I Let Go for His First Love after Rebirth

In my previous life, Liam Anderson's first love died because of me.

It shattered him completely.

So he married me—not for love, but for revenge.

He took everything from me. My company. My family. My future.

He broke me down until I couldn't bear it any longer.

Until I jumped.

Right before I died, Liam stood there, cold as ice, and covered my eyes with his hand.

"Emma, if there's a next life... stay away from me and Olivia. Just stay away."

When I opened my eyes, I was seventeen again.

Same familiar route to Westwood High I'd walked countless times before.

Down the street, Liam and Olivia were heading straight toward me.

Olivia noticed me first and started waving enthusiastically.

"Emma! Over here!"

I froze.

This time? You bet I'm staying the HELL away from both of them.

So I grabbed my backpack, threw it directly at them, and RAN.

"Emma! Hey! What's wrong? We're going to be late!"

I didn't stop. Just kept running against the flow of uniformed students.

The wind whipped against my face, warm and tangible.

God, it felt incredible.

Being alive felt so damn good.

All that darkness from before—the kind that seeps into your soul and won't let go, the kind that makes you want to die—it was completely gone.

Right now, I was just seventeen-year-old Emma Thompson.

Healthy. Happy. Alive.

The Thompsons and Andersons went way back. Liam was a year older than me, and he'd always protected me growing up.

Candy when we were little.

Beautiful dresses when we got older.

A sapphire necklace for my sixteenth birthday....

He'd been kind to me for as long as I could remember.

Many girls wanted him, but I was the one who stood by his side.

He was like a brother. But somewhere along the line, he also became the boy I secretly loved.

Until freshman year happened—

I collapsed during the sports meet, and Olivia Parker took me to the nurse.

After that, there were three of us instead of two.

Liam and Olivia had everything in common—same hobbies, both straight A students, always discussing things I couldn't follow.

I gradually became the third wheel tagging along.

In my last life, the rumors that Olivia's stepfather assaulted her spread throughout the entire school.

Before she jumped, her hair was disheveled and she stared at me with pure hatred.

"Emma Thompson, remember this—YOU killed me!"

Then she jumped. Without hesitation. Without giving anyone time to stop her.

Didn't even give me a chance to explain.

When Liam saw the note she left behind, he completely lost control.

His fingers dug into my shoulders so deeply I thought my bones would crack. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with a hatred that terrified me.

"Emma! Why? Why would you do this?"

"You're the only one who knew!"

"I..." My throat felt like sandpaper. I could barely force the words out through the pain.

"It wasn't me."

"I didn't do it."

But nobody believed me.

Olivia had accused me in front of everyone before she died.

That sealed it. I was guilty.

Any defense I attempted sounded pathetic compared to a dead girl's final words.

So I got bullied. Isolated.

Everyone looked at me like I was a murderer. Every single person at school was against me.

Especially Liam.

Four years later, the Andersons wanted to merge with my family. Liam agreed to marry me.

It was like Olivia never existed. He went back to treating me exactly how he used to—sweet, caring, perfect.