I Died For Their Love, But I Refuse To Die Again

The Rebound plan

Chapter Three — The Rebound Plan

“Get a rebound. A new boyfriend.”

Jessica blinked, eyes wide with disbelief.

“What?”

“You heard me,” I said, folding my arms.

“God forbid!” she exclaimed, her tone fierce. “I’ll never say yes to any man except Lucas!”

I stared at her, forcing a smile while my thoughts screamed.

Stupid girl. Can’t she see she and Lucas need to be apart? It’s the only way I can escape this damned novel.

“I’m not saying you should marry the guy,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Just… find someone. Ask him out, or have him pretend to be your boyfriend. Exes get jealous when the person who used to adore them suddenly moves on.”

Jessica’s brows furrowed, her stubbornness solid as stone. “I won’t do it.”

“Then stay and grow old alone,” I muttered under my breath. Because as long as I’m alive, you and Lucas will never end up together.

Out loud, I smiled sweetly. “Fine. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”

That evening, my boss, Robert, informed me I’d be accompanying him to a charity auction.

He didn’t even look at me when he said it—just gave me the order and walked off.

On the drive there, he kept his attention fixed on the road, completely ignoring me. His coldness should’ve annoyed me, but instead… it fascinated me.

He’s playing hard to get, I thought, watching the sharp lines of his face. Men like him are dangerous. I love it.

Even when I tried to keep my gaze elsewhere, my eyes betrayed me—lingering on his jawline, his hands gripping the steering wheel, the way his lips pressed together whenever he was deep in thought.

I wanted him.

And that terrified me.

He finally turned, catching me staring. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing,” I replied quickly, smiling. “I just thought you’d look more handsome in a grey suit.”

His brows drew together. “You’re just a secretary. What gives you the right to tell me what I should wear? Know your place.”

I blinked, pretending to be offended, but inside, I laughed softly. So rude… but your face makes up for it. You can insult me all you want, as long as I get to look at you.

But my quiet evening fantasy died the moment we arrived.

Standing near the entrance, wearing her usual smug smile, was Joan—the very woman who killed me in my previous life.

My heart skipped.

A cold sweat spread down my back.

Why her? Why now?

I wanted to hide, to vanish behind the crowd, but she had already seen me. My pulse raced as I forced my expression into a smile.

If she told her brother—my boss—to fire me, that would be it. No more job. No more delicious eye candy.

So, I played the friendly card.

“Joan! Long time no see!” I called, pretending joy. “You’ve become even more beautiful. No wonder you’re still in a happy relationship.”

Her smirk widened, dripping with arrogance. “Yes, as you can see, my boyfriend and I are doing fine. You can tell your sister to back off.”

Oh, this again.

I let out a small laugh. “That’s exactly what I’ve been saying! I don’t know why she can’t move on, but I’ll try to talk to her. Anyway, you two look great together.”

Joan’s eyes narrowed. “And why are you two together? Don’t tell me this filthy thing is hitting on you, brother?”

Filthy thing?

I had been patient long enough.

Villainess or not, I never learned how to stay silent when someone spat in my face.

I tilted my head slightly, smiling. “Excuse me, Mrs. Joan, but if I remember correctly, you were the one chasing trash and bragging about it. Now that you’ve got your garbage, doesn’t that make you filthy too?”

Her eyes flared, and I pressed on.

“I’m Robert’s secretary. You wouldn’t understand the position—I mean, your boyfriend isn’t rich. He just looks broke all the time. The trash can and the trash… what an amazing love story.”

You could almost hear her pride shatter.

Her lips trembled, face red with fury. “Robert! Are you going to let your secretary talk to me like that?”

Robert’s tone was calm, almost cold. “She’s been nothing but kind this whole time. You were the one who called her filthy first.”

“She’s a lowlife!” Joan snapped. “You should fire her! This is unacceptable.”

He turned to her slowly, his gaze sharp enough to cut glass. “And aren’t you also a lowlife? I won’t punish a woman for defending herself. If you’ll excuse us, we’ll take our leave. Unless, of course, you’d like me to make you apologize.”

Joan’s jaw dropped. She looked between us, speechless. The fury in her eyes burned, but she could do nothing. She turned sharply and stormed away, heels clacking angrily against the floor.

Throughout the auction, I could feel her glaring daggers at me from across the hall. Every few minutes, her head would tilt back, pretending to check something—when really, she just wanted to see what Robert and I were doing.

I ignored her. Instead, I focused on Robert—his presence, his voice when he greeted investors, the faint smirk that sometimes crossed his lips.

Maybe it was dangerous to want him. But danger was the only thing that made me feel alive in this scripted world.

When the event finally ended, we walked outside into the night breeze. The air was cool, soft, and heavy with silence.

Robert stopped near the car, his expression unreadable.

“You handled yourself well,” he said quietly.

I blinked. “You mean with Joan?”

He nodded once. “Not many people can face her and walk away without trembling

I smiled faintly. “Well, I’ve learned that trembling only gives your enemy power.”

He studied me for a moment longer than necessary, then turned away. “Get in. We’re leaving.”

As I followed him, I caught my reflection in the car window—my smile was calm, confident, but my eyes… my eyes still carried that old fear.

The fear of dying again for someone else’s love.

I shut the door, taking a deep breath. Not this time.

If fate wanted me to play the villainess again, then so be it.

I’d wear the crown proudly.

Because I already died once for their love—

and this time, I’ll make sure I live for my revenge.