Chapter 1 Chapter 1 ONE

LUNETH

I stood outside the presidential suite, my stomach coiled into knots. Some part of me already knew-my fiancé and my stepsister were tangled together behind that door. But knowing and seeing were two very different things.

With each step closer, I prayed I was wrong. That this life would be different. The cruel previous life was nothing more than a nightmare. But then-moans. Breathless, shameless cries. The kind that left no room for doubt.

Nothing changed even if I was reborn.

I swallowed hard, forcing down the fury swelling in my throat. Anger burned hottest, so fierce it threatened to spill over as tears. My gaze swept the gilded hallway, the opulence now a cruel joke.

Kellan Moreaux had insisted we marry here, at the historic Carlisle Hotel. "A love as timeless as these walls," he'd said.

Had he been laughing at me the whole time?

Our love was timeless-yet he dared betray me on our wedding day? I swiped at my cheeks, smearing away the tears. No. I wouldn't cry over a man like him.

The key trembled in my hand as I unlocked the door. Inside, a massive portrait of us-Kellan and me, all staged smiles-hung mockingly above the bed. And there, writhing in the sheets, were Kellan and Melissa. So lost in each other, they didn't even notice me-until I slammed my palm against the center table.

Kellan jerked upright, scrambling for his pants, his face flushing crimson. But Melissa? She just arched her back, propping herself up on one elbow, lips curling like this was exactly where she wanted to be.

"Luneth?" She feigned surprise, pressing a manicured hand to her mouth in a poor imitation of shock. "Oops." Her eyes gleamed, locked onto mine, daring me to react. "We must've gotten. carried away."

I bared my teeth. "Like a bitch in heat."

Her smile didn't waver.

Because this was what she planned. To ruin my wedding and take my place.

"How dare you?" Kellan's voice was a venomous snarl as he fumbled with his pants, still half-undressed. "Who the hell do you think you are, speaking to her like that?"

I rolled my eyes, biting back the fury simmering beneath my skin.

Of course she wanted Kellan. That much was obvious. In my past life, I'd seen exactly what she was willing to do to have him-the lies, the schemes, the betrayal. It had never been about love.

No, Melissa craved the title of Mrs. Moreaux, the power that came with my position. And now, even in this new life, she was the same. Still reaching for what was mine.

They'd murdered me once. Poison. Her idea, her plan-Kellan had just been the spineless fool following orders.

With a self-satisfied smirk playing on her lips, Melissa shifted into a more comfortable position, her gaze locking onto mine as if she had already claimed victory in this battle of wits.

Little did she know, her triumph was destined to be short-lived.

With the memories of my past life still vivid, I knew all too well the true nature of Kellan – a mere pawn in the grand scheme of the Moreaux empire, unworthy of the pedestal she had placed him upon.

Yet, why should I tell her the truth? It was not my burden to bear, to impede her from treading the path of her own undoing. Not after all she had done to me.

I turned to take my leave, dismissing the need for further discourse. However, the door swung open, and the Moreaux family stormed in like a pack of wolves scenting blood. I suppressed a sigh. This day just kept getting worse.

"You insolent little brat," Tema, Kellan's mother, spat, her gaze slicing over me with familiar contempt. "Where do you think you're going?"

She'd always hated me. And for the first time, I felt nothing but icy relief-because soon, I'd be free of her forever.

"Oh, I'm the brat?" I arched a brow. "But your son-the one who was just tangled up with my sister in bed-he's some kind of saint?"

Her expression darkened. She hated being challenged. To her, my family had always been leeches, clinging to the Moreaux name for survival.

"Funny how the men in your family seem to have a thing for their sisters-in-law," I continued, my voice dripping with false sweetness. "Is that a family tradition, or just your son's personal preference?"

Her face twisted in fury-I hadn't even known a person could make that expression.

"How dare you?" she hissed, lunging at me. If I didn't act fast, she'd have her hands around my throat in seconds.

But before that, the murmurs from the crowd outside cut through the tension.

"I knew this would happen."

"Disgraceful behavior."

"Why punish the poor girl when their son is the one at fault?"

A small smile curved my lips. At least some people here had sense.

"All of you-out!" Tema barked at the gawking crowd outside. Not a single person moved.

Kellan's grandmother stepped forward, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Luneth, this is all a terrible misunderstanding. If we just communicate-"

"Communicate?" I let out a bitter laugh, sweeping my gaze over the room. Did they truly think I was some spineless fool who would still marry him after this? "If Kellan was in love with Melissa, why propose to me at all? Why not just marry her from the beginning?"

Silence. Not one of them could answer.

Tema's face twisted with rage. "You lowborn bitch! You were never worthy of my son, and now the whole world sees it!" Her voice shook with venom. She knew this was indefensible-but criticizing her precious golden boy? Unforgivable.

"Thank the gods he didn't shackle himself to you. I can only imagine the misery you'd have brought him." Her tone was theatrically mournful, as if Kellan were some blameless victim.

The room held its breath. But Tema wasn't finished.

"Melissa will take your place at the ceremony. We don't need you anymore-get out."

I turned to Melissa. Her eyes glittered with triumph, that smug smile stretching across her face. Oh no. I might not want Kellan, but I'd be damned before I let her win.

"Leave?" I sank gracefully into the nearest chair, crossing my legs. "Oh, I will. But not before I've had my say."

Tema's veins bulged at her temples. "Then what the hell do you want?" she shrieked.

I smiled. Let her choke on her fury. After what her son had done to me in my past life? This was just the first taste of her own medicine.

I opened my mouth to deliver my final blow-but before a single syllable could escape, a bright voice rang out from the hallway: "Sir Drexon!"

Every head turned as the man strode into the room. The air itself seemed to part for him, that thick, commanding presence clearing a path until he stood at the center of the chaos. Dressed in a custom Tom Ford suit that hugged his powerful frame, he radiated authority in every measured step.

I didn't know him-had no reason to notice him-yet something primal in my chest surged forward, pushing me toward the unthinkable.

Before logic could stop me, I rose from the sofa and stepped into his orbit.

He was Kellan's uncle. This was madness.

But as the words left my lips, I knew I'd rather burn this entire family to the ground than let them win.

"Him." My finger stabbed the air, pointing directly at his face. The room gasped as I lifted my chin. "Yes, him. I'll marry him instead."