Introduction

I woke up in my New York penthouse bedroom, sunlight harsh in my eyes.

The date on my phone read five years ago, before the fire, before I died.

My breath hitched in my throat as I understood: I was reborn.

My husband, Ethan, walked in, his voice flat, demanding I authorize a quarter-million dollar transfer from my trust fund.

In my first life, that money went to Chloe Sanders, his intern, his mistress.

Every painful memory came flooding back: his coldness, his brazen affairs, and finally, him locking me in a remote ski lodge wing as smoke filled the air.

He drove away, leaving me to die in the flames.

I whispered that I didn't feel well, but he only scoffed, telling me to sign the papers and stop being dramatic.

Later, I saw him with Chloe, his tenderness and warm smile solely for her, confirming his betrayal was still ongoing.

When I finally confronted him, his hand swung, cracking across my cheek, leaving me stunned and bleeding.

He then slammed the door to our bedroom shut, locking me inside, threatening a private care facility, calling me "unhinged."

The injustice burned, fueling a cold fury deeper than fear.

Was this my cruel fate, to relive the same nightmare with the same monster?

Why had I been given a second chance, only to face his baseless accusations and violence once more?

This time, I wouldn't just endure his cruelty; I would break free.

As I sent a coded message to my parents, my escape plan was in motion, and my fight for freedom had truly begun.