“Viktor, you really think you can ruin me with some AI face-swap garbage? That video isn’t real. We weren’t even together last night. If you’re so sure, then show proof.”

His lips curved into that cruel smile I knew too well. “Proof? Don’t play dumb, Aurelia. There’s a flame-shaped birthmark on your thigh, high enough you thought no one would notice. I’ve traced it. I remember the fire clear as day…”

“Enough!” My body trembled with anger. My blood turned to ice.

There was no doubt now. He was reborn too. No one else could know that detail. No one but Viktor from my last life.

But this time was different. This time I was still untouched, still the Velasquez family’s daughter with her name spotless in New York’s high society. If his words spread, everything I had left would collapse.

Viktor’s gaze slid to Lucian. “So, Mr. Sullivan, do you get it now? When Aurelia and I hold our wedding, I expect you to show up and raise a glass.”

I turned to Lucian, ready to fight for the truth. I believed—no, I prayed he wouldn’t buy into Viktor’s poison.

But then I saw his face.

He was pale, his eyes rimmed red, staring at that cursed video like it had carved a hole straight through him.

“I understand. I hope the two of you… stay married for a lifetime.” His throat bobbed as if the words hurt him. “Excuse me. I’ve got somewhere else to be.”

Before I could breathe, he reached for my hand, slid the diamond ring off my finger, and placed it back in the box.

And then he turned.

The sight of his back walking away felt like my chest being split open.

“Lucian!” I tried to run after him, but Viktor’s grip clamped down on me like steel. He dragged me into his car and shoved me inside, slamming the door before I could scream.

“Stop chasing him, Aurelia,” Viktor growled, “In this life, you belong to me. You’ll marry me whether you want to or not.”

“Marry you? And what about the woman you claim to love so much? The one you’d give the world to?”

“Don’t worry. After you’re gone… after the poor little Velasquez princess dies young… I’ll marry her in the grandest ceremony New York has ever seen. She’ll inherit everything. But you, Aurelia…” his whisper curved into a hiss, “…you’re mine in life, and in death. Don’t even think about running to Sullivan or anyone else. I’ll never let you escape.”

The next second, he shoved me out of the car like I was nothing.

The Maybach roared and tore down the street, leaving nothing but exhaust and silence behind.

I lay there on the pavement, breath ragged, the cold biting into my palms.

Then I forced myself up, brushing the dirt off, steadying my lungs.

It’s fine. I’ve already died once. What do I have left to fear?

If Viktor thinks he can cage me again, he’s wrong. I’d rather break myself to pieces than ever wear his ring.

***

That night, Father called me into his study. Fatima, his mistress was already there, looking elegant as always, and Polly sat beside her, eyes sharp like she wanted to claw me.

Fatima put on her gentle, motherly voice. “Aurelia, you’re at the right age to settle down. Viktor seems very serious about you, and his family is strong. Don’t you think it’s time to consider marriage?”

I almost laughed. In my last life, this same woman and her daughter had done everything possible to stop me from marrying into a good family. They were terrified I might rise above them. And now? Now she was suddenly encouraging me to marry Viktor?

Of course. Viktor must have whispered in her ear.

When I glanced up, I caught the jealousy flashing in Fatima’s eyes, and Polly’s glare burned like acid.

So I lowered my lashes and played the obedient daughter. “I’ll listen to whatever Father and Fatima think is best.”

Father nodded in satisfaction, as though I’d proven myself docile, and waved me out.

Later that night, passing by Polly’s room, I heard her shrill, furious cry break through the door.

“She doesn’t even have a mother! How can that unlucky girl marry Viktor? If anyone deserves him, it’s me! Father loves me most!”

Outside, I dug my nails into my palm until it stung. Don’t worry, my good sister. I’ll make sure you get exactly what you want.

Back in my room, my phone buzzed. Surveillance footage came through from last night showing me playing arcade with friends until dawn. Finally, proof! Finally, I could clear my name with Lucian.

I opened our chat and hit send. But instead of delivering, a red exclamation mark flashed on the screen.

My stomach dropped.

‘Did Lucian… block me?’

No. No, I couldn’t believe it.

I didn’t even think. I grabbed my coat and rushed straight out to his high-rise apartment in the center of the city.

The butler met me at the door, blocking my way. “Miss Velasquez, I’m sorry. Mr. Sullivan has ordered he won’t receive you.”

“W-why? Did Viktor threaten him? Did—”

The butler cut me off. “Mr. Sullivan said from today onward, he and you will live separate lives, with no further ties.”

My ears rang. The world tilted.

But I forced myself to wipe my tears. It wasn’t over. Lucian was bound to show up at a mutual friend’s birthday party next week. That would be my chance.

When the night came, I stepped onto the rooftop bar, city lights stretching out beneath me like a glittering ocean. The wind tugged at my hair, and the faint hum of music mixed with laughter floated through the air. I drew a deep breath and scanned the crowd.

There he was.

Lucian leaned against the railing, tall and impossibly calm, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The neon lights hit his profile just right, sharp as stone.

I slid into a seat at the edge of a table with the others, smiling politely, tossing out casual small talk. But my eyes kept drifting back to him but he never glanced my way.

As the night wore on and the drinks flowed, someone shouted for a round of Truth or Dare. The group erupted with laughter. When it was Lucian’s turn, he chose ‘truth’.

A guy across from him leaned in, grinning. “Alright, Sullivan. Tell us what kind of person do you hate the most?”

The chatter died down.

Lucian tapped the rim of his glass with one finger, “I hate people who think they can have it both ways. The ones greedy enough to take profits from one side, then run to collect benefits from the other.”

He paused. Then turned. His eyes found me, slicing through the distance like a knife.

“You know the word for that, Aurelia?”

My blood ran cold.

The room went quiet for a second. Then someone quickly cracked a joke to ease the tension, and the chatter started up again.

Lucian muttered a cold apology and stood to leave.

“Lucian, wait… please!” I hurried after him.

Just as I turned the corner, someone yanked my wrist.

“Lucian doesn’t want to see you. Why are you keep chasing him? Are you really this desperate?”

Viktor. Again. He was everywhere.

His grip was like iron. I tried pulling away, but he wouldn’t let go. “This is none of your business!”

A sly look flickered in his eyes and then he snapped his fingers. Two bodyguards appeared, each grabbing one of my arms.

“Let me go! Viktor, what are you doing?!”

“Relax,” he said softly, almost sweetly. Then one of them forced a small red pill into my mouth, holding my jaw so I couldn’t spit it out.

“Mm—!” I tried to choke it back, but Viktor tipped a glass of liquor against my lips. The burn shot down my throat, making me cough until my eyes watered.

He watched me with an awful kind of satisfaction. My face felt hot, my breaths quick and shallow. He waved the men away, slid an arm around my waist, and pulled me close.

“Easy now. I’ll take care of you,” he tugged me down the hall toward his suite.

The drug made me dizzy. My hands pushed weakly at his chest, but it probably looked like I was clinging instead of resisting.

Then I saw him.

Lucian stood at the far end of the corridor, his eyes locked on Viktor’s arm around me.

“...Aurelia.”

It made my heart twist. He started walking fast toward us. And god, I tried to reach for him, “L-lucian, please hel—”

Viktor cut me off, “Don’t embarrass yourself. You’ve had too much to drink and you came looking for me. Begged me to give you another night, like the one in the presidential suite.” He dragged out the words.

“No… that’s not true!” I whispered, but my voice was broken, barely there.

“Shh, sweetheart. Don’t say nonsense. Mr. Sullivan is watching.” Viktor brushed a tear from my cheek, then looked at Lucian, his smile turning cold.

“Mr. Sullivan, are you planning to interfere? Aurelia is mine. I’ll marry her. Do you think I’d hurt her? You should keep your distance.”

Lucian froze. His hand, half raised, slowly dropped to his side and something inside me went dark. The last spark of hope in me died right there.

I stopped fighting. My body went slack as Viktor dragged me back to the private room.

The door shut hard behind us. He shoved me onto the leather sofa, and the drug made my limbs heavy. I saw his shadow bend over me, his fingers pulling at the buttons of his shirt, one by one.

The last thing I remembered was his grin hovering above me before everything slipped away.

**

I blinked slowly, my lashes heavy, the glow of the chandelier above me coming into focus. My head pounded, my body ached all over, and every inch of my skin felt sore. A bitter taste rose in my throat. I leaned forward, gagging, though nothing came out except a little sour water.

I pulled my dress back over my shoulders, trying to fix it enough to look presentable, and forced myself up. My legs were unsteady, but I somehow made it out of that suffocating room and into the cool air.

The parking lot lights flickered dimly. I almost wanted to just sink to the ground, but then I saw him. Lucian.

He was leaning against his Bentley, a cigarette burning low between his fingers. He looked like he had been waiting there for a while.

When he saw me stumbling toward my car, his whole posture shifted. He dropped the cigarette, eyes narrowing, and walked toward me quickly.

“Aurelia…”

I froze. That hand he held out… I knew it. That same hand had pushed me away earlier. Pushed me straight to Viktor.

I shook my head and stepped back. “Don’t,” I whispered.

His brows furrowed, but I didn’t let him touch me. I turned away, forcing myself to keep moving even though every step hurt.

I reached my car and slammed the door shut. The second I was alone inside, my forehead fell against the steering wheel. A sound broke from me, small and helpless.

At four in the morning, I dragged myself home with swollen eyes. I went straight to the bathroom and scrubbed my skin until it turned red. No matter how hard I washed, I could still smell him on me. My father would never let me call the police. Even if I tried, he’d force me to drop the case and rush me into the Roberts family faster.

I bit down on my lip and told myself it was fine. Just pretend it was nothing. Pretend it was like a dog bite.

When I finally stepped out of the shower, I collapsed on my bed. My fingers brushed the photo of my mother on the nightstand. She died when I was twelve. A mistress walked into our home, flaunted herself, and broke her heart. My mother never recovered, and she died. That was the day hatred planted itself inside me. But I was too young. Too powerless. Since then, every year, I’ve had to bow my head in front of my stepmother on the day of my mother’s death.

I stared at my mother’s smile in the photo and whispered, “Mom, I tried to change my life in another chance. I tried not to be controlled. Was I really wrong?”

The moonlight poured into the room. I clutched the photo and fell asleep. In my dream, my mother stroked my cheek, “You’re not wrong, my child. Those who love you will always understand.”

Then the dream twisted back into last night, the leather couch, the heavy air, and my own helplessness.

When I woke, tears were already on my face. I forced myself to get ready, but before I could finish, the butler knocked.

“Miss, the young master of the Roberts family is here to propose. Please come to the front hall.”

My stomach dropped. Viktor moved fast. Too fast.

I steadied myself and walked out. From the hall, I heard his voice, smooth and steady, as if nothing in the world could shake him.

“Mr. Velasquez,” Viktor was saying to my father, “I want Aurelia. I’ll treat her with respect. I’m asking for your blessing.”

My father looked pleased, “If that’s your intention, we’ll have someone check your compatibility tomorrow.”

The air thickened in my chest. Marry him? That would be walking straight into his cage again! And I remembered exactly how that ended.

No. Not this time.

“Dad,” I said, stepping into the room, “I’ll agree to marry into the Roberts family. But… I have two condition.”

My father’s smile disappeared. “Aurelia, don’t speak out of turn.”

Viktor’s dark eyes landed on me. He looked dangerous, yet his tone was calm. “What is it? Say it. If it’s something I can give, I will.”

I inhaled deeply. This was a gamble. “I want a dowry of two billion dollars. And the land your family is developing in upper town. All of it in my name.” I kept my back straight, refusing to waver, praying Viktor would be furious enough to leave.

But instead, his mouth curved into something close to a smile. He leaned back, studying me like I was a puzzle he wanted to keep breaking apart.

“Two billion and UpperTown,” he said slowly, like he was savoring the taste of it. “You really surprised me, Aurelia. Looks like I’m going to enjoy this marriage.”

My heart clenched. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. His voice carried so much weight that I wanted to run but my eyes drifted toward the entrance.

And there he was. Lucian.

My breath hitched. He stood tall in the doorway, broad shoulders filling the space, his dark suit cut sharp against the light. The kind of presence that made an entire room shift without him needing to say a word. But his face… his face was cold, unreadable, and when his eyes flicked to mine, I froze.

Mr. Velasquez immediately rose from his seat, smiling nervously. “Mr. Sullivan? Didn’t expect you tonight. Something urgent?”

Lucian’s gaze lingered on me for a second before he looked at my father. “Mr. Velasquez. I came here to propose.”

My heart leapt into my throat. This is it!

“I want to marry Miss Polly Velasquez.”

What?

The words knocked the air right out of me.

For a moment I couldn’t move. I couldn't think. My chest tightened until I thought I might faint. In my past life, Lucian had never married anyone. He’d been mine, in his own quiet, stubborn way. I remembered how his ears would burn red whenever he tried to talk to me, how he’d spend everything he had to fight for me, even risk it all to give me freedom.

And now, here he was, saying he wanted my sister. My illegitimate sister. Polly.

My lips parted, but before I could speak, Polly burst forward.

“Dad!” Her voice cracked, and desperate. “I don’t want to marry him! I love Viktor!” She pointed toward the man beside me, and Viktor only leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth lifting in that dangerous, mocking way of his. “Please, Dad, I don’t want Lucian. Let Aurelia marry him instead. They actually make sense together. Why don’t we just switch?”