Reborn to Wreck My Sister's Fairytale - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

On my 30th birthday, the once-poor man I'd married years earlier splurged a billion dollars just to celebrate with me. He'd become famous through live-streaming and transformed into the most devoted husband imaginable.
Every day brought either dazzling jewelry or luxury shopping sprees. Emeralds were my favorite, so he bought me the largest, most exquisite ones. Diamonds arrived by the pound. His every word and gesture made me feel like the most cherished woman alive. All of Lyrinia envied me.
"You're so lucky, Charlotte," said Madison, our family's fake heiress, her voice dripping with bitterness. She'd clearly fought again with her playboy husband - her puffy eyes told the story. "Who would've guessed that poor boy would become the business tycoon everyone wants to know?"
Seeing Madison's haggard appearance broke my mother Sarah Clark's heart. She immediately took Madison's hand, cooing, "You know Jaxon Bennett originally wanted to marry you. If you hadn't chosen that playboy, you could be living this luxurious life instead. But life doesn't give second chances." She shot me a pointed look. "Charlotte, you owe your comfort to Madison's sacrifice. Don't forget that."
I nearly laughed. Could these really be my biological parents? Their adopted daughter played the victim so well, while I - their actual flesh and blood - might as well have been the outsider.
"Enjoy your meal," I said curtly.
It was my birthday, and I'd hoped for at least some warm wishes. Clearly, that was too much to ask. I turned decisively toward Jaxon.
Just then, a loud bang erupted overhead as flower petals rained down. Jaxon knelt before me, his voice thick with emotion. "Charlotte, I had nothing when we married. Thank you for standing by me. They say money changes men, but I promise you..." He signaled his assistant, who brought forth documents. "Everything I own is yours. If I ever betray you, may I return to being that poor man."
The crowd erupted in whispers. "What a contrast between these two men!" "One's a playboy, the other utterly devoted. Charlotte truly is the Clark family's real heir - no matter how they dote on Madison, blood always wins."
The chatter grew louder. "I heard Madison's husband never comes home - he's got multiple illegitimate children..."
Lost in Jaxon's devotion, I missed the venom in Madison's eyes.
The next morning, driving alone from the hospital - eager to tell Jaxon he'd be a father - my brakes failed. As panic set in, Madison's car slammed into mine.
"You stole my happy life!" she screamed, her face twisted with malice as she forced us into the icy ocean. I desperately pounded the sinking car's windows, trying to save myself and our baby, but the dark waters swallowed us whole...
I awoke to fireworks.
"Charlotte, even if you delay another three hours, you're still marrying Jaxon," Sarah snapped. "If not for him, your father would be dead. You'll never measure up to Madison - she's not even our real daughter yet does more for this family. Now get ready!"
Her words shocked me. Hadn't I drowned?
I bolted upright. The mirror showed flawless skin and youthful radiance - I'd been reborn on my wedding day to Jaxon, when he was still poor. No wedding car awaited; I wore only a simple pink gown.
I'd been hesitating not because I doubted Jaxon, but to test if this poor man deserved my lifelong commitment. Watching him wait patiently in the scorching sun had convinced me - I'd marry him without hesitation.
Now, with this second chance, I wouldn't let him suffer.
As I reached for the doorknob, I spotted Madison in a white wedding dress, eyes red. "Mom," she whispered, "Jaxon really loves me." Before Sarah could react, Madison lifted her skirts and rushed downstairs.
Through the window, I watched Jaxon embrace her tightly. This single gesture convinced Sarah they were the true couple.
"Since Charlotte resists," Sarah declared, "let her marry Dominic Montgomery instead." My father nodded. "The Montgomery family has excellent standing. Madison's always been so thoughtful - if only Charlotte were half as considerate."
Their words stung. When I married Jaxon, they'd preached self-reliance. Now they showered Madison with family assets as if she were their true daughter.
"Enjoy being Mrs. Bennett," Madison taunted as Jaxon swept her away. "You'll be stuck with playboy Dominic."
Her knowledge of Dominic's future confirmed it - she'd been reborn too.
Little did she know: I was the one who made Jaxon powerful. My adoptive family, the Marshalls, were Lyrinia's true elite. My brothers' support built Jaxon's empire - that's why he'd doted on me. His affection always followed advantage.
By nightfall, Dominic still hadn't appeared - just a driver arrived. "It's fine," I said calmly, settling into the car. As we drove toward Montgomery Manor, I closed my eyes, picturing Dominic's face.