Chapter 1 I spent five years as Alexander Winters‘ sugar baby. In my previous life, I was stupid enough to believe the other sugar babies when they said Alex was catching feelings for me. I actually thought I could trap him into marriage and went all–out trying to make it happen. When his precious Victoria came back from Europe, I turned into a complete psycho–stalking her, starting drama, making scenes. I literally self–destructed so hard that both me and my unborn baby ended up dead. noveldramaRight after my death, Alex and Victoria had their fairy–tale wedding plastered all over Vogue. I became the cautionary tale every sugar baby whispered about–the delusional bitch who forgot her place. Now I’m back to the exact moment I asked Alex if he loved me. The man lying next to me is still breathing hard from absolutely wrecking me. When he hears my question, he turns his head with that cold stare: “What did you say?” God, how did I miss that icy tone before? Last time, I actually had the audacity to curl up against his chest and beg him to spend more time with me. But hearing those words again, all I can see is his face at my funeral–like he was finally taking out the trash. I smack my lips, putting on my most innocent smile: “Oh my God, sorry! You’re so good I can’t even think straight. I meant to ask if you liked the soup I made tonight. I can whip up another batch tomorrow.” Alex’s eyes went wide with shock. He clearly didn’t expect me–usually so shy about anything bedroom–talk–to suddenly start rating his post–sex. But my unexpected dirty talk was exactly what made Alex overlook my earlier slip–up. In my past life, Alex thought my plea for more time together was just post–sex pillow talk. So he casually said, “Sure, I’ll take you everywhere I go.” That one throwaway comment fed all my delusions. I believed Alex loved me too–he just hadn’t realized it yet. “The soup was good. Really helped my stomach.” Alex’s voice pulled me back to the present. Once his words registered, I quickly grabbed the nearest shirt and covered up. I told Alex I needed to prep tomorrow’s breakfast in the kitchen. Only when I was safely out of sight did I finally exhale. While moving around the kitchen, I started piecing together my scattered thoughts. — Van Daddy No 0.0% Chapter 1 I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten this second chance. I just knew it was incredibly precious. One thought burned crystal clear in my mind: *DON’T BE a lovesick idiot. Don’t fall for any man!* Besides looking pretty and cooking, I really didn’t have much going for me. I wasn’t the brightest–I’d believe anything anyone told me. That’s exactly how Candy manipulated me in my past life. She made me forget my place and turn into a complete psycho. I only learned the truth after I died. Candy had targeted me from day one. Her sugar daddy did business with Alex. We’d met at some high–end party. That brief encounter was enough for her daddy to remember me. He kept praising my looks to her, which obviously pissed her off. Meanwhile, Victoria Rockefeller–Alex’s childhood sweetheart who’d been studying abroad since before I met him–heard about me through mutual friends. She was furious Alex had kept me around for years. But she was too classy to dirty her own hands. After studying my personality, she approached Candy and had her “teach” me how to win more of Alex’s affection. Candy’s lessons made Alex more disgusted with me each day. In the end, I found out I was pregnant and rushed to demand Alex make it official. A speeding truck hit me on the way. I died instantly. After my death, Candy had already been dumped by her own sugar daddy. She took the huge “thank you” payments I’d given her. Then she went back to her hometown and got married. Victoria orchestrated everything from behind the scenes. She successfully won Alex’s heart. After their wedding, she gave him two lovely children. Only I–greedy for love I’d never deserve–ended up with nothing. Even at death, I never heard Alex say he liked me once. After reviewing my tragic past life, I made a painful decision. I’d be the perfect sugar baby until Alex was ready to let me go. Scared I might forget and catch feelings again, I found my recipe notebook. I flipped to the last page and wrote: *August 27th: Never forget the agony of burning alive. Being unloved isn’t shameful, but don’t throw your life away for scraps.* Despite staying up late, I woke at 5:30 AM the next morning. I worked non–stop preparing breakfast. Right as Alex finished getting ready, I placed the soup I’d been simmering for over an hour on the table. Alex stared at the elaborate spread covering half the dining room table. After several seconds of silence, he asked: “Okay, what’s this about? What do you want?” Cooking was definitely how I kept Alex happy. But in five years together, I usually only made dinner. I’d never sacrificed my beauty sleep just to give Alex a good breakfast before work.