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Three years ago

Selene was exchanging her memories of Charlie for a chance to go back 13 years in time with a man and a woman, who stood before her.

The woman reminded, "Actually, you could wish for Charlie to change his mind. Wouldn't that be better? You've got 15 years of history with him. The second he changes his mind, the two of you will be able to continue living out your dreams."

Selene interjected, "There's no need for that. My only desire is to go back in time to before I met him. I don't want anything to do with him."

The man nodded and said, "It looks like you've made up your mind. What about this? Come back in ten days, and I'll erase every happy memory you have of Charlie. Then, I'll send you back in time."

"Thanks."

Selene closed her eyes and woke up in bed, back in her own reality.

A baby's wails could be heard from the other room, accompanied by the loving coos of her father.

"Don't cry, my dear Malcolm. Daddy's here. Daddy will always be by your side."

A woman said with a smile, "You can't keep holding him in your arms. You'll spoil him."

Charlie was unfazed. "Are you jealous of the fact that Malcolm prefers me over you?"

She huffed and grumbled, "Fine, I'll leave the two of you to it. I'm just a lowly waitress."

Charlie chuckled warmly and said, "Alright, don't get worked up over this. I love Malcolm because you gave birth to him…"

When Selene heard that, her heart squeezed painfully.

Once upon a time, Charlie had asked her for a baby as well. He would say, "Darling, let's have a baby together. I'll learn to prepare the baby's bottle and change his diaper. You can leave everything to me, including burping him or putting him to bed."

Back then, Selene had been drunk on the high of being loved by Charlie. She asked, "Do you like children?"

"I'll love them because you were the one who birthed them for me," he replied. His sweet nothings echoed in Selene's head still. Yet, a different woman had already given birth to his child.

Selene and Charlie were high school sweethearts. Having dated for more than ten years, they were the couple that everyone envied. Those who knew them sang praises for their perfect love story.

However, everything came to an end three years ago. Selene was kidnapped, and her captors demanded a ransom of five million dollars.

At that point, Charlie had already assumed his position as CEO of Grant Corporation. Five million dollars wasn't a huge amount of money to him.

When Selene found out how much her captors had asked for, she secretly sighed in relief. Charlie would save her. After all, he adored Selene. Yet, to Selene's surprise, Charlie didn't respond to any of the letters asking for ransom.

Even her captors mocked her, "A perfect love story? He's the CEO of Grant Corporation, but he won't even spend five million on freeing you."

In their attempts to blackmail Charlie, they tortured Selene and took pictures of her pitiful state. Then, they sent the pictures to Charlie. However, their efforts all yielded the same result.

Charlie never replied. Selene's captors even showed her a newspaper article detailing how Charlie was about to get married to his girlfriend of 15 years. In the photo, Charlie had his arm around a girl who looked like Selene.

Her name was Bella. He grinned down at her lovingly.

Selene's heart felt as though it had stopped beating. Any feelings she had for Charlie were extinguished entirely.

In the end, the police saved her. Selene was brought to the hospital. As a result of prolonged abuse, Selene fell into a coma. She languished in a hospital bed for three years, during which Charlie got married, went on honeymoon, and witnessed the birth of his first child.

After their marriage, Bella seldom appeared in public. The journalists all thought she was Selene and constantly praised Charlie for his unwavering love.

The first thing Selene did when she woke up was to seek Charlie out. She wanted to ask him why he'd ignored her captors' letters asking for ransom. Why had he allowed her to be tortured to an inch of her life without stepping in? Could he really not spare five million dollars?

When Charlie met with her, his gaze was shifty, and he couldn't quite meet Selene's eyes.

Sighing, he explained, "Selene, back then, I'd just taken over the Grant Corporation. While I could've spared five million dollars, the shareholders would've made a fuss if I used company money to save my girlfriend!

"My position would be threatened, and our corporate partners would worry about our finances. The fruits of my years of labor would be gone in an instant! I didn't have a choice.

"In addition, I made a police report. It's their job to apprehend kidnappers and save the victims, isn't it? I trusted they would be able to save you."

Selene could hardly resist the urge to laugh at his excuses.

"Even so, why did you marry that woman despite knowing that I had been saved?"

Charlie said, "You were unconscious, and no one knew when you would wake up. What if you never did? I can't wait for you forever. The Grant Corporation is a huge business that needs an heir to take over after me.

"I spent a long time picking out a woman who looked as similar to you as possible. Bella was the one I found. To me, she's nothing more than a placeholder for you. You've always been the love of my life."

His love? Selene snorted. Now, that "placeholder" of his was living in the house Charlie used to live in with Selene.

Even Selene's old art studio had been repurposed into a baby room. Selene was stuffed into a small storeroom instead. Beside her, the happy family laughed, as though Selene was the stranger amongst them.

As that was the case, Selene no longer wanted to continue living like this. Rather than staying in such a pathetic situation, she preferred to leave in pursuit of a life of her own.

Ten days later, Selene would be transported 13 years into the past, back when she was still in high school.

Selene had always demonstrated exceptional artistic talent, but she'd let it go to waste after getting together with Charlie. If she could go back, Selene had promised herself she'd devote herself to her classes, hone her craft, and live out her best life!

Chapter 2 The next morning, Selene woke up early. The thought of getting a brand new chance at life in ten days put her in a great mood. After her morning jog, she ran into Charlie, who was heading out with his keys in his hand.

Charlie was taken aback for a moment at how energetic Selene seemed. "Selly, did you go on a run?"

With a grin, Selene replied, "Yeah. The air's fresh in the morning."

"Oh, that's true."

"How about you? Are you going to work?" Selene checked her watch. "It's only half past seven in the morning. There's still plenty of time before the beginning of the workday."

Charlie's expression seemed a little unnatural. He forced a chuckle before saying, "Bell wanted hashbrowns and a hot chocolate from a restaurant down the road. I'm going to buy them for her."

Selene hummed in acknowledgement.

Charlie explained, "Bell had a hard time while she was pregnant and nearly bled out while giving birth. I'm just grateful for how she risked her life to give me a child. Whether out of my conscience or out of obligation, I should take care of her until she makes a full recovery."

"Go on, then. Who's stopping you?"

Continuing his attempt to absolve himself, he said, "Selly, just as I said, she's just a placeholder for you. My logic was that if you never woke up, at least our child would look like you as long as I found someone who looked similar…"

"That's enough," Selene cut Charlie off. "You should head out soon. That shop's super popular. Everything will be gone if you go late."

Selene immediately turned and went in. When she passed the dining room, she saw Bella walking downstairs, baby in her arms.

As though Bella was showing off, she raised Malcolm's small arm and used it to wave at Selene. "Malcolm, this is our helper."

Selene couldn't help but frown slightly. While she would help around the house, the way Bella had framed it sounded as though Selene was subservient to them.

Bella simpered with a smile, "Selene, you're a little older than me, so it wouldn't make sense for Malcolm to think of you as a friend. Thus, I figured this would be the best way to explain things to her. You wouldn't get angry over this, would you?"

Smirking, Selene quipped, "She could think of me as whatever, even her grandma."

Charlie was back within a few minutes. He jogged into the house, hashbrowns and hot chocolates in hand.

"Bell, eat this while it's hot. It won't taste as nice after it cools." When Charlie looked up, he met Selene's eyes as she scanned him from head to toe.

He froze for a moment before mumbling, "Bell's been breastfeeding recently. She'll have stomach problems if she drinks icy beverages."

Selene didn't say a word. She glanced at the two cups on the table. Then, she asked, "You only bought two servings?"

Bella said gleefully, "You've been gone too long, Selene. You might not know this, but Chuck's recent tastes have changed. He likes fast food now, right?"

Charlie's expression turned grim. "I…"

"What would you like, Selene? Ask Chuck to get it delivered for you."

Charlie immediately picked up on the cue and added, "Right, what would you like, Selly? I'll place the order."

Selene snorted. "You went out to get food for her and yourself. Yet, when it comes to me, you're only willing to order a delivery?"

What Selene wanted to ask Charlie was who he truly thought of as a placeholder for the other.

Bella explained, "You don't understand, Selene. That shop went viral online, so there's always a line outside. It doesn't even offer takeout and requires you to order in person."

Selene understood her situation.

If it was that viral and Charlie had lined up for it, how had he returned in such a short span of time with the hashbrowns still steaming hot? Other than the possibility that he'd paid extra to cut the queue, Selene could think of no other option.

Charlie hurriedly offered, "What would you like, Selene? I can go out and get it for you."

"It's fine, I'm not hungry."

"You mustn't skip breakfast. Be a good girl and tell me what you'd like. Whatever it is, I'll head out to buy it."

"What if I like tarts from Omlo City?"

"I'll send someone on a plane to Omlo City right now…"

Bella grumbled, "Chuck adores you, Selene. I'm jealous."

With a neutral expression, Selene replied, "There's no need for that. He might love me, but that didn't stop him from having a kid with you."

Eyes darkening, Bella complained, "That's because he treated me as a placeholder for you. Oh, if only I could find a man like Chuck for myself."

"You will," said Selene.

"No way. Chuck's an amazing man. He's one in a million. I'd never get that lucky."

"You are." As they were speaking, Selene's phone rang. She picked up and greeted the person on the line.

"Hello, Miss Thurman. We're calling from the secondhand shop. Did you say you had stuff you'd like to sell?"

"Right. Are you guys here already? Give me a moment." Selene got up and went upstairs. Not long later, she came down with two cardboard boxes.

When Charlie saw her, he went over. "Let me help you, Selly."

Selene avoided his outstretched arms, stepped past him, and continued walking. "It's fine."

"Those look heavy. Let me help you. I'll feel bad if this tires you out."

Selene laughed, "My captors hung me from a tree for three consecutive days. You didn't feel too bad about that, didn't you?

Charlie immediately paled.

Chapter 3 Back then, Selene's kidnappers would ramp up the intensity of their torture every day in an attempt to pry money out of Charlie's hands. It started with deprivation of food and water, but eventually they began hanging her up and caning her.

Selene remembered one night in particular. It had been pouring, but her hands were bound, and she was dangling from a tree. The rain drenched her through the night, then the sun came up and baked her thoroughly the next day. Selene thought that day would be her last.

Time and time again, Selene would consciously defend Charlie whenever she doubted him.

What if the pictures that her captors took were never delivered to Charlie? Perhaps someone had mistakenly picked them up, or some of the helpers thought they were trash and simply dumped them. Or, Charlie had just seen the photos and was now on his way over to save her.

Selene waited for him, watching the sun vanish below the horizon day after day after day. In the end, she was rewarded with the news detailing how he was about to marry another woman.

Exhausted, Selene no longer wanted to continue trying to survive.

Yet, before she lost consciousness, she was gathered into a pair of strong, warm arms. Selene remembered him saying, "I'm a policeman. You've been saved. Hold on, I'm going to bring you to the hospital right now!"

Selene only found out that his name was Quentin Lancaster after the fact. He'd disguised himself as Charlie and obeyed the kidnappers' demands of showing up to hand over the ransom money alone.

In order to save her, Quentin fought off dozens of men and got stabbed multiple times. He'd succeeded in rescuing her and sent her to the hospital's emergency department, but then he collapsed outside the operations room himself.

Sometimes, Selene found all of this hilarious. A man who claimed to love her could watch her be tortured to the brink of death unmoved. He could even marry another woman and start a family with her. Yet, a policeman who had nothing to do with her had been willing to risk his life just to save her.

Selene took the boxes outside and handed them to the men from the secondhand shop.

"Hello. I don't need all this stuff anymore. Please help me sell them off."

While they were taking stock of the objects Selene had given them, one of them noticed an emerald pendant and asked in surprise, "This is a beautiful necklace. It must've been expensive, right?

"You should auction it off instead. We might not be able to secure a high price for it."

"Selly!"

Charlie stormed out and grabbed the necklace from him. He roared, "I gave this necklace to you as an engagement gift. How could you sell it to a secondhand shop?"

The worker added, "He's right. Miss Thurman, you're in such a loving relationship with Mr. Grant. I saw the news of your wedding online and was so envious of your love.

"This necklace must have a symbolic meaning within your relationship. You mustn't just sell it off like that."

Selene laughed. What an engagement gift it was.

Charlie had married another woman, and they had a child together. What meaning could this necklace possibly carry anymore?

Selene took the necklace back from Charlie and passed it to the worker. "Sell it off. Please donate the money you earned from selling it."

"Should we donate it to a charitable organization?"

"Use it to purchase objects needed by the police department and give them to the police force. They're willing to sacrifice their lives for their people's safety, so I'd like to do something for them in return."

However, the worker turned to Charlie and asked, "Mr. Grant, what would you like us to do…"

After a moment of pause, Charlie answered, "Carry out Selly's request as she wishes. It'll be a donation from us. I'll just buy Selly the newest necklace on the market."

"Alright, no problem. Mr. Grant lives up to the rumors about you, with how you spoil Ms. Thurman. I'm hoping you guys will stay together till the end. All the best!"

Together till the end? They didn't have that much time. A day had passed, so they only had nine days left together.

In the past, Selene always felt like time passed too quickly whenever she was with Charlie. It brought her so much joy.

However, now a mere nine days seemed way too long. Selene wanted nothing more than to skip forward to nine days later so she could go back 13 years in time. She would have nothing to do with Charlie.

Selene turned and went back in. Charlie caught up with her and called her name, "Selly."

"What?"

"I know you're angry with me. When Bell recovers, I'll send her away, I promise. We'll go back to how we used to be, alright? After all, all the media outlets think I married you."

"Charlie!" For the first time, Selene got mad. "Do you actually think we'll be able to go back to how we were?"

"Why not? You heard what he said. Everyone thinks we've got a fairytale-like love, and they see us as a perfect couple."

"Charlie, things can never go back to the way they were."

"Why? I don't get it! All I did was find a placeholder for you, thinking that you were never going to wake up. Marrying Bella was done out of love for you. It all happened because I love you!"

Just as Selene was about to speak, Bella moaned, "Chuck, it hurts…"

Without even a second of hesitation, Charlie abandoned Selene and ran over to Bella. "What's wrong? What hurts? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Bella giggled and said, "It's nothing much. Just that Malcolm pulled on my hair too hard."

Charlie sighed in relief. "You terrified me."

Bella waved Selene over with a grin and asked, "Would you like to take a look at Malcolm? He looks exactly like Charlie, especially his eyes. They were cut from the same cloth—"

Selene turned on her heel and left, "No thanks. I've got something I need to do, so I'm heading out now."