marriage certificate in her hand and let out a faint, mocking smile. The groom's name was listed as Benedict Robertson, but under the bride, it said Rowena Schuman. She wondered what kind of expression Benedict would wear when he finally saw the certificate. Just as she slipped the document into her bag, her phone rang. She answered, and the voice of the minister, Harry Tillery, came through, tinged with regret. "Minerva, are you sure you want to resign from your post as a diplomat? The Foreign Affairs Ministry only accepts the best of the best, and you're one of the most promising. I was even planning to offer you an overseas posting, but you suddenly said you wanted to quit. I know family means a lot to you, but still, I have to say something—" Before he could finish, Minerva cut in, her voice calm and firm. "Mr. Tillery, I'm sorry. I was confused before. I'm not resigning. I accept the overseas assignment." In her past life, she walked away from her position as a diplomat, and that coveted overseas post went straight to Rowena. Minerva had foolishly believed that giving up her dreams for love would win Benedict's heart. Instead, it had won her nothing but a life confined within the Robertson residence, where her brilliance slowly withered like a flower left in the dark. Meanwhile, Rowena had taken the assignment, made a name for herself, and earned national recognition. Students admired her, and the country celebrated her. This time, Minerva wouldn't let love chain her down. She would never again sacrifice her future for Benedict. From this day forward, she would live for herself and shine on her own terms.