Chapter 2

The Reynolds family mansion felt like a stage set for a play Olivia had already seen. The air was thick with anticipation. Her mother, Mrs. Reynolds, fluttered around the house, her voice sharp and excited as she directed the staff. Every cushion was fluffed, every surface polished to a high shine.

"Sophia, darling, come here! Let me see that dress one more time," her mother called out.

Sophia emerged from her room, looking radiant in a pale blue dress that highlighted her eyes. She smiled, a perfect, practiced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Olivia watched from the top of the stairs, a silent observer in her own home. She knew what this was all about. This was the day the Vance family was coming to formally discuss a marriage proposal. In her first life, they had come for her, but Sophia had intercepted the opportunity.

"Isn't she lovely?" Mrs. Reynolds said to her husband, who was reading the newspaper in the living room, barely looking up. "Ethan Vance won't be able to take his eyes off her."

The doorbell rang, and the performance began.

Mrs. Reynolds rushed to the door, her face arranged in a welcoming smile. Mr. Vance and his wife entered, followed by their son, Ethan. Ethan was just as Olivia remembered him: handsome, confident, with the easy arrogance of a man who was used to getting what he wanted.

But they weren't alone.

Walking slightly behind them was another young man. He was tall and lean, dressed in a simple, dark suit that seemed to absorb the light around him. His features were sharp, his expression unreadable.

It was Liam Davis.

Olivia' s heart stopped for a second. She hadn't expected him to be here. In her first life, he hadn' t been part of this initial meeting. His family and the Vances moved in different circles.

Her mother' s smile faltered for a moment as she saw Liam. "And you are?" she asked, her tone a little cooler.

"Liam Davis," he said, his voice low and steady. "My father has business with Mr. Vance."

It was a plausible explanation, but Olivia felt a sense of unease. Something was different this time.

They all sat in the formal living room. The conversation was light, focused on Ethan' s recent successes and Sophia' s beauty. Olivia was brought out and introduced briefly, a mere formality, before being expected to fade into the background.

"Our families have known each other for years," Mr. Vance said, getting to the point. "And we would be honored to join them through the marriage of our son, Ethan, and your daughter." He looked pointedly at Sophia.

Mrs. Reynolds beamed. "We would be delighted. Sophia has always admired Ethan."

Sophia smiled sweetly. "I'm very flattered, Mr. Vance."

Everything was proceeding just as it had before, except for Liam' s silent presence. He sat in his chair, watching the scene unfold with an unnerving stillness. His eyes met Olivia' s for a brief moment, and she felt a strange jolt, a flicker of something she couldn't name.

Then, Sophia did something that shattered the script.

She stood up. "Mr. Vance, I am truly honored by your offer," she said, her voice clear and strong. "But I'm afraid I must decline."

The room fell silent. Mrs. Reynolds' s face went pale with shock.

"What are you talking about, Sophia?" her mother hissed.

Sophia ignored her. She turned her gaze from a stunned Ethan Vance and looked directly at Liam Davis.

"I have already made my choice," Sophia announced, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "I wish to marry Mr. Liam Davis."

The shock in the room was absolute. Mr. and Mrs. Vance looked offended. Ethan looked utterly bewildered. But no one was more shocked than Mrs. Reynolds.

"Are you insane?" she screeched, forgetting all pretense of politeness. "The Davis family? He's just an adopted son! What could he possibly offer you?"

"He can offer me what I want," Sophia said, her voice filled with a certainty that chilled Olivia to the bone. She was looking at Liam, but Olivia knew her words were a message. Sophia knew Liam' s future. She knew he would become more powerful than Ethan could ever dream of. She was choosing the winning ticket from the start this time.

Liam himself looked surprised, but he recovered quickly. A slow, calculating smile spread across his face. He stood up and nodded slightly. "I accept."

"This is madness! I forbid it!" Mrs. Reynolds shouted.

But Sophia was relentless. "Mother, this is my decision. I am choosing Mr. Davis." She held her ground, her ambition a tangible force in the room. Her parents, who had always indulged her every whim, were powerless against this new, determined version of their favorite daughter.

Eventually, faced with Sophia' s unyielding stance and the awkwardness of the Vances' presence, her father sighed and gave in. "Fine. If this is what you want."

Later, after the Vances and Liam had left, the house was in turmoil. But Sophia was calm. She found Olivia alone in the hallway.

She walked up to her, a smug, victorious smile on her face.

"Surprised, sister?" Sophia sneered. "I told you I wanted your life. This time, I'm taking the right path from the beginning. Liam's power, his influence... it will all be mine."

She leaned in closer, her voice a low whisper. "You can have the bankrupt tech genius. Have fun with that."

And in that moment, looking into her sister's gloating eyes, Olivia understood completely.

It wasn't just a premonition. It wasn't a coincidence.

Sophia remembered everything. She was reborn, just like her.