Chapter 1 Reborn

Kate Jennings was dead.

She had died alone in an abandoned factory. Her body lay still on the frozen ground, crimson blood spreading across the snow, while her soul hovered above, sobbing in the cold silence.

Not far away, a man lay mangled, his limbs severed, breath shallow. Yet somehow, he could see her.

He fought to shape a smile, his voice trembling. "Kate… is that you?"

"It's me!" She hurled herself toward him, desperate, only to pass straight through his fading body. The impact of nothingness dropped her to her knees. Pain ripped through her chest, so sharp it felt like her soul was bleeding. Her scream tore the air apart. "Ethan… why? Why would you come here to save me?"

She had despised him, humiliated him in front of others. Why would he…

"Because I love you." Ethan Levington smiled faintly as if her grief reached him. "I'm sorry, Kate… I couldn't save you. But maybe this is better. We're dying together… so we're together after all."

His smile lingered for a heartbeat before his eyes closed, life slipping away.

"No!" Her cry split the frozen air.

But before the echo faded, a gentle male voice cut through the scene.

"Kate, it's time to put on the ring."

The world around her shifted in an instant. The blood, the snow, Ethan's broken body—all vanished.

In their place stood Blake Hamilton, his perfect smile polished like glass. He was kneeling, a velvet box in hand, a diamond the size of a pigeon's egg catching the light.

Kate's mind went blank, as if lightning had struck her. Wasn't she dead?

What about Ethan?

The agony of steel piercing her heart, the sight of Ethan's final breath—those memories were carved into her bones. They couldn't be a dream.

Then what was this?

"Kate?" Blake's voice softened, but impatience flickered in his eyes.

She pinched her thigh hard. The sting was sharp, real. The wedding dress clung to her like a ghost from another life. She remembered—June 9th. The day she had been engaged to Blake.

She had been reborn. One year before the slaughter.

Blake's smile overlapped in her mind with the cold, merciless face from her last life—the moment he drove a blade into her chest and whispered, "Why won't you just die?" The memory made her stomach churn.

She wanted him dead.

Her nails dug into her palms. Not yet. She couldn't waste this second chance on impulse.

The silence in the room stretched thin. Blake's smile faltered.

Then a delicate voice broke the tension.

"Kate, give him your hand already. Blake's been waiting. Don't make people laugh at us."

Kate's head snapped toward the speaker. The sight of the woman in the pale dress made her vision burn red.

Sophia Jennings. Her "dear sister." The illegitimate daughter of Richard Jennings.

Sophia—fragile and doe-eyed to the world, ruthless in the shadows. She had smiled sweetly while helping Blake kill Kate and hadn't spared Ethan, even after he risked everything to save her.

The thought of Ethan's death squeezed her heart until Kate couldn't breathe.

Sophia leaned closer, voice pitched for only those nearby. "Kate, it's fine. Everyone gets nervous at their engagement. Especially with Blake… marrying your savior must feel like a dream. If it were me, I'd be nervous too."

Her eyes held just enough envy to look sincere.

Kate's lips curled in a cold smile. Still the same act. Savior? More like a polished predator.

And whether Blake had ever truly saved her… this time, she would find out.

Her eyes sharpened with resolve. She lifted her hand as if to accept the ring—then swatted Blake's hand aside. The box hit the floor, the diamond skittering across the red carpet with a sharp, ringing sound.

"I'm not getting engaged."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the silence like a blade.

The room froze. Blake, Sophia and Richard Jennings were at the main table.

"Kate! What did you just say?! Are you crazy?" Richard's voice thundered as he slammed the table, his face twisted with fury.

Kate's gaze was ice. She no longer looked at him as a father, but as an enemy.

Indeed, every so‑called relative present today was, in truth, her enemy. And of course, that included the cold and callous Richard, whose status had risen only through marrying her mother. He had drained Elizabeth Morgan of all her worth, and now sought to force her down the same tragic path, selling her to Blake—another man eager to exploit her for his own gain. Truly, birds of a feather flock together.

"Lost my mind? I've never been more clear. Can't you hear me, Father? Or is your hearing going?" Her smile was pure mockery. "I'll say it again—I'm not getting engaged today."

She tore off her veil, tossed it to the floor, and ground it beneath her heel.

"You ungrateful girl!" Richard's hand shot up, ready to strike, but Blake caught his arm.

"Mr. Jennings, please. Let me handle this." Blake's voice stayed smooth for the crowd's sake.

He turned back to Kate, frowning just enough to look concerned. "Kate, I know I was late today and that upset you. But now isn't the time for drama. Let's finish the ceremony, and I'll make it up to you later."

"Drama?" Kate's laugh was sharp. "Blake, do you really think you're worth my temper?"

She stepped closer, her words low but clear enough for the front rows. "You're a parasite who climbs by using women, hungry for my status, for the fortune my mother left me. You think I don't know? The only thing you inspire in me is disgust."

The mask slipped from Blake's face, his eyes flashing with something darker.

Sophia moved quickly, her voice gentle. "Everyone, I'm sorry. Kate's been spoiled since childhood. Blake was late, Father scolded her, and she's upset. She doesn't mean what she's saying."

She turned to Kate, her tone sweet and scolding at once. "Kate, how can you speak about Blake like that? He's hardworking, kind… Don't let anger make you hurt him."

Perfect. Protecting Richard's dignity, defending Blake, and painting Kate as the spoiled girl.

Kate's smile widened. "Sophia… you seem to know him better than I do. Why is that? Are you two sleeping together? You're very eager to defend him. If that's the case, it's terribly unfair to me."

"Kate!" Sophia's eyes went wide, tears welling instantly. "What's wrong with you today?"

Kate ignored her. Her gaze locked on the black Bentley pulling up outside the church.

It was Ethan's car.

In her past life, he'd been there too. But that day, thanks to Blake's manipulations, she'd said things to Ethan she could never take back.

Now, seeing him again… it felt like the world shifted.

She lifted her dress and strode toward the door.

Ethan stepped out, tall and lean, and she couldn't stop herself. She threw her arms around him, holding him tight.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Is Kate cheating on Blake in public?"

"That's Mr. Levington? Aren't they sworn enemies?"

"Kate…?" Ethan froze, hands half-raised to push her away.

Then her voice came, steady and clear enough to carry across the silent room.

"Ethan… let's get engaged."

The venue went utterly still.

Blake's face darkened. Ethan stood rigid, his eyes a storm. In another life, she'd sworn she hated him, that she'd never marry him.

Now… what game was she playing?