My husband forced me to bear a child for his buddy.

When I found out I was pregnant, I went to him to share the good news, only to overhear him at a bar, betting with his friends. "Who do you think knocked up Selina Scott?"

Someone laughed. "Mr. Gordon, I only slept with her three times. No way it's mine."

"Zack was wild that night. Selina almost lost it. I'll bet 100 grand it's his!"

That was when I realized-it wasn't been Sean Gordon in bed with me on our wedding night, but a rotation of his dozen buddies.

I stormed in, furious. But he didn't even flinch. "What are you crying for? Your family's investment forced Tessa away, so I did this!"

"But you were the one who begged my dad for the investment! We never forced you!" I yelled.

He wanted the money and his first love, as if he could have the best of both worlds.

Crushed, I asked for a divorce. Instead, he blackmailed me with footage from that night and locked me in the basement.

Eight months later, I died in childbirth there.

When I opened my eyes again, I went back to the day the Gordon family came begging my dad for investment and a marriage alliance.

This time, he was going to pay.

***

"Selina, actually, Sean is into you. If you marry him, he'd be happy."

I snapped awake to see the Gordon couple looking at me with a sincere look.

It suddenly hit me-I had been reborn.

Felicia Gordon took my hand gently, smiling sweetly. "I know you've had a crush on Sean for 10 years. If our families unite through marriage..."

My parents just smiled awkwardly.

Everyone knew the truth-the Gordon family only proposed this marriage because they were on the brink of bankruptcy and needed our 1.5 billion investments.

However, they also knew I was hopelessly in love with Sean.

They realized that letting me marry him would bring them the money, then why not?

But now, all I wanted was for him to rot.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I cut her off. "I'm not marrying Sean."

The room went silent. Every eye turned to me.

They hadn't expected that I, the girl who used to trail after Sean like a lovesick puppy, would suddenly reject the marriage.

Felicia looked at me in shock. "Selina, did you and Sean have a fight? I'll talk to him when we get back."

I shook my head. "No need."

Tod Gordon hesitated for a moment. "Is this about Tessa Jackson?"

When I didn't respond, he sighed. "Tessa is just a poor scholarship student sponsored by our family. Sean was only being kind because he felt sorry for her.

"Don't worry. I'll have Tessa sent away as soon as we get home. She won't show up in front of Sean again."

He said the same thing in my last life. And it only made Sean hate me more.

He believed I was the one who forced Tessa to leave.

That's why, on our wedding night, he brought in a dozen of his buddies and let them torment me all night long.

When I found out the truth, he locked me in the basement and forced me to carry the child just to see whose it was.

When my parents sensed that something was wrong and came looking for me, Sean turned the tables. He played the video of that horrific night with eyes full of hatred. "This is the precious daughter that the Scott family raised? She slept with all those men behind my back. Disgusting."

After watching the footage, my parents were devastated, fell ill, and then bedridden.

Sean didn't feel guilty. Instead, he showed up with Tessa, smirking as he said, "Once your parents die, I'll take over the Scott Group and hand it to Tessa as my apology."

I was disheartened, and I died in childbirth.

Remembering it now, I was shaking with rage. Without thinking, I said, "Sean isn't worth marrying."

Tod looked embarrassed. "Our family might be struggling, but if your family invests, I can promise you-the Scott Group won't lose money."

He wasn't lying.

In my past life, after my parents invested 1.5 billion to save the Gordon family, their business boomed.

The Scott family did nothing and still earned over tens of millions in shares.

I wouldn't turn down money.

I said coldly, "I'll marry into the Gordon family, but not Sean-Michael Gordon."

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Tod jumped to his feet. "What do you mean, Michael?!

"His legs are paralyzed! He can't even stand up! Are you kidding me?"

My dad quickly advised me. "Selina! Don't be reckless!"

I gently patted my dad's hand, signaling him to stay calm. Michael might be Sean's uncle, but he was only four years older than him, and we practically grew up together.

But then a car accident made him unable to stand again, and he gradually faded from my life.

In my past life, when I was locked in the basement by Sean, Michael was the first to find me.

He kept shouting, "Don't be afraid!" while repeatedly banging on the door. I could see his legs were not paralyzed.

Then Sean arrived, and a group of people beat him half to death.

I remember Sean glared at him, saying, "Michael, when I had someone run you over, how come you didn't die?

"You tried to steal my dad's business once, and now you want to steal my woman. How low can you get?"

Michael didn't get angry. Instead, he got on his knees. "Let Selina go, I'll do anything you ask!"

Sean sneered and slammed his head against the wall, the sound echoed with a dull thud.

I would never forget what Michael said, "Selina, I've been looking for you for so long."

So, how could choosing Michael be considered reckless?

And Sean would pay for this!

My thoughts cleared, and I looked at Mr. and Mrs. Gordon. "I've made up my mind. I'm going to marry Michael."

Seeing my firm attitude, no one argued, and then, they agreed.

After making that decision, I sighed in relief and planned to head to Michael's bar to find him.

But when I reached the bar, I saw Sean and Tessa outside.

When Sean saw me, his cheerful smile instantly turned impatient. "Selina? Why do you have to follow me everywhere?"

His buddies laughed loudly. "I told you she'd show up tonight!"

"I bet, if we ask her to lick Mr. Gordon's shoes, she'll get down right away!"

Sean grinned wickedly, giving me a look full of meaning as he casually lifted his foot.

I felt disgusted and coldly walked past him. "Get out of my way."

Sean was taken aback and quickly grabbed my arm. "Selina, I know you're using the investment to force a marriage with me. What game are you playing now?

"You don't think acting aloof will make me notice you, do you?"

I glanced at him calmly and replied truthfully, "I'm not marrying you."

Sean fell silent for a moment before sneering. "Really? The Gordon Group has already received your dad's 1.5 billion investment. And you're still saying you're not marrying me?

"Do you know how cheap you look, begging me to marry you like this?"

I nodded. "I know, which is why I'm not marrying you."

It took a moment for Sean to grasp what I meant, and he stood there, stunned.

Tessa's voice cut through the tension, calm and distant. "Sean, I think Selina doesn't want to see me. If you don't marry her, the Gordon Group might-"

"Never mind. I'm leaving."

Sean suddenly let go of my hand and pulled Tessa into his embrace. "Who is she? Even if she marries me, I still won't love her.

"Tessa, sweetheart, we'll take our wedding photos tomorrow. In my heart, you're my wife."

The crowd around us started whistling and teasing Tessa.

Sean looked at me smugly, waiting for my reaction.

He used to love seeing me embarrassed, but now, I was unfazed. "Marry whoever you want. I'm not interested."

Just as I was about to walk away, Tessa stepped in front of me. "Selina, stop pretending. The media covered the marriage alliance between the two families this afternoon.

"You might have hired thugs to humiliate me before, and I could let it go, but I beg you, please take good care of Sean..."

As for the thugs, it was all just a drama Tessa had staged, trying to frame me.

I had tried to clear my name before, but Sean refused to believe me.

Now, I wouldn't be bothered to explain.

Sean's expression darkened. "Why beg her? A woman who'll do anything to get what she wants, like her, can never be compared to you."

He warned me. "Marrying you is just a business deal. If I find out you're bullying Tessa, I won't let you go-"

Before he could finish, I cut him off, lifting my eyes. "Fine, got it. If there's nothing else, I'll leave."

I turned and walked straight into the bar without looking back.

"Are you kidding me? A few days from now, Sean will have to respectfully call me aunt!" I thought to myself as I walked into the bar and headed straight to the private room.

When I pushed open the door, I saw Michael sitting in a wheelchair, facing away from me.

"Why didn't you choose Sean?"

Without thinking, I bent down and kissed his lips. "Don't you want to marry me?"

His Adam's apple bobbed, and after a moment, he whispered, "I do."

The next day, Felicia sent someone to take me to the Gordon's villa.

She mentioned that the Gordon family brides always wore the same wedding dress, and I was there to get measured.

The butler carefully retrieved the dress from the mahogany cabinet, with eyes full of joy. "If Mr. Gordon sees you in this dress, he won't be able to take his eyes off you."

"What did you just say?"

The sudden voice made my heart skip a beat.

Sean had appeared at the top of the stairs with Tessa following behind, looking smug as she stared at me.

The butler was about to speak, but I cut him off. "Nothing."

Sean stared at me for a few seconds before sneering. "Don't think you can act like my wife because you're about to marry me."

He grabbed the wedding dress from my hands. "Let Tessa wear it first, then I'll give it to you."

The butler's face turned pale. "This wedding dress is a family heirloom, only the Gordon family brides are allowed to wear it."

Tessa suddenly started crying. "I knew it, Selina has her ways. Since you arrived, even a servant dares to speak to me like this-"

Before she finished speaking, Sean pointed at the butler and snapped, "You're not following my order? Take Tessa's measurements first!"

I took a deep breath. "No."

Michael and I were already on a tight timeline for the wedding, and I had no time to deal with them now.

I reached out to take the wedding dress back, but before I could touch it, Tessa screamed and fell backward, tumbling down the stairs.

She lay at the bottom, blood seeping from her forehead.

Her face was pale. She trembled as she pointed at me. "Y-You pushed me!"

Sean rushed down, picked her up, and ran out. "Tessa!"

Tessa had pulled this clumsy act many times before.

Yet, Sean always believed her.

I sighed, ready to leave, when my phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Michael, saying he was waiting for me at our usual spot.

My mood instantly lifted, and I felt lighter on my feet.

But just as I stepped out of the Gordon's villa, Sean grabbed me and pulled me into the car.

I frowned. "What are you doing?!"

I struggled to get out, but he held me down. "Tessa's bleeding. You need to give her a blood transfusion."

"Are you crazy?" I exclaimed. "That little scratch? She'll be fine before we even get to the hospital! Let me out!"

He saw me reaching for my phone, grabbed it, and flung it out the window. "Selina, you finally got your wish and married me! Why are you still going after Tessa like this?!"

As the car started to move, I yelled, "Sean! I have hemophobia and anemia! A blood transfusion will kill me!"

But Sean scoffed. "Stop pretending. I'm not falling for it."

We soon arrived at the Gordon family's private hospital. Sean dragged me to the blood transfusion room and instructed the nurse, "Take as much blood as Tessa needs, quickly!"

As soon as the needle went in, I shivered, and my vision began to blur.

I didn't know how much time passed, but when I regained some awareness, I found myself weakly lying on the floor. I tried to call for help, but the room was empty.

Sean had already taken all the medical staff to tend to Tessa.

Just as I thought I was about to die, I suddenly felt strong arms lifting me. "Don't sleep! Selina, don't sleep!"

When I woke up, I saw Michael, his eyes red. "I'm late."

He then pulled out an exquisite diamond ring and put it on my ring finger. "Selina, marry me."

That's when I realized-he had planned to propose to me at our usual spot this afternoon.

He said every special moment deserved a proper ceremony.

I nodded in agreement.

Then, he made a call. "The wedding is moved up to tonight."

I was taken aback. "But the wedding dress is with Tessa."

Michael chuckled, his eyes full of affection. "It's okay, I've prepared it for you."

That evening, I appeared at the hotel wearing a one-of-a-kind wedding dress.

Sean rushed in, looking irritated. "All I asked was for you to give some blood, and you're making a scene like this?

"You're jealous because I'm with Tessa, right? Now that I'm back, are you happy?"

Before he could finish, Michael's voice came from behind him. "Sean, is that how you speak to your aunt?" Sean's eyes went wide. "What?! Aunt?!"

Michael walked past him, pushing his wheelchair straight to my side. "Tonight's my wedding with Selina. Didn't you know?"

I glanced up and smiled. "I told him, he just didn't believe me."

Sean was stunned. "Impossible! My parents went to Scott's manor to propose a marriage for me! You're supposed to marry me!"

The butler spoke up, "Mr. Gordon, the marriage partner has always been your uncle."

Butler's words couldn't convince Sean.

He straightened his suit, trying to look calm as he pulled my hand. "Selina, stop these pathetic stunts.

"Let's finish the ceremony quickly. Tessa is waiting for me."