Second Life New Choices

Chapter 1

The first thing Jolene Miller did after being reborn was drop to her knees before her parents.

She pleaded with them, saying, "Dad, Mom, I've decided to marry Cedric Norwood to fulfill the marriage of convenience between our family and theirs."

Francis Miller and Gloria Lane were utterly surprised to hear that coming from her.

"But Jo, isn't Preston the one you love? Cedric is his uncle, you know."

Memories resurfaced, and emotions stirred within Jolene.

Her voice was tinged with a hint of sorrow as she answered, “And it's exactly because I know what would come of me for loving him that I dare not indulge in my feelings any longer.

“Dad, Mom, I've never asked you for anything. As the daughter of the Miller family, I've enjoyed the many pleasures that title brings me. I know that it is my responsibility to fulfill the marriage arrangement. This is my only request, and I hope you'll give me your blessings."

Taking in the sincerity in her eyes, Francis and Gloria sighed as they helped her to her feet. “Since you've made your decision, we'll head over to the Norwood family to discuss this.

"However, Cedric is influential; he may not agree to the proposal. That's the only concern. You should be mentally prepared for that possibility."

They comforted her while getting the gifts ready for the visit. Then, they drove off in their black car.

Looking back at the familiar arrangement in their living hall, Jolene felt surreal. While she was still in a trance, a notification tone sounded on her phone.

“Nightscape Bar. Come.” It was Preston texting her to meet him. He included the location of the bar in the text. The events earlier came to her, and she decided she should take the opportunity to tell him about the changes in the marriage arrangement. So, she headed over to Nightscape Bar.

The moment she opened the door to the private lounge, a bucket of cold water toppled all over her. She was totally drenched.

Coldness seeped through her bones, and she shivered. Peals of laughter rang out all around her.

"Look who we have here? It's Ms. Miller! Why is she looking like a drowned rat?"

“Serves her right! She's been following Pres around all the time. That's the consequence of being a simp who doesn't know her place!"

With a frosty expression, Preston Norwood walked up to her. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes.

He demanded, "Are you that desperate to marry me? Word of the marriage of convenience has only just got out. However, you've already asked your parents to head to my house to discuss the marriage. Now, word has spread, and everyone knows we're getting married. Are you satisfied now?”

Jolene knew he had misunderstood her. She wiped her face dry and brushed aside the strand of hair plastered to her forehead.

Then, she looked calmly at him. “The marriage arrangement between the Norwood and Miller families has already been confirmed, so there's no difference as to whose house the matter is being discussed at. Nevertheless, you don't have to worry yourself over it because it has nothing to do with you."

Preston was stunned for a moment. Then, he smirked. "It has nothing to do with me, you said? Are you telling me that I'm not the one who has to marry you? Ridiculous. Who else among the Norwoods is eligible if not me?"

Jolene was about to reply to him when the door, that was left ajar, opened. Simone Baker barged in.

After taking in the situation, she teared up. “Mr. Norwood... I heard you were getting married. I've come to wish you and Ms. Miller a blessed and blissful marriage."

With reddened eyes, she darted out. Her sobs could be heard from the room.

"Simone!" Preston panicked. Shoving Jolene aside, he went after Simone.

Jolene's head bumped against the coffee table, and a gash formed. Blood trickled down the wound, and it looked terrifying.

The pain was piercing. Watching as those two disappeared from her line of sight, memories of her past life reappeared in her mind.

Preston and she had known each other since they were young. In her past life, they used to be very close to each other.

When she came of age, she heard about the marriage of convenience between the Miller and Norwood families from her parents. Remembering how Preston had been caring for her over the years, she chose to marry him without a doubt.

However, he started treating her differently ever since he learned about it. Mad at first, he soon became indifferent. Eventually, he hated her.

Not understanding why, Jolene insisted on marrying him, thinking that things would be better after their marriage.

However, she discovered Preston had an extensive collection of photos of Simone in his study which he treasured. At that time, they had already had a child.

It was only then she knew that he actually loved Simone, the daughter of the Norwood family's housekeeper. Because of their social status, he was unable to be with Simone.

Two years after he got married, Simone married someone else. However, her marriage wasn't a harmonious one. Because of that, Preston hit the bottle, grieving over her encounter.

When Simone's husband died in a car accident, he deemed it the happiest day of his life.

Jolene witnessed it all, and she fell into despair. Still, she forced herself to turn a blind eye to them. She put all her heart into raising her daughter.

One day, her daughter and Simone's son were kidnapped. The kidnapper forced Preston to make a choice— he could only save one of them. He hesitated only for a split second before choosing Simone's son who wasn't related to him by blood.

The next moment, Jolene's daughter was pushed over the edge of the building. She fell to her death. Having witnessed it all, Jolene lost it and threw herself off the building too.

Now that she was reborn, she refused to put herself through such torture. All she wanted now was to cut ties with Preston!

In the lounge, the other guests were still teasing and mocking her.

“There will never be happiness in a forced marriage. Pres refuses to marry her; so what if she manages to tie him down in marriage?"

"When Pres stops going home, someone's going to be left all alone!"

Amid their snide remarks, Jolene's phone rang. She picked it up and saw her parents' text. It wrote, "Jo! Cedric agreed to the marriage! The wedding will be held in two weeks!"

Her parents were usually level-headed. For them to end every sentence with an exclamation just showed how surprised and excited they were to hear that Cedric had agreed to the proposal.

Jolene felt relieved.

Forcing herself to stand upright, she looked at the group before her who were still mocking her. Determination shone in her eyes.

"Whether or not I have a happy marriage is neither of your concerns nor is it Preston's. Please inform him that I'm getting married in two weeks, and the groom won't be him!"