Chapter 2

Octavius's pain-filled, reddened gaze was the last image in my mind as I sat in the lounge. The air conditioning was cranked to maximum, yet I still felt chilled to the bone.

A knife-like pain twisted in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I'd been sitting here for a full hour, my mind replaying the explosion and Octavius's final words, "I don't want to leave you alone."

But I didn't want to leave you alone either.

Incredibly, I'd been reborn.

I clenched my jaw, suppressing a harsh, cold laugh in my throat.

In this life, I would never again be anyone's sacrificial lamb!

Everyone who had hurt me would pay the price!

"Seraphine, have you changed yet?"

The soft, sweet voice from outside the door made my fingers twitch violently. I could barely control the urge to rush out and tear her mouth apart.

It was Brielle! Just thinking of her name now made my stomach churn.

At this point in the timeline, Brielle had already been recognized as part of the Whitaker family.

In my previous life, I treated her like my own sister, but she seduced my husband and stabbed me in the back repeatedly. Everything I owned was taken by her. Even my kidneys were harvested through a trap set by the two of them.

Thinking about it, I wanted to kill her right now.

But I couldn't.

As long as I was alive, I would settle each score.

Those who harmed me wouldn't get away with it.

"Seraphine? Are you in there? Why aren't you answering?"

Brielle's knocking grew more insistent. Irritated beyond measure, I yanked the door open.

Caught off guard, she stumbled forward, nearly face-planting on the floor.

I stood in the doorway, expressionless, stepping back slightly as she regained her balance awkwardly.

"What's wrong with you?! Opening the door without warning—I almost fell!" She complained, her voice laced with feigned hurt.

I looked down at her, my face betraying nothing, "I was afraid of getting dirty."

"What?" Brielle froze, her eyes widening as if she couldn't believe what I'd just said.

I saw through the evasiveness in her gaze and laughed coldly inside, though my lips curved upward slowly, "Today is my engagement ceremony with Mitchell. This gown is custom-made and very expensive. You're wearing makeup—it would be a shame if it got on my dress."

As I spoke, I moved forward and linked my arm with hers, maintaining a façade of closeness.

Her smile stiffened, clearly fuming, with insults ready to spill from her lips.

But she held back.

I knew perfectly well she was waiting to see me humiliated!

"You're right, it's a big day. Better to be careful," Brielle finally forced out a smile. "The ceremony's about to start, let's head down!"

The sweeter her smile, the more nauseated I felt.

Before, I truly believed in her sincerity, but now I could see every expression was an act.

In my previous life, this day was the centerpiece of her performance.

Brielle had orchestrated everything to publicly humiliate me, destroying my reputation in Skyview City forever.

"It's time, let's go," I said flatly, suppressing the disgust churning inside me, allowing her to link arms as we walked out.

Just as we stepped through the doorway, I spotted a server approaching with wine glasses from the end of the hallway.

The lighting was dim, his face hidden in shadow, unrecognizable.

"Seraphine, I'm so jealous of you! You and Mitchell are perfect together. Even Dad is thrilled about your engagement!"

I walked arm-in-arm with Brielle toward the elevator.

Her words dripped with admiration, her voice sweet, but I knew better. In my previous life, my adoptive father, Heath Whitaker, had been manipulated by Brielle's provocations until he was hospitalized with stress, barely agreeing to the marriage.

"Don't be silly," I smiled, gently patting her hand. "You'll find someone even better someday."

I laughed coldly inside.

Wasn't everything you stole in my past life gained by stepping on me?

"No way," she pouted, dragging out her words. "I'll never be as lucky as you. You're so beautiful, everyone falls for you."

I didn't respond, glancing at her profile from the corner of my eye.

Brielle's doll-like face betrayed her as the corner of her mouth twitched downward, almost imperceptibly.

I remembered my previous life again—writhing in pain on the bed, barely conscious.

She had nestled in Mitchell's arms, watching my contorted face, smiling like a poisonous flower, "Mitchell, that face is an eyesore. Let's ruin it."

Afterward, they carved the word "ugly" into my face.

Cut by cut, I passed out three times from the pain.

While they applauded and laughed.

Now, Brielle stood beside me, breathing softly, her makeup perfect.

I stared at her, hatred surging within me.

You said you didn't have my fate? Fine, I would give it to you.

As we walked closer, the server with the tray approached step by step.

My eye twitched as I noticed Brielle give an almost imperceptible nod.

Showtime.

I suddenly stopped, subtly extending my toe to catch the back of her high heel.

Stumbling, Brielle let out a sharp cry.

I immediately reached out to steady her, but instead of pulling her back, I yanked her toward me and spun her around.

The wine glass tilted, red wine cascading down, drenching the back of her head and shoulders.

Her dress was soaked through, hair strands clinging to her neck—a complete mess.

"Brielle!"

I called out while frantically wiping at her face, despite no wine having reached it. My hands, wet with wine, smeared everything. "Are you okay? Let me see!"

In an instant, Brielle's eyeliner smudged, lipstick blurred, and foundation streaked—she looked like a circus clown.

I watched her trembling lips, seeming ready to curse me.

Before she could speak, I spun around and delivered a sharp slap to the server's face!

His head jerked to the side, and before he could react, I slapped him again, harder.

In my previous life, I discovered too late that this server had been bribed by Brielle, the two conspiring to make me fall.

If that were the case, I wouldn't hold back.

"My sister is about to join me on stage for the engagement ceremony, and you've ruined her dress like this? What were you thinking? Pack your things and leave immediately! I'll speak to your manager about firing you."

The room fell silent.

The server cupped his face, tears welling in his eyes, frozen in place.

Even Brielle was stunned, staring at me wide-eyed as if seeing me for the first time.

My expression remained impassive.

"It's okay," Brielle forced a smile, her voice soft. "He didn't mean it."

I immediately turned to Brielle, my expression instantly shifting from icy to concerned as I took her hand, brow furrowed, "Why don't you go to my room and change? I'll have someone bring a new dress right away."

After leading her to my lounge, I secretly took her phone and noted down a number.

"Wait here, I'll get you some makeup."

Once outside, I walked straight to the bathroom and made a call, "Proceed as planned."

While washing my hands, a chilling voice drifted from behind me, "Ms. Whitaker, you have time for schemes at your own engagement party?"

I froze completely, as if turned to ice, then blood rushed through my veins, heating every vessel in my body.

Just that low, deep voice made my heart clench painfully.

It was him.

Octavius.