Chapter 1
I was bought by the Basom family as a child bride for 15 million dollars.
Whoever married me would become the next heir of the Basom family.
They didn't want me, of course. They wanted my bloodline.
I came from Fertility Village, a mysterious place whispered about in elite circles—
a village that supposedly blessed families with perfect heirs.
In my first life, I gave my heart to Eric Basom, the charming eldest son.
He repaid me on our wedding night—by drugging me and leaving me to be assaulted by vagrants.
I died hating myself for loving him.
"If it weren't for you," he spat, "Jessica wouldn't have left the country. No one even knows where she is!"
In my second life, I married Adam, the cold second son.
I thought he'd be different. Safe.
He gave our newborn child to Jessica, saying,
"Jessica’s too frail to have kids. Let our son care for her when she's old."
Then he locked me in a basement. I withered. And died again.
Jessica had always been the one they loved. Not me.
When I opened my eyes again, their grandfather, Henry Basom looked at me and asked,
"Amy, who do you want to choose?"
I pointed at the man buried in the shadows of the family portrait—
The illegitimate son.
Henry was taken aback.
"He was born infertile!"
***
Henry knitted his eyebrows and gazed at me with a puzzled expression.
"Haven't you liked Eric since you were a kid? Or you could go with Adam. Even though Adam isn't strong, he always looks out for you!"
Memories surged back, I clenched my lips, and my body shook slightly.
"I choose... Oliver Basom!"
In my first life, as my awareness dimmed, someone rushed to retrieve my body. I barely caught the words "Mr. Basom," mistakenly associating them with Adam. This was why, in my second life, I chose him without a second thought.
I thought I'd found true love—only to be locked in a basement for over 20 years, cut off from the world.
Oliver was the one who saved me when I was near death in that basement. At the moment of my death, I realized I'd mistaken the person all along.
Thankfully, this was my final opportunity.
Henry looked genuinely worried. Oliver had publicly declared in the media that he was born infertile, and Henry was worried that the Basom family might lack prominent heirs.
With a steady voice, I sought to ease Henry's concerns.
"Grandpa, don't worry!
"Women from Fertility Village are known for boosting a man's health. Plus, Oliver started his own company at 18 and took it public by 22.
"Out of the three brothers, he's easily the most impressive. With him in charge, the Basom family's bound to hit a whole new level."
After considering it for a moment, Henry eventually consented. He instructed his assistant to contact Oliver. But despite numerous calls, none were answered. Henry was left feeling awkward.
Upon witnessing this, I decided to take the first step and reach out to Oliver.
Right after sending the message, I unexpectedly bumped into Eric. He was holding hands with Jessica, and Adam trailed behind them, looking pale.
A flicker of surprise passed through me. This scenario was different from before!
In my previous life, none of them had shown up here. Could it be...
When Eric noticed me, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Amy Kimbere, I will never marry you! I have no interest in becoming the head of the Basom family either. In this life, my only desire is to marry Jessica!"
Adam coughed softly and grasped my hand. "Eric's chosen to propose to Jessica. Why not think about choosing me?"
As soon as he touched my hand, a shiver ran through my body.
Adam was envious of his older brother Eric, who had wed Jessica. Whenever the couple displayed their affection, Adam would retreat to the basement and subject me to torment.
I quickly stepped back, trying to calm my rising fear. "Relax, I won't marry either of you!"
"If you're not going to marry Adam, are you planning to marry that impotent man?" Eric narrowed his eyes and mocked.
His trash-talking instantly rubbed me the wrong way. A flash of malice crossed Adam's face as he gave me a dark look.
I was about to walk away, unwilling to deal with those two, when Adam grabbed my arm.
"Wait! Did you forget something?"
Chapter 2
I glanced up, puzzled.
Eric's eyebrows knitted together as he shot me a displeased look. "Did you take Jessica's mother's heirloom? Give it back right now!"
Before I could respond, Jessica was already on her knees, bowing low as she begged, "I know you dislike me, Amy. But please, return my mother's bracelet!"
Holding my aching arm, I looked at her, utterly bewildered.
Jessica was the maid's daughter for the Basom family, and her mother had died saving the Basom brothers.
When I first came to the Basom's residence, she was extremely friendly toward me. Oddly, her items frequently ended up in my room.
Each time, she'd act like she was generously giving them to me. But then she'd secretly complain to the brothers, accusing me of stealing. That's why Eric and Adam started seeing me as a thief.
Seeing Jessica's flushed forehead, Eric gently assisted her to her feet, then turned to reprimand me, "Typical country bumpkin. You still haven't stopped your thieving ways! Hand over Jessica's bracelet right now!"
Adam glanced at me with disapproval. "Behave yourself, Amy! What kind of bracelet do you want? I'll take you to choose one."
As they conspired against me, I could only respond with a frosty, "It's not me!"
Unexpectedly, Eric grabbed my hair and dragged me toward the windowsill. "Give me the bracelet now, or I'll push you off!"
My body leaned out over the terrace. Though it was only a few meters down, a sudden dizziness overwhelmed me.
Trembling, I begged Eric for mercy. Adam stood by, cold and indifferent, and a wave of despair washed over me.
When they were ten, they were kidnapped, and I risked my life to save them, dragging both unconscious boys to safety in the mountains.
Stricken with a high fever, I settled down before passing out. By the time I regained consciousness, they had disappeared.
I spent three days and nights stranded in the mountains until I was discovered. Ever since, I've been dealing with acrophobia.
I pressed my lips together and looked down. I was scared, but there was no way I'd admit to something I didn't do. As Eric noticed my silence, he prepared to push me.
At that moment, the butler rushed over, holding a bracelet. "Mr. Eric, we've located Ms. Kemonne's bracelet!"
Eric stopped in his tracks, an awkward expression flashing in his eyes. Adam quickly pulled me away from his grip.
As soon as my feet touched the ground, I shoved his hand away and gasped for breath.
Jessica looked at me with an awkward expression when she got the bracelet.
I smirked. "Aren't you going to say sorry for accusing me?"
Jessica twisted her fingers, her eyes starting to tear up. "I'm sorry, Amy. I thought you wanted it again and took it without asking."
Not able to see Jessica upset, Eric shot me a furious look.
"I didn't expect you to be so cruel! You must have stolen the bracelet and thrown it away on purpose! Now, apologize to Jessica!"
Adam's expression was just as cold. "Apologize to Jessica, and I'll make you my wife. That way, you won't have to be the third wheel between Eric and her!"
I clenched my fists, anger bubbling up as I looked them straight in the eye. "I'm not marrying either of you!"
Chapter 3
Adam shook his head, giving me a helpless look. "Amy, you're being too stubborn!"
They both took Jessica and walked off without even looking back.
The following day, I was jolted awake by a splash of cold water in my face. Eric glared down at me.
"Grandpa has approved my marriage to Jessica. Get out of this room now! You won't marry Adam, so the only way you're staying in the Basom family is as a maid."
A chill wind blew, causing me to shiver. Behind him, Jessica gazed at me smugly.
"Eric, Amy's room gets such great sunlight. Unlike mine, which is small and damp."
Eric softly patted her hand, offering comfort. "If you like the room, let her move out now! A maid shouldn't be staying in such a nice room."
He then glanced at me with disdain.
At that moment, Adam walked in and overheard the conversation, his tone both gentle and harsh.
"Amy, it's still not too late to reconsider. Just kneel and apologize to Jessica!"
My nails pressed hard into my palms as I restrained myself from giving anything away.
I quickly made my way to the maid's quarters. As Eric observed the small, cramped space, his brows knitted together, and he appeared somewhat hesitant.
Jessica, however, took his hand and coquettishly asked, "Eric, can we go shopping?"
With a gentle tap on her nose, Eric agreed indulgently. To my surprise, they insisted I join them, and I ended up carrying Jessica's shopping bags.
As we moved along, Eric waved his hand, purchasing all the luxury items Jessica desired, while I struggled behind them, laden with a dozen packages.
Just as we were getting ready to leave, a runaway car unexpectedly veered off the road and sped directly toward us.
In shock, everyone stood still, but someone pushed me from behind. I stumbled forward, and a sharp pain shot through my ankle.
When I glanced up, I saw Jessica already safely cradled in the arms of the Basom brothers.
As the car approached, my heart raced frantically, and my whole body shook with fear.
Clenching my jaw, I begged the Basom brothers, "Please, help me!"
Eric winced a little, but Jessica held onto him tightly. "Eric, my stomach hurts..."
In a rush, he picked her up and dashed toward the hospital. Adam gave me a quick look and followed without a second thought.
In that moment, it felt like I'd been dropped into an ice-cold pit—like my blood just froze. I shut my eyes, bracing for death as the screeching car barreled toward me.
But just as the impact seemed inevitable, someone crashed into me from behind—
Strong arms wrapped around me as we tumbled to the pavement, rolling out of the car's deadly path.
When I opened my eyes, I was in Oliver's arms. His face was scratched and smeared with blood, gravel embedded in his skin.
But his gaze—
Worried. Fierce. Desperate. Like I was something he couldn't bear to lose.
"Oliver!" I gasped. "Are you hurt?"
He shook his head, brushing the hair from my eyes with trembling fingers, and helped me to my feet. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him.
His body stiffened. His ears turned red. He slowly raised his hands, hesitating, like he wasn't sure if he was allowed to touch me.
I remembered the message I sent him the day before. He never replied.
Heart pounding, I tugged gently at his sleeve.
"Oliver... will you marry me?"
He froze. His lips parted. Then pressed into a thin line.
My chest tightened. I looked away.
"It's okay... if you don’t want to—"
"I do."