Don’t Choose Me

I am the only daughter of the Henson family.

From a young age, my parents groomed two potential husbands for me.

Jasper Thorne, calm and dependable. Caleb Reed, passionate as fire.

They both swore they would love me for a lifetime.

We grew up together, and both my parents and I assumed I would eventually choose one of them as my husband.

In my first life, out of gratitude for Jasper saving me from an accident on a frozen lake, I chose him.

But on our wedding night, he plunged a dagger into my chest.

"Forgive me, Juliet. I have no other choice." His hot tears fell onto my palm, cooling along with my blood.

My restless spirit found no peace and was reborn on the day of my choice.

In my second life, I resolutely chose Caleb.

Yet again, on the night of my 25th birthday, I met the same fate at his hands.

In the blink of an eye, I found myself in my third life.

This time, before I could speak, they both dropped to one knee.

In unison, they pleaded, "Don't choose me."

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1

The moment they spoke, a hush fell over the boisterous banquet hall.

My parents' faces turned ashen.

My father's gaze cut between their faces, his tone stripped of its usual warmth.

"What is the meaning of this? Is my daughter not good enough for you?"

The Hensons are an old, distinguished New York family. We built a global business empire and are an unshakable force on Wall Street. My parents inherited and expanded that empire, and I am their only heir.

Whoever married me would take control of this vast family business.

Moreover, the three of us had grown up together, sharing an unbreakable bond. Jasper and Caleb had long ago promised that no matter who I chose, the other would remain a part of our family, protecting me for life.

So, faced with their simultaneous rejection, my parents were not only shocked but filled with an uncontainable rage.

My heart, too, clenched with an inexplicable pain.

Noticing my pale face, my mother held my hand, her voice laced with both heartache and a coldness directed at the two kneeling men.

"If you're refusing, you must have a reason. Do you feel my Juliet isn't good enough, or is there someone else? Explain yourselves, so we can all walk away with our dignity intact. The Henson family will not hold a grudge!"

Jasper immediately looked up, his voice tight. "No! To us, Juliet is the most wonderful woman in the world. The best years of our lives were spent together. How could there ever be anyone else?"

The redness rimming Jasper's eyes reminded me of that snowy night in my first life.

Before that night, I had never doubted his love, which ran as deep as the ocean. He was reserved and meticulous, treating me with unparalleled care. My parents were always busy with their careers, and Caleb had an impulsive nature, so Jasper was the one who looked after me throughout my childhood.

He remembered my birthday, all our anniversaries, and he even kept track of my cycle. He knew I loved spicy food, hated celery, and exactly how much sugar I took in my coffee. Whenever I was with Jasper, I never had to worry about a single detail. He celebrated my joys with surprises and offered a steadfast shoulder when I was down. He was my guardian angel, rescuing me time and again, always there when I needed him most.

When I was eighteen, I fell through the ice on a frozen lake. The ice shattered, the water was bone-chilling, and everyone froze in panic. Only Jasper jumped in without a moment's hesitation. He used his own body to shield me from the freezing water and lift me out, but the prolonged exposure left him with severe pneumonia. If the rescue team had been a minute later, he would have died.

It was that incident that made me decide to choose Jasper. I thought a man willing to die for me was a man I could trust with my life.

But when I, dressed in my wedding gown, joyfully pushed open that door, what greeted me was the cold glint of a dagger.

Jasper stabbed me several times, each strike calculated to avoid a fatal wound but ensure I would bleed out slowly. The crimson blood soaked my pure white gown. I collapsed to the floor, struggling in agony, gurgling sounds escaping my throat, unable to speak a single word.

Jasper trembled all over. He held me tightly, tears streaming down his face as he kissed my forehead again and again, whispering apologies. His eyes were overflowing with love, yet the hand gripping the hilt of the dagger pushed it even deeper. He didn't let go until I drew my last breath, my eyes wide with disbelief.

Even in death, I could not understand why.

Did Jasper love me, or did he hate me? If he loved me, why kill me? If he didn't, why show such profound pain as I died?

I turned to look at Jasper, trying to find a clue in his deep eyes, but he just lowered his head, avoiding my searching gaze and my parents' interrogation.

"Please, just consider me indebted to Juliet. If I ever get the chance, I'll repay the Henson family for raising me, even if it costs me my life."

My parents had personally groomed Jasper; they knew his character well. Seeing him so resolute, they didn't press him further.

My father sighed and turned his gaze to Caleb. "And you?"