Chapter 2

Seraphine's POV

Octavius's anguished, reddened gaze was the last image seared into my mind. The air conditioning in the lounge was on full blast, yet a deep chill permeated my very bones. A raw, gaping hole had been carved out where my heart should be, twisted and torn until I couldn't breathe.

I had been sitting here for a full hour, my mind replaying the explosion on a loop, replaying Octavius's final words: "I just don't want you to be alone."

'But I don't want you to be alone, either.'

That's right. Somehow, I had been reborn.

I bit down hard, a hoarse, cold laugh suppressed in my throat. This time, I would no longer be the fool who let herself be slaughtered. Everyone who had deceived and wronged me would pay the price.

"Seraphine, are you changed yet?"

The voice from outside the door was soft and sweet. My fingers trembled violently; I almost lost control and lunged out to tear that mouth apart. It was Brielle. Just the thought of her name now made my stomach churn. At this point in time, Brielle had already been welcomed back into the Whitaker family. In my past life, I had treated her like a real sister, but she had seduced my husband and stabbed me in the back again and again. Everything I possessed, she took. Even the kidney that was ultimately carved out of me was a part of a scheme they had orchestrated together.

The thought made me want to kill her right now. But I couldn't. I was alive. None of those who had harmed me would get off easy.

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

Brielle's knocking grew more urgent. Annoyed, I yanked the door open. Caught off guard, she stumbled forward, nearly falling flat on her face. I stood in the doorway, expressionless, taking half a step back and letting her regain her balance awkwardly.

"What are you doing! Opening the door so suddenly without a word! I almost fell!" she complained, leaning against the wall, her tone aggrieved.

I looked down at her, my face devoid of any emotion. "I was afraid of getting dirty."

"What?" Brielle froze, her eyes widening as she stared at me, as if she couldn't believe I would say such a thing.

I saw the flicker of evasion in her eyes and sneered inwardly, but a slow smile spread across my lips. "Today is my engagement to Mitchell. This dress is custom-made; it's very expensive. It wouldn't be good if your makeup got on it."

As I spoke, I even stepped forward and linked my arm with hers, drawing us intimately close.

Brielle's smile stiffened. She was clearly furious, a stream of curses on the tip of her tongue. But she held back. I knew exactly what she was waiting for—to see me make a fool of myself.

"You're right. Today is a big day. It's better to be careful." Brielle finally managed a smile. "The ceremony is about to start. We should hurry down!"

The sweeter her smile, the more it nauseated me. I used to believe she was genuinely good to me, but now, looking at her, I could see that every expression was an act. On this very day in my past life, she had prepared a grand spectacle for me, all to humiliate me in public, to ruin my reputation so thoroughly that I could never hold my head up in Skyview City again.

"It's about time. Let's go." I said flatly, suppressing the churning disgust in my stomach and letting her lead me out by the arm.

The moment we stepped out of the room, I saw a waiter carrying a tray of wine glasses at the end of the hallway. The light was dim, his face hidden in shadow. Arm in arm with Brielle, I walked step by step towards the elevator.

"Seraphine, I'm so envious of you. You and Mitchell are such a perfect match. Even Dad is overjoyed about this engagement."

Her words were full of envy, her voice sweet, but I knew the truth. In my last life, my adoptive father, Heath Whitaker, had been so provoked by Brielle's whispered words against our marriage that he had ended up in the hospital before reluctantly agreeing to it.

"What nonsense are you talking about," I smiled down at her, patting the back of her hand gently. "You'll surely meet an even better man in the future."

I sneered inside.'Everything you stole from me last time, wasn't it all built upon what you took from me?'

"No way." Brielle whined, drawing out the last syllable. "I'm not as lucky as you. You're so beautiful, everyone likes you."

I didn't answer, my eyes catching her profile from the corner of my vision. On Brielle's delicate face, the corner of her mouth dipped ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly. I remembered my past life again, convulsing in pain on the bed, my mind clouded. She had been nestled in Mitchell's arms, looking at my contorted face, smiling like a poisonous flower. "Mitchell, her face is such an eyesore. Let's ruin it."

Later, the word "ugly" was carved into my face. One cut after another, I fainted from the pain three times. And the two of them just stood there, clapping and laughing.

Now, Brielle was right beside me, her breathing light, her makeup flawless. I stared at her, hatred churning within me. 'You say you don't have my fate? Fine. I'll give it to you.'

We drew closer, and the waiter with the tray approached, step by step. My eyes flickered as I saw Brielle give the faintest of nods. The show was about to begin.

I suddenly stopped, my foot extending forward imperceptibly to catch the heel of her high heel. With a stumble, Brielle shrieked. I immediately reached out to steady her, but instead of pulling her back, I yanked her into my arms and spun around.

The wine glasses tilted, and red wine splashed down, soaking the back of her head and shoulders. Her dress was drenched, her hair clinging to her neck in a pathetic mess.

"Brielle!" I cried out, immediately smearing my hands all over her face, my voice anxious. "Are you okay? Let me see!" The wine hadn't even touched her face, but my hands were wet with it, and now I had smeared it everywhere. In an instant, Brielle's eyeliner was smudged, her lipstick bled, and her foundation was blotchy, making her look like a clown from a play.

I stared at her, watching her lips tremble with rage, as if she were about to curse me out. Before she could speak, I spun around and slapped the waiter across the face. His head snapped to the side. Before he could react, I slapped him again, even harder. In my past life, I only learned after being set up that this waiter had been bought by Brielle, the two of them colluding to make me fall. Since that was the case, he couldn't blame me for being ruthless.

"My sister is about to go on stage with me to complete our engagement ceremony, and you've ruined her dress like this? What are you good for? Pack your things and leave, now! I'll tell your manager to fire you."

The entire area fell silent. The waiter clutched his face, tears welling in his eyes as he stood frozen. Even Brielle was stunned, staring at me with wide eyes, as if seeing me for the first time. My face remained impassive.

"Seraphine, forget it." Brielle managed a weak smile, her voice soft. "He didn't mean it."

I immediately turned to her, my expression shifting from icy cold to deep concern. I took her hand, my brow furrowed. "Why don't you go to my room and change? I'll have someone buy you a new dress right away."

After bringing Brielle to my lounge, I secretly took her phone and jotted down a number. "Wait for me, I'll go buy you some makeup."

I walked out and went straight to the restroom, dialing a number. "Proceed as planned."

As I was washing my hands, a cold voice drifted from behind me. "Ms. Whitaker, you still find time to set up a scheme at your own engagement party."

I froze instantly, as if I had been turned to ice. Then, a rush of blood surged through me, my veins burning. Just that deep, low voice was enough to make my heart clench violently.

It was him.

Octavius.