Chapter 1The Script Ends Here

The moment I realized I was the villainess in a "Billionaire CEO" novel, I had already been married to the tycoon for two years.

According to the plot, I had exactly six months left before I was forced to step down and make room for the real lead.

Those six months were supposed to be my descent into madness—a half-year of me sabotaging myself just to push the hero and heroine closer together before I met my miserable end.

* * *

I woke up early. Following my routine, I prepared my dear husband’s favorite club sandwich and a cup of hand-ground pour-over coffee.

I tied his silk tie, fastened his cufflinks, and saw him out the door.

Standing at the threshold, watching the tail lights of his car disappear, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck my brain. Everything I had "forgotten"—the memories of my past life and the plot of this world—came rushing back.

It was an epiphany. A total awakening.

Here’s the deal: 25 years ago, I was reborn into this world with memories of my previous life.

At first, I didn't realize I was in a book.

Not until a man smiled so wide his eyes disappeared and said, "Sweetie, you have a name now. We’re calling you Araminta. Ar-a-minta. A mix of Arthur and Minnie. What do you think?"

Arthur Montgomery was the man in front of me—my father. Minnie was, obviously, my mother.

Araminta. Arthur + Minnie.

A bit cringe, if I’m honest.

The name sounded familiar, but I didn't overthink it. Boring, "sentimental" names like that are common.

Then he added, "My daughter is so beautiful. Yesterday, old man Sterling wanted to set her up with his son, Preston. Hmph. In his dreams."

Then a gentle female voice drifted in. "Actually, I think little 'Pressy' is quite sweet. Our families have known each other for generations. At least we wouldn't have to worry about her being mistreated."

"He wouldn't dare! If anyone touches my daughter, I’ll take them down with me!"

...

I stopped listening after that. My mind was stuck on two names.

Sterling.

Preston.

Preston Sterling.

Preston Sterling?!

Preston Sterling!!!

In that moment, I finally knew where the familiarity came from.

He was the male lead of the book I had read right before I died.

It was a classic "Billionaire’s Sweet Secret" novel.

In that book, Preston Sterling was the CEO—cold, ruthless, and never smiled. The "Sweet Secret" was Sunny Vance, a bubbly, warm-hearted secretary.

As a corporate newbie, she faced endless setbacks, yet remained relentlessly optimistic. Her pure-hearted resilience caught the CEO’s eye. He went from being annoyed to intrigued, and eventually, deeply in love.

But for a grand romance to be "epic," it needs obstacles.

Araminta Montgomery was that obstacle.

Araminta and Preston were childhood sweethearts. They were engaged as toddlers and married the moment they hit the legal age.

Araminta loved Preston, but Preston’s feelings for her were based on duty, not desire. Before Sunny Vance, Preston didn't know what love was. His career and his marriage were just boxes to be checked.

Then Sunny appeared like a ray of sunlight, breaking the still waters of his life.

Of course, they remained "pure." Despite the romantic tension, they never crossed moral lines.

That was where Araminta came in.

As the wife, she quickly noticed her husband’s change. She played detective, found Sunny, and began a campaign of bullying and harassment.

Her actions didn't hurt Sunny. Instead, they forced Preston to realize his true feelings.

To that, I just wanted to say: "Good job, past me. Real smart."

After I made a scene for the thousandth time, Preston grew to loathe me and demanded a divorce.

The book-version of me refused. I went off the deep end and hired thugs to kidnap Sunny, intending to ruin her.

That was the final straw. Preston used his corporate power to crush the Montgomery family, then gave me a taste of my own medicine by tossing me to the same street thugs I'd hired.

I died silently in the gutter.

Preston and Sunny lived happily ever after. They even had twins.

Happy ending!

Happy ending my ass!

When I realized I was in this book, I had one goal: Protect my life, stay away from Preston Sterling!

And I did exactly that...

Until I was three.

Before the age of three, I made my hatred for Preston clear.

If I saw him, I cried.

If he got close, I bit him.

If I had milk in my mouth, I spit it on him.

If I had a full bladder, I waited until he held me.

Preston learned to dodge me on sight.

I was relieved. I figured if I kept this up, we’d be strangers for life.

But the "Plot" had other plans.

On my 3rd birthday, pop. Something hit my brain. I completely forgot I was in a book.

All that was left in my head was Preston Sterling’s gorgeous face.

For the next 22 years, I became his #1 fangirl. I chased him everywhere. He seemed to tolerate it, never pushing me away.

That fueled my delusion. We walked down the aisle. We entered the sanctuary of marriage.

No, the tomb!

Standing outside the villa now, I pinched my thigh so hard I nearly cried.

Dammit. Beauty really is a trap.

I walked back inside. The club sandwich and steaming coffee were still on the table.

Untouched.

Come to think of it, for the last four days, Preston had stopped eating the breakfast I made.

His excuse: "It’s too early. I’m not hungry."

I hadn't thought much of it. I kept making it anyway, thinking, Maybe he’ll be hungry today? What if he’s starving and there’s nothing to eat?

But now, with my memory back, I knew the real reason.

He wasn't "not hungry." He was saving room for the breakfast Sunny Vance brought him to the office.

Sunny told him coffee on an empty stomach was bad. Sunny said sandwiches were too cold and "corporate."

Sunny said, "I love bagels and lox, and I made some homemade oatmeal. Try it, Mr. Sterling!"

Ache.

I rubbed my chest. It actually hurt. What now?