Chapter 1

My name was Bella.

In my previous life, my best friend from the orphanage, Mia, and I were adopted by two different families at the same time.

She chose the wealthy Sterling family, while I chose the Vances, who were only gardeners.

Through my own hard work, I became a top designer and got engaged to Alex.

Then Mia showed up at my engagement party.

That was when I learned she'd been kicked out and was now penniless.

Shocked, I reached out to help her.

"Oh my God, Mia. If there's anything I can do, I'd be happy to—"

Before I could finish, Mia shoved me hard off the terrace.

"Then die, Bella!"

"Why you, Bella? You're just the daughter of some poor gardeners!"

"Why did the Sterlings abandon me while you got to live this glamorous life?"

When I opened my eyes again, I'd somehow gone back in time—to the very day the orphanage director made us choose.

"You have to make a decision. Will you go with the Sterlings or the Vances?"

"I'll go with the Vances. Bella, I'm making a huge sacrifice for you."

One look at her face told me everything.

Mia had been reborn too.

"But this time, you won't be so lucky."

I smiled.

Did she really think getting Cinderella's story this time guaranteed she'd become a princess?

I would show her with my own actions—

The future was never decided by a single choice.

...

My eyes flew open.

The same familiar crack stretched across the ceiling.

The director stood in front of Mia and me.

"Bella, Mia. Two families are here to adopt today."

"You have to choose. Will you go with the Sterlings or the Vances?"

This was St. Maria's Orphanage. The air smelled of disinfectant and cheap oatmeal.

I'd actually been reborn on the morning of our adoption?

Before I could fully process what was happening—

"Director, I want to choose! I choose the Vances!"

Mia's voice nearly pierced my eardrums.

She'd already rushed up to the director, her platinum-blonde hair flashing brightly in the morning light.

"Mia?"

The director froze.

"Are you sure? The Sterlings are much better off—"

"Don't you want to think about it a little longer?"

"I'm sure."

Mia turned to look at me and smiled.

"Bella, sweetheart, I'm making a huge sacrifice here."

"I hope you make something of yourself with the Sterlings. Don't forget about me when you do."

Her last words came out sickeningly sweet.

"Though I doubt you're capable of that."

Why would Mia ever choose the Vances, a family who worked for someone else?

She'd always been fiercely competitive. Ever since we were little, she'd believed she deserved everything.

In our previous life, she'd run straight to the Sterlings without a second thought and become their precious daughter.

I sat on the bench and looked into her eyes.

There it was.

Something I finally recognized.

Hatred.

Mia had been reborn too.

"Whatever."

I stood and headed for the door.

"Then I'll go with the Sterlings."

The director nodded and went outside first to let them know.

As Mia and I passed each other, she grabbed my wrist.

She lowered her voice so only I could hear.

"The Cinderella story is mine this time, Bella."

I turned my head toward her.

"You think you found a shortcut, Mia?"

"All you've done is walk into another maze."

Mia dismissed my words with a laugh, covering her mouth.

"You won't have it any better with the Sterlings than I did."

"Then let's see who regrets it first—"

Before I could finish, the Sterling family's butler pushed open the door.

He wore a black suit and white gloves, his manner so respectful he might as well have been receiving royalty.

"Miss Bella, the car is waiting."

The door of a stretch Lincoln opened. The scent of leather seats mingled with a faint trace of expensive wood.

I stepped inside, then looked back.

Mia was climbing into the Vances' beat-up Ford pickup, its truck bed caked with mud.

She turned toward me with a smile, her blonde hair lifting in the wind.

Her lips silently formed two words.

"Just wait."

I didn't respond.

The door closed, and the car smoothly pulled away from the orphanage.

Outside the window, the iron gates of St. Maria's grew smaller and smaller.

I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.