I Married My Childhood Crush's Uncle

Quentin Quandt—Shane Fuchner's uncle—killed himself. After he died, someone found a drawer stuffed with unsent love letters. Every single one had my name on it.

So when life hit rewind and Mom asked if I wanted to marry Shane, my childhood friend, I said no. I picked Quentin.

Here's the thing—I got reborn.

Last time, I chose Shane. Huge mistake. He was hardly ever home after we got married.

And when I started bleeding from a miscarriage, he ditched me because Ceryn Schuck—his first love—texted, [The power's out and I'm scared.]

He didn't even hesitate.

I died that night. So did the baby.

And Shane? He didn't cry. Just whined that my death ruined his vacation plans with her.

Then I woke up—right back at the moment Mom asked who I wanted to marry...

"Mirelle, are you sure about this? You and Shane grew up together. You really wanna marry his uncle, Quentin Quandt?"

Didn't matter how many times she asked. My answer stayed the same. "Yeah. I'm sure."

"Well, if you're happy, we're in! Your dad and I'll start planning right away!"

Honestly, she was more hyped than me. That same day, she called Quentin. When he said yes, she bolted to the wedding planner and booked an outdoor venue.

Not long after that, Shane called.

"Mirelle Montclair, could you be any more shameless? You pushed this engagement on me, and now you're sneaking around booking a venue? Do you even have an ounce of dignity? Or are you just that desperate to get married? Pathetic."

I held my breath, then said, "Shane, I never planned on marrying you. The one I'm marrying is—"

He laughed. Cold. "So now you're playing hard to get? I should've known. Go ahead and plan your little wedding. I love Ceryn. I'm marrying Ceryn. You make me sick."

Click.

He hung up before I could finish.

Whatever. He'd find out soon enough—I wasn't marrying him.

Shane and I grew up next door, childhood sweethearts wrapped in one big, happy family. When we got older, our parents arranged the engagement.

But in my last life, he suddenly wanted out—to marry someone else. I said no. We fought.

Still married him anyway.

After the wedding? He was never around. When I finally got pregnant, he moved in with Ceryn Schuck. Unless it was a family event, he ghosted me.

Right before my due date, his family made him come home. That night, we argued. I started bleeding—bad.

I begged him to take me to the hospital. One call from Ceryn and he left me there.

I died. So did our baby. Never even got a chance.

Shane didn't bother coming to my funeral. He was off vacationing with her.

My parents? Crushed. They both got sick and died not long after.

Shane took everything—the house, the money. He and Ceryn built their picture-perfect life with kids and grandkids.

That marriage wrecked my family.

Not this time.

This time, I'm protecting the ones who actually love