Reborn After My Best Friend Set Me Up to Die

I could hardly believe I’d been given a second chance at life.

A dull, persistent ache in my lower abdomen was a constant reminder that this was no illusion—I was sitting safely at my desk in the office, alive and unharmed.

Before I could fully shake off the nightmarish memories of my past life, Vanessa Price was clicking toward my cubicle in her high heels. I glanced at the date on my watch, knowing exactly what she was about to say.

It was late autumn, and the investment world in Beverly Hills was in the thick of its busiest social season, with one exclusive cocktail party after another.

And tonight, of all nights, the company had scheduled a crucial investor meeting—one Vanessa had no intention of attending, not when she had a date with her so-called new boyfriend.

In my past life, this was the moment she’d begged me to take her place. October 14th was a date seared into my memory. Back then, I’d had a soft heart and agreed, stepping into that venue for her.

What awaited me, though, were monsters who’d locked me in a private room and force-fed me alcohol.

As I struggled in despair, Vanessa’s phone went unanswered, and my husband Julian was nowhere to be found. In that brutal assault, I’d lost my unborn child, and ultimately bled to death in the hospital, consumed by hopelessness.

Thankfully, heaven had been merciful, granting me this chance to start over. And this time, I would not let myself die like that.

As the thought crossed my mind, Vanessa leaned in, her hands clasped together in a pitiful plea.

“Claire, can you cover for me at the investor cocktail party tonight? It’s the hundred-day anniversary with my boyfriend, and he’ll fly into a rage if I don’t go.”

This time, I refused firmly. “I’m so sorry, Vanessa, I can’t.”

Vanessa froze, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Claire, why not?”

“I have a specialist’s appointment tonight. I simply can’t spare the time.”

She stood rooted to the spot, her carefully made-up face betraying utter shock and confusion. She’d never imagined that I, who’d always given in to her every request, would turn her down so flatly.

Before she could press the issue, I turned to straighten my files, cutting her off.

A few colleagues nearby had overheard, and though they said nothing, their eyes made it clear they disapproved of her shirking an important work duty onto someone else. Seeing this, Vanessa stormed off in a huff.

After work, I drove to my parents’ house.

The moment I pushed open the door, I saw Julian sitting with my father in the living room, sipping tea. They were chatting and laughing, and my father wore a rare look of contentment—he’d always been pleased with his son-in-law, thinking him hardworking, steady, and full of potential.

Julian looked up and smiled softly when he saw me. “You’re home? Dad says we’re staying for dinner tonight.”

I nodded and sank onto the sofa.

Watching this warm scene, tears pricked at my eyes. In my past life, I’d thought days like this would last forever.

The next morning, the office was in an uproar the second I walked in.

Diana, the senior property attorney, sidled up to me with a coffee cup, her voice low and conspiratorial. “Claire, have you heard? That multi-million-dollar collaboration fell through last night. The investors didn’t see a single one of us at the party.”

As she spoke, a commotion erupted down the hallway.

I followed the sound to see Vanessa, her face ashen, clinging desperately to the conference room doorframe.

“Director Hodges, please listen to me! I suddenly felt sick last night, I didn’t miss it on purpose!”

The notoriously tough Director Hodges showed no mercy, slamming a termination letter on the conference table. “Vanessa Price, your unauthorized absence has cost the company dearly. Go to the finance department to collect your final pay, and be out of this building by noon.”

Vanessa stood rigid, her body cold with shock.

She turned, her gaze sweeping across the office—and froze when it landed on me.

I lowered my eyes and kept flipping through my files.