In my second life, on the day I submitted the divorce papers, my proud second husband’s mother just had to come and sneer at me.

“I told you from the start. You need to bring a good woman into the family. At least now the household is running properly.”

My husband didn’t even bother to show up. I crossed my arms and replied with a smirk.

“Yes, people usually end up with partners who match their level. I suppose I was just too much of a wife for the Marquis of Sardena.”

We were about to become strangers, so what was there to hold back?

“What did you say? Have you said everything you wanted to?”

“Not even close.”

After all the resentment I had built up while living as this family’s daughter-in-law, a few words were hardly enough to release it.

I continued in a cold voice.

“Mother, you should stop too. He’s not a seven-year-old child, so how do you expect him to handle submitting divorce papers on his own? Even if you were to pass away, he wouldn’t be able to manage a funeral by himself.”

“How dare you say that! Oh dear, my head…!”

Did I say anything wrong?

Not wanting to exchange any more words, I turned away sharply. The coachman who had brought me here asked cautiously, “Shall I take you back?”

“I’ll find my own way, so leave.”

Why would I use the family carriage after a divorce? I waved him off.

Fortunately, my destination was close by.

In the cold air, my breath turned white and dispersed. Tightening the loosely wrapped scarf, I looked ahead with determined eyes.

‘I’m going to see the person who gave me my second life.’

The second life bestowed upon me, much like a surprise gift, fell into ruin despite my best efforts.

***

My name is Titiana Este.

In my first life, I was known as the Baroness of Adria. In this life, I am called the Marchioness of Sardena.

My first husband was annoyingly kind.

He used all his wealth for others and even gave away the family’s possessions. Eventually, he was swindled by those he helped and ended up with nothing.

[I’m sorry, my dear, I’m leaving first.]

Instead of bravely confronting the swindlers, he cowardly abandoned his family and took his own life.

Shocked by my husband’s death, I drank heavily at a tavern that our declining family had begun to frequent, accepting drinks offered by the master.

That was my last memory.

‘And when I opened my eyes, I was back in my childhood.’

A miracle found me at the moment I wanted to give up everything. Though I was bewildered by the unexpected regression, I tried to make my second life different from the first.

One part of that effort was changing my husband.

‘Looking back, it was the worst decision.’

By the time I arrived at my destination, I was pounding on the tavern door with all my might.

Bang! Bang!

“Master! Come out here!”

Given the situation, my words weren’t exactly polite.

As I continued pounding on the closed door, a man with fluffy pink hair emerged.

“What’s going on, Titi?”

The burn scars covering much of his face gave him a somewhat fierce appearance. Seeing him blink in confusion made my insides churn. I grabbed him by the collar and shouted, “Master! Why did you give me that drink? You put magic in it, didn’t you? Why did you do it? Why did you turn back my time?”

I shook the collar of his shirt vigorously. “After drinking what you gave me, my life fell apart even more. If this was going to happen, you shouldn’t have let me live twice! Compensate me for my life; I demand compensation!”

He seemed bewildered for a moment, then asked slowly, “…Titi, are you saying I cast a spell on you?”

That was practically an admission that he was a wizard. In my anger, I shouted even louder, “You don’t even remember casting a spell on me?”

As I yelled, he let out a small laugh. “…You have no reason to lie about this. So, you really did turn back time…”

Muttering to himself with a serious expression, he suddenly released my grip and said, “Come inside for a bit; let’s talk.”

Fine. Let’s see what he has to say.

I sat down heavily in my usual seat, still fuming.

Deep down, I knew that all my accusations were baseless. The master had merely given me a chance; how I lived that life was entirely up to me. Blaming him for the poor outcome wasn’t fair.

‘But if I don’t blame someone, I might just go crazy!’

Along with a bit of resentment, I was also curious. I hadn’t asked to turn back time, so why was I forced to live a painful life twice?

As I racked my brain in frustration, the master spoke with a sigh. “I’ve heard the rumors.”

At his words, I couldn’t help but scoff. “What rumors? Oh, are you talking about how my proud husband, Roco Sardena, was cheating?”

At my blunt words, the master fell silent. But I didn’t stop rambling. “Right. You must have heard that we officially became strangers today?”

“…I hadn’t heard that.”

“Well, now you know. It’ll be all over the capital by tomorrow anyway. His new bride is none other than Princess Sabina.”

This life was ruined. My last life was a mess too, but this one was completely wrecked.

‘Why am I like this?’

Perhaps because I was in front of the master, tears I had been holding back since the court hearing began to fall. Disappointment and anger at myself—a wave of self-loathing—washed over me.

“……”

The master silently watched me. Then, as my tears began to dry, he handed me a small shot glass. It was the same drink I had before turning back time in my previous life.

What had he taken from everything I said? Seeing it made my anger flare up again. “I told you I don’t need this!”

Just then, he handed me an old piece of paper. The paper had a date from five years ago and a series of numbers that seemed meaningless.

“I’ve been thinking about what I can do for you. This is all I could come up with.”

“This is…”

“These are the winning lottery numbers from five years ago. Use them to live for yourself. Not for anyone else, but entirely for you.”

“B-but…”

You don’t know how hard I struggled to change the future.

I couldn’t bring myself to revisit those difficult times.

Sensing my hesitation, the master spoke with a firm tone, as if he was pushing me forward, “Just because today has been unfortunate, don’t view the future you haven’t seen yet negatively. You deserve to be happy.”

He handed me another piece of paper. “And this is the deed to a building on Unditch 87th Street.”

“A building deed?”

At the bottom of the deed he handed me was a signature in elegant handwriting: “Yuri.”

‘Is that the master’s name?’

He firmly placed the paper in my hand. The warmth radiating from his large hand surprised me. His blue eyes, filled with a gentle light, looked at me intently.

“When you wake up, go there. There will be someone there to help you.”

“Someone to help? Not you, master?”

“Well…”

The master’s face grew serious at my question. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly began to speak. “I mentioned before that I handed you the drink, didn’t I?”

“Yes.”

He added softly, “Then we will meet again. Even if I don’t remember, it’s our destiny.”

For some reason, his words made my heart flutter. Until now, it felt like I was wandering alone in darkness, but now a glimmer of hope appeared ahead.

‘Okay. One last time, let’s give it a try.’

I steeled myself and picked up the glass. The sharp, strong scent of alcohol tickled my nose.

Next time, next time.

In my past life, my family was the source of my unhappiness. So…

‘No marriage in the next life.’

I finally realized that no one else could make me happy. Only I could make myself happy.

‘I’ll become rich and live grandly. I won’t be swayed by family, and I’ll stand strong on my own.’

And…

“It’s okay. This time, I’ll make sure to be happy, and I’ll be the one to recognize you first.”

The master’s eyes widened at my words. I downed the drink in one gulp.

The sounds of the world gradually faded away, as if I had swallowed an anesthetic, and soon everything was silent.

I didn’t know how deep my sleep was.

A loud voice pulled my drifting consciousness back. “Titi! Titi, where has that girl gone?”

A rough hand grabbed me as I slept peacefully, and my eyes snapped open.

The first thing I saw was the freckled face of a young man.

It was my brother, Robbie.

—

T/N: Welcome to the first chapter! I’m having fun translating the novel so far, and I hope the premise looks interesting too. I’ll try to go back and make edits here and there as I course through the chapters. Other than that—thanks for being here and I hope you enjoy.