Chapter 1
In the bridal suite of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Kian and Kael stood before me. Two identical faces, two identical groom suits.
"Renata, can you tell which one is me?"
In my past life, I instantly pointed to Kian, the arrogant Voss heir.
He smiled, took my hand, and led me to the altar, swearing his eternal love in front of New York's most powerful families.
After the wedding, he spoiled me like a true Queen. I naively thought this was my perfect happily-ever-after.
That was until his precious adopted sister, Lorelei, died in a yacht explosion.
Driven mad by grief, my "perfect" husband pushed me off our penthouse balcony.
"If you had just chosen Kael at the wedding, I could have eloped with Lorelei! She wouldn't have died! Why did you have to ruin everything, Renata?!"
When I opened my eyes, I was back in my wedding dress.
This time, without a second of hesitation, I threw myself into Kael’s chest. I hooked my finger around his tie and smiled. "I’d know you anywhere."
I heard Kian let out a heavy sigh of relief, thinking he had won his sick little bet.
But he didn't notice Kael’s arms locking around my waist like a steel trap, nor the dark, predatory hunger in his eyes that he had buried for a decade.
Little did Kian know, he didn't just give up his bride. He just handed the Mafia Princess to a monster who would burn New York to the ground for her.
Kael froze. Then, a dark, dangerous smirk pulled at the corner of his lips.
"You guessed right, Princess," he murmured.
His hand, which had been resting lightly on my waist, suddenly clamped down. It wasn't the touch of a brother-in-law playing a prank. It was the grip of a man claiming his territory.
Kian, oblivious as always, let out a breath.
"Jesus, Renata. You actually got it," Kian laughed, clapping Kael on the shoulder. He sounded a little too relieved. "I told you she would."
"Don't sound so happy," I said, keeping my tone light. "Were you hoping I’d pick wrong?"
Kian’s smile stiffened. "Of course not. Just testing your connection."
A sharp knock on the door cut off my reply.
"Five minutes to Showtime, Mr. Voss!" the wedding coordinator called out from the hallway.
Kian shot Kael a look. It was fast. "Stick to the plan. Play your part."
I pretended I didn't see a thing. I just looped my arm through Kael’s, letting him lead me out of the suite.
We barely made it a few steps down the lavish corridor before we bumped into her.
Lorelei Voss. Voss family’s adopted daughter. With her delicate features and soft doe eyes, she played the innocent little sister perfectly—while hiding a twisted, obsessive rot beneath her sweet smile.
She was wearing a white silk slip dress. A literal white dress to my wedding. The sheer disrespect was staggering.
In my past life, I was so desperate to be a good sister-in-law that I didn’t say a word about her outfit. I even smiled and told her she looked pretty.
Lorelei's eyes completely bypassed me, locking straight onto Kael’s face. A flash of secret triumph crossed her features. She knew exactly which twin he was.
"Happy wedding... Kian," she purred, biting down on the name intentionally.
The mockery in her voice was thick. She was waiting for me to react, waiting for me to look like a fool who couldn't even tell her own groom apart.
In my past life, this was the exact moment Lorelei burst into tears and ran away. Kian had abandoned me in the hallway to chase after her, later claiming she was just "stressed from work." I bought every single word of it.
It wasn’t until I was died that I learned the truth.
They had made a sick little bet. If I picked the wrong twin, Keal, today, Kian gets a free pass. He would use Kael’s identity to travel the world with Lorelei for three months. Then, after three months, they’d quietly swap back like nothing ever happened.
Well. This time, I was going to give them exactly what they wanted.
Lorelei tilted her chin at me, her eyes sparkling with glee.
I stared right back at her. I just gave her a bright, ice-cold smile.
"Thank you, Lorelei," I said smoothly. "And I wish you everything you deserve."
The wooden doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral swung open. The wedding march echoed through the cavernous space.
The cathedral was packed with New York’s elite. Bosses, underbosses, and politicians on the Voss family payroll all stood up as we entered. I held my head high as Kael walked me down the aisle. Above the altar, giant screens displayed our names in elegant gold cursive:
Renata Moretti & Kian Voss.
What a joke.
As we reached the front, I glanced at the first row. There sat the real Kian Voss. He was slouched in his seat, his arm draped casually over the back of Lorelei’s chair. They were leaning into each other, whispering and smiling. He acted like he was just a bored guest at some stranger’s event.
The officiant, an old family friend, started droning on about love, loyalty, and the sacred bond of marriage.
Kael recited the vows smoothly. When he slid the heavy diamond ring onto my finger, his thumb lingered on my skin, tracing my knuckles. It felt less like a promise and more like a brand.
"And now," the officiant smiled warmly, looking out at the crowd, "you may embrace the bride."
I stepped into Kael’s solid chest.
In my past life, when I hugged Kian at this exact moment, he had buried his face in my neck. He kissed my earlobe and whispered, "Renata, I finally have you."
It was the biggest lie I ever lived.
I rested my chin on Kael’s shoulder and let my eyes drift to the front row.
Straight into Kian’s line of sight.
For a second, the real Kian froze. Our eyes locked.
Maybe it was the coldness in my eyes, or maybe his guilty conscience finally kicked in, but he flinched. He instinctively snatched his arm away from Lorelei and sat up straight. He awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Lorelei looked down at her empty shoulder, then glared up at the stage.
Suddenly, Lorelei stood up.
"Hugs are boring!" she yelled. She crossed her arms, masking her rage with a playful, teasing smirk. "Why don’t you kiss the bride?"
Some of the younger friends in the back took the bait.
"Yeah! Kiss her!"
"Come on, Kian! Don’t be shy!"
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
The chant spread through the cathedra. Lorelei stood there, looking at me with dead eyes, waiting for me to back down.
