My Protector: The Billionaire's Hidden Devotion

In my last life, I was played for a fool by my charming fiancé, Curtis, and my jealous cousin, Chloe. He promised me the world, but it was all a beautiful illusion built on lies.

He stole my ideas, shattered my reputation, and left me broken and alone.

My death was ruled an "accident," but I knew the truth. They had orchestrated it all.

Chloe, my own cousin, stood by his side, watching with twisted satisfaction as my world burned. They took everything from me-my career, my dignity, and finally, my life.

The betrayal was a cold rage that settled deep in my bones. I couldn't understand how I had been so blind to the monster hiding behind his perfect smile.

Now, I've opened my eyes to a second chance. I'm back at the beginning, forced to choose a husband to save my family's failing company. On one side is Curtis, the charming serpent who destroyed me. On the other is the cold, ruthless Arjun Becker, a man who promises security, but at what cost?

This time, I won't be a fool. I know exactly who to choose.

Chapter 1

The heavy scent of gardenias, usually a symbol of new beginnings, felt like a shroud. It clung to me, mixing with the sharp tang of disappointment. I watched the two men across the table, their smiles as different as night and day. This was my choice, laid out like a feast before me, but all I tasted was ash.

They sat at opposite ends, framing my family's desperate hope, my father's tired eyes begging me to pick the right one. I knew these men. Not just from this life, but from a past that still haunted my quiet moments, a past I was determined to dismantle brick by painful brick.

Arjun Becker, the heir to the Becker conglomerate, sat rigid, his dark suit impeccable, his gaze direct and unyielding. He was a fortress, built of steel and silence. Rumors painted him as cold, ruthless, a man who measured success in stark numbers and nothing more. His presence was a heavy weight, an undeniable power that promised security, but at what cost?

Then there was Curtis Small. His charm was a weapon, glinting behind eyes that sparkled with practiced warmth. He leaned forward slightly, an open book, a confident smile always ready. He was the rising star, the man everyone loved. He spoke of partnership, of shared dreams, of a future bathed in sunlight. He spoke exactly like he used to, in another time, another place. A sickening familiarity churned in my stomach.

This time, Ellie, you won't ruin everything for me.

The thought sliced through the polite hum of conversation, sharp and unexpected. I flinched, my teacup rattling against the saucer. It wasn't a voice I heard, but an impression, a sudden, intrusive clarity that pierced the din. I knew that voice. More terrifying, I knew whose voice it was.

My cousin, Chloe Klein, sat beside Curtis, her hand resting