Episode 01
My second life—
and the day I filed for divorce.
My remarkably awful second husband’s mother went out of her way to sneer at me in person.
“I told you from the beginning, didn’t I? A family must be careful about the women it brings in. At least now this household can finally return to normal.”
My husband hadn’t even bothered to show up.
I crossed my arms and replied with a crooked smile.
“Yes. People usually end up with spouses who match their level, after all. I was simply far too good for Marquis Sardena.”
We were about to become strangers anyway—what was there left to hold back?
“What did you just say? Have you completely lost your mind?”
“I didn’t finish.”
Do you know how much resentment I built up while living as this family’s daughter-in-law?
A sentence or two wasn’t nearly enough.
I continued coldly,
“And you should seriously tone it down. Your son isn’t seven years old, yet you raised him so helpless that he can’t even file his own divorce papers? At this rate, when you die, he probably won’t even be able to arrange your funeral himself.”
“H-how dare you! Oh dear, my blood pressure—!”
Did I say anything wrong?
I didn’t want to waste another second talking to her, so I turned around sharply.
The coachman who had brought me here cautiously asked,
“Shall I escort you home?”
“I can get there myself. Leave.”
Why would I ride in this family’s carriage after divorcing them?
I waved him off.
Fortunately, the place I wanted to go wasn’t far.
White breath scattered into the cold air.
Tightening the scarf loosely wrapped around my neck, I stared ahead with determined eyes.
I’m going to see the person who gave me this second life.
This second chance had come like an unexpected gift.
Yet despite all my desperate struggling…
I had still ruined it.
✦ ✦ ✦
My name is Titia Esthe.
In my first life, I was known as Lady Adria.
In this life, I was called Marchioness Sardena.
My first husband had been painfully kind.
He gave away not only all of his own wealth to help others—
but even his family’s fortune.
And in the end, he was scammed by the very people he helped and lost everything.
“I’m sorry, darling. I’ll go first.”
Instead of fighting back and catching the frauds, he chose the coward’s way out.
He abandoned his family…
and hanged himself.
Shocked by his death, I drowned myself in alcohol at a tavern I had begun frequenting after my family’s downfall.
The tavern master handed me a drink.
That was my last memory.
And when I opened my eyes… I had returned to my childhood.
A miracle arrived at the very moment I wanted to give up on everything.
I was dazed by the unexpected regression, but I vowed that my second life would be different from the first.
One of those efforts?
Changing husbands.
Looking back now… that was the worst decision I could’ve made.
By the time I reached my destination, I pounded on the tavern door with all my strength.
Bang! Bang!
“Master! Get out here!”
Given my current situation, there was no way I could speak politely.
After I kept pounding on the closed door, a man with fluffy pink hair emerged.
“What’s wrong, Titi?”
The burn scars covering much of his face gave him a fierce appearance.
The moment I saw him blinking in confusion, rage surged inside me.
I grabbed him by the collar and shouted.
“Master! Why did you give me that drink?! You used magic on it, didn’t you? Why did you do it? Why did you turn back time?!”
I shook him violently by the collar.
“My life got even worse after drinking that! If this was how it was going to be, you shouldn’t have made me live twice! Take responsibility! Compensate me!”
After staring blankly for a moment, he slowly asked,
“…Titi, are you saying I cast magic on you?”
That was practically an admission that he was a mage.
Furious, I yelled,
“You used magic and don’t even remember it?!”
He let out a hollow laugh.
“…You have no reason to lie about this. Then that means time truly…”
He muttered to himself with a serious expression before gently removing my hand from his collar.
“Come inside. Let’s talk.”
Fine.
Let’s hear what excuse you have.
I huffed and dropped heavily into my usual seat.
Honestly…
I already knew my accusations were unfair.
The Master had only given me an opportunity.
What I did with that life had been entirely my responsibility.
Blaming him because things turned out badly wasn’t right.
But if I don’t blame someone, I feel like I’ll go insane!
And beyond my resentment…
I was also curious.
I never asked for time to be turned back.
Why had he forced me to live such a painful life twice?
As I raked my fingers through my hair in frustration, the Master sighed and spoke.
“I heard what happened.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“What did you hear? Ah, that my wonderful husband, Marquis Roco Sardena, cheated on me?”
My blunt words made him fall silent.
But I kept talking.
“You must’ve also heard that we officially became strangers today.”
“…That part, I hadn’t heard.”
“Well, now you know. The entire capital will know by tomorrow anyway. His new bride is Princess Sabina, after all.”
This life was ruined.
My last life was ruined too—
but this one had been ruined spectacularly.
Why does my life always end up like this?
Maybe it was because I was in front of him.
The tears I had held back in court began pouring down.
Disappointment.
Anger.
Self-loathing.
All of it crashed over me at once.
“……”
The Master quietly watched me cry.
When my tears finally slowed, he placed a glass in front of me.
It was the exact same drink I had before my first regression.
My anger flared immediately.
“Didn’t I just say I don’t need that?!”
And then—
he handed me an old piece of paper.
Written on it was a date from five years ago…
and a string of mysterious numbers.
“I kept thinking about what I could do for you.”
“This is…”
“The winning lottery numbers from five years ago.”
My eyes widened.
“Use them. Live for yourself this time. Not for anyone else.”
“B-but—!”
You don’t understand.
Do you know how hard I struggled to change the future?
I didn’t have the courage to go through that hell again.
As if pushing me forward, the Master spoke firmly.
“Just because today is miserable doesn’t mean your future will be too.”
His blue eyes softened.
“You deserve happiness.”
Then he handed me another document.
“And this is the deed to a building on 87 Undici Street.”
“A building deed?”
At the bottom was a signature written in elegant handwriting.
Yuri.
Is that his real name?
He firmly pressed the papers into my hands.
The warmth of his large hand startled me.
His gentle blue eyes stared deeply into mine.
“When you wake up again, go there.”
“There?”
“There will be someone there who can help you.”
“Someone other than you?”
“…”
His expression darkened.
After hesitating for a moment, he slowly spoke.
“You said I gave you this drink before, correct?”
“Yes.”
He smiled faintly.
“Then we’ll meet again.”
“…What?”
“Even if I don’t remember.”
He looked at me quietly.
“Because that is our fate.”
For some reason, those words made my heart tremble.
Until moments ago, I felt like I was wandering alone in endless darkness.
Now…
I could see hope shining ahead.
Right.
Just one last time.
I’ll fight.
I tightened my resolve and picked up the drink.
The sharp scent of alcohol tickled my nose.
Next life…
Next time…
In my past lives, the people who made me miserable were always family.
So—
In my next life, I’m never getting married.
Only now did I truly understand.
No one else could make me happy.
Only I could make myself happy.
I’ll become rich and live extravagantly.
No family.
No dependence.
Just me.
And then—
“It’s okay.”
The Master blinked in surprise as I smiled through my tears.
“This time, I’ll definitely become happy…”
I raised the glass.
“And I’ll be the one to greet you first.”
Then I drank it in one gulp.
The sounds of the world grew distant—
like I had swallowed anesthesia.
Everything faded.
And then…
silence.
How long had I been asleep?
As my consciousness floated aimlessly through darkness—
an angry voice yanked me back.
“Titi! Titi, where did that girl go?!”
Then rough hands grabbed me and shook me awake.
My eyes snapped open.
The first thing I saw—
was a young man covered in freckles.
It was my brother, Robbie.
