Chapter 1

Lucian Shaw and I were the most infamous couple in the elite circles of New York.

He hated me because he believed I stood by and watched three years ago when his first love, my stepsister Giselle, was sent away. She was sold to a violent, sadistic billionaire overseas as a trophy bride and eventually took her own life.

I cursed him daily, wishing for his bankruptcy so he could reunite with his precious Giselle in hell.

Everything changed when his company was maliciously shorted and his rivals kidnapped me.

Amidst a sea of flames, he drove his car through the warehouse doors, rushing toward me with reckless abandon.

He shielded me with his own body, letting a jagged steel beam impale him.

He actually died right in front of my eyes, a twisted smile on his face.

"Seraphina, don't cry for me. A piece of trash like me isn't worth it."

In three years of marriage, that was the first time he held me so tightly, yet it was only to say goodbye.

"In this life, we're even."

"In the next... please... just let me and Giselle go..."

I whispered my agreement through tears, then turned and triggered the explosives the kidnappers had left behind, perishing with him.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back three years in the past. My father, George Vance, was holding the marriage contract with that overseas billionaire, demanding that one of his daughters must go.

I took the initiative and spoke to my father.

"Dad, I'll go. Give my engagement with Lucian to my 'dear sister' instead."

This time, I would be the one to walk into that hell and fulfill their tragic romance.

From now on, I'll be the gilded bird in a cage, and he can be his noble CEO.

So tell me, Lucian, why are you suddenly so desperate to burn the whole business world to the ground just to find me?

1

"What did you say? You're going instead of Giselle?"

George Vance was so shocked he knocked over his antique crystal decanter. The expensive whiskey soaked into the Persian rug, spreading like a dark, ugly stain, mirroring his distorted expression.

I looked at him calmly and repeated myself. "I said, I'll go. I'll be the one to marry Mr. Sterling."

George's eyes were filled with disbelief.

After all, everyone knew I loathed Giselle. On the day she and her homewrecker mother moved in, I had thrown her luggage out of the second-floor window in front of all the staff. I had made sure they knew they were unwelcome.

Now, why would I sacrifice my life's happiness to be a plaything for a notorious, aging billionaire for her sake?

In our world, everyone knew the rumors about Sterling. He was in his sixties, possessed a sadistic streak, and his previous wives had all vanished under mysterious circumstances.

The Vance family's cash flow was dry, and they desperately needed Sterling's investment.

And Sterling had specifically demanded a Vance daughter.

It was a death sentence.

George's lips trembled as he tested the waters. "But I remember you saying you'd marry no one but Lucian Shaw in this life..."

Outside, the rain drummed against the window, accompanied by low rumbles of thunder. I touched the faint scar on my wrist, a souvenir from an old argument where Lucian had pushed me into a table corner. My voice was as light as a vanishing mist.

"I did say that. But I changed my mind." I looked up, meeting my father's eyes. "The engagement with Lucian is void. He loves Giselle so much, so let's just give him to her. Consider it a favor."

My father fell silent. A brief flash of guilt crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by a wave of relief.

He cleared his throat and gave a hypocritical sigh. "Well, since you're insisting, I suppose I can't blame myself. Giselle is frail and soft-hearted; she really isn't suited for life in a place like that."

I sneered inwardly.

How noble he sounded. He had always favored that delicate, manipulative girl who constantly played the victim.

In my past life, because I refused to go, he and Lucian teamed up―one playing the good cop, the other the bad―to force me. Ultimately, they still sent Giselle away.

I walked out of the study. The cold light of the crystal chandelier made the mansion feel hollow.

At the end of the hallway, I ran straight into a pair of deep, brooding eyes.

It was Lucian.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, leaning against the wall. A permanent frost seemed to hang between his brows, matching the gloom of the rain outside.

"Decided?" he asked, his voice low and freezing.

When I didn't answer, he took a step forward, his presence overwhelming.

"Giselle is the one going, right? I knew you wouldn't let her have a moment of peace."

The wind blew rain into the hallway, wetting his hair. Droplets slid down his sharp jawline. For a moment, it reminded me of him covered in blood in that warehouse, smiling and telling me not to cry.

My heart throbbed with a sharp, needle-like pain.

I tilted my head back and gave him a brilliant, artificial smile.

"You flatter me, Mr. Shaw. Marrying into the Sterling family is a dream for many. My sister will be thrilled."

At least she won't have to deal with your frozen face and her own constant fake tears.

I tried to convince myself.

Lucian's expression darkened further as he loomed over me, his tone biting.

"You've already won, Princess Seraphina."

"Is it really necessary to act this smug?"

"Won?" I repeated the word, my eyes filled with a mockery he couldn't understand. "Sure, let's say I won."

In my past life, everyone thought I won. I stayed behind and married Lucian while Giselle went to hell. They didn't see me being tortured by Lucian's cold indifference in that marriage. They only knew Giselle died, and I was the villain who caused it.

He hated me for three years because of it.

This time, I truly swapped places with her.

I'm giving him to her. I'm giving her the whole world.

He should be satisfied.

"Seraphina."

The moment I turned to leave, a crack of thunder shook the air, and Lucian called my name.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. The pain kept me grounded. Pathetically, a tiny part of me still held a shred of hope.

I thought, if he asks me just once―even a simple "Are you okay?"―I'll tell him everything.

But he asked:

"Where is Giselle? She's alone in the living room, and she's terrified of thunder. I'm worried something will happen to her."

That shred of hope turned to ash instantly.

In the cold mist, I let out a long breath, as if exhaling the last bit of warmth in my chest.

"Mr. Shaw, only clay dolls melt in the rain, and only wicked people get struck by lightning."

"Your precious Giselle is in the living room, drinking hot ginger tea the maid just brewed. She's perfectly warm. Go to her. If you wait any longer, the tea might get cold."

Lucian thinned his lips, staring intently into my hollow eyes. A strange, dull ache hit his chest, but it was gone in an instant, like a fleeting hallucination.

I didn't give him another chance to speak. I turned and walked straight into the downpour.

The freezing rain soaked through my clothes instantly, extinguishing the last spark in my heart.

Fine.

The outcome is set. Letting him sweat for a bit won't hurt.

In the end, when he realizes the woman by his side is officially Giselle, he'll be overjoyed, right?

In this life, I'm keeping my promise.

I'm letting you both be together.