“Maximilian, do you honestly think some cheap AI face-swap trick can destroy me?” I snapped, forcing my voice to stay steady. “That footage is fake. We weren’t even together last night. If you’re so confident, then bring out real evidence.”
His mouth slowly curled into that familiar, vicious smile—the one that had haunted me even in death. “Evidence?” he scoffed softly. “Stop pretending you don’t know, Vivienne. There’s a flame-shaped birthmark on your thigh, hidden high enough that you thought no one would ever see it. I’ve traced it with my fingers before. I remember it perfectly… every flicker of that fire.”
“Enough!” The word tore out of me as my body shook uncontrollably. Rage surged through my veins, then froze into something sharp and deadly.
There was no room for denial anymore.
He remembered.
No one else could possibly know that mark. No one—except Maximilian from my previous life.
But this life wasn’t the same.
This time, I was still untouched. Still the legitimate daughter of the DeLacroix family, my reputation pristine among New York’s elite. If his words spread unchecked, everything I had rebuilt would crumble in an instant.
Maximilian’s attention shifted lazily toward Sebastian. “So, Mr. Hawthorne,” he said with smug amusement, “you understand now, don’t you? When Vivienne and I finally marry, I expect you to attend. At least have the courtesy to raise a glass for us.”
I turned toward Sebastian immediately, my heart pounding, ready to argue, to explain, to tear Maximilian’s lies apart piece by piece. I believed—no, I begged fate—that Sebastian wouldn’t fall for this poison.
Then I saw his expression.
His face had drained of color. His eyes were bloodshot, fixed on that cursed screen as if it had hollowed him out from the inside.
“I see,” he said quietly. “I wish you both… a lifetime together.” His Adam’s apple moved as if each word scraped his throat raw. “Please excuse me. I have matters to attend to.”
Before I could even react, he gently took my hand, slid the diamond ring from my finger, and returned it to its velvet prison.
And then he turned away.
Watching his back retreat felt like someone had split my chest open and left me bleeding in the open air.
“Sebastian!” I tried to chase after him, but Maximilian’s grip locked around my wrist like iron. He yanked me toward his car and shoved me inside before I could even draw breath, slamming the door shut and sealing me in.
“Stop embarrassing yourself chasing him,” Maximilian snarled. “In this life, you belong to me. You’ll marry me—whether you like it or not.”
“Marry you?” I laughed bitterly. “What about the woman you claim you love so deeply? The one you’d supposedly give the entire world to?”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping into something vile. “Relax. After you’re gone—after the poor DeLacroix heiress dies young and tragically—I’ll marry her in the grandest wedding New York has ever witnessed. She’ll inherit everything. But you, Vivienne…” his whisper turned sharp, “…you’re mine while you breathe, and you’ll still be mine when you’re dead. Don’t even think about running to Hawthorne—or anyone else. I won’t let you escape. Ever.”
The next moment, he shoved me out of the car like discarded trash.
The Maybach roared off, disappearing down the street, leaving behind nothing but exhaust fumes and a heavy, ringing silence.
I lay sprawled on the pavement, breath uneven, the cold seeping into my hands and knees.
Slowly, I pushed myself upright, brushed the dirt from my clothes, and forced my breathing to steady.
It’s fine.
I’ve already died once. What’s left to be afraid of?
If Maximilian thinks he can trap me again, he’s gravely mistaken. I would rather shatter myself completely than ever wear his ring.
---
That night, Father summoned me to his study.
Fatima—his mistress—was already seated there, composed and graceful as ever. Camille sat beside her, eyes sharp and hostile, as though she might lunge at me at any moment.
Fatima smiled gently, adopting her familiar, soothing tone. “Vivienne, you’ve reached the proper age to think about marriage. Maximilian appears sincere, and his family holds considerable power. Don’t you think it’s time you seriously considered settling down?”
I nearly laughed aloud.
In my previous life, this same woman and her daughter had done everything possible to sabotage my chances of marrying well. They were terrified I might surpass them. And now? Now she was encouraging it?
Of course.
Maximilian must have already planted the idea in her ear.
When I looked up, I caught the flash of jealousy in Fatima’s eyes, and Camille’s stare burned with open hatred.
So I lowered my gaze and played my role perfectly. “I’ll follow whatever Father and Fatima believe is best for me.”
Father nodded, clearly pleased, as if my obedience had confirmed something he wanted to see. With a dismissive wave, he sent me away.
Later that evening, as I passed Camille’s room, her shrill voice pierced the hallway.
“She doesn’t even have a mother! How can that cursed girl marry Maximilian? If anyone deserves him, it’s me! Father loves me the most!”
I clenched my fist until my nails bit into my skin. Don’t worry, dear sister. I’ll make sure you get exactly what you’re wishing for.
Back in my room, my phone vibrated.
Surveillance footage from the previous night loaded—clear as day, showing me at an arcade with friends until morning.
Finally.
Proof at last. Evidence I could use to clear everything up with Sebastian.
I opened our chat and sent it immediately.
A red exclamation mark appeared.
My stomach dropped.
Did Sebastian… block me?
No. That couldn’t be real.
Without thinking, I grabbed my coat and rushed straight to his high-rise apartment downtown.
The butler met me at the entrance, stepping firmly into my path. “Miss DeLacroix, I’m afraid Mr. Hawthorne has instructed us not to receive you.”
“W-why?” I stammered. “Did Maximilian threaten him? Did something—”
“I’m sorry,” the butler interrupted calmly. “Mr. Hawthorne stated that from today onward, he and you will lead separate lives, without any further connection.”
My ears rang. The world tilted beneath my feet.
Still, I wiped my tears away.
It wasn’t over.
Sebastian would attend a mutual friend’s birthday celebration next week.
And that—
That would be my chance.
