Chapter 3 Getting Revenge
Diane's POV
It's been twelve hours since I realized I went back in time, and I still can’t wrap my head around it.
This could only mean that I died when Rose pushed me off the stairs. I died because I gave my heart to the wrong man.
I let myself cry. I let myself wallow in self-pity. I screamed at myself for being so pathetic and foolish.
But now I stood in front of the mirror, wearing a cute crop top and low-waist jeans—something I could never wear with my old body. I hid my puffy eyes with sunglasses, letting my hair fall in loose waves.
I was sent back to the time everything started. When I graduated from high school and moved back to New York for college.
Finally, I arrived in New York.
My heart raced as I stepped outside, and this was because my stepbrothers were going to pick me up.
Just then, the familiar roar of engines announced their presence and commanded everyone’s attention. Three bikes pulled up in perfect formation, the serpent logo glinting in the sunlight.
Ronan was the first to remove his helmet, his sharp gray eyes scanning the crowd. His brown hair was pulled into a low ponytail, except for the loose strands that framed his jaw.
Jaxon followed, combing his hands through his dirty blonde hair. He pulled out his phone from his pocket, chewing gum like the world bored him.
Hunter lazily leaned against his bike, an unlit cigarette resting between his lips.
I stood a few feet away from them, but they couldn’t see me. Or better still, they didn’t recognize me.
“If she wastes time, I’m fucking leaving.” Jaxon huffed, probably dialing my number on his phone.
“Hey, wanna bet how much weight she’s gained?” Hunter snickered, juggling his lighter in his hands.
Ronan rolled his eyes, “She’s definitely twice as fat, no need to bet.”
Normally, I would be offended by their comments, but now I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.
Oh, this was going to be good.
“You should’ve made the bet.” I said as I approached them, raising my sunglasses to the top of my head, “But I don’t think anyone would have won.”
They turned to me in unison, and just as I predicted, their reactions were priceless.
Ronan stiffened, his face paling like he’d seen a ghost.
Jaxon’s jaw hit the floor, his gum slipping out of his mouth.
Hunter straightened up immediately, his lighter slipping from his fingers and clattering to the ground.
I offered them a wide-toothed smile, and in that moment, everyone else faded into the background.
The silence between us stretched into a thin line—until it snapped.
Ronan stepped forward, his shock giving way to hostility. “Who are you?”
His tone was sharp and threatening, but it wasn’t enough to faze me.
My hand moved to my chest, pretending to be hurt. “That’s harsh, you don’t recognize your favorite sister, Viper?”
His eyes widened momentarily, his gaze snapping from my face to my body. “That….that can’t be true.”
I never thought I would see the day the all-mighty president of the Steel Serpents stutters. But I guess it’s not the craziest thing that has happened.
“Diane?” Jaxon gaped, “Is that really you?”
Hunter’s gaze dragged over me slowly, like he was searching for flaws. For weakness. For the girl he used to torment. “No way,” he forced out a laugh, “Someone has to be messing with us.”
“Wow,” I drawled, pouting my lips in mock disappointment, “I leave for a few years, and suddenly I’m a stranger?”
I winced as Ronan suddenly grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my skin.
“Don’t joke with us, girl.” He growled, his jaw ticking with impatience. “Did our rivals put you up to this? Where’s the real Diane?”
I glared at him, and his grip faltered for a moment.
“If you don’t believe me,” I started, reaching for the waistband of my jeans. I pulled it down, just enough for them to see the scar on my hip, the scar they inflicted on me when I was ten. “Then see for yourself.”
Ronan’s pupils dilated as the realization finally sank in. His eyes glossed over with confusion, disbelief, and a hint of something else, something I couldn’t really name.
The others mirrored his expression, and I jerked out of his grip, smoothing my clothes as I looked up at them.
“So, my dear brothers.” I chimed, sliding my sunglasses back in place, “Why don’t we go home?”
I rode back home on Jaxon’s bike, and I felt him stiffen as I wrapped my arms around his waist.
It was amusing because the last time they mocked how I had gained weight, saying I would damage their bikes. Then they tossed me a few dollar bills and told me to take a cab.
Ronan and Hunter kept throwing glances at us, but I ignored them, pretending not to notice the tension crackling in the air.
When we reached the house, I hopped off the bike with ease, stretching like I owned the place.
They all stared at me like I would disappear if they blinked, and without the insults, it was like they weren’t sure how to address me.
For the first time in my life…
They didn’t know what to do with me.
And I loved it.
“College starts today, right?” I asked them, twirling a strand of my hair with my finger.
“You want to start immediately?” Jaxon's brows furrowed.
“Yeah?” I answered plainly.
They shared uneasy glances.
“You can’t,” Ronan said in that authoritative tone of his.
I cocked my hips to the side, crossing my arms against my chest. I caught him peaking at my cleavage for a brief second, but then his expression hardened as I met his gaze.
“And who are you to decide that?”
“Are you questioning me?” He shot back, his voice lowering dangerously.
I stepped closer, rising onto my toes just enough to whisper near his ear. “Last time I checked, I wasn’t one of your lackeys you could order around.”
Ronan’s fists clenched at his sides, and I pulled back, wearing a victorious smirk.
Hunter glared at me, his lips twisting into a scowl. “Don’t get it twisted. You’re still Diane. Losing a little weight won’t change how we see you.”
I laughed. A real one this time. “We’ll see about that.”
With that said, I turned on my heels and climbed the stairs without waiting for permission, hips swaying deliberately.
I could feel their eyes on me, their gazes poking into the back of my skull. When I finally reached my room, I slammed the door shut and collapsed against it.
My heartbeat rang in my ears—not from fear.
From excitement.
From the control I never knew I had until now.
I never thought I would be able to confront them. Never thought I would be able to defend myself.
I glanced at the mirror by my dresser, straightening up. My gaze lingered on my reflection, still in awe.
I was everything I wished to be in the past.
Slim.
Confident.
Beautiful.
But beneath it all, I was still the girl they broke.
And this time… I wouldn’t let it happen again.
When I arrived at college, it was just like I remembered, and the only thing that was different was how people looked at me.
As I walked through the halls, heads turned my way.
I didn’t get the dismissive glances I was used to, nor did people chuckle or scoff. And instead of keeping my head low, I lifted my chin, my heels clicking against the pavement.
I was nearing the main hall when I saw him.
Liam.
My steps faltered, feeling my stomach twist.
He leaned against the wall, dressed in dark jeans and a crisp shirt, laughing as he spoke to Rose.
Rose was practically glued to his side, her blonde hair swaying slightly in the wind. She giggled softly at whatever joke he cracked, her manicured fingers hooked into his arm, like she belonged there.
For a split second, I wasn’t standing in a college hallway anymore. I was back at the mansion, spiraling at their betrayal. Images flashed before my eyes, the sickening crack of my bones, the excruciating pain, and the way his hand reached past me for her.
My fingers dug into my palm, but I took a deep breath, regaining my composure.
“Calm down, Diane,” I muttered to myself. “You’re not the person you used to be.”
And with that, I plastered a smile on my face, heading towards them.
Just as I walked past them, I loosened my grip on my purse, letting it ‘accidentally’ fall to the ground.
“Oh,” I paused, bending to pick it up, but Liam beat me to it.
“I’ve got it.” He said quickly, slipping out of Rose’s grip. “Here…” he handed me my purse, his eyes glimmering with interest as they met mine.
“Thank you,” I said, letting my fingers brush his when I took it back.
Behind him, Rose’s brows pulled together, her lips twisting into a frown. “Liam, we should head to cla—”
“Go on without me, Rose.” He said without looking at her, and her jaw dropped in disbelief, dumbstruck.
I tried my best not to laugh, pressing my lips into a straight line. Rose shifted her attention to me, sending me a malicious glare before stomping off with a huff.
“You new here?” Liam asked, flashing that familiar smile—the one that used to make my heart flutter. But now it made my chest pang with disgust. “You don’t seem like someone I can forget.”
I tilted my head, pretending to be amused. “Maybe you weren’t paying attention before.”
He let out a soft chuckle, clearly intrigued. “Well, I’ll be sure to look out for you.” He said, stretching out his hand. “Liam. Liam Quin.”
I stared at his hand, contemplating.
Then I felt it.
The sudden shift in the air.
I didn’t need to look to know, but I did anyway.
Across the hall, near the entrance, my stepbrothers made their appearance, standing out among the rest.
“Diane.” I shook Liam’s hand, my tongue darting out to wet my lips. Liam’s gaze flickered to them briefly, and a slow smirk overtook my features. “Diane Ashford.”
Just then, I glanced at my brothers.
Jaxon was rigid, his gaze dark and unreadable as it locked onto me. Hunter hovered beside him, visibly annoyed as he blew out a puff of smoke.
And Ronan….
Ronan looked livid.
His jaw was clenched so tight I feared his teeth might crack, but his eyes weren’t on me. They were on Liam.
At that moment, something cold and delicious sparked in my mind.
An idea.
I was going to get my revenge on Liam.
And I’m going to use my stepbrothers to do it.
