Blurb：
Dive into the enchanting world of “The Rise of Elena Blackwood,” where magic pulses through every page. Follow Elena Blackwood, a young sorceress with a mysterious past, as she uncovers dark secrets in the kingdom of Eldoria. With allies like the rogue knight Sir Alistair and the cunning mage Lyra, Elena must battle the sinister Lord Malakar and his shadow army. Filled with twists, epic spells, and heart-pounding action, this novel is perfect for fans of fantasy adventures. Will Elena master her powers in time to save Eldoria? Discover a story of courage, friendship, and epic battles that will keep you hooked until the very end!
Content：
On the day of our tenth wedding anniversary, my wife, Cara Dempsey, jumped from ten thousand feet in the air after hearing that her first love’s plane had crashed. It was only then that I finally understood the only man she ever truly loved all these years was Luthen Waltz.
When we were both sent back in time to relive our teenage years, she wasted no time making a grand, public confession to Luthen, completely cutting ties with me. I just stood there, watching the two of them kiss like they couldn’t bear to be apart, and in that moment, my heart felt nothing. From that day on, we were over, and we lived our separate lives.
Ten years later, we crossed paths again at a five-star hotel in Harbor City. She, who had become a celebrity adored by the world, was wearing a gown, laughing in Luthen’s arms.
When she saw me wandering through the hotel, searching for someone, she thought I had come looking for her.
“George, stop wasting your time! Even in ten years, I will never choose you!”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I looked toward the little girl running toward me, calling me Dad, and gave her the warmest smile.
Cara’s expression froze. Tears welled in her eyes as she choked out, “You lied to me, didn’t you? You said you hated kids and that you’d only ever love me.”
Chapter 1
I saw Cara Dempsey again at an auction gala, ten years after everything ended.
Luthen Waltz had his arm wrapped intimately around her waist. She had just won Best Actress, and that night, all eyes were on her. Dressed in a custom designer gown and with her makeup flawless, she carried herself with a huge presence—a far cry from the innocent girl she used to be.
Back then, after we broke up, she made me delete every trace of our relationship, including all photos and messages. I did exactly as she asked. If she weren’t constantly showing up on screen over the past years, I probably would’ve forgotten what she even looked like.
“Miss Dempsey, you’re even more breathtaking in person than on screen! Would my company have the honor of having you as our brand ambassador?”
“That’s right! Your skin is flawless. It must be the glow of love. You and Mr. Waltz are the perfect couple, truly a match made in heaven!”
Then, someone in the crowd teased, “We heard from the media that your wedding’s coming up! Is it true?”
Cara gave a soft smile without answering. However, with that crowd, silence was as good as confirmation. The first to catch on quickly offered congratulations, and soon, everyone else joined in.
Cara looked at Luthen affectionately before responding with practiced elegance and poise. The way they looked at each other made people around them sigh in admiration.
That was when someone asked a question, half in jest and half in curiosity, “Ten years of dating, and you’re only planning the wedding now?”
I wondered the same thing. In our past life, Cara jumped out of a crashing plane just to die with Luthen, and the very first thing she did after we were both sent back in time was break up with me. I naturally assumed they were already married by now, but apparently, they were still only dating.
At the question, Cara’s smile froze for a brief second. Normally composed and media-trained to perfection, she faltered just a little.
Luthen cleared his throat and answered smoothly, “Cara said she wanted us to reunite at the peak of our success. Now that she’s won Best Actress, we’re finally ready. We’ll be announcing the news officially in a few days, so I hope everyone here can keep it under wraps until then.”
Cara turned to him, eyes full of trust and love.
In our last life, she told me going public would damage her career, so we dated in secret. There were no public hangouts or dates. Everything was kept quiet as she was terrified of paparazzi.
Even our wedding was hushed. She refused the ceremony I had planned for months, and we ended up getting married in the courthouse in haste before she rushed back to set.
As it turns out, love—or the lack of it—was painfully obvious.
I glanced around the hotel, scanning for a familiar face. Not seeing her, I reached for my phone to unlock it when a sharp, sudden clatter echoed through the room, snapping everyone’s attention toward the sound.
Chapter 2
The waiter lost his grip, and the tray of red wine glasses tipped forward, drenching my clothes. Wine soaked through the fabric, dripping down onto the floor, where shattered glass littered the ground.
Before I could say anything, the waiter turned on me, his eyes full of disdain as he looked me up and down.
“How did you sneak in here? This is the most exclusive hotel in Harbor City, not some place that just any homeless person can walk into.”
Hearing the commotion, Cara looked over at me. Our eyes met, and for a second, she froze.
“George? What are you doing here?”
I bent down to pick up my phone, its screen cracked from the fall, and let out a sigh.
“I had something to do here,” I replied.
Someone nearby asked her in confusion, “Miss Dempsey, do you know him?”
Cara pressed her lips together. A flicker of unreadable emotion passed through her eyes.
“Yeah. He’s my ex.”
I let out a half-smile, finding it funny. Back then, she never acknowledged our relationship in public, and now, ten years after we broke up, she finally admitted it.
Gasps rippled through the room.
“Wait, Miss Dempsey had an ex? But hasn’t she been with Mr. Waltz all these years? Could he be her first love from back in school?”
Luthen’s gaze dimmed. He tightened his arm around Cara’s waist and forced a casual tone.
“Back then, we were all young. What did we know about love? Everyone’s made mistakes.” He then turned to look at her, asking, “Right, Cara?”
Her eyes lingered on me, and she didn’t answer right away. Only when Luthen called her again did she snap out of it.
She forced a smile and agreed. “Yeah, we were too young. I didn’t know better.”
Too young and blind was how she dismissed everything I once gave her, like it was nothing more than a childish mistake. What a joke!
The waiter wasn’t done. He stepped up again, aggressive and condescending.
“You broke those glasses. You’ll have to pay for them.”
I was about to refute him. It was clearly his fault. He bumped into me. I even broke my phone because of it.
However, before I could speak, Cara cut in. “I’ll have my assistant handle the bill. Just let him go.”
She didn’t spare me another glance. Instead, she took a sip of her wine and turned her head toward Luthen.
Luthen lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, gazing at her like she was the only person in the world. It was clear who had her heart now.
Seeing me still standing there, the waiter scowled. “Why are you still here? This place is for Harbor City’s elite. If you bump into someone important again, you won’t be so lucky. Move it. Get out of here. You don’t belong in a place like this.”
I pushed his hand away and tried to keep my temper in check.
“I’m waiting for someone. Once she’s here, I’ll leave on my own.”
The waiter rolled his eyes, clearly thinking I was full of it. “Couldn’t you come up with a better lie? This is a members-only hotel. If you don’t have assets in the hundreds of millions, you can’t even step through the door. Look at you. You think someone like you has business here? Get out, or I’m calling security!”
“Wait.” Cara’s voice cut through the tension.
She walked over, heels clicking against the floor, and stood in front of me. There was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
“He’s here to see me. You can go.”
Luthen came over too, lacing his fingers tightly with hers like he was staking his claim.
“George,” he said, “quit dreaming. Cara and I are getting married next month. She only has room in her heart for me. If you know any better, you’ll leave now.”
Cara gave him a small, reassuring look before turning to me, her face now cold and impatient.
“George, stop wasting your time. Even in ten years, I won’t choose you.”
Chapter 3
“I’ve made myself clear to you that I’ve only ever loved Luthen,” Cara said flatly. “You acting like this now only makes me feel disgusted. I’ve moved on. I really hope you can let go of whatever feelings you still have for me.”
Luthen let out a mocking smirk, eyeing my soaked, disheveled appearance.
“I mean, I get it. She’s Harbor City’s hottest actress now, with a net worth in the hundreds of millions. Of course, a washed-up ex like you would try to come crawling back, hoping to get a taste of the good life.”
Maybe it was my casual outfit or the cheap-looking watch on my wrist, but something about me screamed “down and out” to him.
He crossed his arms, smug. “You used to be that top student in Acorn University’s finance program, didn’t you? What a fall from grace. No wonder no one’s heard of you for years. If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to show my face, too.”
Cara’s stunning features turned cold as ice. Her eyes swept over my appearance, and she let out a sigh full of disdain.
“Honestly, this is just pathetic. Name your price. How much do I have to pay for you to stop bothering me?”
She unlocked my phone and began tapping on the screen, but she suddenly froze, eyes wide.
“You… deleted me?”
I raised an eyebrow. Her reaction seemed overly dramatic.
She was the one who insisted we never speak again and forced me to erase all our photos and chat history. So, I deleted her contact. Wasn’t that exactly what she wanted?
Besides, the person I was with currently was extremely possessive. Keeping a former flame’s number? Talking to another woman? Even the smallest thing would cause an argument I’d have to smooth over for days.
“You told me yourself to erase every trace of our past. So I did.”
Cara’s expression darkened. I could tell she was pissed, but frankly, I didn’t care anymore.
I waved my hand dismissively. “Keep your money. You’ll need it for that fancy wedding.”
The repeated rejections clearly stung her pride as she frowned, voice sharper now. “Who are you putting on this act for? If it weren’t for the fact that your mother raised me for years, and I didn’t want her to see you living like this, I wouldn’t even bother with you.”
Luthen gently pulled her into his arms, playing the role of the comforting fiancé.
“Cara, you’re too sentimental. The way he turned out is on him, not you. As for his mom, she always hated that you were with me. She probably raised you just so you could marry him one day and save on dowry costs. You don’t owe them anything.”
I didn’t say anything in response because I knew the truth about my mom better than anyone.
She treated Cara like her own daughter, or maybe even better than she treated me. She always said girls should be raised with abundance, so whatever we had, Cara got first pick—clothes, food, everything.
Even when my mom got cancer, she saved the last bit of money in the house so Cara could keep studying acting. Yet, after all that, Cara never once visited my mom’s grave in ten years because she wanted to cut ties clean.
My mom never expected anything in return, and now people say she raised Cara just to marry her off to me? It was beyond insulting.
As for her disapproval of their relationship, she just didn’t want Cara distracted from her studies. Back then, Cara was in her final year of high school, and Luthen was always trying to get her out to play.
I’d already heard rumors about his behavior—that he was full of sweet talk, constantly surrounded by girls, and had gotten more than one of them pregnant even before graduation. Mom didn’t want her to get hurt, and that was why she forced the two of them to cut things off.
After Mom passed away, it was just me and Cara left. I became her only support.
Acting school was expensive, and the social circles were brutal. I didn’t want her to feel inferior to anyone, so I worked nonstop—tutoring, delivering food—whatever it took. I’d come home exhausted every day, but as long as I knew she was living comfortably, I felt like I could keep going forever.
Chapter 4
I always treated her like a little sister. It was later that she confessed she didn’t want me to be her “brother” anymore.
I knew deep down she still had feelings for Luthen, so I told her seriously not to confuse love with gratitude or family-like attachment. Even if she were just my sister, I’d still treat her with the same care.
However, she stood there with tears streaming down her face and said, crying, “I know it’s you I love. After all these years of being by your side, I’ve fallen for you. I just didn’t realize it.”
I asked her, “And Luthen? Do you still love him? I ask for a relationship that’s fully committed. If you can’t promise that, then I–”
Before I could finish, she grabbed my collar, kissed me, and looked at me with shy but determined eyes.
“You’re the only one I love. I couldn’t see it back then. But now I’m sure I want you by my side.”
Because of that sentence, I gave up my offer to a top overseas university. Because she said she wanted to eat my cooking every day, I turned down a high-paying job at a prestigious investment firm. Instead, I followed her to every filming set, cooked her meals, and made sure she was taken care of.
When we reached the right age, I proposed, again and again, but she always brushed me off, saying she didn’t have time. In the end, I promised her we didn’t need a wedding or make it public. Only then did she finally agree.
I had no regrets. I supported her through everything, stayed quietly by her side for ten years as her hidden husband.
When the news broke that Luthen’s plane had gone down, she suddenly wanted to celebrate our ten-year anniversary. I thought she wanted to make things up to me, so I carefully planned a trip, used all my savings to craft what I believed was the perfect getaway. However, in the middle of the flight, tens of thousands of feet in the air, she jumped.
I unlocked her phone. Her notes were filled, top to bottom, with words of love for Luthen. She had never really cut ties with him. Their chats were filled with large transfers for holidays and birthdays.
She wrote, “If I had another chance, I’d be with Luthen. I’d never settle again.”
So I was just a compromise. In that moment, all the love I had for her turned to ash.
When I was sent back in time, I didn’t stop her when she said she wanted to break up. The pain from my past life had taught me everything I needed to know.
After her grand love confession, they kissed passionately, lost in each other. As I had promised, I deleted every trace of our past together, including her number.
I thought we’d never cross paths again in this life, but it seemed fate had other plans, and here we were, face to face once more.
I didn’t want to get involved, so I turned to leave. However, Luthen clearly wasn’t done with me. He picked up a dirty bar rag and threw it straight at my face.
“You really went out of your way to track down Cara’s schedule. What exactly are you trying to do? Snap out of it. Just look at yourself, pathetic. You can’t even feed yourself. And you think you can have a woman like her? Beg me,” he sneered. “Maybe I’ll put in a word and get you a job as a security guard. Even that job pays six grand a month. That should be enough to keep you alive.”
Someone nearby, clearly eager to please, chimed in. “This is the most luxurious five-star hotel in Harbor City. Working security here would be a huge favor. Mr. Waltz is giving you a golden opportunity! With your vibe, you’d never land something like this on your own. You should be thanking him.”
I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. “There’s no need. I already have a job.”
Luthen scoffed, the corner of his mouth lifting in scorn. “With that sorry look? What kind of serious job could you possibly have?”
I could tell he wasn’t going to let me leave until I gave him an answer. So, a little annoyed, I said simply, “Trading.”
The moment the word left my mouth, Cara shot me a look of pure disdain, like I’d just admitted to committing some unforgivable crime.
Chapter 5
She frowned deeply, her voice cold as she looked at me. “Since when was gambling on stocks considered a proper career? What happened to you? Even if you were out there delivering food, at least you’d be making an honest living. But instead, you’ve turned into a gambler, trying to get rich without lifting a finger. You need to quit this gambling habit of yours. I can help you get a proper job.”
I froze, then finally understood she had completely misunderstood. What I meant by “trading” wasn’t personal day-trading or gambling like she assumed.
I ran a private equity fund managing investments for others, structuring portfolios, and collecting commissions from the profits. However, from her reaction, she clearly thought I was one of those online traders who end up losing their shirts and begging for scraps.
After being sent back to relive this life, I no longer had to shoulder Cara’s massive expenses. With that weight off my back, I was finally able to save money. I applied the financial knowledge I’d worked so hard to gain and soon earned my first real profit. I also used that money to study overseas, fulfilling the dream I never got to realize in my last life.
That journey even led me to someone who saw my potential and became the most important person in my new life. However, I wasn’t about to share those sweet memories with anyone here.
Suppressing my frustration, I stayed polite, keeping my tone cool and distant. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m happy with what I do.”
Cara’s face darkened, clearly annoyed that I wasn’t falling in line. “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. When you’re broke and starving, don’t come crawling to me.”
I didn’t understand why she was so fixated on getting me a job, and frankly, I didn’t care to find out.
Over the years, I’d amassed a considerable portfolio through smart investments. Even just living off the interest would be enough to carry me comfortably for the rest of my life. However, even if I told her that, she’d probably think I was lying or bragging.
The truth was, I barely left the house these days, preferring to work from home to care for my daughter. My style was pretty laid-back, mostly sporty or casual. The only flashy thing I wore was the one-of-a-kind watch on my wrist that my wife gave me on our wedding anniversary.
I never said no to my wife and daughter’s shopping sprees. However, when it came to myself, I didn’t care much. T-shirts and jeans were good enough.
Someone with sharp eyes caught sight of the watch and gasped in disbelief.
“Wait, isn’t that the limited edition ‘Heart of True Love’ watch from the Lowe family’s collection? There’s only one in the entire world! How the hell does he have it?”
Cara suddenly grabbed my wrist and yanked it toward her. Her eyes widened when she spotted the nearly invisible logo etched on the back of the case.
“George, did you steal this from one of those auction lots?”
I pulled my hand away, my patience wearing thin. This was getting ridiculous.
“Why can’t it just be mine?”
Luthen gave me a mocking look and sneered.“You? That watch is worth millions. No matter how hard you work, you’d never be able to afford it. If you’re smart, return it right now. Otherwise, I’ll call the cops and you’ll be spending the rest of your life behind bars.”
Someone in the crowd chimed in dramatically. “Just look at him. I bet this isn’t even his first time stealing! The police should investigate. He might be a repeat offender!”
Cara stared at me, her expression growing darker by the second. “George, I’m so disappointed at what you’ve become.”
I didn’t want to argue anymore, so I turned to Luthen and said clearly, “If you think I stole it, call the police. Let them come.”
The place was crawling with security cameras, and the watch was insured under my name. Good luck to them proving I stole something that legally belonged to me.
Luthen clearly didn’t expect me to challenge him so boldly. He pulled out his phone, ready to make the call, but Cara stopped him.
“Wait. This charity gala is being hosted by the Lowes’ heir herself. She’ll be here in person. If we cause a scene and screw this up, we won’t be able to afford the fallout.”
Chapter 6
Luthen’s eyes lit up with curiosity. He leaned in and asked eagerly, “You don’t mean Grace Lowe, do you? I’ve heard she’s insanely accomplished. She speaks sixteen languages, offloaded all her real estate assets right before the housing market crashed, and reinvested it all into the hottest AI projects. People call her a genius in the investment world.”
Cara replied, “That’s right. If I can leverage my connection with the Lowes, the major film I’ve been planning will have no trouble securing funding.”
Just the mention of Grace Lowe sent a buzz through the room.
“She’s always so low-key. If it weren’t for this charity auction, I doubt we’d even get the chance to see her in person.”
“Exactly! I heard she’s putting ten billion’s worth of collectibles up for auction herself. She’s so humble and still devoted to charity. She’s the model for our generation.”
“I heard she’s already married, and her daughter’s a genius too. The kid is only seven, but she’s already accepted into a junior academic program and racking up science awards left and right.”
The crowd was growing more animated when suddenly, the doors swung open and a little girl walked in wearing a school uniform clearly marked with the elite academy’s logo.
A moment later, a team of bodyguards filed in behind her, followed by the auction house manager, who was hurrying after her and calling out, “Missy, slow down! Wait for me!”
The girl grinned mischievously and made a silly face, skipping ahead without slowing.
Instantly, the entire room caught on. That had to be Grace Lowe’s daughter.
People rushed over, surrounding her like bees to honey. Everyone bent down with fake smiles plastered across their faces, trying to charm her.
“Sweetheart, what’s your name? You look just like your mom. You’re so pretty and adorable!”
Luthen, thinking he could score points, squeezed his way in and pulled a bar of chocolate from his pocket. “I’ve got chocolate for you. It’s delicious!”
I saw my daughter reach for the candy, and my heart jumped. She was right in the middle of losing her baby teeth, and both her mom and I had been strict about keeping her off sweets.
I pushed past the crowd, reaching out to pull her back, until Luthen suddenly stopped me, standing protectively in front of her and snapping at me.
“George, are you out of your damn mind? Do you really think grabbing the little princess will get you in with the Lowes? One word from them and they could crush you like a bug.”
I didn’t say a word. However, he must’ve thought his jab hit home because he shoved me hard, then turned toward the auction house manager and called out smugly.
“Hey! Call the cops on this guy. He snuck into the event somehow and even stole one of the auction watches!”
The auction house manager’s expression shifted at once. As his eyes scanned over my messy appearance and the expensive watch on my wrist, he barked orders at the hotel’s lobby manager.
“What’s going on here? This hotel is under Lowe Corporation! If anything goes wrong, neither of us can afford to clean it up. Call the police. Get that watch back!”
Cara hadn’t said a word through it all. Her gaze toward me turned colder, filled with growing disgust. She was probably embarrassed to be associated with me, afraid I’d ruin her reputation in front of these people.
Glowing with satisfaction, Luthen turned back to my daughter and reached out his hand, voice soft as he said, “Were you scared, sweetheart? Come to me. I’ve got more chocolate for you.”
However, she ignored him completely. She pushed past the people crowding around, reached out for my hand, and said in her clear, childish voice, “Dad, why are your clothes all wet?”
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