The Princess Stopped Begging for Love, But They Became Desperate to Give Her Everything Chapter 01

The Princess Stopped Begging for Love, But They Became Desperate to Give Her Everything Chapter 01

After getting a second chance at life, I avoided every chance to grow close to the parents I’d finally been returned to after fifteen years missing.

When they planned a lavish birthday party for Isabella, I signed up for a summer program instead.

When they ordered her a limited-edition sports car for graduation, I conveniently “broke a bone” andinsisted I didn’t need a gift.

When they decided Isabella would take over Caruso Holdings, I gave up business school and chose a university thousands of miles from New York.

In my previous life, I’d spent a lifetime chasing my parents’ love, only to end up resented by everyone around me.

Even my own son had frowned at me when I was old and said, “Mom, can you stop competing with Aunt Isabella all the time? Why can’t you just live your life? It’s embarrassing when my friends see you acting like this.”

I died bitter, unwilling to let any of it go.

Then I opened my eyes and found myself eighteen again, fresh out of high school and newly brought back into the Caruso family.

This time, I wasn’t fighting for any of it.

They could have their perfect family.

The words “Offer Accepted” glowed on my laptop screen.

I closed the page calmly.

No one knew I’d made this choice once before.

In my previous life, I’d done exactly what the family wanted and enrolled in Harrington University’s prestigious business school. I chose it for one reason: it kept me close to them, and I thought the name might make me feel a little less like an impostor in the Caruso family.

This time, I spoke before they could bring up their plans for Isabella to take over Caruso Holdings.

“Mom, Dad, I accepted Canyon Ridge University’s offer.”

The dinner table went silent.

My father, Lorenzo, set down his silverware and frowned.

“Canyon Ridge? What are you going to study there? Spend every day wandering through the wilderness looking at rocks?”

My mother, Valentina, gave a small gasp. She didn’t bother hiding her surprise.

“Elena, did you not get into the schools you wanted? It’s okay. We can…”

I’d been home nearly two weeks, and not one of them knew I’d always been an excellent student.

As far as they were concerned, I was just some small-town girl from Montana who didn’t know how their world worked.

“I had good options,” I cut in. “I chose Canyon Ridge because it’s what I wanted.”

Isabella sat across from me wearing an expression of practiced concern.

“Are you sure this isn’t all getting to you? Geology fieldwork is brutal. I know you’re probably used to roughing it after the way you grew up, but why put yourself through that?”

I looked at her.

She had been exactly like this in my previous life.

Always thoughtful. Always sounding as if she only wanted what was best for me.

And somehow, every sentence still managed to hide a barb sharp enough to draw blood.

She stayed graceful and composed while I snapped back, leaving me to look ungrateful and unreasonable.

This time, the barbs didn’t land.

“I’ve thought it through,” I said, lowering my eyes. My voice remained calm. “I’ve already accepted the offer. I’m not changing my mind.”

The air around the table went still.

At last, Dad gave a short, dismissive laugh.

“Your choice. Don’t regret it later.”

Mom sighed and, for once, reached across the table to put a shrimp on my plate.

“Let’s eat. We can talk about this another time.”

I didn’t touch it.

She didn’t know I was allergic to shellfish.

Isabella loved seafood, so it showed up at dinner almost every night.

Most nights, I sat down to a table where half the food might as well not have existed for me.

For the rest of the meal, the three of them talked and laughed together.

I finished quickly, stood, and left.

Unlike in my previous life, I didn’t try to wedge myself into their conversation.

Because I already knew there had never really been a place for me in this house.

Back in my room, I opened my calendar.

Forty-three days until the semester began.

With a red pen, I drew a tiny X through today’s date.

Every passing day was another day closer to leaving.

I looked around the room.

Everything in it was expensive, tasteful, and carefully chosen.

And utterly impersonal.

It felt more like a staged room in a luxury listing than a bedroom anyone actually lived in.

I’d take my adoptive parents’ old place in Montana any day, freezing in winter, sweltering in summer, and unmistakably home.

In my previous life, I’d spent fifteen years in this house burning through every ounce of hope I had.

I learned the Carusos’ social rules. I chased perfect grades. I gave up the field I actually loved. Later, I even married into another prominent family because that was what they wanted.

Every sacrifice came down to one pathetic hope.

That one day, I might finally feel like part of a family.

And what had I gotten in return?

My parents looking at me with tired disappointment.

“Elena, why can’t you make things easier for us like Isabella does?”

Isabella pretending to defend me while quietly making everything worse.

“Don’t blame Elena. She just cares about you too much.”

My husband’s cold contempt.

“Elena, other than the last name, what about you is even Caruso?”

And finally, even the son I had devoted myself to raising had looked at me with frustration.

“Mom, why do you always have to compete with Aunt Isabella? Can’t you just leave things alone? You put me in such an awkward position.”

In the end, depression wore my body down until it killed me.

That was how I died.

I had fought for love my entire life, only to become someone everyone resented.

I could still remember the crushing tightness in my chest when my heart stopped.

This time, I wasn’t going to fight.

Their love.

Their company.

Their happy little family of three.

I wanted none of it.

The only thing I wanted was myself.