The Hated Stepmother Begins Her Second Life

“If I were to suddenly die… could I ask you to take care of my family?” For the sake of my beloved best friend, I married her husband. It was the dying wish left behind by my one and only friend in the world. To protect the two children she left behind, I became their stepmother. Enduring the resentment of her son and the cold, accusing eyes of everyone around me, I lived through seven years of a contractual marriage, keeping my promise to my friend. Then, on the day the children became adults, I left their side exactly as promised—without regret, without lingering attachment. Just as I was about to begin a new life as my own person… People I never expected started appearing before me. The Third Prince, who had vanished without a trace seven years ago. The person who had been my first love, whom I had never forgotten even for a moment. And even my former husband and sons, who had only now begun to regret everything…!