Chapter 1
I was the best executive assistant in Whitmore Group's executive office.
Before my older cousin Vanessa Collins was due to marry my boss, Adrian Whitmore, in an arranged marriage, she begged me to teach her how to win over his family.
In my previous life, I'd coached her on what to say, drawn up gift lists, and shielded her from drinking parties. The older Whitmores decided I'd make a better wife for Adrian than she would. A marriage agreement trapped me in their family.
After the wedding, I landed a major overseas project that made Adrian a legend in the business world. Meanwhile, everyone in our circle mocked Vanessa as a hopeless airhead with nothing but her looks. Every attempt to find her a husband fell through.
Before she died of an illness, she blocked me, leaving one last message.
Vanessa: Everything you taught me was part of your plan to steal him.
Adrian didn't spare me, either. By day, he praised me as a good wife. At night, he forced me to kneel in front of Vanessa's photograph.
"If you hadn't been so eager to show off, how would she have lost? You're so good at making arrangements. Why don't you arrange your own funeral?"
Even after I died, he scattered my ashes over her grave as an offering of atonement.
When I was given another life, Vanessa sent me the gift list again.
Vanessa: Claire, can you help me out? What should I bring when I meet the Whitmores for the first time?
Claire: A brain. You're gonna need one.
*****
Less than 10 seconds after I sent it, Vanessa called. I didn't answer. She tried three times before switching to a voice message.
"Claire, what was that supposed to mean? I only asked you about a gift list. What's with the attitude?"
I sat at my desk in the executive office, Adrian's afternoon schedule beside me.
At 3 p.m., meet with the Collins family.
At 4 p.m., accompany Vanessa to her engagement dress fitting.
At 6 p.m., attend the Whitmore family dinner.
In my previous life, I'd barely slept for 3 days trying to make sure Vanessa impressed the Whitmores.
Adrian's grandfather, Richard Whitmore, loved aged whiskey. I'd searched half the city for a bottle that would meet his standards.
Adrian's mother, Evelyn Mercer, had stomach trouble. I'd revised the dinner menu six times.
His uncle Kenneth Whitmore loved reminding people of his seniority. I'd even found out which school he'd attended when he was young.
I'd decided what Vanessa would wear and bring, what she'd say, where she'd sit, and whom she'd toast first. All she'd had to do was stand there and smile.
But afterward, the Whitmores had praised me. And Adrian had chosen me.
I turned off my phone, picked up the documents on my desk, and knocked on Adrian's door.
"Come in."
He sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, his shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, studying a project budget. He looked up at me.
"Have you settled on your dress, Claire?"
I set the documents on his desk.
"That's outside my job description, Mr. Whitmore."
His hand stopped as he lifted his pen.
"You used to be happy to help her."
"I wasn't thinking straight back then."
Adrian leaned back and studied me for a few seconds.
"Claire Bennett, someone's in a temper today."
I lowered my eyes.
"Would you like me to cancel your 3 p.m. meeting, Mr. Whitmore?"
"No."
He opened the documents, his voice calm again.
"Vanessa will be here."
"I know."
"She's my fiancée."
I lifted my head and looked him straight in the eye.
"Congratulations, Mr. Whitmore."
His expression darkened. He'd said the same thing in my previous life. Vanessa was his fiancée, he'd told me, and I shouldn't dream of taking a place that wasn't mine. Then his family had forced him to marry me, and he'd accused me of stealing her life.
'He'll say whatever suits him.'
