In my past life, after my dad Derek Jansen passed away, the wealthy Archer Smith took in my mom Luna Jansen and me, Vivian Jansen.
Archer's son, Jasper Smith, hated our presence from the start and repeatedly tried to drive us out of the house.
To let Luna live peacefully in the Smith Manor, I started desperately trying to please Jasper.
Over time, our relationship grew closer, so close that Archer thought I would eventually become Jasper's wife.
Until that day, Luna and Archer were in a car accident while out and died on the spot.
Their only wish was for Jasper to marry me.
Jasper agreed but never fulfilled it.
At thirty, I was still unmarried. And twenty-six-year-old Jasper never mentioned marriage.
He sneered and said, "Vivian, your mom seduced my dad, and now you're trying to seduce me. Do you really think I'd genuinely respect you?"
"You and your mom are the most despicable people I've ever met! Get out!"
I was thrown out in the pouring rain and eventually married a divorced man who pursued me.
A year into the marriage, I endured domestic violence and eventually chose to end my life by jumping.
When I opened my eyes again, I returned to a time before Luna's death.
She was laying out several photos, asking me who I wanted to go on a blind date with this week.
This time, I didn't refuse and randomly picked one.
Under the table, a hand touched my waist.
I turned my head and saw 18-year-old Jasper sitting next to me, his face gloomy.
Luna asked, "Are you sure it's this one?"
Archer said, "Pretty good, he's about the same age as Vivian and has a gentle personality."
At the table, Luna and Archer smiled as they discussed, asking me when to meet.
Under the table, Jasper's fingers wandered around my waist.
I jolted as if shocked and sprang up. "Tomorrow then! I can meet after work. I'm heading upstairs now."
After speaking, I quickly walked up the stairs and glanced down at the doorway as if sensing something.
Jasper was still sitting at the table, staring straight at me. His face remained indifferent, but a dark storm swirled in his eyes.
I knew he was angry.
Jasper never hides his emotions.
I still remember when Derek had just died, and Archer brought Luna and me into the Smith Manor for the first time. Jasper stood gloomily in the center of the living room.
His face was pale as he picked up a cup and angrily threw it at us.
I instinctively shielded Luna. The cup flew past my cheek, leaving a bruise on my skin.
Jasper wore a mocking smile. "Where did this stray dog come from, barging into someone else's house? So impatient, huh?"
Archer was furious and stepped forward to slap him.
Jasper's face turned to the side from the slap, his eyes reddening heavily.
He roared, "My mom just died a year ago, and you couldn't wait to bring these two bitches into the house."
"Aren't you afraid my mom will crawl out of her coffin to haunt you?"
"Jasper!" Archer roared.
I didn't dare to speak.
The first meeting was unpleasant. Even though Luna repeatedly emphasized that she and Archer were innocent and would never get married, Jasper still didn't believe it.
He was convinced we were outsiders vying for status and used every means to force us out.
He covered our room with photos of his deceased mother, insisted on offering her food before meals, and the mix of burning candles and food smells made everyone at the table look uncomfortable.
Luna stood stiffly on the side, at a loss.
She stayed awake night after night, crying and blaming herself for staying here, while hesitating whether to stay for my future.
Watching her wipe away tears alone in the middle of the night, I silently hugged her from behind.
I said, "It's okay, Mom, I will make Jasper accept us."
From that day on, I started to please him.
He insulted me as a "bastard," and I lowered my head and accepted it.
He ordered me to be a servant, cleaning up all his messes, and I did it without complaint.
But our relationship never improved.
Until one stormy night, only he and I were left at home.
The howling wind carried the heavy rain into the house. Startled by the sudden thunder, I hurried to the balcony to gather the drying clothes.
When I finally returned with the clothes and shut the window tightly, I suddenly heard those heavy breaths drowned out by the sound of the rain.
I froze, slowly walking toward the source of the sound. Before I got there, the figure on the sofa suddenly grabbed the corner of my clothes.
Jasper was curled up in the darkest corner of the living room, his back tense, his body trembling uncontrollably.
I looked down at his hand clutching my clothes tightly, and asked, "Are you okay?"
He shouted, "Get out."
Getting a response, I nodded and turned to leave.
At that moment, a lightning bolt suddenly struck, and Jasper screamed, instinctively gripping tighter.
I was suddenly pulled down, falling onto him, and in the darkness, I clearly saw his pale face.
Fear, terror, humiliation—various emotions intertwined in his eyes, with reddened rims faintly glistening with tears.
Our breaths were so close that I could hear the sound of his heartbeat.
The veins on his hand bulged as he gritted his teeth, reached out to tightly hold my waist, and whispered, "Don't go, stay with me."
From that day on, our relationship completely changed.