Part 1The Do-Over Deal

I kicked the bucket on my eightieth birthday. Outside the door, my kids were wailing like the world was ending.

But my consciousness was fading fast.

With my last breath, I looked at the woman who had been by my side for decades, her hair now snow-white.

I forced a weak smile and asked, "Sarah, tell me the truth. After all these years... did you ever actually love me?"

Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, I got my answer.

I whispered, "If I could do it all over again, I definitely wouldn't love you."

I didn't expect the universe to call my bluff. When I opened my eyes, I was back in my prime.

But before I could even process the joy of being young again, Sarah—who was supposed to be getting engaged to someone else—appeared right in front of me.

Seeing the look of pure terror on my face, she flashed a massive grin and grabbed me by the collar.

"Hugh Sterling, why did you die so fast? I haven't answered your question yet."

* * *

I opened my eyes, staring blankly at the familiar ceiling of my childhood bedroom.

The stiffness of old age was gone, replaced by a vibrant, youthful energy.

I realized this wasn't a dream.

I had been reborn. I was twenty-four again.

A rush of euphoria hit my brain, but I forced myself to calm down.

In this life, I would stay the hell away from Sarah Vance.

In my past life, Sarah was the only daughter of the Vance dynasty, the "It Girl" of our social circle, known for her brilliance.

But this brilliant woman fell for a punk from the wrong side of the tracks.

She was smart; she hid the relationship for a long time. But in high society, secrets don't stay secret.

When her parents found out, they were furious. They immediately planned a strategic marriage alliance to kill her little romance.

Sarah didn't want to do it, but back then, she didn't have the power to defy her parents.

So, she targeted me.

The Sterlings and the Vances were old money friends. Sarah and I grew up together.

She told me, "Hugh, pretend to date me. If we're 'together,' my parents won't force me to marry a stranger."

What she didn't know was that I had been in love with her for years.

I was ecstatic. I used my family's influence to turn her fake proposal into a real engagement.

I thought if we got married, she would eventually fall for me.

Decades of a frigid marriage proved me wrong.

No matter what I did, she never gave me a genuine smile. It got to the point where, on my deathbed, I had to ask if she ever loved me for even a second.

This time, I’m letting go.

Checking the date, I realized Sarah's secret romance hadn't been exposed yet.

I immediately dropped my "rich playboy" persona and threw myself into work.

My friends were shocked. "Hugh, did you hit your head? Why are you suddenly grinding at the family company? Did the Sterlings go broke?"

I just smiled. "I found a killer business opportunity. I'm taking the Sterling Group international. Watch me."

They laughed it off, but I didn't care.

I had decades of future knowledge in my head. Taking the family business to new heights would be a breeze. But first, I needed to prove my worth to my parents.

Just then, the news broke. Sarah's relationship with the punk was discovered.

My parents summoned me home. In my past life, this was when our families discussed the arranged marriage, and when Sarah pulled me aside to ask for the fake dating favor.

This time, the answer is no.